Big time SEC players mostly leave the lobbying to others

HOOVER, Ala. – Southeastern Conference players have mostly been content to let league administrators and coaches take up the drumbeat for NCAA reform.

Not that they’re complaining.

Players at SEC Media Days this week were mostly pleased about the trend toward a few more perks – including scholarships that would offer full cost of attendance. They also admit they’ve already got it pretty good.

SEC commissioner Mike Slive has even said the big five conferences could break away from the NCAA if players aren’t compensated more properly.

The life of major college football players and coaches could change drastically once the NCAA and Big Five conferences are done revamping the current system.

Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel says players aren’t starving but “it would be nice to receive a little more compensation.”

Golf

Diaz has a dazzling day to lead the Marathon Classic

SYLVANIA, Ohio – Laura Diaz, winless in the past 12 years on the LPGA Tour, shot a 9-under 62 for a four-stroke lead after Thursday’s opening round of the Marathon Classic.

It was a stunning score for Diaz, who has cut back on competitive golf to raise her two children. She hasn’t finished inside the top 25 in a tour event since 2010 after winning twice in 2002 and playing in four Solheim Cups.

She had nine birdies without a bogey, opening her round at No. 10 with birdies on her first five holes.

NBA

Lakers break the bank to bring in big man Boozer

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers have claimed Carlos Boozer after he was waived by the Chicago Bulls via the amnesty clause.

According to NBA rules, teams with room under the salary cap had to bid at least $1.4 million, the amount of the minimum salary for veterans next season. The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because there was no official announcement, did not say how much the Lakers bid.

The amnesty clause allows teams to waive a player without his salary counting for cap and tax purposes. Boozer is due $16.8 million next season in the final season of his contract.

NFL

Fans rush to new stadium for San Francisco celebration

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The San Francisco 49ers opened their new stadium in Santa Clara with a ribbon-cutting ceremony complete with all the opulence of their new home.

And with confetti streaming down under a blue sky Thursday, there was a general feeling about the $1.2 billion building: Wow!

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh, left tackle Joe Staley and linebacker Patrick Willis joined 49ers chief executive officer Jed York and city officials to cut the ribbons.

Soccer

Referee knew German striker had suffered a concussion

ROME – The World Cup final referee says Germany midfielder Christoph Kramer was disoriented and confused after taking a heavy blow to the head early in Sunday’s match.

Nicola Rizzoli told the Gazzetta dello Sport, “Shortly after the blow, Kramer came to me asking `Ref, is this the final?’ I thought he was joking and made him repeat the question and then he said, `I need to know if this is really the final.’ When I said, `Yes,’ he concluded, `Thanks, it was important to know that.”’

Rizzoli says he told Germany’s Bastian Schweinsteiger about the exchange, but Kramer continued playing for 14 minutes following a collision with Argentina’s Ezequiel Garay.

He eventually was replaced in the 31st minute.

Associated Press