INDYCAR Unveils New Name, Double-File Restarts, Kids in the Garage

Filed under: IRL, Indianapolis 500

Speaking to racing journalists and industry insiders Tuesday in Indianapolis, INDYCAR CEO Randy Barnard revealed big changes for the series ranging from a new name for the sanctioning body -- INDYCAR -- to double-file restarts in oval races, to lowering the age for visitors in the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway garage area.

In his first formal "state of the sport'' address since taking over as CEO a year ago, Barnard (above) spoke about the responsibility and commitment to listen to open-wheel fans as he tries to reinvigorate the once-thriving genre. And that means, according to Barnard, a new name "to move the sport forward.''

One of the most visible changes announced Tuesday will be double-file restarts beginning with the May 29 Indianapolis 500, where, for the first time in the track's 102-year history, children nine years of age and older will be allowed in the garage on race day. The engine committee also revealed it will go with a smaller 2.2-liter engine for the new 2012 car, instead of the 2.4-liter originally approved for the cars. Honda, Chevrolet and Lotus have all committed to supplying engines.

"We're trying to increase the excitement and drama around the events," said President of Competition Brian Barnhart. "Much of it is a response to fans' expectations."

Earlier Tuesday, INDYCAR announced the opening of an office outside Los Angeles with the intent to integrate a Hollywood-feel within the series -- bringing the entertainment industry into the fold to help promote the sport.

"This will be a one-stop shop to pursue opportunities and make deals across multiple business lines and entertainment outlets,'' Barnard said.

 

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2011/01/11/indycar-unveils-new-name-double-file-restarts-kids-in-the-gara/

Bayless, Jerryd Beasley, Michael Beaubois, Rodrigue Belinelli, Marco Bell, Charlie

Kings' GM Dean Lombardi Fined $50K for Questioning Integrity of NHL Official

Filed under: Kings

Los Angeles Kings general manager Dean Lombardi was slapped with a $50,000 fine on Friday -- one of the stiffest fines on an NHL coach in recent memory for his comments questioning the integrity of league vice president Mike Murphy.

A frustrated Lombardi was unhappy with Murphy's decision to uphold a goal by Phoenix Coyotes forward Martin Hanzal in a game against the Kings on Thursday.

 

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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/21/kings-gm-dean-lombardi-fined-50k-for-questioning-integrity-of/

Andersen, Chris Andersen, David Anderson, James Anderson, Ryan Anthony, Carmelo

Al Davis: Calvin Johnson Hasn't Done 'Anything' for Lions

Filed under: Lions, Raiders, NFL Draft

Calvin Johnson, the fourth-year pro and former No. 2 overall pick out of Georgia Tech, just completed his second 1,000-plus-yard, 12-touchdown season in the league. Beloved by Lions fans and fantasy football enthusiasts worldwide, Johnson has emerged as one of the league's top receivers, a star by anyone's standards.

Well, anyone not named Al Davis.

Davis, owner of the Oakland Raiders and leading curmudgeon of the NFL, spilled his feelings about Johnson in a recent press conference. When asked about the success of the Raiders' two most recent drafts, Davis responded:

 

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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/24/al-davis-calvin-johnson-hasnt-done-anything-for-lions/

Butler, Rasual Bynum, Andrew Bynum, Will Calderon, Jose Camby, Marcus

LA Galaxy Stands Firm as David Beckham Limited to Training Stint With Tottenham

Filed under: MLS, Los Angeles Galaxy

Kudos to the Los Angeles Galaxy. It seems the club has developed a bit of backbone and insisted that David Beckham put his MLS commitment first, for once.

Beckham (who's set to become a father for the fourth time) has been angling for an offseason loan to Tottenham Hotspur and announced his intentions last month. The Galaxy has been saying all along that it expected the player to be in uniform for the March 15 season opener, but we've seen the club put Beckham's interests before its own several times before.

Not this time, however. Beckham will honor the fifth and final year of his contract and play only for the Galaxy in 2010. He will train with Spurs until Feb. 10, then return to California without playing in any Premier League games. He joined the London club on Monday and took a physical.

It's worth repeating this sobering statistic: Beckham has appeared in 57 games for the Galaxy. He's played in 33 matches for AC Milan and 21 with England. The Galaxy has constituted just 51% of his work load over the past four years.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said, "We'd love to have him here for longer but respect his commitments to L.A. Galaxy. They wanted him back in early February so that made it difficult to do a playing deal on the basis of three weeks."

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In a statement on Tottenham's Web site, Beckham said, "It's important that I maintain a high level of fitness during the MLS off season. I'm thankful to Tottenham and Harry Redknapp for giving me the opportunity to train with the team over the next month. I'm grateful to the L.A. Galaxy for allowing to me to train with Spurs. I look forward to getting to work as soon as possible."

Beckham's interest in staying fit is laudable. He missed the vast majority of last season with his Achilles injury and did not see the field until early September. He played 10 games, starting eight. It's understandable that he wouldn't want to start from scratch all over again when the Galaxy begins its preseason program.

The Galaxy's insistence on Beckham's presence, however, is also laudable. The club capitulated far too easily to AC Milan, and as a result Beckham has played just one full season for the club (2008). It has zero incentive to allow Beckham to play games for another club and risk another injury.

If MLS is going to be treated like a major league, it needs to act like one. That means behaving like equals rather than start-struck fans when dealing with big-name foreign clubs, and it means holding famous players to their word.

 

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Source: http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2011/01/10/david-beckham-limited-to-short-training-stint-with-tottenham/

Bynum, Andrew Bynum, Will Calderon, Jose Camby, Marcus Caracter, Derrick

Truly, the Most Interesting Man in the World

by Jordan Schultz

Filed under: TV and Movies, Sports Media, Sports Advertising, FanHouse Exclusive, Sports Business and Media

Jonathan Goldsmith is not a household name. His Dos Equis beer commercials, however, have made him a familiar face. Spend a little time with the man behind the ads, and you learn there is a common bond between the character and the man himself.

The following is a list of some of his more memorable life experiences:

* Hand fed a 750 lb. tiger.

* Met Jackie Robinson.

* Changed his name and then changed it back (Goldsmith is his given name).

* Been shot by John Wayne.

Does this sound like the most interesting man in the world?

 

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Source: http://backporch.fanhouse.com/2011/01/18/truly-the-most-interesting-man-in-the-world/

Curry, Eddy Curry, Stephen Dalembert, Samuel Dampier, Erick Daniels, Marquis

Report: Andruw Jones, Yankees Have Deal

Filed under: Yankees, MLB Rumors, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Free Agency

The Yankees have found their right-handed-hitting outfielder, reportedly agreeing to a one-year deal with Andruw Jones.

The veteran will make $2 million and have an opportunity to add $1.2 million more in bonuses, according to SI.com.

Jones and the Yankees had been linked for some time, so the deal is no surprise. Jones' agent, Scott Boras, was at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday for his client Rafael Soriano's introductory news conference, and general manager Brian Cashman said the two planned to meet later to discuss Jones.

The 33-year-old had something of a bounceback year for the White Sox in 2010, hitting 19 homers and posting an .827 OPS in 328 plate appearances. He isn't an everyday outfielder anymore, but the Yankees should be able to plug him in as needed and get better defense than they did out of that half of the platoon last year, Marcus Thames.

Next season will be Jones' 16th in the majors. He broke in as a 19-year-old with the Braves in 1996 and stayed with Atlanta through the 2007 season before playing the last three years with the Dodgers, Rangers and White Sox.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/20/report-andruw-jones-yankees-have-deal/

Bibby, Mike Biedrins, Andris Billups, Chauncey Blair, DeJuan Blake, Steve

Jay Cutler Reportedly Has MCL Tear

Filed under: Chicago Bears

Jay Cutler's exit from the NFC championship game Sunday garnered the quarterback a lot of criticism -- from fans, from the media (including us) and even from Cutler's peers.

With details about his knee injury vague, most chose to label Cutler a quitter. But according to a report, Cutler's injury is legitimate: an MCL tear.

Doctors are reportedly determining the severity of the tear after Cutler underwent an MRI Monday morning. The injury could cost Cutler anywhere from two to six weeks. Surgery isn't necessarily required, depending on the extent of the injury.

Cutler injured his knee in the second quarter. He returned in the third to test the knee out, but exited for good quickly thereafter. Todd Collins and Caleb Hanie finished the game for the Bears, while sideline cameras often caught a dejected Cutler sitting by his lonesome. A report said Cutler was visibly shaken by the criticism of other players when told about it after the game.

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Whitley: Jay Cutler Bails on Bears

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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/24/jay-cutler-reportedly-has-mcl-tear/

Collison, Nick Conley, Mike Cook, Brian Cook, Daequan Cousins, DeMarcus