Red Claws release 2014-15 schedule

PORTLAND — The Maine Red Claws, in conjunction with the NBA Development League, announced the team’s schedule for the 2014-2015 season on Tuesday. The team will kick off its 50-game season on Friday, Nov. 14 in Oklahoma City before returning to Portland for the home opener Friday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. against the Canton Charge at the Portland Expo.

The 2014-15 schedule features 20 of the Red Claws’ 24 home games falling on Friday evenings, Saturday evenings or Sunday afternoons. Additionally, the team will again host a home game on New Year’s Eve at 1 p.m. against the Texas Legends.

The Red Claws will welcome the two newest members of the NBA D-League ”“ the Grand Rapids Drive, affiliate of the Detroit Pistons, and the Westchester Knicks, affiliate of the New York Knicks ”“ to the Portland Expo on five different occasions.

NFLPA player reps. delay vote

NEW YORK (AP) — The 32 player representatives to the union have delayed a vote on the NFL’s proposal for changes to the drug policy that potentially could implement HGH testing.

After a conference call of about one hour Tuesday night during which the proposal was discussed, the player reps opted to take no action. The proposal wasn’t delivered to the union until midday.

The union has insisted that a satisfactory proposal to them is the only one that will be voted on. Union spokesman George Atallah said last week that a “piecemeal” agreement didn’t interest the players.

The sides have discussed changes to the policy on substance abuse and driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol. A potential hang-up on that issue was the league’s desire to immediately discipline players ”“ as well as NFL owners, executives, officials, coaches and league office personnel ”“ arrested for DUIs. NFLPA President Eric Winston told The Associated Press last week that ignoring a player’s rights to due process would not be considered by the union.

The NFLPA also is pushing for neutral arbitration in the appeals process and is seeking higher thresholds for positive marijuana tests. But the key element could be a test for human growth hormone.

HGH testing was agreed upon in the 2011 collective bargaining agreement that ended the lockout of the players. But the union has been uncomfortable with the science and the procedures for the testing, as well as how appeals would be handled. The league agreed to an appeal process several years ago.