NBA might let the Heat and Nets wear jerseys with nicknames

The NBA is kicking around an idea that might get fans to buy more jerseys.

For one game the league may let players wear nicknames on the back of their jerseys. Members of the  Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets have been told that the league may have them wear "nickname" jerseys in one of their four matchups this season.

Miami's Ray Allen, who would have "Jesus Shuttlesworth", his character from the movie "He Got Game", on the back of his jersey seems to be a fan of the idea.

 "It shows growth in our league and it shows we do adapt to what's going on around us," said Allen, the Heat guard who plans to wear Shuttlesworth on his jersey, a nod to his character from the "He Got Game" film. "And we're still kids, playing a kids' game. Even though we're now men playing a kids' game, we still remember where we come from. Everybody had a nickname and it's a way to let the fans in a little bit more."  

"Fans will like it and so will a lot of the players," Allen said. "Guys will get a good kick out of it."

Miami and Brooklyn is expected to be a marquee matchup this season so the league would put the idea into play with two of the more marketable teams in the league. I think it's an idea that would go over well with the fans and players alike.There's also the possibility of getting the league more publicity and exposure, also more sales of jerseys, but I don't know if the league would put the nickname jerseys on the market.

NHL suspends Maple Leafs Dave Clarkson for 10 games

The NHL tonight suspended Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Clarkson for 10 games after Clarkson left the bench to join an on-ice altercation Sunday night in the Leafs' preseason game in Toronto against the rival Buffalo Sabres.

Clarkson left the bench with 10 minutes remaining in the third period after Buffalo tough guy John Scott, who is 6-8, started a fight with Toronto's Phil Kessel, who is 6-feet and not a fighter. Scott apparently had been incensed after Toronto's 6-5 Jamie Devane had beaten up the much smaller Corey Tropp.

Kessel swung his stick at Scott -- and he will likely get suspended, as well -- and that set off a brawl between the teams that included a goalie fight between Toronto's Jonathan Bernier and Buffalo's Ryan Miller. Clarkson left the bench to get involved, triggering an automatic 10-game suspension under NHL rules.

The suspension is mandated by Rule 70.10, which states: "The first player to leave the players' or penalty bench illegally during an altercation or for the purpose of starting an altercation from either or both teams shall be suspended without pay for the next 10 regular League and/or playoff games of his team."

The suspension is without pay, and based on his average annual salary, Clarkson will forfeit $269,230.80. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Clarkson will be eligible to return to the Maple Leafs’ lineup on Oct. 25 at Columbus.

VCU upgrades their basketball uniforms

The VCU Rams introduced a new, sleeker looking uniform for the 2013-2014 college basketball season.

The Rams unveiled the uniforms at a team photo shoot. The home whites VCU and the numbers in black with yellow outlines. The design of the letters looks slick and fast, like how the team plays.

It's an upgrade from the generic looking uniforms from years past and fits the team's style of play.