Monday's Sports In Brief

By The Associated Press

Here's a look at Monday's sports in brief around the world.

BASEBALL

NEW YORK (AP) — The Chicago Cubs filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, a step that will allow their owner to sell the baseball team in an $845 million deal.

The filing in Wilmington, Del., was anticipated and is expected to lead to a brief stay in Chapter 11 for the Cubs. A hearing was scheduled for Tuesday in front of the judge who has been handling the bankruptcy of the Cubs’ owner, Tribune Co.

The Cubs’ filing is part of the Tribune Co.’s plans to sell the team, Wrigley Field and related properties to the family of billionaire Joe Ricketts, the founder of Omaha, Neb.-based TD Ameritrade.

PRO FOOTBALL

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson attacked the bid by Rush Limbaugh to buy the St. Louis Rams, saying the conservative radio host’s track record on race should exclude him from owning an NFL team.

Sharpton sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, arguing that Limbaugh has been divisive and “anti-NFL” in some of his comments.

Jackson said in a telephone interview that Limbaugh had made his wealth “appealing to the fears of whites” with an unending line of insults against blacks and other minorities.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Titans cornerback Nick Harper will be out up to six weeks after surgery on a broken right forearm.

He is the second defensive back the winless Titans have lost to a broken right forearm. The other is Vincent Fuller, who was injured Sept. 27 against the New York Jets. The Titans hope he might be able to play Nov. 1 against Jacksonville.

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini said he’s cooperating with the NFL in its investigation into rookie running back James Davis’ mysterious season-ending shoulder injury.

On Sunday, ESPN.com reported that Davis was injured during a recent post-practice period for extra work when he was hit by a Browns linebacker. According to the report, witnesses said Davis was not wearing shoulder pads while the unidentified defender who hit him had them on.

League spokesman Greg Aiello said the league is aware of the alleged incident and has been looking into the matter.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Top return man Allen Rossum has been released by the San Francisco 49ers, creating roster room for newly signed rookie receiver Michael Crabtree.

Rossum was surprised by the move when summoned to a meeting with coach Mike Singletary. He packed a few belongings and left team headquarters.

The 33-year-old player planned to return to his family in Atlanta. He will then decide whether to try to join another team or retire after parts of 12 NFL seasons. He ranks second in league history with 14,987 return yards.

TENNIS

SHANGHAI (AP) — Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick complained that the ATP season is too long and that tennis players need a proper offseason.

Both players, who are in China for the Shanghai Masters, reiterated criticism of the sport’s punishing schedule.

Roddick, a veteran at 27, said players need a longer offseason to recover, and noted that both Roger Federer (fatigue) and Andy Murray (wrist injury) are skipping the Shanghai tournament.

SOCCER

FLORENCE, Italy (AP) — The doping case involving a bee sting and defender Fabio Cannavaro has been dropped by the Italian Olympic Committee.

The committee’s anti-doping court dropped the case after learning the positive test was a result of using cortisone to treat the bee sting.

The Italy captain was questioned last week. He said he did nothing wrong and was bothered by the public outrage it sparked.