http://si.com?eref=writers SI.com is the league leader in original in-depth coverage of professional, local, college and international sports. And we're updated continuously, delivering the level of rich in-depth coverage Sports Illustrated fans demand, at the speed of CNN. en-us © 2012 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:10:39 EST 10 http://si.com?eref=writers http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/.element/img/1.0/misc/logo.rss.gif 96 36 SI.com is the league leader in original in-depth coverage of professional, local, college and international sports. And we're updated continuously, delivering the level of rich in-depth coverage Sports Illustrated fans demand, at the speed of CNN. http://si.com/2012/writers/michael_mccann/01/30/cleanzones/index.html?eref=writers http://si.com/2012/writers/michael_mccann/01/30/cleanzones/index.html?eref=writers On Sunday, Super Bowl XLVI will be played in Indianapolis's Lucas Oil Stadium. In addition to watching the biggest game of the year, the more than 70,000 fans in attendance and the millions viewing at home will see numerous advertisements and promotions. The NFL, obviously, will decide what fans see. Companies will pay the NFL for that privilege and they will want it to be as exclusive as possible. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:00:37 EST http://si.com/2011/writers/michael_mccann/12/22/mayweather-plea/index.html?eref=writers http://si.com/2011/writers/michael_mccann/12/22/mayweather-plea/index.html?eref=writers Originally facing a maximum sentence of 34 years in prison on felony charges related to beating up his ex-girlfriend in front of their children -- who he reportedly threatened to beat up, too, if they called the police -- Floyd Mayweather Jr. was sentenced this afternoon by Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Melissa Saragosa to 90 days in jail. Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:08:24 EST http://si.com/2011/writers/michael_mccann/12/16/barry.bonds.sentencing/index.html?eref=writers http://si.com/2011/writers/michael_mccann/12/16/barry.bonds.sentencing/index.html?eref=writers Nearly nine years, thousands of attorneys' hours and reportedly more than $50 million of taxpayer money later, Barry Bonds has finally received his punishment for distorting the truth (he was found guilty of one count of obstruction of justice). Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:51:30 EST http://si.com/2011/writers/michael_mccann/12/16/samhurd/index.html?eref=writers http://si.com/2011/writers/michael_mccann/12/16/samhurd/index.html?eref=writers Sam Hurd's felony charges for intent to distribute cocaine clearly threaten the 26-year-old Chicago Bear's future. Less obviously, they may seriously impact other players, teams and the league itself. According to CBS Chicago, Hurd sold drugs to a "double-digit" number of NFL players. Law enforcement officials are reportedly in possession of those players' names. This developing story could emerge as a major scandal for the NFL and trigger reassessment of how the league prevents substances of abuse from infiltrating the game. Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:48:08 EST http://si.com/2011/writers/michael_mccann/12/13/sandusky.attorney/index.html?eref=writers http://si.com/2011/writers/michael_mccann/12/13/sandusky.attorney/index.html?eref=writers Jerry Sandusky's attorney, Joe Amendola, has a difficult case ahead of him. Sandusky has been indicted on 40 counts of sex crimes against boys and the number of accusers appears to be on the rise. It is thus understandable that Amendola would adopt an aggressive, even risky, strategy to rebut the accusations. Less understandable is Amendola's choice, presumably with Sandusky's consent, to begin the battle in the media instead of in the courtroom. Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:16:13 EST http://si.com/2011/writers/michael_mccann/11/26/nba.labor.agreement/index.html?eref=writers http://si.com/2011/writers/michael_mccann/11/26/nba.labor.agreement/index.html?eref=writers The NBA and representatives for its players agreed to the framework of a collective bargaining agreement that, if ratified, will salvage a 66-game season and guarantee labor peace for at least six years. The two sides have come to agreement on the major issues that gave rise to the lockout. Most notably, they have agreed to divide the league's basketball-related income evenly, with each side subject to gaining or losing up to one percent depending on the league's economic success. They have also agreed on a harder salary cap, among a bevy of other rules that will slow the growth of NBA players' salaries and ensure that owners' labor costs are reduced. If all goes as planned, the free agency period will begin on Dec. 9, the regular season will begin on Christmas Day and the players' and owners' agreement will last 10 years, with each side able to opt-out after six. Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:10:51 EST http://si.com/2011/writers/michael_mccann/11/15/sandusky.legal/index.html?eref=writers http://si.com/2011/writers/michael_mccann/11/15/sandusky.legal/index.html?eref=writers Jerry Sandusky's interview Monday night with Bob Costas on NBC's Rock Center raises more questions as to what legal issues may emerge as this story unfolds. SI.com legal expert Michael McCann answers five key questions. Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:38:24 EST http://si.com/2011/writers/michael_mccann/11/11/sandusky.indictment/index.html?eref=writers http://si.com/2011/writers/michael_mccann/11/11/sandusky.indictment/index.html?eref=writers The public reaction to the Penn State scandal deservedly shows outrage for the heinous nature of the crimes allegedly committed by Jerry Sandusky and the shockingly ineffectual, perplexing and contradictory responses alleged of Joe Paterno and Mike McQueary, among others, in connection to the case. As I discussed on Wednesday, Paterno and McQueary both face the possibility of criminal charges and civil liability if they covered up criminal activity or knowingly lied to the grand jury. Former Penn State athletic director Tim Curley and former senior vice president of business and finance Gary Schultz have already been charged with crimes, and Penn State as an institution is highly vulnerable to civil lawsuits brought by Sandusky's alleged victims. Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:16:25 EST http://si.com/2011/writers/michael_mccann/11/09/joe.paterno/index.html?eref=writers http://si.com/2011/writers/michael_mccann/11/09/joe.paterno/index.html?eref=writers While Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly says that her office won't file charges against Joe Paterno for not reporting the alleged child sexual abuse by former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, the 84-year-old coach could eventually face criminal charges for perjury, obstruction of justice and violating the state's Child Protective Services Law. Paterno could also become a defendant in civil lawsuits filed by Sandusky's alleged victims. Those lawsuits could allege that Paterno negligently failed to prevent a third party with whom he had a supervisory relationship (Sandusky) from committing abuse. Thu, 10 Nov 2011 01:29:39 EST http://si.com/2011/writers/michael_mccann/11/03/nba.labor.decertify/index.html?eref=writers http://si.com/2011/writers/michael_mccann/11/03/nba.labor.decertify/index.html?eref=writers Frustrated by an inability to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement with owners, some NBA players have sought the advice of an antitrust attorney on the possibility of decertifying the National Basketball Players' Association. Such a maneuver would likely be followed by the filing of a class action antitrust lawsuit against the league and it would make the cancellation of the 2011-12 NBA more probable. Fri, 04 Nov 2011 02:00:11 EDT