Keep details of Broncos DB Cox's case private, lawyer asks

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. -- A lawyer for Denver Broncos defensive back Perrish Cox is again asking a judge not to release a document detailing allegations of sexual assault against him.

Cox is accused of two counts of sexual assault stemming from a Sept. 6 incident. A hearing is scheduled Wednesday before a Colorado judge for his lawyer to argue against releasing an affidavit that explains why authorities wanted a warrant to arrest him.

Such affidavits are often available to the public, but in January the judge ordered that it be kept secret, saying it could expose Cox and the alleged victim to abuse.

The Associated Press and The Denver Post asked the judge to reconsider and he granted the request last week. He said the alleged victim's name and other personal information must be redacted before it is released.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Lawyer: Bryant still owes more than $600K to Texas jeweler

While Dez Bryant recently claimed to have his legal woes under control, a lawyer says the Dallas Cowboys wideout still owes more than $600,000 and faces a pending lawsuit, ESPNDallas.com reported Monday.

Cowboys owner stands by his man

Bryant told reporters Saturday that his money troubles are behind him, saying: "I have a handle on it and it's done. It's in the past and I'm ready to go ahead from here."

But attorney Beth Ann Blackwood says Bryant owes upwards of $600,000 to Eleow Hunt, a Colleyville, Texas, jeweler and ticket broker who filed suit against Bryant for outstanding bills for jewelry, tickets to sporting events and cash advances before he was selected by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

The former Oklahoma State star -- who was supposed to pay back Hunt when he signed either an NFL or promotional contract, whichever came first -- is hoping to settle the suit when the NFL lockout ends, at which time he is set to net a $1 million roster bonus from the Cowboys.

Blackwood said the suit is on hold because Bryant's attorney -- Royce West, a Texas state senator -- is in special session in Austin.

Bryant also bought $267,000 worth of jewelry from A+A Diamonds LTD d/b/a Rafaello & Company last year, and the New York-based company filed suit against the receiver for non-payment. Mikel J. Bowers, the company's attorney, confirmed to ESPNDallas.com in April that a settlement had been reached in the case, although he didn't disclose the terms.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Labor lawyer sees similarities between NFL, NHL owners

DALLAS -- An outside labor lawyer for the NFL says the league's owners are as unified right now as NHL owners were when that sport lost an entire season to a lockout.

Bob Batterman said Wednesday that the owners of the NFL's 32 teams "know what's wrong with the business today, and know how it needs to be changed."

He said the "only other time" he has seen team owners show such "complete unity" was when he worked for the NHL during its labor problems that led to the 2004-05 season being wiped out.

Batterman spoke after a pre-Super Bowl news conference held by Jeff Pash, the NFL's lead in-house negotiator. Pash emphasized the "considerable significance" of reaching a deal with the players' union by early March, when the current collective bargaining agreement expires.

For more NFL labor news, visit http://NFLLabor.com

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Sterger's lawyer: Completed Favre inquest sent to Goodell

The NFL has wrapped up its investigation into allegations that Brett Favre sent inappropriate phone messages and photos to a New York Jets team employee two years ago, the woman's attorney said Wednesday.

Attorney Joseph Conway said Joe Hummel, the director of investigative services for the NFL's security department, told him the case has been sent to Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league's lawyers for review.

"He told me it's upstairs in the commissioner's office and the lawyers are going over it," said Conway, the lawyer for Jenn Sterger. "I have not been told a timetable as when to expect something, and I have not been told what the findings will be."

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello declined to discuss details of the case and said "we're not ruling out this week. We're not ruling out next week" in terms of a decision.

Sterger allegedly received the inappropriate messages and photos two years ago when she and the quarterback both worked for the Jets. Favre has declined to address the allegations or the investigation.

Favre spent one season with the Jets in 2008 before joining the Minnesota Vikings last year. The 41-year-old quarterback has said that this will be his last season in the NFL, though he has retired before, only to return soon afterward.

Conway reiterated Sterger's desire for the league to announce the findings -- and any potential penalties while the NFL still has jurisdiction over him -- before the end of the season.

NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora has reported that it's highly unlikely that Favre will be suspended, although other discipline, including a fine, is possible.

The NFL first announced the investigation in October, just before the Vikings played the Jets.

Sterger didn't meet with NFL officials to discuss the case and turn over alleged evidence until Nov. 11, but Conway said it would be unfair to say that was the reason why the investigation has taken so long.

"I think we did things very diligently," Conway said. "We went in just about a month ago. We were kind of under the expectation that that meeting was one of the last things that needed to be done. I'd be disappointed if anybody said that the reason this took so long is because Jenn did not come in right away."

The Sports Business Journal first reported the development.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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