NFL PULLS MICHAEL VICK MERCHANDISE FROM WEBSITE: Darren Rovell of CNBC reports the NFL has discontinued selling Michael Vick merchandise on the league’s website.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy: “We have suspended sales of Vick merchandise on our official league e-commerce site, NFLShop.com. This includes Vick jerseys and collectible items such as autographed balls and other memorabilia.”
But […]

LEINART’S LIFE NOW REQUIRES SUSPENSION OF DISBELIEF: As we reported recently, Matt “Bareback Bandit” Leinart has always had his heart set on a movie career.

So when Daddy Dearest isn’t damage controlling to the media about his parenting skills, fighting off child support claims and even occasionally working football into his schedule, he’s having his handlers […]

‘SIMPSONS’ SERIES SHINES WITH SPORTS STAR SIGHTINGS: As Simpsons-Mania hits a fever pitch today with the opening of the animated family’s film, SPORTS BUSINESS DAILY looks back on the sports celebrities that made their appearances during the show’s 18-year run.

One of the earilest and most athlete-heavy outings was “Homer At The Bat” featuring such baseball […]

DOES VICK APOLOGY MEAN HE’S HIDING MORE DOG ABUSE? We really savored the transparency of the statement Michael Vick’s attorney read on his behalf yesterday - after he pleaded innocent to dog torture and murder.

Excerpt: “Above all, I would like to say to my mom I’m sorry for what she has had to go through […]

RUSSKIES ENVISION 2020 OLY GAMES IN ST. PETERSBURG: Hoping that lightning strikes twice, city officials in St. Petersburg are bidding for Russia’s second city to host the 2020 Summer Olympics:

St. Pete’s optimism is buoyed by their country’s awarding of the 2014 Winter Olympics, which will take place in the Black Sea resort town of Sochi.
The […]

VOLS VANQUISH VIRGINIA SLIMS FROM FOOTBALL HOME: The University of Tennessee has banned smoking at their 102,000-seat football stadium:

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED reports that the ban is part of a state-wide measure to remove the dirty deed from restaurants & other businesses, including sports arenas & stadiums, both indoor and outdoor. Although the ban takes effect this […]

SPORTSbyBROOKS Girl Anyssa in Times Square, New York:

BONDS’ ROAD TO NOWHERE STARTS ON HIGHWAY 756: Condemnation of Barry Bonds has reached a deafening din as he prepares to grasp the record Baseball holds most sacred (and that includes DiMaggio’s 56).

Since Bonds’ bizarre body transformation in recent years, many have wondered if his future will be wrought with pain and suffering. Brewers radio […]

• DEADSPIN grand poobah Will Leitch opines in the NEW YORK TIMES that bringing Beckham to the States is a smarter ploy than most people think:

• THE ANGRY T has this inspiring story of a 4-year-old golf sensation who’s learned the links while battling cancer.
• AOL FANHOUSE figures that if there’s one team that […]