Arbitrator rules against Sanders

DETROIT (AP) - The Detroit Lions were awarded some - but not all - of the money they wanted returned from retired running back Barry Sanders.

Sam Kagel, an NFL arbitrator, ruled yesterday that Sanders must pay back $1.83 million of his $11 million signing bonus. For the Lions to get the rest of it, they have to wait - and Sanders must stay retired.

The Lions wanted Sanders to return $5.5 million of the bonus he got in 1997. He played two years of a six-year contract before shocking the football world by abruptly walking away from the game July 28, on the eve of training camp.

"We have contended all along that just because you've retired you don't owe the entire amount back,'' Sanders' agent David Ware said after the ruling was handed down. "He ruled consistent with our position.''

Sanders hasn't paid any money back yet.

"Barry is retired,'' Ware said. "As long as the circumstances remain what they are, he will remain retired.''

Gophers' star center Pryzbilla suspended

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Just a day after being selected Big Ten Player of the Week, Minnesota center Joel Przybilla was suspended indefinitely from the team for failing to meet academic requirements, Minnesota coach Dan Monson said during practice yesterday.

Monson did not immediately specify what standards Przybilla did not meet, other than to say the sophomore 7-footer fell short of team rules in several areas.

Przybilla did not attend practice. Monson said the suspension will last as long as the problem exists.

''There's a definite lack of commitment,'' Monson said. ''There's more than one thing. But I'm not going to elaborate much more than that. It's an academic thing. He's got to commit to academics or he's not going to be a part of this.''

Monson said he had previously discussed the problem with Przybilla, who was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Monday for a 33-point, 14-rebound effort in the Gophers' upset win against Indiana. The sophomore was averaging 17 points and 11 rebounds in Big Ten play this season.