Associated Press
RALEIGH ó A family squabble over season tickets to Duke men’s basketball games has resulted in a legal fight.
A woman filed a lawsuit Friday against her sister, her sister’s husband and Duke University regarding the transfer of two tickets that once belonged to her father for games at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Katina Dorton is seeking unspecified damages and asking the court to invalidate the “fraudulent transfer” to Gordon and Sophia Caudle that occurred without the knowledge or consent of her father or other family members, according to the complaint.
“This is important and it’s valuable,” said Randall M. Roden, an attorney for Dorton. “She’s a graduate. She genuinely wants to support the Blue Devils and go to the games. But she was shocked by the way Duke handled this.”
Michael J. Schoenfeld, Duke’s vice president for public affairs and government relations, declined to comment on the lawsuit filed in Wake County Superior Court.
John Dorton, a Duke graduate and dentist who treated athletes and coaches over the years, bought tickets through longtime contributions to the Iron Dukes ó the fundraising arm of the school’s athletic department. He was “ill and unable to act for himself” when the transfer occurred in July 2008, according to the complaint, and died in January 2010 at age 81.
The Iron Dukes allow members to pass on tickets to family members willing to meet financial obligations, according to the complaint. In this case, that meant a $50,000 transfer donation and a $6,000 annual contribution. The lawsuit seeks to void the Caudles’ arrangement while allowing Katina Dorton to assume the transferred ticket rights.
“Sophia and Gordon Caudle regret that this private family matter has been made public,” said John N. Hutson Jr., an attorney for the Caudles.
GOLF
MADISON, Miss. ó For nearly four hours, Troy Matteson tried to figure out ways to kill time in the clubhouse as thunderstorms rolled across Annandale Golf Club.
He watched a little television. Swapped stories with other golfers. Counted the minutes as they slowly ticked off the clock.
Turns out it was worth the wait.
Matteson birdied his final three holes of the day after the lengthy delay, taking advantage of Annandale’s forgiving fairways and greens to share the Viking Classic lead with George McNeill.
STATELINE, Nev. ó Self-described “pip-squeak” actor Jack Wagner made seven birdies Friday to jump out to the first-round lead at the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship at Lake Tahoe.
Former NHL All-Star Jeremy Roenick and ex-quarterback Chris Chandler were tied for second at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.
Others in the hunt included hockey’s Mike Modano and Brett Hull, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and former pitcher Rick Rhoden, who has won the event a record eight times.
NBA
NEW YORK ó The NBA laid off about 114 people over the last two days, planned cost-cutting moves that a league spokesman said Thursday are ěnot a direct result of the lockout.î
The laid off employees represent about 11 percent of the league office workforce in New York, New Jersey and internationally.
Spokesman Mike Bass said the layoffs are ěnot a direct result of the lockout but rather a response to the same underlying issue; that is, the leagueís expenses far outpace our revenues.î
ěThe roughly 11 percent reduction is part of larger cost-cutting measures to reduce our costs by $50 million across all areas of our business,î Bass said.
CYCLING
LOURDES, France ó The most grueling stage yet of the Tour de France looms in the Pyrenees in what promises to be the race’s first major turning point.
“It’s going to be one of the key days,” two-time runner-up Cadel Evans said. “There’ll be fireworks, don’t worry.”
The test comes Saturday, a day after after Norway’s Thor Hushovd won the 13th stage and France’s Thomas Voeckler kept the yellow jersey.