Sports briefs for April 22, 2004

Thursday, April 22, 2004 | 9:54 a.m.

San Diego mayor has proposal for Chargers

San Diego mayor Dick Murphy offered a proposal Wednesday to settle a legal fight between the city and the NFL's Chargers.

A team spokesman said he was encouraged even though the lengthy plan didn't guarantee a new stadium.

The proposal would basically redo the city's controversial 1995 lease with the team. By removing some terms that have angered taxpayers, it could help the team get a measure for a new stadium on a ballot in 2006.

Murphy proposed an immediate end to a ticket guarantee and asked the Chargers to drop a lawsuit against the city seeking to validate their right to exercise an "out" clause in the current lease. The Chargers must agree to play in San Diego at least through 2008 and forfeit their rights to renegotiate the lease.

The Chargers also could not negotiate with other cities before January 2007. If the team leaves San Diego after 2008, it would have to pay a termination fee of more than $57 million to help retire bonds.

"This is the last, best hope to reach agreement to what we think is fair to both sides, and we certainly hope and expect that the Chargers will agree to this," city councilman Michael Zucchet said.

Mark Fabiani, the Chargers' lead negotiator, said the team was "very encouraged" by Murphy's plan.

Scott leaves Air Force

The Air Force Academy planned to introduce its new head coach today, a day after Joe Scott left the job to succeed John Thompson III at Princeton.

Summerall released

Pat Summerall was released from a Jacksonville, Fla., hospital, less than two weeks after receiving a liver transplant.

Krone plans return

Hall of Fame jockey Julie Krone, out since a spill in December at Hollywood Park, said she planned to return to active duty during the current Hollywood Park meeting, which began Wednesday.

Maradona treated

Diego Maradona remained on a respirator in a Buenos Aires hospital. Doctors said he had pneumonia and that he was being treated with anitbiotics to fight a lung infection.