Sports briefs for December 8, 2004

Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004 | 10:57 a.m.

Five Pacers charged for Auburn Hills melee

Five Indiana Pacers players were charged today for fighting with fans in the stands and on the court during the brawl that broke out at a game last month. Five fans were also expected to face charges, news reports said.

NBA players Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson, David Harrison and Anthony Johnson were all charged with one count of assault and battery, a misdemeanor that could bring three months in jail and a $500 fine. Jermaine O'Neal was charged with two counts of assault and battery.

The fight broke out Nov. 19 during a game against the Detroit Pistons after an on-court dispute over a foul. A fan tossed a drink at Artest, who then charged into the stands and began beating a man he thought had done it.

Two days later, NBA commissioner David Stern suspended Artest for the rest of the season, Jackson for 30 games and O'Neal for 25. Six other players - including four members of the Pistons - received shorter suspensions.

Oakland County prosecutor David Gorcyca said Monday that his decision on charges would be based on videotapes of the brawl and about 1,000 pages of reports.

According to news reports, one fan could be charged with throwing the plastic cup that sparked the brawl. Another fan was expected to face a felony assault charge for allegedly throwing a chair into the crowd. The felony charge carries up to four years in prison.

S. Carolina protest

The Black Coaches Association today called for prospective football recruits and assistant coaches to stay away from South Carolina because the school ignored the group's recommendation for a more open coaching search. The group's director, Floyd Keith, told the Associated Press that South Carolina never contacted the BCA. The group sent the school search guidelines before Steve Spurrier was hired to replace Lou Holtz last month.

Wie has PGA date

Michelle Wie will make another appearance on the PGA tour in 2005. She accepted a sponsor's exemption to play next month in the Sony Open in her native Honolulu. Wie was 14 last January when she first played in the tournament, shooting a 68 I the second round coming within one shot of making the cut.

Last match for Mia

Mia Hamm, the all-time leading scorer in international soccer history -- male or female -- will conclude her competitive career tonight in Carson, Calif., when the U.S. national team plays Mexico. Then Hamm, who has scored 158 goals, will retire.

Boxer brain dead

Colombia bantamweight Carlos Meza, 26, ranked 14th in the world by the WBA, was declared brain dead in a Panama City hospital, four days after being knocked out in the 12th round of a fight with Ricardo Cordobo in Colon, Panama.

Players want policy

The Major League Baseball Players Association executive board directed union management to begin negotiating toard a new agreement with owners on a tougher testing policy for steroids.