Basketball • Merv Jackson, an All-American basketball player at Utah in 1968 who scored 1,458 points in three seasons, died on June 7 at age 65 at his Chicago-area home, according to an obituary published this week in the Savannah (Ga.) Morning-News.

Jackson, 18th on Utah's all-time scoring list, led the Utes to the 1966 Final Four, and went on to a professional career that saw him play six seasons in the ABA, including a stint with the Utah Stars.

Later in life, he had a career as a sportscaster and provided color commentary for a number of Utah basketball games.

NCAA to reconsider Boise St. sanctions

College football • The NCAA said Friday it will reconsider scholarship sanctions imposed on Boise State's football program.

In a 25-page decision, the NCAA Division I Infractions Appeals Committee concluded that the scholarship penalty announced last September, in addition to Boise State's self-imposed sanctions, was "excessive such that it constituted an abuse of discretion."

Boise State's voluntary measures included three fewer scholarships for the 2011-12 school year and fewer preseason practices.

NHL, players' union begin negotiations

NHL • The NHL and the players' union opened negotiations on a new labor deal Friday by meeting for about 2½ hours.

Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly met with NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr, union special counsel Steve Fehr and several player reps at the league's Manhattan offices.

From wire reports