NFL
RAIDERS GET PRIME-TIME OPENING IN 2012: ALAMEDA (AP) — Coach Dennis Allen will get a prime-time stage to the start of his tenure with the Oakland Raiders.
The Raiders will once again open the season in the back end of a Monday night doubleheader on Sept. 10 at home against San Diego. This marks the fourth time in five years that Oakland has opened in the late Monday night game.
"I'm excited about it. You grow up watching Monday Night Football and the theme song," Allen said Tuesday. "We're excited about getting to open up the new era of Raider football both in the preseason on Monday night and in the regular season."
The NFL released the 2012 schedule on Tuesday, the same day Allen held his first voluntary minicamp since taking over as Raiders coach from the fired Hue Jackson in January.
Many of the players had already been at the facility the past two weeks for voluntary offseason conditioning, but this was the first time Allen and his coaching staff could get them out on the field.
49ERS SIGN GRANT, SWAIN TO 1-YEAR DEALS: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Linebacker Larry Grant and wide receiver Brett Swain have signed one-year contracts to remain with the San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers announced Tuesday that Grant signed a one-year deal he had previously been tendered. Drafted in the seventh round by San Francisco in 2008, Grant spent three seasons with the St. Louis Rams before returning to the Bay Area last season.
He set a career-high with 30 tackles and had two sacks and one forced fumble for the NFC West champion 49ers last season. Grant also had 10 tackles on special teams.
Swain was picked up by San Francisco after being released by Green Bay during training camp last year. He had two catches for 15 years in five games.
COLLEGES
KENTUCKY'S STARTING 5 DECLARES FOR NBA DRAFT: EXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's starting lineup of three freshmen and two sophomores did most everything together en route to the school's eighth national title. Now, they will each go their separate ways in the NBA.
Freshmen Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marquis Teague, and sophomores Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb declared for the draft in a nationally televised news conference Tuesday night.
"Let me just say that Anthony and Doron and Terrence have decided to put their names in the NBA draft, so they will do that," coach John Calipari said, pausing for a dramatic effect. "And Michael and Marquis Teague have also decided to put their names in the draft.
"I was trying to scare some coaches out there, that's all I was doing."
The group, all clad in similar blue UK golf shirts, came into the season largely untested before ascending to No. 1, winning the Southeastern Conference in dominating fashion and capping an NCAA tournament run with a 67-59 victory over Kansas in the title game.
The five join seniors Darius Miller and Eloy Vargas leaving the program.
MAJORS
GUILLEN BACK IN MARLINS DUGOUT AFTER SUSPENSION: MIAMI (AP) — Ozzie Guillen is back in the Miami Marlins' dugout.
After serving a five-game suspension, Guillen rejoined the team for Tuesday night's game against the Chicago Cubs. The always outspoken manager said he's not going to change but plans to steer clear of issues that aren't his business.
The team suspended Guillen after he praised Fidel Castro in a magazine interview. His comments angered Cuban Americans, who make up a large segment of the Marlins' fan base.
Guillen said he can't control whether the home fans boo him. He said he has been jeered before, but added that such a reception in this situation might be more embarrassing and hurt more.
Guillen said he hopes to repair damage done by winning games and being active in community outreach.
MOTORSPORTS
RAHAL GETS 6-RACE PROBATION FOR ANDRETTI ACCIDENT: IndyCar has placed Graham Rahal on probation for six races for his role in an accident with Marco Andretti.
IndyCar race director Beaux Barfield says Rahal was both blocking and initiated avoidable contact on the 22nd lap of Sunday's race in Long Beach, Calif. Andretti ran into the back of Rahal's car, and the contact caused Andretti's car to briefly launch into the air and spin into a barrier.
Andretti said after the accident that Rahal had chopped him, and added, "I'm lucky I didn't get upside down. I could have been killed."
Rahal denied chopping in front of Andretti.
Barfield said a review of the accident by all of IndyCar's stewards determined Rahal had endangered on-track safety and adversely affected competition.
Both drivers declined to comment Tuesday.
TENNIS
ISNER SINGLES OUT SERENA FOR OLYMPIC MIXED DOUBLES: Message to Serena Williams from John Isner: Keep an eye on your mailbox.
Isner says he'd like to put himself in the sweepstakes to play mixed doubles with Williams at the London Olympics. He can get in line. Andy Roddick and the Bryan brothers are among those who have also expressed interest in playing with the two-time Olympic gold medalist.
Isner said Tuesday he's good friends with Serena and jokes that he might have to bribe her — "maybe send a gift in the mail to get her to play with me."
Mixed doubles has been added to this year's Olympics and many players are looking for ways to increase their chances of winning a medal.
Williams teamed with sister Venus to win women's doubles in 2000 and 2008.
