LeBron James interested in joining David Beckham's ownership group

Two of the biggest stars in their respective sports are thinking of teaming up.

The Miami Heat's LeBron James and soccer star David Beckham are talking about joining forces to possibly bring a MLS team to Miami.

"We're working on it," James said.

"There is some interest on both sides. David has become a good friend of mine over the last few years and I think it would be great for this city to have a football club," James told the Miami Herald. "There is interest on both sides, but it’s preliminary talks but there is some open dialogue."

Beckham has the option to buy into MLS at a discounted rate, a privilege that was in his deal to join the LA Galaxy in 2007. The league confirmed in October that it is in discussions with Beckham about owning a team with reports consistently indicating Miami would be the former England international's location of choice.

Beckham has been scouting possible stadium sites in Miami.


''I am excited about owning a team ... continuing to be part of the MLS in the future,'' Beckham told the Associated Press in October. "Miami excites me because I think it's a city that is very excitable."

James currently has a small stake in the Liverpool of the  Barclay’s Premiere League.

"We don’t know" how viable the Miami market would be for a new-look MLS team, James said. "The research is still being made out but I think it could be huge. But, you never know. I think this is a great town for soccer. There are a lot of soccer players here. There’s a great youth [system] of soccer here. And people love the city as well, so that definitely will help."

Overall soccer has always been a tough sell in the United States. If MLS can have James behind one of it's teams it might just catch on.

Notre Dame's Louis Nix out for rest of the season

Notre Dame nose tackle Louis Nix III will miss the last two games of the Irish's season coach Brian Kelly told reporters. That could also include the bowl game if the team elects to play in one.

Nix has undergone surgery to repair a torn meniscus as the Fighting Irish prepare to take on BYU.

Nix has been banged up this season. He missed a game against Air Force due to tendonitis and a shoulder injury was suffered in a game against USC.

This is a big blow to the Irish defense as they'll have to go against a BYU team that has been solid on the ground this season.

Nix is expected to be a high draft pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Getting surgery now rather than waiting until after the season will give him more time to rehab and prepare for the NFL Draft. It would make sense to get it taken care of now with the Irish not competing for any big bowl game or championship and Nix still in position to be drafted highly if he is in optimum shape.

That all depends if he decides to come back to school for the 2014 season.

Rasheed Wallace fails to pay unpaid taxes

Rasheed Wallace owes an Oregon county more than $150,000 in unpaid property taxes. Multnomah County is still trying to collect money on a house Wallace owns in the Portland area.

Wallace's wife tried to make a $35,000 payment online but when the county tried to collect the money it was told the account is not valid.

That means Wallace is still on the hook for the roughly $150,000 property tax bill, plus a 16 percent penalty for not paying on time.

Dave Austin with Multnomah County told KGW as a result, a $25 returned check fee will be added to the $150,000 bill.

Wallace is a former Portland Trail Blazer who is now an assistant coach with the Detroit Pistons.

"It Girl" of the week: Kyra Chaos

The Just Sports & Just Us "It Girl" of the week is Kyra Chaos.

Former Rutgers CB says he was bullied by the defensive coordinator

After a bullying scandal that led to basketball coach Mike Rice being dismissed, Rutgers University is once again dealing with a coach abusing a player.

Cornerback Jevon Tyree quit the football team on November 6 because of alleged bullying by defensive coordinator Dave Cohen. 

Cohen has been accused of getting in Tyree's face and calling him a "p----" and a "b----" (fill in the blanks) and threatened to head-butt him during a study hall session in April. Ironically the same time when Rice was fired for doing the same to members of the basketball team.

The incident happened in front of approximately 10 teammates and a tutor, Jevon Tyree said, and it led to the 19-year-old's escalating ostracization, eventually driving him to quit. Tyree says it ruined his standing on the team, he received less repetitions in practice which eventually cost him any possible playing time. He also claims to be excluded from some of the team meetings.

Tyree's parents, mark and Clarice have pushed for disciplinary action against Cohen.

Clarice Tyree called it "an outright bullying episode," and Mark Tyree said the behavior soon "transferred to the other coaches."

"I really think disciplinary action should happen, almost to the point where (Cohen) should get fired. I really do," Mark Tyree said. "That's how bad it is, especially for the damage he's done to Jevon."

The parents said they met with both Cohen and head coach Kyle Flood. "(Cohen) tried to apologize," Mark Tyree said, "and I was like, 'Well, the apology really isn't accepted. We want Jevon to get an opportunity. He's been battling this abuse and it's been trickling down to your other coaches on defense.' "


Tyree's father also wanted to meet with the athletic director Julie Hermann but according to him his request was denied. Hermann has also been accused of abusive behavior in the past.

Jevon Tyree says that Cohen's behavior stemmed from a spring practice incident when he injured his hamstring running the 40 yard dash.

Rutgers has released a statement about this case.

  

Gary Payton II commits to attend Oregon State

Gary Payton II will be carrying on the family legacy at his father's alma mater.

Payton II has committed to play basketball for Oregon State next season. Payton II will be following his dad's footsteps, Gary Payton, and try to get the program back to the NCAA tournament, somewhere the team hasn't been to since the elder Payton left Corvallis.

Payton II will sign the letter of intent at the family home in Las Vegas.

 "I just felt like this was the best situation for me right now," Payton II said. "It's just a real business decision, too, knowing it's the same alma mater as my dad." 

Payton II, known as "The Mitten" will have two years of eligibility left when he arrives.

Detroit Lions' Chris Houston's father accused in Sam Hurd drug case

Sam Hurd was sentenced to 15 years in prison for drug trafficking. Now the fallout from he case is starting to take place.

The father of Detroit Lions cornerback Chris Houston has found himself denying allegations that he was involved in drug trafficking with the cousin of Hurd, Tyrone Chavful.

Larry Houston called the allegations 'crap' and says that Chavful's attorney,Michael McCrum, is just trying to get a more favorable ruling for his client.

The elder Houston has never been questioned by authorities about any possible connection with Hurd or Chavful despite McCrum presenting phone records that he says proves that Houston was partners with Chavful.

“I guess they’re trying to throw some smoke, but anything that they done said, I’m absolutely, 100% sure that the police have already checked all of that out, and if I had any connection to Tyrone in any way as far as drugs go, I’d be picked up already and be fighting my own drug case,” Larry Houston said. “That’s just crap. I haven’t even heard it. This is the first time I’ve heard it.”

Larry Houston did say he knew Chavful from printing up t-shirts for Chris' football camp. Chavful owned a a t-shirt printing shop in San Antonio.

“I’m sure the police have already checked all that out, and they were just trying to throw some junk up in the wind,” Larry Houston said. “It’s crazy.”

Apparently the judge isn't buying it and Houston's name will more than likely be cleared. Sounds like Chavful's attorney is trying to throw something to the wall to see if it sticks.