NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly were in Seattle last week to meet with the citys top two elected officials. Charvarius Ward Super Bowl Jersey . According to KING 5 News in Seattle, the two had private meetings with King County executive Dow Constantine and mayor Ed Murray last week in Seattle. A Constantine spokesman told KING 5 that the meeting between Bettman and Constantine was a "meet and greet" and that "nothing was really brewing right now." A Murray spokesman declined comment to KING 5, but Daly confirmed to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun he was there to get an update on a new arena. NHL spokesman Frank Brown also added the following to LeBrun: "Commissioner Bettman met with the Mayor while on the West Coast for playoff games. The purpose of the meeting was solely to obtain a status report on the new arena." Seattle has been a city Bettman has publicly stated the league has interest in placing a franchise in, but hes also stated that Seattle must do more to land a franchise. In April, Bettman said the proposed basketball and hockey arena in Seattles Sodo neighborhood needs to get much further along before the league considers any expansion. Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and hedge fund manager Chris Hansen have agreed to partially fund a new NBA and NHL complex in Seattle, which is currently undergoing an environmental review. According to KING 5, city leaders and Hansen have indicated they are currently not willing to renegotiate the deal to allow an NHL team to prompt construction. Sources have also told KING 5 that Constantine has privately been meeting with potential hockey investors over the last several months and that three different groups have expressed interest in owning an NHL franchise in Seattle. Reggie Ragland Super Bowl Jersey. - The Clippers have signed guard Dahntay Jones to a second 10-day contract. Breeland Speaks Super Bowl Jersey . Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan scored shootout goals, and backup goalie Cam Talbot earned his second win in two nights as the Rangers shook off a late tying tally and beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 Monday night.MELBOURNE, Australia - To twirl or not to twirl? This is now a question at the Australian Open.Social media erupted overnight with reaction to Eugenie Bouchard being asked by an on-court interviewer to give us a twirl and show off her tennis dress after winning her second-round match.Some called the request by a male presenter sexist. Many on Twitter wondered if a man would be asked to twirl after winning a match.Serena Williams suspects not.I wouldnt ask Rafa or Roger to twirl, Williams said Thursday, referring to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.Williams was asked to twirl, too, by the same presenter a day earlier.I didnt really want to twirl because I was just like, you know, I dont need all the extra attention, said the No. 1-ranked player who is aiming to win her 19th Grand Slam singles title.She preferred not to enter the debate of whether the request was sexist.Life is far too short to focus on that, she said. Whether I twirl or not, its not the end of the world.Anyway, Williams said she always twirls. After winning matches, she walks back to court and twirls with a wave to thank the crowd. Shes taking dance class, too.I twirl all the time in dance class, she said. I really have to work on my spotting. My coach tells me to whip my head around.On Wednesday, Bouchard told her post-match news conference the twirl request was very unexpected.I dont know, an old guy asking you to twirl. Itt was funny, said Bouchard. Morris Claiborne Super Bowl Jersey. y Jocelyn Gecker -- http://twitter.com/jgecker___THE WILLIAMS DOUBLES MYSTERY: Venus and Serena Williams prefer not to say why they pulled out of the doubles competition at the Australian Open.According to the rules you dont have to give a reason. I think well stick with that, Venus said Thursday after winning her second-round singles match.The Williams sisters have won 13 Grand Slam doubles titles together, including four at the Australian Open. They were scheduled to play their first-round match Wednesday but withdrew before it started without explaining why.The mystery continued Thursday, with Venus saying she was allowed to be coy, which naturally prompted a string of questions.Was it the heat?It was warm, the 34-year-old American said. I don think it was as warm as it could have been. But, no, that wasnt it.Was there a medical reason? Were doctors consulted?No further questions on that, Venus said. I object. Sustained. Thank you.But the questions continued at Serenas post-match news conference.I dont think we have to give a reason, reiterated Serena, who also advanced to the third round. I think Venus answered that already.By Jocelyn Gecker -- http://twitter.com/jgecker___Australian Open Scene follows tennis Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne as seen by journalists from The Associated Press. It will be updated throughout the day. ' ' '
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