Court upholds $12M judgment vs. Bengals’ Jones
The Nevada Supreme Court has upheld a jury verdict of more than $12 million against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam Jones stemming from a strip club brawl that led to the shootings of two security guards in 2007.
In 2012, a jury awarded $11 million to paralyzed security officer Thomas Urbanski and his wife and $1.3 million to fellow security guard Aaron Cudworth.
Both were shot at the end of a fracas at a Las Vegas club during NBA All-Star Weekend in February 2007.
A jury found that Jones incited the riot when he threw hundreds of dollar bills on the strippers as they danced, “making it rain.” Two women began fighting over the money, and the melee broke out.
Jones and his entourage were forced to leave the club, and Urbanski and Cudworth were shot soon after by Arvin Edwards. Edwards later pleaded guilty via an Alford plea to attempted murder.
Jones received probation for his role in the incident, but he was sued by the victims.
The court rejected his appeal, saying Jones “failed to object to the alleged inconsistent jury verdicts prior to the jury’s dismissal.”
Suns obtain F Wright from Celtics
The Boston Celtics traded forward Brandan Wright to the Phoenix Suns on Friday for a 2015 first-round draft pick through the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The 6-foot-10 Wright came to the Celtics from the Dallas Mavericks in December as part of a trade for guard Rajon Rondo.
To make room on the roster for Wright, the Suns waived forward Tony Mitchell, who was acquired by Phoenix in a trade with the Detroit Pistons on Dec. 24.
Before Wright left the Mavericks, he was averaging 8.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game and shooting 72.4 percent from the field. But his playing time was limited in the Celtics’ frontcourt and his averages dropped to 7.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 35 games for both teams.
St. Louis unveils plans for stadium
ST. LOUIS — Four days after St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke announced plans to build an NFL stadium in Los Angeles, St. Louis on Friday unveiled a proposal for a new open-air stadium that would cost between $860 million and $985 million.
David Peacock, a former top executive at Anheuser-Busch who is leading the stadium team along with attorney Robert Blitz, told reporters at the presentation, “The Rams are our team. We believe with this kind of plan the Rams will continue to be our team.”
Blitz, who was part of the legal team that brought the Rams to St. Louis from Los Angeles in 1995, said, “We will fight for what is rightfully ours.”
NFL investigating texts sent to Browns’ sideline
The NFL is investigating whether text messages were sent to the Cleveland Browns’ sideline during games this season.
NFL spokesman Michael Signora did not elaborate to ESPN.com on Friday except to say the league is looking into the matter.
Texting would be a violation of the NFL’s rules prohibiting electronic communication during games.
Cleveland.com reported earlier this week that some coaches late in the season became angered when play calls were requested or suggested via text from the press box by a high-ranking non-coaching staff member.
The Browns and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan parted ways Thursday after reports surfaced that friction between the coaching staff and front office became an issue for the first-year assistant.
Cleveland.com said the text suggestion was one issue in Shanahan leaving the team. He perceived it as interference from the front office regarding coaching decisions. A source said the messages regarded personnel decisions and play calls.