Colts Linebacker Charged With Rape Will Be Put On Paid Leave

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Josh McNary was charged with rape, criminal confinement, and battery on Wednesday.

Indianapolis Colts linebacker and special teams player Josh McNary was charged for a rape that allegedly took place on Dec. 1.

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According to the police report, released Wednesday, McNary and the alleged victim met at a bar, but McNary grew aggressive and violent once they arrived at his apartment.

The report said the victim "turned away from [McNary] when he attempted to kiss her, and as a result, they engaged in a physical fight in which she scratched his "neck, face, back, and shoulder."

According to the report, McNary then called the victim a "bitch, slut," and to "look what the fuck you did to me." The victim said in the report she tried to leave, but she was unable to, and McNary then allegedly vaginally raped her.

McNary's alleged refusal to let the victim leave his apartment falls under felony criminal confinement, which can carry a prison sentence in Indiana. The victim reported to the police that she told McNary "no" and that "she strongly believed the sexual intercourse was '100%' against her will."

Once the victim left the apartment, she called friends and contacted the police. She realized she left a few items of clothing at McNary's apartment, which police later recovered during an investigation at his home.

After securing a search warrant, a detective contacted McNary, who said, "I know why you're here." McNary had left his bedding unwashed, telling the detective he "preserved it for [him] because [he] knew he would be coming." McNary underwent a physical examination at a hospital that day.

We are aware that there has been a report about Josh McNary, but unfortunately that's the limit of our knowledge. At this time, we are very concerned and trying to find out what the relevant facts are, but we have insufficient information to venture any opinion. As we learn more, we will make appropriate updates.

The Commissioner's Exempt List is the newly reinstated purgatory for NFL players charged with a crime.

It is the same limbo in which Adrian Peterson stood until his legal issues were resolved, and where Panthers Greg Hardy will remain until his domestic abuse trial concludes.

While on the list, the player is neither suspended nor active for games, and collects his full salary. Under the NFL's new Personal Conduct Policy, it's the initial landing spot for players who have been charged with crimes.

The NFL can choose to suspend a player and collect game checks, as they did in the case of Adrian Peterson (he paid back six weeks of his 2014-2015 salary). Under the new policy, the NFL will allow the police investigation and any resulting trials to play out before determining discipline.

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Potential Jurors In Aaron Hernandez Case Asked If They're Biased Against Tattoos, Root For Patriots

In a 15-page survey, jurors were asked about everything from their racial biases to their NFL affiliation.

Jury selection for the trial to determine Aaron Hernandez's involvement in the murder of Odin Lloyd began last week. In the first round of selection, potential jurors were given a 15-page questionnaire to narrow down the final jury selection.

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In the survey, potential jurors were asked a standard gamut of questions about their emotional and physical ability to serve on the jury, and if they had any relationship with any of the involved parties. Because of the high-profile nature of the case, potential jurors were also extensively asked about their prior knowledge of Hernandez and where that information may have came from.

Twenty-nine questions into the survey, potential jurors were asked about a range of potential biases that are very specific to the Hernandez case:

It's true that Hernandez is heavily tattooed, and while the question may seem a bit trivial, Hernandez's defense team believes it is important that all realms of potential bias are explored in the process of jury selection.

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Judge Dismisses Domestic Violence Case Against Soccer Star Hope Solo

The U.S. women’s soccer star and Olympic gold medalist had her case dropped amid accusations that witnesses against her were being uncooperative.

Hope Solo.

Greg Bartram / USA Today Sports

The U.S. Women's National Team goalie and Olympic gold medalist was arrested in June for allegedly assaulting her sister and her nephew at her home in Kirkland, Seattle.

Kirkland Police Lt. Mike Murray told BuzzFeed News at the time that officers had received a call reporting an assault and a noise disturbance.

But when they arrived, "there was a big party going on" at Solo's house.

"It was an out-of-control situation," Murray said.

Hope Solo appearing in Kirkland Municipal Court.

Mike Siegel / Seattle Times / MCT

Solo contended that she "used lawful force" in defending herself during the fight from her nephew, who is 6-foot-9 and 280 pounds, Sports Illustrated reported.

She pleaded not guilty to charges of domestic violence in late June.

But her attorneys claimed that witnesses failed to show up at meetings and changed their stories over the course of multiple interviews — a claim prosecutors denied.

On Tuesday, Kirkland Municipal Court Judge Michael Lambo agreed to grant Solo's request to dismiss the case based on those points, KING 5 News reported.

Solo was at a training camp and did not attend the hearing.

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Brooklyn Nets Owner Denies The Team Is Currently For Sale

Owner Mikhail Prokhorov’s representatives told BuzzFeed News that, despite reports, “nothing was imminent” when it came to unloading the NBA franchise.

Bloomberg reports that Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokorhov will sell the Brooklyn Nets. He's owned the team since 2010.

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According to the report, the $1 billion Barclays Center — the Nets' Brooklyn home — will not be for sale.

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As we have said for many months, ownership is always open to listening to offers – that's just good business. There is nothing imminent in terms of a sale of any stake in the team.

The Clippers, which the league demanded be sold following the release of racist remarks by then-owner Donald Sterling, went for $2 billion. Previous team sales were far less lucrative: the Milwaukee Bucks went for $550 million; Sacramento Kings for $534 million; Memphis Grizzlies for $350 million. Like the Clippers, the Nets are the team of lesser dominance in a large market.

Bloomberg reports an early estimate for the team is around $1.3 billion. He bought the team for $223 million.

Rumors of Prokhorov's interest in selling the team surfaced in late 2014.

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Oregon And Ohio State Face Off For The First-Ever College Football Playoff National Championship

The Ducks will take on the Bucks tonight at 8:30 ET. Follow along here and at BuzzFeed Sports for live updates.

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The San Antonio Spurs Went To The White House And Obama Made Jokes About Them Being Old

One of us! One of us!

On Monday, the San Antonio Spurs took a trip to the White House to celebrate their victory as the 2014 NBA Champions. The President, of course, was full of dad jokes.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP / Getty Images

The President opened his speech by simultaneously praising and dunking on his beloved Chicago Bulls.

"Look, I'll admit it: I'm a Bulls fan. It's never easy celebrating a non-Bulls team in the White House. That's all I've been able to do."

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...and then he called the Spurs old. Sick burn, Mr. President.

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The Spurs are hard to dislike. First of all, they are old. And for an old guy, it makes me feel good to see, you know — where is Tim? You know, Tim's got some gray. There's a few others, you know, with little sprinkles around here. There's a reason why the uniform is black and silver. So it makes me feel good to see that folks in advancing years can succeed in a young man's sport.

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University Of Oregon Is Being Sued For Recruiting Player Previously Accused Of Sexual Assault

Brandon Austin was suspended from the Providence College basketball team amid a sex assault allegation, but after being recruited to the University of Oregon, he was accused of gang rape.

A student who claims she was gang raped at the University of Oregon has sued the school and basketball coach Dana Altman for recruiting one of the alleged perpetrators, Brandon Austin, even though he’d previously been accused of sex assault.

Ted S. Warren / AP Photo

According to Oregon Live, the lawsuit was filed on Thursday in Eugene, Oregon, and claims that the University of Oregon demonstrated "'deliberate indifference' to the safety of its students by recruiting a player with a history [of sexual violence]."

The suit claims that Altman and the University of Oregon violated the student's rights under Title IX by bringing in a known alleged sexual assailant.

Title IX states:

"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of gender, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance."

In 2013, Brandon Austin was accused of sexually assaulting a fellow student in November of his freshman year at Providence College in Rhode Island. Prosecutors declined to press charges, but Austin and another basketball player were suspended for the duration of the season. Austin then transferred to the University of Oregon.

By March, Austin had been accused of campus sexual assault again. This time, the allegation was that Austin, along with teammates Dominic Artis and Damyean Dotson, had gang raped a female student, who filed the current lawsuit.

After the allegations were made public, the men were banned from the school for up to 10 years. Prior to that, the three athletes remained on the basketball team's active roster.

The lawsuit claims the men were given a deal from the university that allowed them to quietly leave the school without being formally expelled, and without "any reference to "sexual misconduct," per Oregon Live.

Austin is now on scholarship at Northwest Florida State College. When recruited, the college released statements that acknowledged Austin's pattern of behavior, but never explicitly divulged his history of sexual assault. Basketball coach Steve DeMeo said:

"The college has decided to give this young man an opportunity to continue his education. We have the experience, support and resources to help Brandon get back on track towards graduating and help him be a successful student athlete on and off the court."

The lawsuit's plaintiff is still a student at University of Oregon.

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