A foreign Super Bowl being considered

NFL
Speaking to members of the Associated Press Sports Editors in New York yesterday, commissioner Roger Goodell said the NFL is exploring the possibility of staging a Super Bowl outside the United States -- probably in Mexico City, London, or Toronto -- sometime after 2011. He also raised the possibility of adding a 17th game to the schedule and reducing the exhibition season to three games. Goodell said the NFL hopes to conduct mandatory neurological tests before training camps to determine players' susceptibility to concussions. Ideally, that program would be implemented this summer . . . Police conducting a drug investigation raided a Smithfield, Va., house owned by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and found dozens of dogs, some injured and emaciated. Police also found items associated with dog fighting . . . Chargers running back Michael Turner, a restricted free agent, signed a $2.35 million, one-year tender with the club . . . Defensive end Charles Grant agreed on a seven-year contract extension with the New Orleans Saints . . . In an e-mail to The Palm Beach Post and other outlets, quarterback Daunte Culpepper said he realizes his future with the Dolphins is in doubt . . . The Broncos signed free agent linebackers Warrick Holdman and D.D. Lewis.

BASEBALL

Blue Jays catcher Gregg Zaun had surgery on his broken right thumb and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks. Zaun was hurt when he was hit by a foul ball Tuesday in a game against the Red Sox . . . Brewers righthander Ben Sheets is expected to make his next scheduled start after having an MRI on his strained right groin. Sheets left Wednesday's game against the Cubs in the third inning after reaching down to tag out Ryan Theriot at third base . . . Braves righthander John Smoltz signed a one-year, $14 million deal for 2008, with options for '09 and '10 that could bring the total value to $39 million . . . Braves righthander Lance Cormier was scratched from a scheduled rehab appearance after experiencing pain in his ailing arm . . . Twins left fielder Rondell White has a small tear in his right calf muscle, an injury that will significantly extend his stay on the disabled list . . . Commissioner Bud Selig told the APSE he believes former players' union head Marvin Miller belongs in the Hall of Fame.

BASKETBALL

In a move that comes as no surprise, former Boston College center Sean Williams has filed to enter the NBA draft. The 6-foot-10-inch Williams was dismissed from the team midway through this past season for violation of team rules . . . Hasheem Thabeet, a 7-3 center, will return to the University of Connecticut for his sophomore season instead of declaring for the draft . . . Marquette sophomore guard Dominic James declared for the draft but will not hire an agent . . . Stuard Baldonado, one of five Duquesne players shot on campus last year, has sued the school, alleging it failed to provide adequate security at a dance . . . Carol Ross resigned as Mississippi women's coach and was replaced by Renee Ladner . . . Jason Kidd missed the Nets' practice with a strained left knee and will be a game-time decision for tonight's third game of the first-round playoff series against the Raptors . . . Warriors guard Monta Ellis was selected NBA Most Improved Player, edging the Kings' Kevin Martin in the closest voting in the award's 22-year history, 352-349.

OLYMPICS

China's grandiose plans for the torch relay, the high-profile pre lude to the 2008 Beijing Games, have been engulfed in conflict by an old political rival -- Taiwan. Within hours of Beijing's announcement of what would be the longest torch relay in Olympic history -- an 85,000-mile, 130-day route that would cross five continents and scale Mount Everest -- Taiwan rejected its inclusion. The episode underscores the deep mistrust between Beijing and Taipei . . . Figure skater Emily Hughes will attend Harvard in the fall.

MISCELLANY

Undefeated BMW Oracle Racing of the United States opened a 3-point lead in the Louis Vuitton Cup sailing standings by beating Mascalzone Latino of Italy in the ninth flight off Valencia, Spain . . . New York Ranger Michal Rozsival missed practice with a leg injury and is day to day . . . Nigel Dawes scored a second-period goal and Al Montoya stopped 24 shots as the Hartford Wolf Pack beat the host Providence Bruins, 1-0, and took a 3-2 lead in their AHL divisional playoff . . . Marisa Ryan of Boston University won the 10,000 meters (34:11.32) and Aine Hoban of Providence took the 5,000 (16:07.01) at the Penn Relays . . . Georgia's Courtney Kupets won the all-around title in the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships at Salt Lake City . . . Underdogs Osasuna (1-0 over Sevilla) and Espanyol (3-0 over Werder Bremen) won in the UEFA Cup soccer semifinals.