Sports briefs for January 21, 2005

Friday, Jan. 21, 2005 | 9:51 a.m.

Marlins 'terrorists' ripped in Tallahassee

The Florida Marlins want $60 million in state money to build a new ballpark in Miami. The head of the state senate on Thursday called their requests blackmail.

"They're trying to blackmail us," said Senate President Tom Lee. "If it becomes a question of which community wants the team bad enough, and which community is willing to pay the highest price for a sports team, you can count me out."

A day after labeling the Marlins as "terrorists" -- a term he backed off Thursday -- said the team's meetings in Las Vegas last month "offended me."

The Marlins' lease at the Miami Dolphins' stadium expires after the 2010 season and Dolphins owner H. Wayne Huizenga has said it won't be renewed. The Marlins want a 38,000-seat, retractable roof stadium.

The team says the state money would be the final link in its funding for a $360 million stadium. The Marlins plan to spend $192 million for stadium construction, and the team is working with the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County to raise the rest of the money.

"I would like for the Marlins to decide where they want to play baseball in the future," Lee said. "It's in Florida, I'll try to help them, but if they want to play in Las Vegas, I'll come down and help them pack.

Gamecocks charged

Six current and former South Carolina players were charged with stealing $18,000 worth of equipment from the university in November. Offensive lineman Woodly Telfort is charged with grand larceny. He admitted taking a $4,000 laptop.

Player dies at game

Eastern Connecticut State University senior Antwoine Key, 22, died after collapsing in the opening minutes of his game at Worcester State College. Cause of death was not immediately determined.

Forsberg injured

Former Colorado Avalanche forward Peter Forsberg, an unrestricted free agent in the NHL, might miss the rest of the Swedish Elite League season after his right wrist was injured while playing for Modo.

2010 PGA moves

The 2010 PGA Championship will be moved from Sahalee Country Club in Redmond, Wash., because of "obstacles" posed by the Winter Olympics six months earlier in neighboring British Columbia.

Leeds is saved

Ken Bates, who was Chelsea chairman for 22 years, today completed an $18.7 million takeover of Leeds United that averts the threat of the 1992 English soccer champion going bankrupt.