Woman suing ESPN

A woman who worked on the set of the ESPN talk show "Cold Pizza" is suing the sports network, saying she was fired after complaining about sexual harassment by the show's host and a regular panelist. In the suit, makeup artist Rita Ragone said she was pinched and fondled by sports commentator Woody Paige and subjected to crude sexual comments by ESPN host Jay Crawford at the show's studio in Manhattan.

Ragone said Paige once grabbed her backside so forcefully, she was "propelled forward and into the air."

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in federal court in New York, claims the harassment began almost immediately after Ragone was hired by a video production company in 2005 to do hair and makeup on the "Cold Pizza" set.

College football

Cheyney University, a member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, was placed on three years' probation by the NCAA for a series of major violations in the Division II school's football program. The violations include ineligible participation by players, unethical conduct by the former head coach Lee Brown and failure to monitor and lack of institutional control.

The PSAC welcomed its first out-of-state member yesterday. C.W. Post, based in Brookville, N.Y., formally accepted an invitation to become an associate member in football and field hockey, beginning in 2008.

Duquesne University's football team has added an opponent to its 2007 schedule. It will play host to Frostburg State at 1 p.m. Sept. 29, homecoming weekend. Frostburg State competes at the NCAA Division III level.

Pro football

The Steelers have released three rookie free agents. They are wide receiver Eric Deslauriers from Eastern Michigan, running back Paul Mosley from Baylor and fullback Aaron Robbins from Wyoming.

Basketball

Louisville assistant coach Marvin Menzies will take over as head coach at New Mexico State. NMSU president Michael Martin said that Menzies, an assistant for the past two years under Rick Pitino, will be introduced today in Las Cruces, N.M.

Auto racing

Rick Hendrick won't appeal the penalties NASCAR handed Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, and their crew chiefs will immediately begin their six-race suspensions. Chad Knaus and Steve Letarte were suspended and fined $100,000 each because the cars for Gordon and Johnson failed initial inspections last week in California. Gordon and Johnson, the defending Nextel Cup champion, were each docked 100 points.

Hockey

Nashville Predators forward Paul Kariya plans to enter free agency, the latest loss for a team "fighting for its life," general manager David Poile said. Poile added Kariya decided to become a free agent because the Predators are up for sale and the team's future is uncertain.

The Calgary Flames re-signed center Wayne Primeau to a three-year contract. Calgary had acquired Primeau, who could've become an unrestricted free agent Sunday, from the Boston Bruins in a February trade.

Yachting

After four races, the America's Cup has rarely been this close. Simple tactics saw Swiss boat Alinghi beat Emirates Team New Zealand by 30 seconds Wednesday to take the fourth race and even the best-of-nine series at 2-2.