FOOTBALL

SAINTS UNLIKELY TO PLAY IN NEW ORLEANS THIS SEASON

NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said yesterday in an interview with CNBC that it’s unlikely the Saints will play in New Orleans this season after the devastation Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath inflicted on the city. It still hasn’t been decided where they will play their regular-season opener September 18 against the Giants or play the rest of their games. The New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority, which runs Giants Stadium, has offered to host the upcoming Giants-Saints game there.

Tagliabue said games could be played at another NFL stadium or at a non-NFL stadium. He didn’t name any specifically,but the Alamodome in San Antonio seats 65,000 for football, about the same as the Saints’ regular home at the Superdome in New Orleans, which was heavily damaged by Katrina.

SIMON AGREES TO DEAL WITH COLTS

The Indianapolis Colts, hoping to fix their one glaring weakness, reached a multiyear agreement yesterday with Corey Simon, a Pro Bowl defensive tackle released by Philadelphia in a contract dispute. In five seasons with Philadelphia, Simon had 270 tackles and 32 sacks. He had 24 tackles and 5 1/2 sacks last season.

BASEBALL

ORIOLES RELEASE TROUBLED PONSON

Sidney Ponson was released yesterday by the Baltimore Orioles, who contend the pitcher’s conduct and problems with alcohol the past nine months give them grounds to terminate his contract.

Ponson has been arrested twice on DUI charges in the past year. He also spent 11 days in an Aruban jail after he hit a judge during a Christmas Day fight at a beach in his home country in 2004. Ponson is 7-11 with a 6.21 ERA this season.

– Associated Press