The Austin Toros, an NBA Developmental League team, almost lost a late lead last week when their mascot, Da Bull, was assessed a technical foul for hanging on the rim while the ball was in play. After the game, the Toros announced the employee who had been wearing the costume has been made into hamburger.

An Oakland County judge ruled last week that former Indiana Pacer Stephen Jackson's recent charge of firing a gun outside a strip club violated the probation he was serving for his role in the 2004 brawl at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The judge hasn't issued a sentence yet but said he's considering making Jackson throw a cup of beer at Ron Artest and then "see what happens."

Houston Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo was invited to sit next to first lady Laura Bush at last week's State of the Union address.

The 7-foot-2 Mutombo was startled during the speech, however, when President Bush introduced him as the nation's new missile defense shield.

This Sunday will mark the first time two black coaches — Indianapolis' Tony Dungy and Chicago's Lovie Smith — will meet in the Super Bowl.

Social activists predict it will be the most analyzed black Super Bowl performance since Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction.

David Beckham, the superstar Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder recently acquired by way of Britain, will play Prince Charming in an upcoming Disney promotional film.

As part of the promotion, Major League Soccer also released its new slogan: "Someday, the fans will come."