Pitino jurors see TV interview of defendant

Jurors in the extortion trial of Karen Cunagin Sypher on Tuesday watched an interview she gave to a Louisville TV station describing an alleged sexual assault by University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino.

Federal prosecutors say Sypher made the allegation in April 2009 in retaliation for Pitino contacting the FBI about threatening phone calls he received in February 2009.

The interview with WDRB-TV was never broadcast and was seen publicly for the first time in Sypher's federal trial on charges of extortion, lying to the FBI and retaliating against a witness.

Sypher said Pitino assaulted her in July 2003 after closing time at Porcini, an Italian restaurant in Louisville. Pitino, who has acknowledged a consensual sexual encounter with Sypher at the restaurant, was not in court as jurors watched the video. Pitino's attorney said the coach could testify today. (AP)

USA Swimming targets abuse — USA Swimming acknowledged that it has a second list of people who are under suspicion for unscrupulous behavior, having already banned 46 coaches and officials for life, mostly for sexual misconduct.

The board met in Newark, N.J., to sign off on measures that will be voted on at the national convention in September, another step in its efforts to cope with numerous allegations of coaches abusing underage athletes. They included a new athlete protection policy, expanded background checks and a requirement that all adults who interact with swimmers become members of the organization.

USA Swimming president Jim Wood also told the AP there's a second list of people who've been "flagged" for alleged misconduct against swimmers but haven't faced any disciplinary action because they aren't current members. (AP)

Feds seek records from '04 Armstrong doping case — Federal prosecutors investigating cheating in professional cycling have subpoenaed documents from a 2004 case in which a Texas company, Dallas-based SCA Promotions Inc., tried to prove Lance Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs.

Armstrong and SCA went to arbitration after the company withheld a $5 million performance bonus it owed Armstrong for his 2004 Tour de France win. SCA had cited published allegations Armstrong was doping, which he denied. The 2004 case ended with SCA paying Armstrong $7.5 million, covering the original contract plus attorneys fees and interest.

Elsewhere — Memphis Grizzlies rookie guard Greivis Vasquez underwent surgery on his right ankle to remove a bone spur. ... Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Jonny Flynn has undergone surgery on his left hip. ... Houston Rockets center Yao Ming says he is considering quitting basketball after next season if he doesn't fully recover from his lingering foot injury. ... NASCAR driver Marcos Ambrose is leaving JTG Daugherty Racing at the end of the season. ... Organizers say former Olympic champion Justin Gatlin will make his comeback from a four-year doping ban at the Bigbank Kuldliiga meet Aug. 3 in Estonia. ... Diego Maradona was removed as Argentina's soccer coach, his stay ending after nearly two years on the job and a 4-0 defeat in the World Cup quarterfinals. ... Belmont Stakes winner Drosselmeyer is recovering from an ankle injury that has sidelined the 3-year-old colt for the rest of the year.

AC St. Louis hosts Portland — Out of the USSF Division II basement for the first time this season, AC St. Louis (4-10-4) will host the Portland Timbers (7-5-5) tonight in a 7:10 match at Anheuser-Busch Center in Fenton. AC St. Louis, 2-3-3 in league play since Dale Schilly replaced Claude Anelka as coach, has moved past the Miami FC Blues (2-7-9) in the standings and is just seven points out of playoff contention. (Joe Lyons)

Davenport MVP — The Aces' Lindsay Davenport was named this season's female MVP of World TeamTennis. Davenport appeared in 11 of the Aces' 14 matches and led the league in winning percentage in women's singles and mixed doubles. The Aces finished the season 7-7. (Kathleen Nelson)

Big series for Rascals — The River City Rascals (36-23), winners of 14 of their last 16 games, play host to the Southern Illinois Miners (44-15), who are off to the most dominating start in Frontier League history, in a three-game series beginning at 7:05 tonight at T.R. Hughes Ballpark. (Steve Overbey)