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www.espn.com A&M, Gillispie have verbal agreement ESPN.com news services Texas A&M appears poised to retain Billy Gillispie as men's basketball coach and make him the highest paid among his Big 12 peers, according to media reports in Texas. The Houston Chronicle, which cited three high-ranking officials both in and close to the A&M system, reported athletic director Bill Byrne and Gillispie have verbally agreed to a deal that would pay him about $2 million annually. According to the report, that deal was to be discussed in executive session at an A&M Board of Regents meeting on Thursday and made official on Monday -- just in time for the school to break ground on a $22 million basketball practice facility. That would render moot speculation that Arkansas, which fired Stan Heath on Monday, would land Gillispie. At the time of Heath's firing, his staff was told Arkansas intended to pursue Gillispie and Kansas coach Bill Self, multiple sources told ESPN.com. And sources close to Gillispie told ESPN.com he was waiting to see if a contract raise and extension were approved by the university board of regents before proclaiming himself a candidate at Arkansas. Stanley Reed, chairman of the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees, confirmed to The Associated Press that Gillispie was a candidate, but said he's not the only one. "As far as I know, he's definitely a candidate," Reed told the AP on Wednesday. "But there are some others out there." "I know we've tried to make contact with him," Reed said. "We're kind of waiting on him to call us back." On Wednesday, Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles said he had offered the Razorbacks' basketball coaching job to someone, but he wouldn't say to whom. "We could have a quick announcement," Broyles told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on Wednesday. "Or it could fall through. I've offered the job, and we're waiting to hear." But when contacted by the Chronicle, Broyles stepped back from that statement. "That's not true exactly," Broyles told the Chronicle of the quotes attributed to him by the Democrat-Gazette. "Part of it's true, and part of it's not. I haven't talked to any coach." When asked specifically about whether Arkansas was pursuing Gillispie, Broyles told the Chronicle "I have no comment. I have not talked to Billy Gillispie." Gillispie, 47, took the Aggies to the NCAA Tournament's third round this year. He has been at Texas A&M for three seasons, going 70-26 with a team that was 7-21 the season before he arrived. Gillispie also coached at Texas-El Paso from 2002-04, going 6-24 in 2002-03 and 24-8 the following season. Heath led Kent State to the round of eight in the NCAA Tournament in 2002, then took over at Arkansas that offseason after Nolan Richardson was fired. The Razorbacks missed the tournament in Heath's first three seasons but made it in 2006 and 2007, only to lose in the first round both years, to Bucknell last year and Southern California this year. Information from ESPN.com senior writer Andy Katz and The Associated Press was used in this report

Regular Season Starts on Monday...Woo Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its about time

Kind of a Surprise considering how Aggies were Ranked number 2 in the Nation

Gillispie needs to remain in Aggieland

With Wrestlemania 2 weeks from today how about some predictions on the matches. World Heavyweight Champion Batista vs. Undertaker WWE Champion John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels Battle of the Billionaires Money in the Bank Ladder Match ECW Originals vs. New Breed Women's Champion Melina vs. Ashley Kane vs. The Great Khali

The Rock and Roll Express The Road Warriors Dusty Rhodes

I think there r only like 12 games that arent on Fox Sports

Yeah we can watch the Astros while the rain you wont make go away falls....lol

The Astros vs Braves Game will be televised at 630 pn on Fox Sports net for all who r intrested.

Big Contract Signing tonight with Special Guest Referee Stone Cold Steve Austin...Woo Hoo

Unfortunatly 9 times out of 10 it ends up being drug related

WWE.com is reporting that Scott Bigelow, famously known as Bam Bam Bigelow, was found dead this morning in his home in Florida at the age of 45. According to the report Kevin Doll, the Public Information Director for the Pasco County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Bigelow was found dead early this morning in his home in Hudson, Flordia saying "We can confirm that Scott Bigelow was found in his home this morning. At this time the cause of death is unknown." Doll also confirms that an autopsy will be performed.

Cant believe they brought The Great Kahli to Raw...he is horrible

Nice Signing

The WWE promo hits. We then go live right away to Kansas City where a series of pyro goes off. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler welcome us to the show as we see the Steel Cage lowering for the upcoming WWE Intercontinental Title Match tonight between Jeff Hardy and Johnny Nitro. - Jeff Hardy defeated Johnny Nitro to retain the WWE Intercontinental Title in a Steel Cage Match. There is a referee inside the Steel Cage with Hardy and Nitro. Some quick attempts both Hardy and Nitro to escape the cage, with Hardy going for the door and Nitro trying to climb out. Hardy hit an impressive dropkick off the top on Nitro, but also came down on his back as well. Some more big spots followed with Hardy trying to climb over the top of the cage with Nitro suplexing him back into the ring. Nitro come back with a huge sunset flip into a powerbomb off the top on Hardy. Hardy responded with a Swanton Bomb off the cage on Nitro, but Nitro got his foot on the bottom rope to break the pinfall. Hardy missed a Twist of Fate attempt on Nitro. The finish saw Nitro start climbing up the cage to get out, but Hardy was faster and kicked out the cage door to escape and Nitro ended up crotching himself on the top of the door trying to jump out. - World Tag Team Champions Edge and Randy Orton talked about their World Tag Team Title Match against D-Generation X tonight. - In a match not previously announced, a Tag Team Turmoil Match will be taking place. We start off with The Highlanders and The World's Greatest Tag Team. - Cryme Tyme won a Tag Team Turmoil Match involving Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch, Hacksaw Jim Duggan & Super Crazy, The World's Greatest Tag Team and The Highlanders. Another tag team will enter the ring when a team is eliminated. Lilian Garcia announced that the winner of this match would earn a shot at the World Tag Team Titles. The Highlanders were eliminated first when Shelton Benjamin pinned Robby. The next team out is Hacksaw Jim Duggan & Super Crazy. Don't ask. Super Crazy was really over with the crowd in Kansas City. Hacksaw Jim Duggan & Super Crazy were eliminated second when Charlie Haas pinned Super Crazy. The next team out is Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch. The World's Greatest Tag Team was eliminated third with Trevor Mudoch pinned Charlie Haas. Out next is Cryme Tyme, the final tag team to enter the match. Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch were eliminated last when Cryme Tyme hit their double-team neckbreaker finisher. Cryme Tyme will now get a shot at the World Tag Team Titles down the line. - Backstage, Vince McMahon is talking with The Coach about the Donald Trump/Rosie O'Donnell feud in the media. Coach compares to a WWE type feud. McMahon proposes Rosie vs. Donald tomorrow night on Raw. Coach praises McMahon for the great idea and calls it a brilliant move. Coach then goes to walk away and runs into Ron Simmons. Simmons lets out his "DAMN" catchphrase. - Kenny Dykstra defeated Ric Flair. Before the match, Kenny got on the mic and mentioned what happened to Ric Flair on Raw last week. He said he was 37 years younger than Flair and that people are getting bored of watching Flair get beat down every week. Ric Flair's music hit to cut off Kenny. During the start of the match, Kenny mocked Flair by doing a strut. Kenny hit a quick suplex on Flair on the outside, went for a pinfall, but Flair kicked out. Kenny also attempted a double leg submission on Flair. Kenny went for the Figure Four, but Flair countered it into an inside cradle for a two count. Flair attempted an attack on Kenny from the top, but Kenny threw him off. Kenny followed that up with a big missle dropkick. Flair responded by working on Kenny's leg to get the Figure Four locked back in. Flair got the Figure Four locked on Kenny, Kenny avoided pinfalls by sitting up twice and then getting the ropes. The finish then saw Kenny low blow Flair with the referee distracted and then get an inside cradle to get the pinfall. - Backstage, Johnny Nitro had his shoulder wrapped up with ice. Nitro told Melina to call Joey Mercury. When Melina went to leave, she ran into Victoria. Victoria told Melina that if she helped her win the title tonight, she would give Melina the first title shot. - Mickie James defeated Victoria to retain the WWE Women's Title. Lots of taunting by Victoria against Lilian Garcia. Victoria attempted a moonsault on Mickie James, but Victoria missed it. Melina came out to try and help Victoria. James prevented her from doing so. When James attempted a DDT on Victoria, Melina pulled on her. Maria and the returning Candice Michelle came out to stop anything more from Melina at ringside. James then gave Victoria a DDT to get the pinfall. Maria, Candice and Lilian Garcia celebrate with James in the ring. - A video package airs highlighting the World Tag Team Title Match tonight between Rated RKO and D-Generation X. - Rated RKO vs. D-Generation X for the World Tag Team Titles ended in a No Contest. DX did their normal intro on the mic for the crowd in Kansas City. The match kicked off with DX going after Edge and Randy Orton as they headed to the ring. Before the match "officially" started, Triple H gave Edge a big back body drop on the ramp and HBK sent Orton into the steel steps. When the action got into the ring, it was all DX getting offense in Edge and Orton. HBK hit a leg drop over Orton who was peaking out under the bottom rope. Triple H tried to irish whip Orton after this, but Orton countered and Edge put his knee in as Triple H came off the ropes. Triple H pulled Edge into the ring after this. Edge worked on Triple H's knee by throwing it off the steel ring post. HBK got involved and dropped a flying elbow on Edge. Orton came in after that and tried to take HBK's head off with a clothesline. Edge and Orton were eventually tossed to the outside and HBK hit a huge splash over the top rope on both. Edge then took out HBK with a Spear off the ring apron and Orton followed that up by hitting HBK with one of the World Tag Team Titles. HBK was busted open at this point. Edge and Orton worked on HBK in the ring as Triple H looked on. Triple H was favoring his right knee when he got the hot tag, trying to stay off it as much as possible. His knee definitely gave out during the match. Triple H fought off a Spear attempt by Edge and then hit a Pedigree. HBK then came in with a steel chair and took out Edge, Randy Orton and the referee with some massive chair shots. Triple H then put Edge on the announce table and HBK put Orton on the spanish announce table. Triple H gave Edge a Pedigree on the announce table, but it didn't break. HBK then got up on the top rope, jumped and connected with a flying elbow on Orton smashing through the spanish announce table. The DX music starts to play it and looks like we have a No Contest on our hands. Medics run out to attend to Edge and Orton. Orton was very bloody at the end of this. - Backstage, Todd Grisham was with WWE Champion John Cena. Cena promised he would fight hard to walk out of Kansas City tonight still the WWE Champion against Umaga. - Chris Masters defeated Carlito (w/ Torrie Wilson). Very quick match that was placed very oddly on the card. Masters got the fluke win by holding the tights of Carlito to get the pinfall. After the match, Masters applied the Masterlock on Carlito. - A video package is rolling hyping John Cena vs. Umaga for the WWE Title. - John Cena defeated Umaga to retain the WWE Championship. The match started with Umaga throwing John Cena over the top rope and then ramming him into the steel steps. When the referee started the count, the action spilled back into the ring and Umaga took out Cena with a big samoan drop. Cena attempted a sunset flip on Umaga from the ring apron, but Umaga stayed on his feet and attempted a body splash on the chest of Cena. Cena dodged that and attempted a scoop slam, but Umaga was too much for Cena and Cena fell back allowing Umaga to land on him. Umaga connected with a big side walk slam on Cena, but Cena got his foot on the bottom rope to break the pinfall. Umaga with more body splashes on Cena. Cena attempted an FU on Umaga, but Cena couldn't keep him up and fell to the mat. Umaga started to work on Cena's arm as the fans started to rally behind Cena. Umaga attempted the samoan spike from the ropes on Cena, but Cena dodged it. Cena and Umaga started to exchanging punches. Cena hit Umaga with two clotheslines, Umaga stayed up, Cena attempted a third and Umaga hit Cena in the gut. Cena fought back sending Umaga into the steel post in the corner into a side slam. Cena hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle on Umaga, attempted another FU, but Cena gave up. Umaga hit a big belly-to-belly suplex on Cena to keep him down. Umaga put Cena in a tree of woe in the corner. Umaga took out Cena in the corner and now Cena is sitting in the corner. The finish saw Umaga attempt his running charge to the head on Cena in the corner, but Cena lifted up and caught Umaga with kick to the face. Cena then rolled up Umaga for the pinfall to retain. After the match, Cena celebrates by holding the WWE Title high over his head as Umaga paces in the ring and looks on with an angry look on his face. Umaga starts destroying the announce table when Cena comes walking back out. Cena salutes the crowd and holds up the WWE Title one last time as the PPV goes off the air...

WWE Champion John Cena vs. Umaga DX vs. World Tag Team Champions Rated-RKO Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy vs. Johnny Nitro (Steel Cage Match) Women’s Champion Mickie James vs. Victoria Ric Flair vs. Kenny Dykstra Carlito vs. Chris Masters Post Ur Predisctions Below..................

Cena vs K-Fed.......PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cena beat the crap out of him Once and For all.. Be intresting to see what kind of revenge DX will get on Rated RKO after the beating they took two weeks ago

They both appeared on the TNA Pay Per View this past Sunday and had began pushing each other which led to them fist fighting...nothing major

Report: Nuggets reach agreement to acquire Iverson from 76ers December 19, 2006 BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT (TICKER) -- The Denver Nuggets apparently have won the Allen Iverson sweepstakes. According to a report on ESPN.com, the Nuggets on Tuesday reached an agreement in principle to acquire the superstar guard from the Philadelphia 76ers. The report stated that pending league approval, the trade would send guard Andre Miller, forward Joe Smith and a pair of 2007 first-round draft picks to Philadelphia.

Sylvester Stallone will appear live on Raw this Monday for a Special Interview about his new Movie "Rocky Balboa". www.wwe.com Now this should be intresting....lol

The following is the final card for the event: -- World Heavyweight Champion Batista & WWE Champion John Cena vs. King Booker & Finlay -- MVP vs. Kane in an Inferno Match -- Undertaker vs. Ken Kennedy in a Last Ride Match -- United States Champion Chris Benoit vs. Chavo Guerrero -- Cruiserweight Champion Gregory Helms vs. Jimmy Wang Yang -- WWE Tag Team Champions Paul London & Brian Kendrick vs. William Regal & Dave Taylor -- The Miz vs. Boogeyman

Someone call EMS Diva may go into Cardiac Arrest if he leaves Houston

If he wants 25 Million the Astros should let him go and move on,thats WAYYYYYYYYYYYYY to much

A tale of 2 cities: Who's the Evil Empire Now? By JIM LITKE, AP Sports Columnist December 15, 2006 Hot as that century-old bidding war between Boston and New York is at the moment, Roger Clemens might be tempted to pitch until he's 50. The Rocket turned 44 last August, well past the age when most power pitchers call it a career. But he also remains a proven talent with ties to both sides at a time when each is handing out gifts like Elton John with a snout full of spiked egg nog. According to the latest estimates, Clemens shouldn't be surprised to find $25 million or more stuffed in an envelope under the tree to coax him out of retirement one more time. ADVERTISEMENT Last Friday, Clemens' close pal, 34-year-old Andy Pettitte, got $16 million to come back to Yankee Stadium for the 2007 season, with an option that would pay him another $16 million if wants to return in 2008. Not to be outdone, the Red Sox just paid $100 million over six years for Daisuke Matsuzaka, who, like Pettitte, will wind up at the back of the starting rotation. The catch is that he has yet to throw a pitch in a major league game on these shores. "Today what we're really doing is announcing the signing of a national treasure," Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said at a news conference Thursday afternoon in Boston. "We understand his importance in Japan. We know what he represents." Coming on the heels of last week's winter meetings, where baseball's poorer relations grudgingly shelled out $10 million-a-year for journeymen ballplayers, we've got some advice for Epstein: That better have been one worthwhile journey, man. This arms race is already driving up the cost of doing business for everybody else. Back in the day, Boston fans pleaded with management to spend whatever it took to knock the pinstripes off the Yankees. With the arrival of Epstein and the rest of John Henry's ownership group five years ago, that became a reality. It produced Boston's first World Series win in 86 years and reversed "The Curse." But it also created big-time expectations. The two clubs subsequently arm-wrestled for Alex Rodriguez's services, with the Yankees emerging victorious and Brian Cashman, Epstein's counterpart in New York, crowing, "Beating the Yankees is what people live for, and it's what they're going to continue to do." To make sure that was tougher than ever, Cashman coaxed Johnny Damon to defect last season to New York. It was just one of several moves that pushed the Yankees' luxury-tax bill to roughly $34 million -- a sum that would have covered more than a third of what the Cardinals spent to win the World Series. Epstein convinced Henry & Co. to bid $51.1 million for the negotiating rights to Matsuzaka, plus another $52 million to lock up his services for six years. At that price, it's almost worth ignoring that the Japanese ace can collect another $8 million if he hits a number of incentive targets in the deal. Epstein may have made his reputation with a handful of shrewd deals. But the American League East has become the kind of neighborhood where keeping up with the Joneses is very risky business. The Red Sox keep spending all the change they can scrounge from between the sofa cushions to upgrade their house, only to discover their neighbors to the south are building a new addition. New York's next project likely will be the signing of a Japanese ace of its own, Kei Igawa, whose negotiating rights were secured with a $26 million bid. The Yankees have until Dec. 28 to put together a deal, but Igawa is already angling for a spot in the rotation somewhere behind Pettitte. "I'm looking forward to having a pitching duel with Matsuzaka," he said recently. By then, the number of mercenaries on both sides will give what began as an East Coast rumble even more of a decidedly international flavor. The Yankees No. 1 starter, Chien-Ming Wang, is Taiwanese and one of their toughest hitters, Hideki Matsui, the Japanese import nicknamed "Godzilla," will be back in the lineup. Boston will counter with Matsuzaka and perhaps another Japanese pitcher, lefty reliever Hideki Okajima, who signed on last month. The tipping point, though, likely will be Clemens, who didn't join Houston until midseason, yet still managed to eat up 19 starts and 113 innings with a very respectable 2.30 earned-run average. The Red Sox reportedly made the more impressive pitch, but the Yankees already have the more impressive pitcher in the fold -- Pettitte -- as far as the Rocket is concerned. Watching all that back-and-forth might amuse the rest of the teams in baseball. But for them, the real suspense is not where Clemens lands -- assuming he pitches next season -- but how much havoc all that activity wreaks as it trickles down the salary scale. Because now, instead of just one Evil Empire to worry about, there are two. Jim Litke is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at [email protected]