Names In The News

Steelers President ART ROONEY is the recipient of Sporting News’ ’05 GEORGE YOUNG NFL EXEC OF THE YEAR award (THE DAILY).

JUICE CONCENTRATE: The U.S. SENTENCING COMMISSION has enacted stricter federal penalties for steroid offenses, “partially in response” to the BALCO scandal. Offenses “now carry the same penalties as those for other illegal drugs,” while guidelines will “target those convicted of using so-called masking agents to cover up illegal steroid use, as well as coaches who distribute performance-enhancing drugs to athletes” (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 3/28).

Johnson Seeking To Recoup Child Support Expenses From Ex-Girlfriend

PARENTAL UNIT: Yankees P RANDY JOHNSON has petitioned a judge to recoup more than $97,000 in day-care expenses and interest after LAUREL ROSZELL, the mother of his 16-year-old daughter, “asked Johnson to buy a truck and computer for the girl ... as well as cover community college expenses.” ALAN NERO, Johnson’s agent, said Johnson offered to “buy her a car, and buy her a computer and pay for those things directly, but (Roszell) didn’t want that. She wanted to be paid directly.” Roszell denied that claim. Nero said that Johnson asked for repayment “only after she threatened to take him to court for more child support” (N.Y. POST, 3/28).

NAMES: JAMES BUTLER JR. pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and arson in the death of sportswriter SAM KELLERMAN, the brother of boxing analyst MAX KELLERMAN. Butler on April 5 will be sentenced to 29 years and four months in state prison (L.A. TIMES, 3/28)....The ballot for Vanity Fair’s INT’L BEST-DRESSED LIST OF ’06 includes Real Madrid MF DAVID BECKHAM, Giants RB TIKI BARBER and tennis player MARIA SHARAPOVA (N.Y. POST, 3/27).