N.J. resumes fight for sports betting

PHILADELPHIA — The fight over legalized sports gambling in New Jersey has moved back to a federal appeals court.

Attorneys representing New Jersey, the four pro sports leagues and the NCAA argued in front of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

The leagues and NCAA sued in 2012 to stop New Jersey from implementing a law allowing sports gambling.

Currently, gambling on individual sporting events is legal only in Nevada.

Tuesday’s proceedings focused on whether New Jersey’s removal of prohibitions against sports gambling and allowing it at casinos and racetracks constituted state authorization.

The leagues argued it does and thereby violates a 1992 federal law.

Attorneys for New Jersey argued the state is merely following a 3rd Circuit ruling from 2013 that said it can repeal its own laws.

NHL GMs like idea for 3-on-3 overtime

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Three-on-three overtime is getting a nod from NHL general managers, although a format decision and final approval are still needed.

GMs agreed Tuesday to recommend some type of three-on-three beginning next season.

But they are still debating whether to add time to the extra session or begin overtime three-on-three instead of four-on-four.

The recommendations will go to the joint NHL/NHLPA competition committee, which meets in June and must approve any rule changes.

That committee also will consider the other recommendation from general managers of instituting a coach’s challenge system for goaltender interference.

If it goes through, coaches will be able to challenge goalie interference only on goals scored and only if they have their timeout left.

Women’s NCAA grad rate tops men

ORLANDO, Fla. — Women competing in this year’s NCAA Tournament continue to graduate at a higher rate than their male counterparts, according to an annual study.

The report released Tuesday by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport shows athletes on teams selected for the women’s tournament have a graduation rate of 88 percent, compared to 75 percent for men’s tournament teams.

Both tournaments have only one team each that failed to meet the NCAA’s standard of averaging a 50 percent graduation rate over a four-year period.

Study author Richard Lapchick noted concern after seeing the disparity between white and African-American female athletes grow to 12 percent, up from 5 percent in 2014. The disparity between white and African-American on men’s tournament teams was 24 percent for the second consecutive year.

From wire reports