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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

NFL, zebras back at the bargaining table

By: Barry Wilner

Posted: 09/1/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The NFL and its on-field officials' union began negotiating again Friday, hoping to end the lockout that resulted in replacement officials working the preseason.

The league locked out the NFL Referees Association in early June, then hired replacements, whose work in exhibition games has been heavily criticized.

There even was some optimism surrounding Friday's talks, as Michael Arnold, lead negotiator for the officials, said in a statement: "Reports on the economic gap between the NFL and NFLRA are inaccurate."

Fan plunges to death

HOUSTON -- A 25-year-old fan died after tumbling about 18 metres from a fifth-floor escalator at the Reliant Stadium during a pre-season Houston Texans' game, officials said Friday.

The man fell to the ground floor during Thursday night's clash against the Minnesota Vikings, and frantic witnesses called police over to where his body had landed, Police Department spokesman John Cannon said. He later died at a Houston hospital.

Authorities cannot identify the man until his family has been informed, Cannon said, adding that police are investigating what appears to have been an accidental fall.

Mark Miller, the general manager of SMG-Reliant Park where the stadium is located, said the man was travelling down from the fifth floor when he fell about 18 metres to the ground. Two medical teams working at the stadium treated the man at the scene before he was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital where he died, he said.

NAPA, Waltrip extend deal

HAMPTON, Ga. -- In these uncertain economic times, a sponsorship announcement was enough to bring out NASCAR's president.

Mike Helton was on hand Friday when Martin Truex and primary sponsor NAPA agreed to a three-year contract extension with Michael Waltrip Racing.

"Thank you for believing in our sport," Helton told a top NAPA official who was on hand for the announcement.

The team has made dramatic improvement this season, going into Sunday's race at Atlanta Motor Speedway fifth in the Sprint Cup standings and looking to give Waltrip a spot in the Chase for the championship for the first time as a car owner. The team's other full-time driver, Clint Bowyer, is sixth in the points.

-- The Associated Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 1, 2012 C6

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