Anthony reaches deal to drop solicitation charge
In a deal with prosecutors, basketball analyst Greg Anthony agreed to perform community service in exchange for the dismissal of a charge of soliciting a prostitute.
Under terms of the deferred prosecution deal announced Wednesday, Anthony must commit to 32 hours of service and avoid legal trouble for four months.
Anthony, 47, was arrested on the misdemeanor charge at a hotel in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 16. He had responded to an online escort ad placed by authorities, according to court documents.
Anthony, a former star at UNLV who played in the NBA for 11 years, has apologized publicly to his wife, family and colleagues, calling it a “lapse of judgment.”
Anthony, who worked as an analyst on college basketball broadcasts, remains suspended indefinitely by CBS.
Sabres acquire Kane from Jets in blockbuster trade
The Buffalo Sabres acquired forward Evander Kane as part of a blockbuster trade with the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday.
The trade also sends defenseman Zach Bogosian to Buffalo for a package that includes defenseman Tyler Myers, forward Drew Stafford, two prospects and a first-round pick.
Buffalo held three first-round picks in the 2015 NHL Draft. The Sabres previously acquired first-round picks in this draft from the New York Islanders and the St. Louis Blues. It is unclear which pick Winnipeg will receive.
Forwards Joel Armia and Brendan Lemieux are the prospects the Jets acquired in the trade. College goalie Jason Kasdorf, a junior at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is also going to the Sabres in the trade.
Kane, 23, was among the hottest commodities ahead of the NHL trade deadline, which is 3 p.m. on March 2, even though he had shoulder surgery this past weekend and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
The 6-foot-2, 198-pound Kane has 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists) in 37 games played this season. He has 222 points (109 goals, 113 assists) in 361 games over the past six seasons.
NFL to review Hardy’s court file
The NFL reportedly will review Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy’s court file as part of the investigation to determine whether he violated the league’s personal-conduct policy.
Hardy’s domestic-abuse case was abruptly dismissed Monday because his accuser could not be found to testify at the trial in Charlotte, N.C. The prosecution said repeated attempts to reach Nicole Holder, Hardy’s ex-girlfriend, failed and the domestic violence charges were dismissed.
The district attorney’s office said Monday it has “reliable information” that Holder and Hardy have reached a civil settlement.
The Charlotte Observer reported Wednesday that NFL outside advisor Lisa Friel and the league staff will review Hardy’s court record as part of its investigation.
The league office declined comment when Pro Football Talk asked whether the league will be requesting from Hardy a copy of the transcript from the 2014 bench trial at which the alleged victim showed up and testified.
Favre wants ceremony at Lambeau Field
Brett Favre, who will inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame and have his No. 4 jersey retired by the team this summer, wants the ceremony to take place inside Lambeau Field so more fans can attend.
The Packers Hall of Fame, which is independent of the team, announced plans last month to hold Favre’s induction ceremony on July 18 in the stadium’s atrium area.
Favre’s No. 4 also will be retired on the night of his induction, but all 1,600 tickets to his induction have been sold to sponsors and supporters without any availability to the general public.
“I think everyone should have an option to go, and what better way to do it than Lambeau Field,” Favre told Greta Van Susteren on Fox News Tuesday night. “You’re right, I didn’t play in the atrium. As you know, that whole facility is second to none in any sport, but there’s nothing like Lambeau Field, and even though the atrium’s right there, it would be nice to do it in the stadium. Obviously weather’s a factor.”
The Packers Hall of Fame said Favre’s induction would be broadcast the next day throughout the state on the same TV stations that air Packers preseason games.