NFL talks to resume with mediator today

Talks to end the NFL lockout will resume with the court-appointed mediator in New York on Monday and could continue through Thursday, a person familiar with the negotiations said.

The mediator, U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan, originally ordered representatives of the league's owners and players to meet with him Tuesday in Minneapolis. Now Boylan is expected to arrive in New York on Monday to oversee talks aimed at ending the NFL's first work stoppage since 1987.

The owners have a special meeting set for Thursday in Atlanta, where they could ratify a new deal -- if one is reached by then. Any agreement also must be voted on by groups of players, including the named plaintiffs in a federal antitrust suit against the league, and the NFL Players Association's 32 team representatives.

More than four months into the lockout, owners and players have made significant progress on the framework of an agreement. But re-establishing the union and figuring out what it will take for nine NFL players -- including star quarterbacks Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees -- to settle that antitrust suit are among key issues blocking a deal to end the lockout, people familiar with the negotiations told the AP on condition of anonymity.

The unresolved matters also include how the TV networks case, in which the players accused the owners of setting up "lockout insurance," will be settled.

Cedric Benson is arrested

NFL free agent running back Cedric Benson was arrested in downtown Austin on an assault charge. Travis County sheriff's spokesman Roger Wade said the Cincinnati Bengals' leading rusher for the past three seasons was arrested on a misdemeanor count of assault with bodily injury with family violence.

Sakic makes $1 million hole-in-oneFormer NHL All-Star Joe Sakic picked a good spot Sunday for his first career hole-in-one -- a $1 million two-hopper into the cup on the waterfront par-3 17th at the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship at Lake Tahoe.

"That's a shot you never imagine hitting," said Sakic, who won two Stanley Cups and an MVP trophy with the Colorado Avalanche. "I've never even been close before."

Sakic, who used an 8-iron for the ace on the 167-yard hole, will split the $1 million with Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation for cancer research.

"If you're going to do it, why not here?" he said. "When it went in, I didn't believe it."

Kirk wins first PGA Tour eventChris Kirk won his first PGA Tour event, a one-stroke victory in the Viking Classic, shooting a 4-under 68 to beat Tom Pernice Jr. and George McNeill by one stroke in Madison, Miss. The 26-year-old rookie tied the tournament record with a 22-under performance over 72 holes. ... Russell Knox shot a 6-under 66 to earn his first Nationwide Tour victory, beating Billy Hurley by three strokes at the Chiquita Classic.

Tennis: Robin Soderling beat David Ferrer 6-2, 6-2 to win the Swedish Open for the second time in three years in Bastad. ... Juan Carlos Ferrero overcame a long rain delay to defeat Pablo Andujar 6-4, 6-0 in the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart, Germany. ... Anabel Medina Garrigues defeated Polona Hercog 6-3, 6-2 to win the Palermo (Sicily) Open for the fifth time.

Soccer: Paraguay advanced to the Copa America semifinals by defeating defending champion Brazil 2-0 in a penalty shootout after the score was level at 0-0 following extra time. ... Venezuela reached the Copa semifinals for the first time by beating Chile 2-1.

WNBA: Rookie Danielle McCray scored a career-high 22 points to help host Connecticut beat Indiana 76-71. ... Cappie Pondexter scored 18 points, Essence Carson had 17 and the New York Liberty cruised to a 88-57 victory over the Tulsa Shock in Newark, N.J. ... Matee Ajavon scored 27 points as Washington overcame a 22-point deficit in the second half to beat Los Angeles 89-85 in overtime.

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