Devils Staying in New Jersey

After months of heated negotiations and threats of a move to Nashville, Tenn., the Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils will stay at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J., for at least one more season.

They also have the framework of a deal to keep them there through 2007, but the Associated Press reported that a loan of $25 million must be secured by Sept. 15 or the deal could fall apart.

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The Ice Dogs of the International Hockey League, who will play next season in the Sports Arena, have acquired defenseman Mark Hardy, 36, who spent 10 seasons with the Kings, in the league’s expansion draft.

Football

An Oakland citizens’ group calling itself Taxpayers for a Vote on Raiders Deal said it is concerned about the 16-year agreement between city and Alameda County officials and the Raiders and may call for a public referendum.

Efforts toward such a referendum helped derail the possibility of a return by the Raiders from Los Angeles to Oakland in 1990.

The move awaits NFL approval, and Jacksonville Jaguar owner Wayne Weaver said he will probably vote yes. He also said Los Angeles should have only one team, instead of two.

John Elway dismissed reports that his knee was in such bad shape that he shouldn’t play this season, saying that, although he has had five operations and has been told he is a candidate for a knee replacement in the future, his knee should not impair his play.

The Indianapolis Colts gave defensive lineman Steve Emtman an ultimatum--renegotiate his four-year contract that counts $3 million toward this season’s $37.6 million salary cap or be released.

Wide receiver Ricky Sanders, a nine-year pro who played for Atlanta last season, signed a two-year deal with the Miami Dolphins.

Running back Leroy Thompson, an unrestricted free agent who played for New England last year, signed a two-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Disney Chairman Michael Eisner told the Wall Street Journal that “we would buy a team . . . if it makes economic sense.” However, current NFL bylaws prevent corporate ownership of a team.

Prairie View A&M;, owner of the longest losing streak in college football, fired coach Ron Beard and athletic director Barbara Jacket. Prairie View has lost 46 games in a row.

Jurisprudence

Saying it is too lenient, the lawyer for Monica Seles has appealed the two-year suspended sentence given Guenter Parch, who stabbed Seles in 1993 in Hamburg, Germany, and halted her career.

The Utah Supreme Court has affirmed a lower court ruling that the Salt Lake Trappers and Salt Lake City were not negligent when a 6-year-old was hit by a foul ball in a 1991 game.

Basketball

The Boston Celtics are not honoring an agreement to lend about $8.4 million to player Dominique Wilkins, his agent, Steve Kauffman, said. The loan is part of his contract, and the NBA says it is actually a salary advance and not payable as long as there is a lockout.

Bob Huggins signed a 10-year contract extension to continue as the University of Cincinnati’s basketball coach.

J. Michael Orenduff, New Mexico State’s new president, says an NCAA investigation into correspondence courses members of the university’s basketball team took to become eligible should be complete by August, and he hopes any sanctions against the school are levied by fall.

Boxing

Thomas Hearns’ fight against Franco Wanyama on Sunday in Detroit has been canceled because of a rib injury Hearns suffered while sparring.

An on-again, off-again third fight between Evander Holyfield and Riddick Bowe on Nov. 4 apparently is on again after a news conference to announce a Bowe-Tommy Morrison fight was canceled.

Soccer

Ecuador beat Peru, 2-1, in the America Cup soccer tournament in Rivera, Uruguay, clinching a spot in the second round for Mexico and Colombia and putting the United States in precarious position.

In other games, Mexico tied Uruguay, 1-1, at Montevideo; and Brazil defeated Colombia, 3-0, in Rivera.

The Americans play Argentina tonight at Paysandu and would advance with a victory or a tie. The U.S. team also would advance with a one-goal loss in which the Americans score at least one goal.

A 1-0 loss would leave the United States and Ecuador tied on points, with both teams having scored two goals and allowed three. A coin flip would determine which nation gets the final spot in the quarterfinals.

Eight teams from the 12-nation South American championships make the second round. Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay have also advanced.

Soccer All-American Frankie Hejduk will bypass his senior season at UCLA to train with the U.S. Olympic team.

George Graham was banished from soccer for a year by the English Football Assn. for receiving transfer “kickbacks” while manager of Arsenal.

Miscellany

The International Amateur Athletic Federation, track’s world governing body, has cleared the way for an unprecedented third test on the urine sample of Diane Modahl, a 400-meter runner who is serving a four-year ban after testing positive for testosterone.

The Eagle Rock Athletic Club will play host to its 14th annual Seven-a-Side rugby tournament July 22.

Names in the News

Third-ranked Conchita Martinez has entered the Acura Classic tennis tournament at Manhattan Beach next month.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a complaint against former San Diego and San Francisco pitcher John D’Acquisto, alleging fraud in obtaining $7 million from three investors.

Outfielder Alexander Gamez, 23, of the Zanesville, Ohio, Grays of the independent Frontier League was killed in a car crash.