Williams F1 is "prepared to release Valtteri Bottas to become Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes teammate" in '17. Mercedes wants the Finn, 27, to replace Nico Rosberg, "who retired after winning the world title last month." Williams Deputy Team Principal Claire Williams said that the team would let Bottas leave "if an experienced, credible alternative was available." Williams suggested Felipe Massa could return, "despite retiring at the end of this season." Williams, who finished fifth in the championship in '16, "rejected Mercedes' first offer for Bottas, but talks are ongoing" (BBC, 12/15).
Yorkshire County Cricket Club is "prepared to compromise over the naming of a Headingley-based side in the new Twenty20 competition," but the club remains "adamant that it cannot be specific to a city within their borders." The latest England & Wales Cricket Board report into the eight-team tournament, due to start in '20, includes a stated principle that fresh competition and team brands "must drive reappraisal and differentiation from existing county products." This suits the non-int'l grounds, known as Category Cs, that believe their own games in the T20 Blast "may be devalued if Test-based counties also feature by name in the higher-profile event" (LONDON TIMES, 12/17).
League Championship side Leeds United Owner Massimo Cellino has "failed to pay the legal costs demanded of him eight months ago by the industrial tribunal panel which found he unfairly dismissed Lucy Ward, one of football’s most respected and experienced welfare officers." Cellino, who was suspended from football by the FA for 18 months last week over a breach of agent rules, "was ordered by the tribunal in Leeds to pay out" £70,000 ($87,342) in legal costs as well as £290,000 ($361,850) to Ward, after behaving in an “oppressive” and “high handed” manner "before sexually discriminating against her in the process of sacking her." The tribunal heard that Cellino decided Ward must go because he also wanted to sack Manager Neil Redfearn, her partner, and considered the two of them "a pair." Cellino "did not respond to requests for comments on Thursday" (London INDEPENDENT, 12/15).
Premiership side Northampton Saints "may face an investigation" by European Cup chiefs for "fielding a weakened team" in Saturday's 60-13 Champions Cup loss to Leinster. The club "rested Courtney Lawes, Tom Wood, Luther Burrell and Louis Picamoles for the trip to Dublin." European Professional Club Rugby will "make a decision on whether to investigate the Saints on Monday" (BBC, 12/18).
