Lockout

Are NBA players planning to launch their own league? Amare Stoudemire says that they’re giving it “serious” consideration if the NBA decides to cancel the season. League officials have already nixed the first two weeks of the season over the labor dispute.

If NBA owners and players don’t come to an agreement by Monday to put an end to the current lockout, the first two weeks of the regular season will be canceled. Complicating matters is the fact that talks won’t take place on Friday or Saturday in observance of the Jewish Holiday of Yom Kippur.

Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, 33, has reached a verbal deal to play in Italy during the NBA lockout, said Italian team Virtus Bologna. “There’s still some things to arrange but at this point I’m very optimistic. I would say it’s 95 percent done,” Virtus president Claudio Sabatini told a local radio station, adding, “This is an important investment and a unique chance for the city of Bologna

NFL players and owners have reportedly agreed on all major points in a new collective bargaining agreement, putting an end to the four-month-old lockout. A union executive committee vote and press conference are expected on Monday. Insiders anticipate the deal will be in place by Wednesday to ensure the start of training camps and an interrupted full schedule of preseason and regular-season games.

David Bruton knows more than just football. While the NFL lockout labors on, the Denver Broncos safety kept busy by taking a job as a substitute teacher in his hometown of Miamisburg, Ohio.

The 2011 schedule for the Denver Broncos was released Tuesday, featuring a season-opening Monday Night Football game.