NFL: Goodell: CBA is key

Commissioner Roger Goodell made it clear yesterday the collective bargaining agreement has become a key point of discussion. Amid speculation team owners could opt out of the current deal in November – freeing the way for a 2010 season without a salary cap – Goodell emphasized the potential need to restructure the contract.

Goodell said he will “absolutely” contact NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw before November, “and I anticipate something will happen just before the season or in the fall.”

Because the 32 teams have so much debt through loans – they’ve already agreed to collectively reduce the debt by $30 million – Goodell fears their ability to pay spiraling salaries could be compromised.

* The Ravens (5-11) and Bengals (7-9) each received four compensatory picks, beginning in the third round of this month’s draft. Those picks are slotted at the end of each of the last five rounds.

* NFL owners unanimously approved Wayne Huizenga’s sale of 50 percent of the Miami Dolphins to New York real estate billionaire Stephen Ross.

COLLEGE: Lopezes going pro

The Lopez twins are going pro together.

Stanford sophomore Robin Lopez is joining his 7-foot brother Brook in entering the NBA draft. The brothers made their announcement to the Associated Press yesterday through mother, Deborah Ledford.

* Western Kentucky coach Darrin Horn is leaving for South Carolina after the Hilltoppers’ best finish in the NCAA tournament in 15 years.

SOCCER: Mexico fires Sanchez

Hugo Sanchez was fired as coach of Mexico’s soccer team, two weeks after El Tri’s under-23 team was eliminated from Olympic qualifying.

BASEBALL: Braves sign troubled Spiezio

Scott Spiezio will try to return to the majors with a team that rarely takes a chance on troubled players.

Spiezio agreed to a minor league contract with the Braves, who will give the infielder an opportunity to show he’s cleaned up his life after an arrest on drunken driving and assault charges led to his release by St. Louis.

OBITUARY: Wildcat basketball manager dies

Kentucky basketball manager Bill Keightley, who was with the Wildcats for 48 seasons, died yesterday in Cincinnati. He was 81.