In N.Y., Kristie Ackert notes the audio from the 911 call that led to Mets P Jeurys Familia's arrest on domestic violence charges is a "very clear reminder of why baseball has to continue its strong stand in dealing with domestic violence." MLB so far has handled domestic violence "comparatively well, far better than football." MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has "ruled on five cases under the league’s joint domestic violence policy instituted last offseason, issuing four suspensions." The league has "shown so far that it takes this issue seriously," but the league "must listen too, and continue to take a strong stand" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/17).
TO THE STAND? Attorneys for a group of former NFL players on Monday "urged a federal judge in California to allow them to depose" Colts Owner Jim Irsay and Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones in a lawsuit "alleging that NFL teams and their training staffs dispensed powerful drugs to players while misleading them about health risks." The NFL is "fighting to prevent Irsay and Jones from being forced to testify in the class action lawsuit by more than 1,500 former players" (INDYSTAR.com, 11/16).
GLOVES ARE OFF: It seems as if a "new era of women’s boxing is dawning." Showtime "plans to put women’s fights back on its air" and ESPN3 on Saturday will air two-time Gold Medalist Claressa Shields' pro debut. Shields is now "primed to take up the baton and carry the sport over the line it has come so close to crossing so many times" (THEUNDEFEATED.com, 11/16).
FIRST OF ITS KIND: The CFL and You Can Play will "host an official party supporting the LGBTQ community for the first time" in league history on Nov. 25 -- the Friday night of Grey Cup Weekend. The celebration in downtown Toronto will be held at the Striker Sports Bar -- Canada’s "first LGBTQ sports bar which opened in September." The party will be a "ticketed event and feature a midnight visit by the Grey Cup trophy" (CP, 11/15).
