Off the wire

LITTLE ROCK — COLLEGE FOOTBALL Four-year ban avoided

Penn State faced the threat of a four-year ban on playing football before the NCAA issued its punishment this week for how it handled the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal, a university spokesman said Wednesday. David La Torre said the potential for the multiyear “death penalty” was floated during discussions between Penn State President Rodney Erickson and NCAA officials before Monday, when Penn State was issued a $60 million fine, a four-year bowl game ban, reduced football scholarships and the forfeiture of 112 victories. The school trustees met on the subject at a State College hotel Wednesday, and afterward issued a statement calling the NCAA punishment “unfortunate” but better than the alternatives.Reporters were barred from the conference room where they met, and trustees avoided them after the meeting broke up. The potential for a four-year ban, first reported by ESPN, showed how high the stakes were as college sports’ governing body considered how to respond to an internal school investigation by former FBI Director Louis Freeh that found former coach Joe Paterno and three other top college officials helped conceal reports that Sandusky was abusing children.

BASKETBALL Pargo traded to Cavs

The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired point guard Jeremy Pargo, a second-round draft pick in 2014, and cash considerations from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for guard-forward D.J. Kennedy on Wednesday. Pargo, 26, played in 44 games with Memphis last season, averaging 2.9 points and 1.3 assists in 9.7 minutes. In 2010-2011, Pargo played in the Israel Premier League and averaged 10 points, 3.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists in 27.1 minutes. Kennedy appeared in two games for the Cavaliers last season and averaged 6.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

The Phoenix Suns have re-signed guard Shannon Brown. The contract is for two years with the second year partially guaranteed. Brown averaged 11 points and 2.7 rebounds in a career-high 23.7 minutes pergame last season. He appeared in 59 games, 19 as a starter.

The Utah Jazz have agreed to terms of a contract with guard Randy Foye. Foye has averaged 11.6 points, 3.2 assists and 2.4 rebounds in a six-year career that has included stints with Minnesota, Washington and the Los Angeles Clippers.

TENNIS

Ram advances in Farmers

Rajeev Ram beat Chile’s Paul Capdeville 6-3, 6-1 on Wednesday in the second round of the Farmers Classic at the Los Angeles Tennis Center. The 28-year-old American lost only nine points on serve andhad 10 aces. Ram dominated the 64-minute match with that serve, winning 85 percent of his first-serve points (22-26) and 69 percent on his second serve (11-16). Ram set up a third-round match against thirdseeded Leonardo Mayer of Argentina, Mayer had a 6-0, 4-0 lead when Italy’s Flavio Cipolla retired because of a neck injury.

HORSE RACING

Alpha favored in Jim Dandy

Kentucky Derby also-ran Alpha is the slight 5-2 morning-line favorite for Saturday’s $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. The 3-year-old colt trained by Kiaran McLaughlin will be making hisfirst start since finishing 12th in the Derby on May 5. A field of eight was entered Wednesday, with Neck ‘n Neck the second choice at 3-1, Liaison at 7-2 and Teeth of the Dog at 5-1. Also entered were Atigun (8-1), Fast Falcon (10-1), Prospective (12-1) and My Adonis (20-1). With Derby and Preakness winner I’ll Have Another and Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags retired, and Derby-Preakness runner-up Bodemeister recovering from a fever, there is no standout in the key 1 1/8-mile prep for the $1 million Travers Stakes at the Spa on Aug. 25.

Centre Court, ridden by Julien Leparoux, found a narrow opening between horses in deep stretch and prevailed over Better Lucky to win the $200,000 Lake George Stakes for 3-year-old fillies by a neck Wednesday at Saratoga Race Course. With longshot Elusive Rumour setting a fast early pace, Leparoux rated Centre Court well behind the leader, saving ground throughout the 1 1/16 miles run over a firm turf course in 1:41.71. The Lake George was the third victory in five starts this year for the Rusty Arnold-trained filly, who paid $7.20, $3.80 and $2.80. Better Lucky paid $12.00 and $6.10. Samitar, third of eight, paid $4.20 to show.

PRO FOOTBALL Patriots cut RB Addai

The New England Patriots cut former Indianapolis Colts running back Joseph Addai on Wednesday, and signed tight end Visanthe Shiancoe and defensive lineman Tim Bulman. Addai, 29, was signed by the Patriots as a free agent May 10 following a six-year career with Indianapolis.

The Detroit Lions have signed veteran cornerbacks Drew Coleman and Justin Miller as they try to fill a position weakened by their dismissal of the legally challenged Aaron Berry and the loss to injury of Chris Greenwood. The Lions said Wednesday that they also cut wide receiver Marcus Harris.

The Buffalo Bills have shuffled defensive ends before the start of training camp by signing undrafted rookie Sean Ferguson and releasing Lionel Dotson. Ferguson took part in the team’s rookie minicamp on a tryout basis in May. Ferguson, 6-3, 248 pounds, had 27 starts in 49 games at Mississippi State.

BASEBALLPolice: Ripken’s mom abducted, now safe

ABERDEEN, Md. - Cal Ripken Jr.’s 74-year-old mother was found with her hands bound in the back seat of her car Wednesday after being kidnapped at gunpoint a day earlier at her home outside Baltimore and driven around blindfolded by her abductor, police and neighbors said.

Investigators do not know the kidnapper’s motive and there was no ransom demand for ViRipken’s release, Aberdeen Police Chief Henry Trabert said at a news conference.

The gunman forced Ripken into her silver Lincoln Continental between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. Tuesday, police said. She was found bound and unharmed but shaken about 6:15 a.m. Wednesday nearher home in Aberdeen, about 30 miles northeast of Baltimore.

When asked if police believe the kidnapper knew who he was abducting, Trabert did not answer, saying investigators don’t know the motive or if the suspect has any ties to the Ripken family.

“This has been a very trying time for our family, but we are grateful and relieved that Mom is back with us, safe and healthy,” the Ripken family said in a statement. “We want to thank everyone for their tremendous support, especially all of the law enforcement agencies that worked so hard and quickly.”

A next-door neighbor said Vi Ripken told him her kidnapper didn’t seem to know that her son was the Hall of Fame infielder who played in 2,632 consecutive games during his 21-year career with the Baltimore Orioles.

Gus Kowalewski said hespoke with Vi Ripken later Wednesday morning. The retired autoworker said Ripken told him the gunman tied her hands and put a blindfold on her but said he wouldn’t hurt her.

“He lit cigarettes for her, they stopped for food,” Kowalewski said. “He said, ‘I’m not goingto hurt you. I’m going to take you back,’ and that’s what he did.”

Kowalewski said Ripken told him the gunman originally planned to put tape over her eyes.

“He didn’t do that because she said, ‘Please don’t do that ‘cause I’m claustrophobic,’ ” he said.

Instead, the gunman put some type of mask or blinders on her and she could see somewhat out the sides, he said.

“He said he just wanted money and her car,” Kowalewski said.