League Notes

ESPN’s Ric Bucher reported the NBA’s new composite Spalding ball will be used this season as planned. Bucher: “There simply haven’t been enough issues during the exhibition season for them to make a change. Maybe (NBA Commissioner) David Stern will revisit it next summer, but unless the players start kicking the ball out of bounds at every opportunity, we will not see leather in the NBA this season” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 10/14).

PLAYING SHAPE: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was Washington & Jefferson College’s honorary co-captain for his alma mater’s homecoming game on Saturday. In Pittsburgh, Colin Dunlap: “Straight, forthright and with the perfect mixture of professionalism and ‘regular guy’ personality, Goodell answered each query, even the ones it might have been easier to offer up a ‘no comment.’” Goodell said of the five-game suspension of Titans DT Albert Haynesworth: “We expect higher standards from our players, our coaches and everyone involved with the NFL. Five games in the NFL is a lot of games” (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 10/15).

PARADISE FOUND: The Hawaii Tourism Authority has extended its official marketing partnership with the PGA Tour through 2010 that includes an extension clause covering 2011-2014. State officials said that the contract “ensures that the season-opening tournaments on both the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour, in addition to other golf competitions, will continue to be held in Hawaii.” There are currently six events played in Hawaii (AP, 10/13).