The Raiders have parted ways with senior executive John Herrera, who has served the organization as a spokesman and in a front-office capacity for the better part of his adult life.
Herrera described it as a "mutual, amicable deal on both sides."
According to a person familiar with the situation, the decision was made on the business side of the Oakland operation and not by general manager Reggie McKenzie or coach Dennis Allen.
Herrera was hired by late owner Al Davis out of high school and has worked in almost every area of the organization.
"It's been something I've been thinking about since Al passed away last October," Herrera said. "I had a great run. I was there 35 years, with three different tours of duty."
• Former Raiders coach Hue Jackson has been hired as an assistant with the Cincinnati Bengals. Jackson will help with the secondary and special teams, and work closely with the position coaches for both slots, Mark Carrier and Darrin Simmons, respectively.
Chisora slaps Klitschko
Standing head-to-head for the customary "stare-down," challenger Dereck Chisora slapped World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko during the weigh-in for their title fight tonight in Munich.
Both camps had to be pulled apart after the British fighter, his face partially concealed by a Union Jack handkerchief, hit Klitschko across the face with his open right hand and launched a series of insults. Klitschko did not retaliate.
"I am going to hit back on Saturday," the Ukrainian champion said. "He will get his beating."
Chisora's blow may have been the closest he gets to hurting the champion. About the only advantage Chisora (15-2) might have is his age. The WBC champion is 40, while Chisora is 28. But Klitschko (43-2) has a massive advantage in height and reach, and few give Chisora a chance of an upset.
Chisora has predicted he will knock out the Ukrainian in the eighth round and claims he can "smell fear" in Klitschko's camp.
Court rejects Leach
The Texas Supreme Court denied former football coach Mike Leach's appeal in his wrongful-termination lawsuit against Texas Tech.
The court rejected Leach's appeal than two years after he was fired by the university amid allegations that he mistreated a player with a concussion.
Leach denied the allegation and sued the school, saying he suspects an $800,000 bonus he was due the day after his 2009 firing was behind his dismissal. His attorney vowed to keep fighting.
Boilermakers punished
Purdue kicked guard Kelsey Barlow off the team and suspended swingman D.J. Byrd for a pivotal game following an early-morning incident at a bar.
West Lafayette, Ind., police are investigating an allegation that Byrd assaulted one of the bouncers of the Where Else bar near the Purdue campus. Police said Barlow was kicked out of the bar early Friday, then told bar staff he had left his wallet inside but was not allowed in.
Byrd was arrested by Indiana State Police for public intoxication. He will miss Sunday's home game against No. 7 Michigan State as the Boilermakers (17-9, 7-6 Big Ten Conference) try to improve their record and RPI in hopes of an NCAA Tournament berth.
Federer still perfect
Roger Federer extended his perfect record against Jarkko Nieminen with a 7-5, 7-6 (2) win to reach the semifinals at the ABN Amro World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
– Contra Costa Times, Associated Press
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