Sources: Jordan to attend Illinois as “preferred” walk-on (Chicago Tribune)

Sources tell The Chicago Tribune that the son of former NBA superstar Michael Jordan, Jeff, will be attending the University of Illinois as a “preferred” walk-on.  Jordan plans to enroll in the summer session that begins June 11.

The report is an update of a previous item by CNBC’s Darren Rovell, who interviewed the younger Jordan earlier this week.

As we get ready to wrap things up for the evening, we notice on ESPN’s “SportstCenter” that they are conducting a live, NFL mock draft, complete with analysis from the team’s cities beat writers. Even Mark Schlereth, football analyst, dropped an LL Cool J reference when he described a draft pick with this phrase — “momma said knock you out” — a no-brainer pick (forgive us for not knowing who the pick was since we were laughing really, really hard).

We don’t know about you, but we haven’t seen such riveting television since watching Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire? on FOX a few years back. The only good thing out of all this was the video from the 2003 NFL draft where the Minnesota Vikings were “passed” after failing to turn in their pick.

This NFL draft can’t come soon enough. See you tomorrow, kids.

According to ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian, MASN broadcaster Gary Thorne apologized for his comments related to Curt Schilling’s famous bloody sock from the 2004 post-season.  Thorne claimed it was a communication breakdown between he and Boston catcher Doug Mirabelli and he regrets the error.

Hopefully, this story will now be put to bed.  Hopefully

Florida stadium bill passes House. Now what? (BizofBaseball)

From the Biz of Baseball –

By an 86-24 vote today, the Florida House approved a state funding bill that would pass along a $60 million tax subsidy to the Florida Marlins for a new baseball-only stadium. The bill now moves to the Senate, the final hurdle it would need before heading to a sympathetic Gov. Crist’s desk.

There’s a slight problem, however.

Click the link up top at the potential wrinkle…or check out the Miami Herald story on the matter.

Investigators search property owned by Vick (WAVY TV 10)

A warrant has been issued to search property owned by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick in Virginia, WAVY-TV 10 is reporting.  While executing the warrant, the searchers found three buildings that housed several barking dogs.

Those dogs appeared to be malnourished and left alone for a long period of time.

(Special thanks to PFT.com for tipping us off on this story.)

***UPDATED at 4:54 PM EDT***

The investigation is widening as new information is coming to light, including the possibility that the property was used for dog fighting.

Conte, daughter revive nutritional supplement business (AP/ESPN)

Victor Conte, the founder of BALCO and was once the center of a major steroid controversy in professional sports, is getting back into the supplements business — Conte and his 22-year-old daughter have revived a nutritional supplements business he launched two decades ago called Scientific Nutrition for Advanced Conditioning — SNAC for short.

This can only end well, right?

Updating an earlier post…

According to multiple sources in St. Louis (Bernie Miklasz of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Frank Cusumano of KSDK-TV/590 KFNS and Tim McKernan of insideSTL/590 KFNS), Saint Louis University will officially name Rick Majerus head basketball coach at a press conference on Friday.

(Barring a change of heart, of course. USC can tell you all about that one.)

Majerus, currently an analyst at ESPN, will be in St. Louis this evening for final negotiations and will be introduced on Friday as the next coach of the school, replacing the recently dismissed Brad Soderberg.

Once we get linked confirmation, we’ll update this post.

***UPDATED @ 1:18 AM EDT on 4.27***

Saint Louis is still working out whatever kinks that need to be worked out to get a deal done.  All signs still point to him inking a deal with the university. Stay tuned.

Hunter hit in mouth by pitch (AP/Yahoo! Sports)

Minnesota Twins outfielder Torii Hunter took a pitch from Kansas City’s Zach Greinke in the mouth this afternoon, resulting in three stitches after visiting a local hospital in Minneapolis.

Not a good week for Mr. Hunter, eh?

Fans plan observances for Barbaro birthday (AP/Yahoo! Sports)

We are at a loss for words on this one, so here’s the lede –

The fans who prayed daily for Barbaro and sent online messages of support never were able to get together to celebrate his recovery. This weekend, those fans will put away their keyboards to meet and honor his memory.

Actually, we think this William Shatner skit on Saturday Nite Live aptly describes what we’re thinking here.

[youtube FS2mgNugHcM]

Packers reportedly make offer for Chiefs’ Johnson (PFT.com/Scout.com)

According to a report on Scout.com’s Packers Report (premium subscription required and we don’t have one), the Packers have made overtures to the Chiefs for running back Larry Johnson.

The Packers have reportedly offered a first and a fourth rounder for the services of Johnson.  ProFootballTalk.com suggests that it’s likely that if this report is true, the Packers must surely have a tentative agreement in place with the running back.

***UPDATED at 3:33 PM EDT***

According to ProFootballTalk, the rumored deal involving Chiefs running back Larry Johnson to the Green Bay Packers for a first and a fourth rounder appears to be inaccurate at this time.

So there. We think.

***UPDATE II at 5:00 PM EDT***

Chiefs: We’re not trying to trade Larry Johnson (AP/USA Today)

News and notes while gnoshing on a gyro…

Colts won’t match offer sheet to CB David (ESPN.com) Move leaves Super Bowl champion Indianapolis without a starting cornerback from last season.

Taiwan turns down offer to be a part of torch route (AP/ESPN) Torch will pass through country in a compromise with Chinese officials.

NCAA releases first RPI for college baseball season (Baseball America) The RPI comes to college baseball.

KSK Mock Draft: Cartoon characters with whom we’d like to engage in sexual intercourse (KSK) The headline speaks for itself and a great read as always.

Old Mike, new Christine (LA Times)

Los Angeles Times sports writer Mike Penner is going on a bit of a vacation and when he comes back to work, she’ll be feeling better about herself.

You read that right — he will become a she.
More after the jump »

MLB credits Hank Aaron with 50 lost home runs (The Onion)

In a long overdue correction, Major League Baseball has credited home run king Hank Aaron with 50 lost home runs, The Onion is reporting.

NFL may move draft from New York (USA Today)

Michael McCarthy of USA Today is reporting that the National Football League may consider moving their annual draft from New York City in 2009 for the first time in 43 years.

San Diego, Chicago, Cleveland and Canton, Ohio have campaigned the league in recent years to host the annual ratings winner. 

And to think back in the first televised draft on ESPN, team representatives had to run and use a pay phone to get their information from their war rooms around the country.

Player wounded in shooting sues Duquesne (AP/USA Today)

The lawsuit claims those in positions of authority did not take action once they knew of potential criminal activity. A doorman let two armed men into the dance even after their friend asked if the men would be frisked, according to the lawsuit.

Twins to sign ballpark agreement (BizofBaseball/AP)

The Minnesota Twins are expected to sign a 30-year lease on Thursday, which calls for the club to dole out $900,000 annually in rent.  The rental fees will go into a maintenance fund for the ballpark.

The lease allows for two 10-year renewal options.

For a peek at the new ballpark that won’t have a roof in downtown Minneapolis, click here.