>>Panthers Owner Richardson To Sell Team
(Charlotte, NC) — Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson is going to sell the team as he is surrounded by controversy. Richardson made the announcement after Sports Illustrated posted a story with details of workplace misconduct, including accusations of sexual harassment and saying a racial slur. The 81-year-old stated he will go through with the sales process after the season is complete. Richardson bought the Panthers in 1993.
>>Patriots Win Ninth Straight Division Title
(Pittsburgh, PA) — A familiar face is going to finish in first in the AFC East again. The New England Patriots won their division for a NFL record ninth consecutive season when they defeated the Steelers 27-24 at Heinz Field on Sunday. New England is 11-and-3 and also leading the entire AFC. The last time the Pats did not win the division was 2008, the season when Tom Brady was lost to a knee injury during Week One.
>>Bengals Coach Lewis Leaving After Season
(Minneapolis, MN) — Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is reportedly leaving after this season. ESPN reports Lewis plans to pursue other opportunities when the season ends. The 59-year-old has spent 15 years in Cincinnati and is the longest tenured coach in team history. The Bengals fell to 5-and-9 with Sunday’s 34-7 loss in Minnesota. The team is 123-112-and-3 overall under Lewis, but have gone 0-and-7 in the playoffs.
>>Report: Brown Suffers Partially Torn Calf Muscle
(Pittsburgh, PA) — The Steelers are suffering more than just a heartbreaking loss to the Patriots at Heinz Field on Sunday. According to ESPN, Pittsburgh’s star wide receiver Antonio Brown suffered a partially torn calf muscle. Brown isn’t expected to play next week, but should be ready by the time the playoffs roll around. He left during the second quarter and eventually went to the hospital.
>>Blues Blanked By Jets
(Winnipeg, Manitoba) — The Blues were shut out 4-0 by the Jets in Winnipeg. It was the back end of a home-and-home, with the Blues blanked the Jets 2-0 at Scottrade on Saturday. St. Louis has lost three of its last four games, getting shut out twice. The Blues visit Calgary on Wednesday.
>>Blackhawks Cruise Past Wild
(Chicago, IL) — Patrick Kane netted a pair of goals as the Blackhawks cruised past the Wild 4-1 in Chicago. Kane put the Hawks on the board in the first and extended the lead to 2-0 in the second. Ryan Hartman and Tommy Wingels lit the lamp in the third as Chicago won its fifth straight. Corey Crawford turned away 27-of-28 shots in the winning effort. The Blackhawks are at the Stars on Thursday.
>>Lakers To Honor Kobe Bryant Tonight Against Warriors
(Los Angeles, CA) — Future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant will be honored at halftime of tonight’s Lakers’ matchup against the Warriors at the STAPLES Center. Los Angeles is retiring both number-24 and number-eight. Shaquille O’Neal, Derek Fisher, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and others are expected to be in attendance. LA is 10-and-17. The Warriors are 23-and-6.
>>Illinois Rally Falls Short Against New Mexico State
(Chicago, IL) — Illinois’ second-half rally fell short in a 74-69 loss to New Mexico State Saturday at the United Center. Leron Black had 17 points and eight rebounds off the bench for the Fighting Illini, who trailed by 12 at the break. Illinois is 8-and-5 and will take on Missouri Saturday at Scottrade.