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SAN FRANCISCO The Sacramento Monarchs folded on Friday, a shocking and disappointing development for the WNBA and one of its original eight franchises.
The decision was largely based on the Maloof family's desire to focus all its energy and efforts on the NBA's Sacramento Kings. Maloof Sports & Entertainment had owned both teams.
Now, the WNBA is left scurrying to try to find a new owner for the organization and a suitable market, with the most logical place being the Bay Area, perhaps in Oakland or San Jose.
League president Donna Orender said in a statement Friday that the league is in discussions with potential investors to relocate the Monarchs to the San Francisco area in time for next season.
The Monarchs franchise was one of the league's original eight teams. It won the WNBA championship in 2005 and the Western Conference title the following season.
Associated Press
Broadcasting
A judge has increased bond to $100,000 for an Illinois insurance executive accused of secretly making nude videos of ESPN reporter Erin Andrews.
Michael Barrett was in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Friday to face one count of interstate stalking. Barrett's attorney David Willingham says his client has posted bond. Barrett was initially free on a $4,500 bond.
Tennis
The ATP Tour will not reopen a doping case against Andre Agassi even though he admitted to lying about using crystal meth in 1997.
Agassi revealed in his recent autobiography that he failed a 1997 drug test, a result he says was thrown out after he lied by claiming he "unwittingly" took crystal meth.
However, ATP chairman Adam Helfant said there was no way to sanction Agassi retroactively since he has retired from tennis.
Ice skating
World silver medalist Joannie Rochette scored a personal-best 70 points in the short program at Skate Canada in Kitchener, Ontario, putting her well in front of Americans Alissa Czisny and Mirai Nagasu.
Czisny, the U.S. champion, scored 63.52, while Nagasu earned 56.34. The free skate is today.
Soccer
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham says he'll need an injection in his right ankle to reduce pain and allow him to play in Sunday's MLS Cup final against Real Salt Lake.
Beckham has a bone bruise in his ankle that's been bothering him for some time. He said after Los Angeles finished training at Qwest Field in Seattle the injury won't keep him from playing.
Ireland's hopes for a replay of its World Cup qualifier against France ended after both FIFA and the French Football Federation rejected requests for another game.
FIFA said it could not interfere despite a hand ball by France captain Thierry Henry that led to the decisive score Wednesday that put France in next year's World Cup.
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