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SPORTS: I’m hanging onto my belief in honest outcomes

Other than the occasional NASCAR race and, notably, professional wrestling, I choose not to believe in orchestrated outcomes and conspiracy theories when it comes to sports. OK, I’m just kidding about NASCAR. Well, sort of. Anyway, I defended that belief even as I was being besieged by Pacers fans- back when the Pacers were the local team of choice and favor-who were convinced NBA Commissioner David Stern and his minions were preventing our small-market darlings from reaching the NBA Finals…

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IRL races into flood-plagued Iowa

Despite flooding which has ravaged the area, officials at the Iowa Speedway—30 miles east of Des Moines—expect the Indy Racing League race there to be sold out Sunday.

“Track officials are expecting another strong…

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Star names McKee replacement

It’s not easy filling the shoes of a 26-year news veteran. But Kristen Leigh Porter is going to try. Officials for the Indianapolis Star recently announced that Porter has been named to replace…

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NBC bets on ND to turn it around

Notre Dame is renewing its television contract with NBC.

The university and NBC announced today they have agreed on a five-year deal that runs through the 2015 season. The current contract—which paid Notre Dame…

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IU’s Gordon appears headed west

The Indiana Pacers’ Larry Bird won’t have to worry about fan reaction if he doesn’t select Indiana University guard Eric Gordon with the team’s No. 11 overall pick in the June 26 National Basketball Association…

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Big Ten Network war takes toll

It appears that the Big Ten Network’s fight with Comcast Cable is about over.

IBJ reported May 2 that sources close to Comcast Cable and the Big Ten Network said that an agreement to…

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Can all-star hoops game survive?

After the Indiana vs. Kentucky All-Star basketball games at Conseco Fieldhouse June 13, drew only 5,097 spectators, some within the local hoops community are calling for changes.

Sports marketers said moving the game from Saturday to Friday hurt attendance. Others suggested…

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Victory Field name not for sale

The Indianapolis Indians are one of the most stable teams in this region in one of the most stable leagues in the country. The International League will celebrate its 125th anniversary this week…

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Philly DA pursues Harrison case

The Indianapolis Colts’ marketing nightmare involving Marvin Harrison’s possible participation in a shooting incident in his hometown of Philadelphia appears far from over.

Philadelphia District Attorney Lynn Abraham this week asked police to reinterview witnesses in the case, a police department source…

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IU fights battles on two fronts

It’s difficult to say which challenge will be more daunting for Indiana University’s athletic department—the king-size sinkhole in the school’s football field or the self-inflicted wound to the image of its men’s basketball…

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SPORTS: Before ESPN, there was McKay and ‘Wide World’

It might be a bit over the top to say that a man I met only once and barely knew had a profound influence on my life, but that’s how I felt about Jim McKay. Thus, when I tuned in to view the Belmont Stakes on June 7 and the lead story was not of Big Brown’s (failed) bid for the Triple Crown but of Jim McKay’s passing at the age of 86, I admit I felt a sudden pang…

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Purdue joins Conexus on manufacturing, logistics effort: University, advocacy group predict evolving industry

An advocacy group formed a year ago to boost the visibility and growth of the state’s advanced manufacturing and logistics industries has received a major lift from Purdue University. Conexus Indiana and Purdue earlier this month announced the formation of a partnership in which the university will lend its academic and research talents to the organization. The key goals include linking manufacturers with new suppliers, exploring emerging markets and supporting startups launched from university or privatesector research. “Conexus is very…

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Pacers launch TV ad campaign

If you’ve been watching the National Basketball Association finals this week between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, you’ve noticed the latest television ad campaign by the Indiana Pacers airing on ABC.

The eye-catching spots created by the team’s ad…

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IRL looks to race into Mexico

Indy Racing League officials were in Mexico City early this week to look at a possible location for a race there, which could be held as early as 2009. It may have to be pushed to 2010, depending on scheduling…

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SPORTS: Excitement-and fear-grows as Cubs pile up wins

My father in law, John Parker Jr., died this past March in LaPorte. He was 90, so he didn’t get shortchanged in the longevity department. He had a full, complete life. Except for one thing. He spent virtually all those 90 years rooting for his beloved Chicago Cubs to win a World Series. As with many from northwestern Indiana-Da Region-his afternoon ritual, especially in his retirement years, was sitting in front of the television to root, root, root for the…

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Commentary: Smart policies can lengthen lives

Over the last 20 years, life expectancy for residents of the United States as a whole has increased steadily. However, recent studies by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have shown that not all Americans are enjoying longer, healthier lives. The implications of these studies are particularly ominous for Hoosiers. The disparities in life expectancy are most pronounced between richer and poorer Americans, reflecting the pronounced growth of income inequality the last two decades. In 1980, the most…

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Indy Racing League enters talks for new TV deal: Negotiations start this month with ABC/ESPN, but deal may be shopped to other networks to gauge interest

After the checkered flag dropped on this year’s Indianapolis 500, the green flag fell on negotiations for a new television contract between the Indy Racing League and ABC/ESPN. The current deal doesn’t expire until the end of next season, but the contract calls for the parties to discuss an extension starting this month. Sources close to both sides said ABC/ESPN pays the IRL about $10 million annually, but getting that kind of guaranteed cash beyond 2009 could be difficult. Still,…

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Air race circuit still eyes Indy

The Detroit Free-Press reported that fans watching last weekend’s Red Bull Air Race World Series along the Detroit River got a “thrill-chill.”

The crowd size assembled along the river banks might have thrilled Indianapolis…

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Pacers revive draft party

The Indiana Pacers will host a party at Conseco Fieldhouse on June 26, where fans can watch the 2008 NBA Draft and hear from Pacers executives about the team’s draft. This marks the…

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NBA measures IU’s Gordon

The vital statistics are in from last week’s NBA pre-draft camp. It’s official: Eric Gordon is nowhere near 6-foot-4— the measurement used by Indiana University when he played there last season—not even in…

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