Cycling: : If Lance Armstrong joins the Astana team for his comeback, then 2007 Tour de France champion Alberto Contador is ready to leave. "I think I've earned the right to be the leader of a team without having to fight for my place," the Spanish rider said. "And with Armstrong some difficult situations could arise in which the team would put him first and that would hurt me."
Soccer: : A market and economic study ordered by the Maryland Stadium Authority and released yesterday said that working with D.C. United on a soccer-specific stadium would give Prince George's County the ability to attract soccer events to the state on the college, national and international levels. The $75,000 study, conducted by Crossroads Consulting Services, was commissioned at the request of the county after the team approached county officials about relocating there. D.C. United has used RFK Stadium, constructed in 1961 for baseball and football, since its inception in 1996. The team wants to a soccer-specific stadium consistent with other Major League Soccer teams.
College football: : Tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells (right foot) is probable for No. 14 Ohio State's game against Minnesota on Saturday, coach Jim Tressel said. ... Penn State coach Joe Paterno, 81, hopes to be back on the sideline for the No. 12 Nittany Lions' game Saturday. Slowed by a sore right leg, the Hall of Famer moved to the press box after halftime of last week's rout of Temple.
Auto racing:: Lewis Hamilton lost his appeal to overturn his penalty from the Belgian Grand Prix, leaving him with a one-point lead over Felipe Massa in the Formula One standings. Hamilton finished first at Spa this month but was docked 25 seconds and dropped to third place for cutting a chicane. ... AJ Allmendinger lost his NASCAR ride at Red Bull Racing, possibly paving the way for former Formula One driver Scott Speed to replace him next season.
Varsity: : Six football players will serve one-game suspensions after an on-field altercation in a game between Annapolis and Severna Park on Friday.
Sailing: : San Francisco's Golden Gate Yacht Club offered to drop its America's Cup court case if Alinghi of Switzerland agrees to a conventional competition with multiple challengers and rules similar to the ones used in 2007. The club is fighting to regain its status as Challenger of Record, which would give it a say in setting the regatta's rules.
