Players' mega-lawsuit says NFL hid brain-injury links | A.M. Briefing

NFL

Mega-lawsuit says NFL hid brain-injury links

A concussion-related lawsuit bringing together scores of cases has been filed in federal court, accusing the NFL of hiding information that linked football-related head trauma to permanent brain injuries.

Lawyers for former players say more than 80 pending lawsuits are consolidated in the "master complaint" filed Thursday in Philadelphia.

Plaintiffs hope to hold the NFL responsible for the care of players suffering from dementia, Alzheimer's disease and other neurological conditions. Other former players remain asymptomatic, but worry about the future and want medical monitoring. The helmet-maker Riddell also was named a defendant.

Brees gets new offer

The New Orleans Saints made a new contract offer to record-setting quarterback Drew Brees. The Saints have placed their one-year franchise tag on Brees, barring him from negotiating with other teams. Brees has skipped voluntary practices and this week's minicamp while holding out for a long-term deal. He and the Saints are about $2 million apart in season salary, according to ESPN.com. Brees is seeking about $20 million per season.

Patriots release Ochocinco

The New England Patriots released receiver Chad Ochocinco, cutting loose the six-time Pro Bowl selection after one season in which he was more active on Twitter than on the field.

Track and field

Bolt wins 100 meters in Oslo

Usain Bolt recovered from a poor start to win the 100 meters in 9.79 seconds in the Bislett Games in Oslo, beating Asafa Powell by 0.06 seconds in the Diamond League meet. Bolt, the three-time Olympic champion, overtook Powell in the closing strides to remain undefeated this year. The Jamaican star hasn't lost since failing to defend his title in the 2011 world championships after being disqualified in the final for a false start.

Soccer

Euro 2012 kicks off

The European Championship, generally called Euro 2012, kicks off Friday in Warsaw when co-host Poland plays Greece. Ukraine also will be hosting games.

Defending champion Spain ? which also won the 2010 World Cup ? is the favorite. The Netherlands and Germany are other contenders, and England and Portugal should also be in the mix.

U.S. men begin qualifying

The United States men host Antigua and Barbuda in Tampa, Fla., on Friday as World Cup qualifying begins. The U.S. will play six Group A matches in the CONCACAF semifinal round the next four months. Guatemala and Jamaica also are in the group.

Toronto FC coach resigns

Toronto FC coach Aron Winter is stepping down after a dismal start to the season that has left the club with the fewest points in the MLS. Toronto FC is 1-9 and has been outscored 21-8 this season.

Whitecap breaks foot

Vancouver Whitecaps forward Omar Salgado broke his right foot while playing for the U.S. under-20 team.

Olympics

Auriemma: Taurasi should be OK for London

Geno Auriemma expects injured star Diana Taurasi to be fine for the Olympics next month. Taurasi has missed the Phoenix Mercury's past three games with a hip-flexor injury and is out indefinitely, the team said.

"She led me to believe that it's something that will heal through rehab and hard work on her part. She'll be ready to play in London," Auriemma said.

Gymnastics

Leyva takes early lead

Defending champion Danell Leyva grabbed the early lead at the U.S. men's championships in St. Louis, sneaking past John Orozco in the final rotation with a polished parallel bars routine. Leyva, also the world champion in the event, scored 15.800 points to finish at 91.850, just ahead of Orozco's 91.8.

College football

Clemson coach rewarded

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension through 2017. It had been previously announced Swinney would earn more than $1.9 million plus incentives.

Elsewhere

? Joe Banner stepped down as the Philadelphia Eagles president and will take on an advisory role while he pursues other opportunities in the NFL. Banner will be succeeded as president by chief operating officer Don Smolenski.

? The NFL tentatively has scheduled June 18 for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to hear the appeals of four players suspended for their roles in the Saints' bounty program.

? Wade Davis, a cornerback who spent four preseasons with three NFL teams and also played in NFL Europe, has come out as gay, joining a small but growing number of former athletes who are publicly acknowledging they are gays or lesbians.

? Colorado Avalanche right wing David Jones agreed to a four-year, $16 million contract.

? NASCAR Hall of Famer Cotton Owens died Thursday morning in Columbia, S.C. He was 88.

Seattle Times news services

bon vivant zynga ipo zynga ipo sam hurd arrested roddy white roddy white howard stern