Big Ten eyeing 12 schools?
Big Ten officials will likely discuss expanding to 12 schools to accommodate the new Big Ten Network, commissioner Jim Delany said.
The network, which is scheduled to launch Aug. 30, would benefit from an additional big-name university in a large television market, Delany said.
"I think we need to look at it in the next year," he told the Des Moines Register on Wednesday. He offered no specific candidates.
In football, a 12th school could mean two divisions and a postseason playoff. That's an appealing concept to the startup network, which is based in Chicago.
Costas not upset at Bonds: A day after Barry Bonds called him a "little midget man who knows (nothing) about baseball," broadcaster Bob Costas said he wasn't upset with the San Francisco Giants slugger and responded with a jab of his own.
"As anyone can plainly see, I'm 5-6ˆ¨ and a strapping 150, and unlike some people, I came by all of it naturally," Costas said Thursday.
On this week's edition of HBO's "Costas Now," Commissioner Bud Selig, Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling and chemist Patrick Arnold discussed Bonds, his pursuit of Hank Aaron's home run record and suspicions that Bonds has used steroids. Schilling and Arnold said they believed Bonds had taken performance-enhancing drugs.
Nats to extend Young's deal: Dmitri Young and the Washington Nationals were on the verge of a $10 million, two-year contract extension Thursday. Young would earn $5 million each in 2008 and 2009, and the contract also would contain a $6 million option for 2010 that would become guaranteed if he has 500 plate appearances in 2009 or 900 combined in 2008 and 2009.
-- Curt Schilling looked ready to step back into the Boston rotation, pitching 5 scoreless innings and striking out eight in his second rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket.
Rush wants to meet with Stern: Rep. Bobby Rush, the chairman of a House subcommittee is requesting a meeting with NBA Commissioner David Stern concerning the betting scandal involving former referee Tim Donaghy.
Rush, who heads the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, said he is also considering calling a hearing on the matter "should the facts warrant public scrutiny."
"If the allegations prove true, this could be one of the most damaging scandals in the history of American sports," the Chicago Democrat wrote in a letter sent to Stern on Wednesday and released to the press on Thursday.
Blake in Indy quarterfinals: James Blake executed his strategy to perfection in the second round of the Indianapolis Tennis Championships.
Blake needed just 66 minutes to beat Ricardo Mello 6-4, 6-2 Thursday and advance to the quarterfinals. Blake won 22 of 26 first-serve points to 23 of 41 for Mello, a qualifier.
Flyers can't get sweep: -- Dave Detienne tied a club record with 5 hits and Travis Kerber tossed 8 strong innings as the Gary RailCats defeated the Schaumburg Flyers 7-2 Thursday at Alexian Field. The RailCats avoided a sweep with their lone win in the three-game set.