NFL: Marshall bids farewell on blog

Brandon Marshall is saying his good-byes to the Broncos and their fans even as coach Josh McDaniels talks about seeing his holdout Pro Bowl receiver at training camp next month.

Marshall posted a farewell on his blog last night, four days after requesting a trade during a private meeting with team owner Pat Bowlen.

NBA: Donors to cover Lakers’ parade

Private donors agreed to cover nearly $1 million in taxpayer costs for a parade honoring the NBA champion Lakers. The prospect of the cash-strapped city having to cover the bill had drawn strong criticism.

NCAA: Ackley leads UNC to victory

In Omaha, Neb., Dustin Ackley went 5-for-6 and became the College World Series’ career hits leader, and North Carolina tied a CWS single-game record with 23 hits in an 11-4 victory over Southern Mississippi. . . . Cameron Rupp’s second home run of the game broke a seventh-inning tie, and Texas overcame a six-run deficit to beat Arizona State 10-6.

ETC.: Ex-Yankee goes on trial

Former major league outfielder Mel Hall, who played with the Yankees from 1989-92, is on trial on sexual assault charges, accused of repeated advances on a 12-year-old girl he coached on an elite basketball team a decade ago.

* John Smoltz is set to make his first start for the Red Sox on June 25.

* Quality Road has a new trainer in Todd Pletcher, who says the Florida Derby winner could make his next start in the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 1.