WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court agreed to hear a case that could expand the protection offered by Title IX, the federal law known best for promoting women's athletics. The 1972 law bars sex discrimination in schools and education in general. It already is settled that students or others who think they were shortchanged can even the playing field in court.
The court will look at whether the law also protects people who are not the victim of discrimination but who suffer consequences. At the urging of the Bush administration, the court said it will hear an appeal from a former girls basketball coach who claims he was fired when he complained that his players had second-class facilities. Title IX bars sex discrimination in "any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance." It is not explicit about protection for whistle-blowers. Roderick Jackson was a teacher and girls basketball coach in Birmingham, Ala., before the school transferred him. Jackson said he discovered that Ensley denied his team equal financing, equipment or facilities, and he protested. Jackson claims he received poor performance reviews and then was fired.
HOCKEY: Primeau gets new deal
Flyers captain Keith Primeau signed a four-year, $17-million contract, 10 days before he was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent. Primeau, 32, was Philadelphia's leading scorer in the playoffs with nine goals and 16 points. "For our organization, Keith is the most important player," general manager Bob Clarke said. "He's our leader."
STARS: Former Lightning wing Rob DiMaio was signed to a one-year deal. DiMaio, 36, appeared in 69 games last season for Dallas with nine goals.
OLYMPICS: Ueberroth new chairman
Peter Ueberroth was appointed chairman of the U.S. Olympic Committee's board of directors, two decades after leading the Los Angeles Games to a record profit. Ueberroth, 66, will set USOC policy a year after it was the focus of a congressional investigation. As chief organizer of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Ueberroth helped turn a $225-million profit. He served as commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1984-89.
BURDEN OF PROOF A CONCERN: The switch to a lower burden of proof in doping cases has raised concerns from athletes under scrutiny for possible drug violations. But the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said it simply is conforming to long-held international standards. Lawyer Edward Williams said it would be "shocking" for the USADA to change the burden of proof. "You can't change the rules in midstream," he said.
TENNIS: Injured Fish withdraws
Second-seeded Mardy Fish of Tampa withdrew from the Nottingham (England) Open, citing a recurring hip injury. Fish lost 6-0, 6-3 to Roger Federer in Sunday's final in Halle, Germany. His place in the Nottingham draw was taken by Sebastian Fitz. Two-time champion Jonas Bjorkman defeated qualifier Aisam Qureshi 7-6 (7-5), 6-3.
TEEN COLLAPSES: The 15-year-old sister of former star Richard Krajicek collapsed as she was about to serve at the Ordina Open in Den Bosch, Netherlands. Michaella Krajicek was carried off the court on a stretcher because of a stomach irritation.
SAILING: New Zealand plots return
The New Zealand team that lost the America's Cup in 2003 declared its attempt to reclaim the trophy. Team head Grant Dalton announced a $21-million sponsorship from Emirates Airlines that will allow it to challenge in 2007.
MEDIA: Veteran journalist dies
Ralph Wiley, a veteran African-American sports journalist for more than 20 years who was a senior writer for Sports Illustrated and a columnist for ESPN.com, died of heart failure Sunday in his Orlando home. He was 52.
