Rhode Island reopens probe into loan to Schilling’s company
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island — Rhode Island legislators are set on Tuesday to resume hearings on the state’s $75 million loan guarantee to former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling’s now-bankrupt video game company as the state fights to recoup some of the lost money.
Schilling, who named his company 38 Studios in a reference to the number on his jersey, had approached Rhode Island in 2009, offering to relocate the company from Massachusetts and bring some 450 jobs to the state.
A state Superior Court judge in August unsealed some 38,000 pages of documents related to the state’s lawsuit, which showed Schilling had wooed top Rhode Island officials at his home while seeking the loan guarantee from the state’s quasi-independent Economic Development Corporation.
Schilling was a member of the Red Sox team that won the World Series in 2004, ending an 86-year-streak without a championship and earning acclaim for remaining on the mound despite an ankle injury so severe that blood could be seen trickling through his sock.
The unsealed documents showed that former House Speaker Gordon Fox, now imprisoned on unrelated corruption charges, was one of the first state leaders to take an interest in the loan proposal.
Critics at the time warned that loan guarantees for a video game company were a risky investment.
Texans cut tardy QB Mallett
Quarterback Ryan Mallett was released by the Houston Texans three days after missing the team’s charter flight to Miami.
Multiple reports linked the Texans and former backup T.J. Yates, who was traded to the Atlanta Falcons. Yates would return as a backup along with second-year option Tom Savage.
Punctuality and professionalism were hindrances for Mallett in his competition with Brian Hoyer, and proved fatal detriments at a position typically defined by leadership and decision making.
Trading Mallett was an unlikely scenario given his recent track record off the field and having completed 53.1 percent of his throws this year for 770 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions for a 63.6 passer rating.
Lakers expect Bryant to play in opener
Kobe Bryant is expected to be on the floor for his 20th NBA season when the Los Angeles Lakers open Wednesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Staples Center.
There have been some questions about Bryant’s health leading up to the opener, but Lakers coach Byron Scott said a leg contusion that limited the veteran guard in practice wouldn’t keep him off the floor “unless something crazy happens” before tipoff.
“Yeah, I told him if he couldn’t go (Sunday), (Monday) we could start worrying,” Scott said. “He walked out (Sunday), he said it felt good. He gave me a thumbs-up. Went through the scrimmage and everything. You can see a little rust, but other than that, he was moving pretty fluid again. It was just good to see.”