Newswire

The federal prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Atty. Ernst Mueller, took three hours to give his closing argument in the 14-week-old racketeering case against former pitcher Denny McLain and three co-defendants. McLain is the only defendant charged on all counts: racketeering, conspiracy, extortion, possession of cocaine and plotting to smuggle cocaine.

Utah Jazz President David Checketts said that the National Basketball Assn. franchise would go on sale April 16 unless the team sells 30 limited partnerships at $100,000 each. “The team is on sale to Salt Lake City today,” he said. “On April 16, it will be on sale to the highest bidder.”

Controlling interest in the Chicago Bulls was officially turned over to a group headed by Jerry Reinsdorf. Reinsdorf is also a co-owner of the American League’s Chicago White Sox.