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NEW YORK | A former sports agent told Sports Illustrated he paid college football players early in his career, and several of them confirmed it to the magazine.
In the Oct. 18 edition, Josh Luchs said he paid more than 30 players from 1990-96, including many who didn't sign with him.
He said quarterback Ryan Leaf, the second pick in the 1998 draft who flopped in the pros, took more than $10,000, most of which he voluntarily paid back after signing with another agent. Leaf declined to comment.
Luchs said Jonathan Ogden, the Baltimore Ravens 11-time Pro Bowl tackle, wouldn't take money but accepted Janet Jackson concert tickets in violation of NCAA rules. Ogden confirmed the account.
The NFL Players Association suspended Luchs for a year in 2007 over the handling of a commission check.
pro basketball
Heat standout getting better
MIAMI | Heat guard Dwyane Wade's strained right hamstring is improving, though he's not yet ready to return to the court.
Wade's hamstring is "virtually pain-free," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. But the Heat won't rush Wade back into the lineup, citing a desire to make sure he's fully healed before risking anything further.
Heat teammate LeBron James said he'd like to see Wade back with the team before the preseason finale against Orlando on Oct. 22.
OTHER NBA NEWS
James scored 22 points in 26 minutes before leaving with leg cramps, and the Miami Heat beat CSKA Moscow 96-85 in an exhibition on Tuesday.
John Wall scored 19 points in his home debut and the Washington Wizards cruised to a 107-92 exhibition victory over the winless Atlanta Hawks.
baseball
Pirates interview 2 more candidates
PITTSBURGH | Former Milwaukee Brewers manager Ken Macha and Jeff Banister have interviewed as the Pirates search for their next manager.
Macha, a Pittsburgh-area native, was fired this month after going 157-167 in two seasons with Milwaukee.
Banister has been in the Pirates' organization for 25 years as a player, minor league manager and major league and minor league field coordinator. He finished this season as the Pirates' bench coach.
OTHER BASEBALL NEWS
The New York Mets interviewed Chicago White Sox assistant general manager Rick Hahn in their search to hire a GM.
hockey
Veteran Red Wings forward retires
DETROIT | Red Wings forward Kirk Maltby announced his retirement Tuesday.
Maltby, 37, played 14 seasons with the Red Wings, helping the Wings win four Stanley Cups.
Maltby did not earn a spot in Detroit's deep forward group this season, and decided not to join Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League.
OTHER HOCKEY NEWS
Islanders defenseman James Wisniewski was suspended for two games because of an obscene gesture he made toward Sean Avery during a game.
college football
Florida receiver returns to team
GAINESVILLE, Fla. | Florida receiver Chris Rainey, suspended last month after being charged with aggravated stalking, has been allowed to return to the team.
Coach Urban Meyer said Rainey won't play Saturday against Mississippi State.
Rainey was arrested Sept. 14 and charged with a third-degree felony. He later agreed to a plea deal on a misdemeanor charge. If Rainey fulfills his community service agreement and remains out of trouble for six months, the charge will be dismissed.
OTHER COLLEGE NEWS
Notre Dame tight end Kyle Rudolph is finished for the season after severely injuring his hamstring.
Georgia tailback Caleb King has been suspended two games following his arrest this week.
Clemson's Andre Ellington will be the team's starting running back.
soccer
Judge set to rule on Liverpool sale
LONDON | A British judge said he will rule today on the proposed sale of the Premier League club Liverpool to the parent company of baseball's Boston Red Sox.
Royal Bank of Scotland, which holds the bulk of the club's debt, is seeking a ruling that gives three Liverpool directors the power to go through with a 300 million pound ($476 million) sale to New England Sports Ventures.
In new twists Tuesday, a Singapore billionaire raised his offer for the club, and a lawyer for current owners Tim Hicks and George Gillett Jr. said Mill Financial, a U.S. hedge fund, also is making a bid.
track and field
Gold stripped after positive test
NEW DELHI | Nigeria's Osayomi Oludamola was stripped of her 100-meter Commonwealth Games gold medal Tuesday, a day after she had a positive finding for the stimulant Methylhexaneamine.
Natasha Mayers of St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be moved up to gold, Katherine Endacott of England will get silver and Bertille Delphine Atangana of Cameroon will get bronze.
in other news
Wladimir Klitschko will defend his IBF heavyweight title against Dereck Chisora on Dec. 11.
Coastal Carolina is the preseason pick to win the Big South men's basketball title.
