In N.Y., Judy Battista reports that former Jets coach
Bill Belichick "dropped" his antitrust lawsuit against the
NFL and the Jets. Belichick's attorney Jeffrey Kessler
"declined to discuss what other options are available" to
Belichick at this time (N.Y. TIMES, 1/27). Reports this
morning are that the Jets have given the Patriots permission
to talk to Belichick, leading to speculation that a
compensation package has been worked out (Mult., 1/27).
NHL: In Miami, Greg Cote writes that Wednesday's
Devils-Panthers game "continued an illogical, season-long
slump at the gate," as the average Panthers crowd "has
fallen nearly" 3,000 per game since last season, despite the
fact that the team is "winning big and conjuring Stanley Cup
dreams" (MIAMI HERALD, 1/27)....In Cleveland, Roger Brown
wrote that despite the Canadian Federal Government's
reversal on federal aid, sources said that it's "not likely"
that a franchise would relocate to Cleveland. Brown: "No
one with serious money has expressed a clear interest in
owning an NHL team here" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/26).
NBA: Raptors coach Butch Carter, asked if Wizards
President of Basketball Operations Michael Jordan "can find
a way to manage" the team's "excessive" salary cap: "The
only one who's going to be able to move that cap is Jesus
Christ and we haven't seen him in 2000 years" (WASHINGTON
POST, 1/27)....In Dallas, Marc Stein writes that Dennis
Rodman wants jersey No. 69 if he signs with the Mavs. Mavs
Owner Mark Cuban: "If he signs, we want to have some fun
with the number he picks" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/27).
