Larry Bird filed a lawsuit alleging that a couple who bought his former home is improperly using his name to promote a bed and breakfast. The lawsuit claims that Georgianna Lincoln and Christopher Cooke do not have permission to use his name and are profiting off his trademark by stating the home once belonged to him.
Cooke, an attorney, said that during negotiations to buy the home they were told they could use Bird’s name and after the purchase were told that they couldn’t.
The Web site for the resort, called the “Legend of French Lick,” advertises the property as “the former home of Larry Bird” and says visitors can play basketball on the court where Bird “spent hours practicing and perfecting his shot.”
Open qualifying at Creekmoor
The local qualifying tournament for the U.S. Open golf championship will be played today at The Golf Club of Creekmoor in Raymore. The first tee time is at 7:30 a.m. There are 87 players trying to earn one of six spots and advance to sectional qualifying. The tournament is open to the public.
Court rejects beaning appeal
An attorney filing an appeal in behalf of a former youth baseball coach convicted of offering a player $25 to bean a 9-year old autistic teammate missed a filing deadline by two weeks, and the Pennsylvania Superior Court has rejected the appeal.
Mark Downs Jr. of Dunbar, Pa., was sentenced to one to six years in prison for corruption of minors and simple assault. He has been free on bond pending appeal. It is uncertain whether he will file further appeals.
Docs sign on for plan
Doctors in Arizona and Pennsylvania agreed to donate medical care to former NFL players through the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund started by Mike Ditka. Ditka has been critical of the players’ union for ignoring medical needs of former players with serious injuries who can’t afford to pay for their care.
The Surgical Specialty Hospital of Arizona in Phoenix and the OAA Orthopedic Specialists in Allentown, Pa., have agreed to provide free treatment to former players who qualify. Gridiron Greats will help reimburse travel expenses. Ditka, former teammate Gale Sayers and recently retired Chiefs lineman Kyle Turley were at the announcement Tuesday.
The police blotter
No, this is not the playlist from the concert Tuesday night at the Sprint Center.
•Former NFL running back (Cowboys and Cardinals) Troy Hambrick was sentenced to five years in prison in Tampa, Fla., for selling crack cocaine.
•Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu was arrested over the weekend for investigation of drunken driving. He had breath tests of .155 and .158. Washington’s legal limit is .08.
•Florida defensive lineman Matt Patchan is recovering from a gunshot wound in his shoulder suffered late last week when a gunman opened fire into a crowd of people in Tampa, Fla..
Bills release Kevin Everett
Tight end Kevin Everett was released by the Bills, clearing the way for him to receive disability benefits for the spinal-cord injury that ended his career last year. He would not have been eligible for the program if he had stayed on the Bills’ active roster.
Everett will be able to apply for long-term disability benefits and a one-time payment under the health reimbursement plan. He also is eligible for full pension benefits because of credit for three seasons.
In brief
•Charles Buckman, who was struck by Danica Patrick’s race car during practice for the Indianapolis 500, has been released from Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.
•Mark Cavendish of England won the fourth stage of the Giro d’Italia in a group sprint finish. Franco Pellizotti of Italy retained the overall lead.
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