FOOTBALL

BELICHICK APOLOGIZES FOR VIDEOTAPE FLAP

This videotape needs no interpretation: New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick walked out of his news conference Wednesday when pressed repeatedly about the sideline spying scandal that landed him on NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s crowded docket. Ten minutes before his regular availability, Belichick issued a one-paragraph statement apologizing to his team and confirming that he has spoken to Goodell about an “interpretation” of league rules that ban videotaping of the opposing sideline.

“Although it remains a league matter, I want to apologize to everyone who has been affected, most of all ownership, staff and players,” Belichick said. “Following the league’s decision, I will have further comment.”

It was not clear whether Belichick was apologizing for his actions or the distraction it has caused his team as it prepares for Sunday night’s marquee game against San Diego.

OGDEN LIKELY OUT, MCNAIR IFFY, LEWIS READY FOR RAVENS

Baltimore Ravens left tackle Jonathan Ogden will almost certainly miss Sunday’s game against the Jets, and the status of injured quarterback Steve McNair remained uncertain yesterday as the team began preparing for its home opener.

But middle linebacker Ray Lewis declared himself ready to go despite straining his right triceps on the Ravens’ opening defensive play Monday night in a 27–20 loss to Cincinnati.

“My arm feels so much better,” said Lewis, who did not participate in the practice session. “It feels great. The pain is there, of course … but I’m actually fine.”

Ogden aggravated his hyperextended left big toe in the first half Monday and did not play in the second half. He was very pessimistic about facing the Jets (0–1).

BASKETBALL

KNICKS’ MARBURY TESTIFIES SEX HARASS LAWSUIT ‘A JOKE’

Knicks guard Stephon Marbury testified yesterday in the case of a fired team executive who has accused coach Isiah Thomas of sexual harassment, calling the lawsuit absurd while downplaying an encounter with a drunken intern. After hearing about the lawsuit brought by Anucha Browne Sanders, “I laughed,” Marbury said in U.S. District Court. “It was more of a joke than anything.”

Marbury admitted he once called Browne Sanders a “bitch” during a phone conversation with another team employee though he insisted, “I didn’t have a reason not to like her.”

BASEBALL

BLUE JAYS 3B TROY GLAUS WILL MISS REMAINDER OF SEASON

Blue Jays third baseman Troy Glaus will undergo season-ending surgery next week to repair a nerve in his left foot, the latest blow in an injury-filled season that has also included accusations he received performance-enhancing drugs.

“The surgery is a nerve decompression surgery,” general manager J.P. Ricciardi said. “He’s going to have a consultation later this week, just to kind of get ready for it, then he’s going to have the surgery Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.”

Associated Press

MLB. COMREACHES DEAL TO SHOW FOOTAGE ON PRESS SITES

Major League Baseball’s Internet division signed an agreement with CineSport LLC that allows game highlights to be shown on media Web sites. Footage from the rest of the regular season, playoffs and World Series will be available online starting with the Web sites of the Philadelphia Inquirer and Denver Post. CineSport is planning on distributing highlights to Web sites of other newspapers and local television and radio stations. Baseball will be a part of a sports highlight package that will be tailored to each city and its teams, said chief executive Gregg Winik. CineSport also has agreements with the National Basketball Association, National Hockey League and Nascar. Major League Baseball Advanced Media, which runs baseball’s Web outlets, hasn’t allowed game highlights to be shown on Web sites it doesn’t have commercial relationships with, including Google Inc.’s YouTube. It has arrangements with television broadcast partner ESPN, Yahoo! Inc., and CBSSports.com.