Iowa St coach Fred Hoiberg visits Chicago about Bulls job

Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg boarded a flight to Chicago on Monday to meet with the Bulls about their open coaching vacancy.

Hoiberg told reporters at the airport in Ames, Iowa, that he has meetings set for Monday night but no deal with the Bulls has been finalized.

Hoiberg had long been rumored as the replacement for Tom Thibodeau, who was fired last week after five seasons in Chicago.

Hoiberg, who had open-heart surgery in April, said the speculation over his future has been ''extremely tough.'' Hoiberg grew up in Ames and later became a star player for Iowa State before embarking on a 10-year NBA career. He has coached the Cyclones for five years.

''I want to apologize to everybody just for the way that it's all gone down and everything that's been reported out there and all the rumors and the speculation that's been thrown around. It's been very difficult to deal with that,'' Hoiberg said.

Hoiberg is 115-56 with the Cyclones, including four straight NCAA Tournament appearances and back-to-back Big 12 tournament titles.

Hoiberg acknowledged that several NBA teams have approached him about their vacancies in recent years. It appears that Chicago might be the one job Hoiberg won't pass up.

''When this opportunity came about, this was something that interested me greatly,'' Hoiberg said. ''One of my life goals is to coach in that league.''

UAB reinstates its football program

The University of Alabama-Birmingham announced Monday evening that it was reinstating a football program it disbanded just six months ago.

University president Dr. Ray Watts said he has been working with the NCAA and Conference USA to keep the program's conference and FBS standing. Women's rifle and bowling also will be reinstated.

"Given the broad base of support never before seen, as of today, we are taking steps to reinstate the football, rifle and bowling programs," Watts said. "I am forwarding documents to Conference USA and the NCAA notifying them that UAB plans to remain an FBS program and a full member of C-USA."

Watts said through private fundraising and city contributions, $17.2 million in outside funds has been raised that will be used in addition to the $20 million the university has set aside for athletics. The goal is to ultimately make UAB a profitable model within the next five years. Watts said the university would not pledge any more money toward the program than what has already been allotted.

"To do otherwise would require us to take additional funds from our academic and health care missions, which we will not do," Watts said.

That being said, Watts said the university does not have the funds upgrade UAB's facilities or subsidize a new stadium. Those funds will have to come through donations and the aid of City of Birmingham.

Watts said no deadlines have been set as to when private money needs to start rolling in to get the program up and functioning again, but said those dates would be ironed out soon.

While today might have been a banner day for those who pushed vehemently to get UAB football back, the timeline as to when UAB will actually take the field is unclear. Watts did say Bill Clark would return as head coach and athletic director Mark Ingram noted the school wanted to get a team on the field "to play as soon as possible, which may be 2016.”

There will be several NCAA hoops to jump through, including how many players the Blazers will be able to sign to try and make a 2016 debut. Moreover, Clark's ability to recruit players to a school that was pretty eager to pull the rug out from under the football program will be a challenge as well.

In December, Watts announced that it was no longer financially feasible for the university to support football — an independent study said it would cost UAB an additional $49 million over the next five years to field a football program — and UAB became the first FBS program to drop football in nearly two decades.

The move was met with protests and since that time, former UAB players, boosters and other supporters have been scrambling to raise enough funds to reinstate the program.

In January, the school created of task force that hired College Sports Solutions, an independent firm, to study the decision. The school also created a fundraising subcommittee led by Justin Craft, a former UAB player and the head of the UAB Football Foundation, who said the group has raised more than $15 million through private donations.

The new study said the school would face an annual deficit of $3.2 million if it reinstated football as well as women's rifle and women's bowling, two other sports cut in December.

"We are very pleased with the decision to bring back the football program at UAB," Conference USA said in a statement. "As a conference we are committed to football, and we welcome the good news that the UAB football program has been given another chance. From all indications, this program will now be able to count on a very strong foundation of community support upon which it will begin the rebuilding that will position it well for success into the future."

Mariano Rivera seems happy, fulfilled in retirement

Legendary New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera put in some hard work during his 19 seasons in the majors.

Despite playing the highest-pressure position on the most popular team in the game, Rivera racked up an incredible 652 saves and a 2.21 ERA over his career.

Rivera could have called it quits in 2012 after suffering a season-ending knee injury, but opted to work his way back for one final season.

A player who has put in that much over such a long period should be able to appreciate the relaxation that comes with retirement. For Rivera, though, being active after leaving the game has been important.

In an interview with Big League Stew, Rivera admits that, while he still watches the Yankees, he doesn't really have a desire to get back into the game in any capacity. We're not just talking coming out of retirement to play, we're talking about coaching, managing or taking on active roles in the front office.

"I'm watching the game, and staying in contact with a few guys from the team, but right now, no." He adds, "working, or doing something with the New York Yankees, perhaps, no. Not right now."

That was the same sentiment echoed by Rivera's former teammate Derek Jeter. In April, Jeter told reporters he didn't miss the game "at all."

The closest Rivera has come to working in the game is probably in role as the Yankees' ambassador for the Delta Air Lines Delta Dugout program. The program will reward fans with unique experiences and prizes based on the number of saves a team compiles. For example, 15 Yankees fans will receive a Rivera autographed hat once the team picks up 20 saves.

One fan from each of the five participating clubs will win the grand prize, which includes on-field access during batting practice and tickets to sit in a Delta suite during the contest. Rivera said being the team's ambassador for the program was a way of showing his appreciation for the fans.

"It's something nice, something different. It's a one of a kind type of experience," he added.

He's also remained active within his community. "What I'm doing now is working with the community. I'm working in the church and with the [Mariano Rivera] Foundation in the New York area," Rivera said.

Though Rivera has no plans to return to the game in a working capacity any time soon, that doesn't mean they are actively looking to be away from baseball. Rivera reunited with some of his former teammates, including Jeter, for Bernie Williams Day.

"It was great to be able to see the guys and spend a little time with them. It was special. And being there for Bernie, it was good. It brings back memories of the great teams that we had," Rivera said.

Rivera also offered up his thoughts on Alex Rodriguez's resurgence. Unlike his battery mate Jorge Posada, Rivera has no issue supporting A-Rod.

"He's my friend and I'm happy with what he's accomplished thus far," Rivera said. "It's exciting. I'm excited for him."

He also discussed the recent pitcher ejections, echoing statements made by John Farrell regarding whether pitchers should be allowed to use pinetar or other substances on the mound.

"If you're going to do something, at least hide it," he said. Rivera added that it's not about getting more movement on the ball, it's about getting a better grip. "At the same time, don't be too obvious. Don't rub it in their face and be like, 'look what I have.' It's something that you just have to be smart about."

Though he remains knowledgeable about the game, it's clear retirement has been a good thing. "I've been enjoying the time off with the family, and doing everything I wanted to do," he said.

After spending 19 seasons in one of the most high-stress positions in the game, Rivera has earned every right to just relax, even if that's not his style.

Cam Newton will finally get his mega-deal from the Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton is a polarizing figure among NFL quarterbacks, but it's not like the Carolina Panthers had any choice but to pay him.

Newton was very close on Monday morning to an agreement on a five-year contract extension that was reportedly worth more than $100 million, according to multiple reports including the Charlotte Observer. Newton was slated to make $14.67 million in the last year of his rookie deal this year. His new contract will run through 2020.

Newton has been fantastic at times in his four NFL seasons, since the former Heisman Trophy winner was the No. 1 overall pick out of Auburn. He had one of the greatest rookie seasons in NFL history, throwing for 4,051 yards and 21 touchdowns and running for 706 yards with 14 scores on the ground. He shed the ridiculous "can't win" label in 2013 when he took the Panthers to a 12-4 record and an NFC South title. The Panthers repeated as division champs last year, although the division was historically bad and Newton's play backslid a little bit. He was hampered by injuries, most notably after he was involved in a scary car accident just outside the team's facility last December.

Despite the fact that Newton's fourth season might have been his worst — injuries certainly played a role, as did a terrible offensive line and a cast of receivers that is still being rebuilt — the Panthers were not going to let him go. That would be virtually unprecedented in NFL history for a player at Newton's age, with his accomplishments. The deal was a little tricky since Newton's camp had been adamant against signing a pay-as-you-go deal like Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick had. But one way or another it was going to get done, despite any noise to the contrary. The question now is what's next for Newton and the Panthers. He still needs to work on the finer points of his game, especially consistency with his accuracy and play from the pocket. But he has been wildly productive with a supporting cast that has been among the worst in the league. The Panthers have rarely done much to help him at offensive line or receiver, though drafting receiver Kelvin Benjamin in the first round last year was a nice step. Still, lack of help or not, he set career lows in passing yards, touchdown passes, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, yards per passing attempt, yards per rushing attempt and quarterback rating last year. That's not what the Panthers wanted to see right before they had to invest heavily in him. But, ankle surgery last offseason and then two transverse process fractures in his back after the car accident were significant reasons. The word has been that Newton is healthy going into this season. Newton better be healthy and rebound to the levels of his first three seasons, because the Panthers will be investing in him for five more years. Not that they had any real choice in the matter, but now it's time for Newton to take an even bigger step forward as a quarterback.

Rangers winners again with big-hitting Prince, Hamilton home

With Prince Fielder leading the league in hitting and former MVP Josh Hamilton already having an impact in his Texas reunion, the Rangers have a winning record for the first time in nearly a year.

The Rangers capped a magnificent month with Hamilton's game-ending two-run, two-out double as a pinch-hitter after starting May with a loss for a 7-15 record that was the worst in the American League.

''Felt like in April, we had water in the gas tank,'' first-year manager Jeff Banister said. ''Stopped the car, it kept running ... when you went to start it and push on the gas it (sputtered). We had to get a tuneup, and we had some guys that really have found that rhythm.''

At 26-25 to open June, the Rangers are above .500 for the first time since being 31-30 last June 6 in a season that ended with an AL-worst 95 losses.

Credit the offense for the turnaround from April, along with some shuffling in the bullpen.

Texas hit a majors-worst .210 the first month, and scored only 75 runs.

The Rangers scored more than twice as many runs in May, when .359 hitter Fielder started going deep again (nine homers after only one before that), Shin-Soo Choo batted .295 for the month (after .096 to start the season), rookie Delino DeShields had an AL-high 10 stolen bases and Hamilton rejoined the team a week ago.

''Talent-wise, we have such amazing guys, and we're just going to get better,'' shortstop Elvis Andrus said. ''We have to maintain what we've got right now, and just build on it.''

The Rangers, with Monday off to start June after only one off day in May, have won 19 of their last 29 games and four series in a row. They took three of four games from Boston over the weekend for their first series win at home.

Hamilton, who homered twice Saturday and didn't start Sunday for the first time in his seven games since getting back, delivered the game-winner in a 4-3 win to wrap up his first home series for Texas since 2012.

''You never know what can happen, and that's what Ranger baseball is all about,'' Hamilton said on the field postgame, after he and Fox Sports Southwest field reporter Emily Jones were doused by the contents of two water coolers.

In the clubhouse a few minutes later, Hamilton said he was reminded of ''some good times for the Rangers.''

Hamilton was the 2010 AL MVP, a five-time All-Star and part of their only two World Series appearances with Texas from 2008-12 before leaving in free agency to the AL West rival Los Angeles Angels. He was traded back to the Rangers on April 27, four weeks before his season debut.

''Whether or not it's coming back to a place of comfort where he's had success, he looks more sure of himself,'' Red Sox manager John Farrell said before Sunday's game. ''I don't know that I saw the same type of swings at any time that he was elsewhere. ... He looks to be playing with a lot more confidence.''

After World Series closer Neftali Feliz gave up three runs in the ninth inning of a 10-8 loss May 16, Banister said the next day there were no longer any set roles in a much-maligned bullpen. Since then, Shawn Tolleson has pitched in game-ending situations and converted all six of his save chances.

''Early on, we had some starts that we didn't take advantage of,'' Banister said. ''We have the capability of taking advantage of some of the starts we're getting now.''

For at least the next two weeks, though, the Rangers will be without Adrian Beltre. The third baseman sprained and cut his left thumb sliding into a base Sunday. Texas called up top prospect Joey Gallo, who is hitting .314 with nine homers and 31 RBIs in 34 games for Frisco. All nine of his homers have come in the past 23 games.

Tampa Bay's Hockey Dress Code Insults Lightning Fans

The Tampa Bay Lightning are in the Stanley Cup Finals -- great news for Bolts fans, unless they live outside the state of Florida.

Throughout the playoffs, the Lightning have been taking heat for their draconian ticket policies meant to limit attendance by fans of opposing teams. Here's the disclaimer on the team's Ticketmaster site:

Amalie Arena is located in Tampa, FL. Sales to this event will be restricted to residents of Florida. Residency will be based on credit card billing address. Orders by residents outside the selected area will be canceled without notice and refunds given.

In addition to disallowing out-of-state residents from purchasing tickets, the Lightning have effectively banned visiting jerseys from premium seating:

Chase Club and Lexus Lounge ticket holders: Please note that for all 2015 NHL Playoff Games at Amalie Arena only Tampa Bay Lightning team apparel (or neutral) will be permitted in these club and adjoining seating areas. Fans wearing visiting team apparel will be asked to remove them while in these areas.

These policies have been in place since the first round, but with the Lightning set to take on the Blackhawks in the finals, media outlets in Chicago and elsewhere are starting to take notice. Local radio host Dan Bernstein has written a column denouncing the policy as "pathetic," blasting the opposing team's petulance with his own brand of petulance.

And yet, it's hard not to agree that these restrictions, and the team's justifications for them, are terribly misguided. The limits on opposing jerseys seems to be at best bad sportsmanship and at worst a First Amendment violation. But the practice of restricting ticket sales to certain ZIP codes is perfectly legal and has been employed by other teams and leagues in the past. In 2014, the Denver Broncos limited ticket sales to their AFC Championship matchup against the New England Patriots to fans who live in the Rocky Mountain states. The Seattle Seahawks similarly sold tickets to their NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers to fans in the region, with the notable exception of California. At the time, I wrote that the restrictions made some sense given a recent spate of incidents involving violent attacks on opposing fans.

But the Lightning aren't chalking up these limits to safety concerns; they admit it's to secure the heaviest possible home-ice advantage. "We’re not going to apologize for the policy," Bill Wickett, Tampa Bay's executive vice president for communications, told the New York Times. "We want to create as much of a hometown environment for the Lightning players and our season-ticket holders as we can."

Cranking up the hometown fans is all well and good, and according to Wickett, the decision to implement the ticket policy came after complaints from Lightning fans that their arena wasn't Bolt-blue enough. There are logistical considerations: Florida has an especially transient population, calling into question the effectiveness of limiting ticket sales to residents, many of whom originally hail from elsewhere. Meanwhile, Lightning fans who live outside Florida can apparently call the team directly to purchase tickets, but this still seems to shut many of them out. It certainly shuts out general hockey fans or fans of particular players who might not be rooting for the jersey itself but the name on its back.

Then there's the unsavory idea of what amounts to "separate but equal" premium seating, promising richer Bolts fans a Blackhawks-free safe-zone in the luxury suites and clubs.

In the end, though, the broader problem with such a policy is it confers an inferiority complex -- a particular consideration for a town known for its fickle sports fans, but not one for a team that has had no problem filling the seats (or winning at home, for that matter, where the Lightning were 32-8-1). The Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Bay Buccaneers often play in front of either empty seats or hordes of opposing fans, but the Lightning have enjoyed consistent support during this playoff run, and can actually be blamed for some of the Rays' attendance woes. In a way, these ticket restrictions are an insult to the Lightning fan base, sending the message that they can't be trusted to show up for their team without special incentives. It makes it seem as if the team is still stuck in its struggling expansion phase. And it just serves to remind everyone that sure, Tampa Bay is a nontraditional hockey market and no, Lightning fans don't have the same generational fortitude as Original Six backers.

The Lightning management should give its fan base a proper chance to prove itself without the safety net of segregated premium seating. And as the Lightning showed an arena full of passionate New Yorkers Friday night, the best way to silence opposing fans is by winning, not enforcing a dress code.

TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY - JUNE 1ST

1917 - Hank Gowdy is 1st baseball player to enlist during WW I.
1918 - White Sox losing 5-4 against NY Yankees, load the bases in 9th with

no outs Chick Gandil lines to Frank Baker who turns a triple play.

1925 - Lou Gehrig replaces Wally Pipp (1st of record 2130 consec games).

1937 - Chicago White Sox Bill Dietrich no-hits St Louis Browns, 8-0.

1938 - Protective baseball helmets 1st worn by batters.
1939 - 1st boxing match to be televised, Lon Nova defeats Max Baer.
1939 - 1st night game at Phil's Shribe Park (Pirates 5, Phillies 2).

1948 - Tom Sneva, US auto racer (Indianapolis 500-1983) is born.

1960 - Lester Patrick, NHL coach/star, dies at 76.
1965 - Curly Lambeau, first coach of the

Green Bay Packers, dies of a heart attack at 67.

1968 - 100th Belmont: Gus Gustines aboard Stage Door Johnny wins in 2:27.2.

1980 - [Richard] Rube Marquard, US baseball pitcher, dies at 90.

1982 - Rickey Henderson is fastest to reach 50 stolen bases in a year.

1990 - Detroit Pistons beat Trailblazers in Portland for 1st time since 1974.

2005 - George Mikan, American basketball player, dies at 80.

2012 - New York Mets pitcher Johan Santana

pitches a no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals.