VENTURA CLEARED FOR XFL: In Minneapolis, Dane Smith writes that MN Gov. JESSE VENTURA "got a thumbs-up" on his deal to serve as a color analyst for the XFL next season. Department of Employee Relations Commissioner JULIEN CARTER said Ventura's position with the XFL "does not constitute a conflict of interest" under MN law. But critics "found fault with the decision, which came from a state agency commissioner appointed" by Ventura (STAR TRIBUNE, 12/12). NAMES: Lakers C SHAQUILLE O'NEAL will miss Friday's game against the Grizzlies so he can graduate with LA State Univ.'s class of 2000, more than eight years after he left school early for the NBA. O'Neal, who will receive a degree in general studies, said: "I'm the first to graduate with a degree in crayon biology" (L.A. TIMES, 12/12)....A USTA source said that the organization has "settled on" PATRICK MCENROE as the new captain of the U.S. Davis Cup team, replacing brother JOHN MCENROE (ESPN.com, 12/11)....IOC President JUAN ANTONIO SAMARANCH, on the 2004 Athens Games: "In this moment, I am sure the Games will be in Athens. If the Games are not in Athens, there will not be Games" (L.A. TIMES, 12/12)....For the fourth consecutive year, GREG NORMAN "topped" the Business Review Weekly list of the top 50 Australian sports earners, with gross earnings of US$25.8M "accumulated through extensive business ventures and endorsements." Knicks C LUC LONGLEY was second at $6.2M and MLBer DAVE NILSSON was third at $4.57M (AGE, 12/9).
