Sports briefs

NHLPA files grievance on rejected contract

TORONTO — The National Hockey League Players' Association has filed a grievance over the league's rejection of the landmark $102 million contract between Ilya Kovalchuk and the New Jersey Devils.

The league rejected the 17-year deal contract last week, saying the longest contract in league history violated its salary cap.

The union disputed that belief in its grievance Monday. It said that under the collective bargaining agreement, the union and Kovalchuk are entitled to an expedited resolution.

Wizards' win over Man. U. sells tickets

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Wizards say they sold 700 season tickets after their exhibition win over Manchester United.

The Wizards beat the English power 2-1 Sunday on goals by Davy Arnaud and Kei Kamara before 52,342 at Arrowhead Stadium, the largest crowd to watch a soccer match in Kansas City.

Team spokesman Rob Thomson said Monday the new tickets were sold as the team opened the first 2,011 season tickets for next year to sales following the victory over the Red Devils. Kansas City is scheduled to move next June to a $200 million, 18,500-seat stadium under construction at Village West.

NASCAR hands out fines to critical drivers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR has fined at least two of its star drivers this season for making critical comments about the racing series, The Associated Press has learned.

People familiar with the penalties told the AP the comments were considered disparaging to the sport. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because NASCAR was not publicly identifying the topflight drivers it fined. They say one driver was penalized as much as $50,000.

NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston on Monday night confirmed some action had been taken, but would not discuss details.

Clarett back in class at Ohio State

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State University says former football star Maurice Clarett has been granted re-entry to pursue his degree after he spent more than three years in prison.

Ohio State spokesman Jim Lynch says in a statement that Clarett started classes on Monday after he was readmitted by the College of Education and Human Ecology, where he was originally enrolled.

Clarett says in a statement that it is a "surreal feeling to be back at Ohio State" and that he doesn't want to be a "distraction or nuisance" to the football team or other students.

—Deseret News staff and wire reports