Granted, juggling a superstar-level football career and an illegal dogfighting ring can be tough, but Michael Vick probably could've handled his finances better.

Or at the very least watched MC Hammer's 'Behind the Music.'

According to recent reports, the former Falcons quarterback (currently serving a 23-month prison sentence) filed for bankruptcy after finding himself in a "precarious financial position." (Read: broke, but not that broke ... yet).

In Chapter 11 papers filed Monday in federal court, Vick cites debts of between $10 million and $50 million, in addition to assets of $10 million to $50 million. Furthermore, Vick owes $3.75 million from a prorated signing bonus, $4.5 million to Joel Enterprises for a breach of contract, and $2.5 million to Royal Band of Canada for a real-estate loan.

Vick's lawyers said in the filing that they hope he "can, after the conclusion of the bankruptcy case, rebuild his life on a personal and spiritual level, resurrect his image as a public figure, and resolve matters with the NFL such that he can resume his career.''

(Read: Make money)

BOSTON (June 17) - With Russell and Havlicek sitting courtside, and Red surely lighting up a victory cigar somewhere, these Boston Celtics returned to glory like the great teams before them.


Dominant in every way.

On a new parquet floor below aging championship banners hung in the rafters two decades back, the Celtics won their 17th NBA title and a first one - at last - for Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen - their Big Three for a new generation.

After 22 long years, the NBA has gone green.

Even with a messed up knee, Tiger Woods took care of business doing what he does best -- win.

Woods, who delivered so many spectacular moments over four days along the Pacific bluffs, only needed a two-putt par at the end to win the U.S. Open for the third time, and the first since it last was held on a public course at Bethpage Black in 2002.

It capped off a remarkable week for the world's No. 1 player, who had not played since April 15 surgery on his left knee and looked as though every step was a burden. But it held up for 91 holes, and the payoff was worth the pain.

So Tiger Woods is the 2008 U.S. Open Champion. (Were there really any legit doubts?)

MIAMI - Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 600th home run on Monday night, completing his long ascent and becoming the sixth player in history to reach that milestone. The Cincinnati outfielder homered off Florida lefty Mark Hendrickson in the first inning of the Reds' 9-4 victory against the Marlins.

Griffey joined Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Sammy Sosa.

The 38-year-old homered with Jerry Hairston on third and one out. The left-handed swinger launched a 3-1 pitch 413 feet into the right-field seats.

Griffey received a standing ovation from the crowd of 16,003 and responded by coming out of the Reds dugout and waving his helmet to the fans.

"I don't think I touched any of the bases. I sort of floated around," Griffey said.

TOM CANAVAN, AP

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (June 9) - Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan is retiring after a 15-year career, capped by a Super Bowl title with the New York Giants in February.

The 36-year-old Strahan, the NFL's active leader in sacks, informed the Giants on Monday.

"I'm just finding out about it; let me get organized," coach Tom Coughlin said after a team offseason workout.

Strahan's retirement first was reported by Foxsports.com

"It was important that my teammates knew which way I was going before they got on the field to start the work to defend our title," Strahan told the Web site. "It's time. I'm done."

Strahan had hinted at retirement last season and missed almost all of training camp while coming to a decision to play.

He returned days before the season, anchoring a defensive line that was instrumental in hounding New England quarterback Tom Brady in New York's stunning Super Bowl victory over the previously unbeaten Patriots.

The Hollywood stars have headed over to the South of France for the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, and the 41-year-old former boxer Mike Tyson is among them (or ate them).

Putting the heavy back in heavyweight, Tyson hit the French film festival for a screening of his new documentary, "Tyson," directed by his old friend James Toback ("Fingers").

In the film, which is a compilation of old videos and TV interviews, Tyson dishes on his sex life, getting beaten up as a kid and his many ill-fated decisions such as biting Evander Holyfield's ear in 1997.

However, Iron Mike still insists he's innocent regarding the 1991 rape of an 18-year-old beauty queen for which he spent three years in prison.

Yet such ugly details must be in the past now as the film received a standing ovation and the gossip mill churned with reports of Madonna and Mike "laughing all night together."

When in France ...

Well you know what they say, "A party ain't a party until you're surrounded by half-naked guys."

Actually, no one really says that but based on the below picture, it's highly likely that Vince Young may believe that.

Blogxilla.com posted pictures of the shirtless Titans quarterback partying at a bar in, where else but, Texas, baby.

While I have absolutely no problem with a bunch of built guys sans their shirts, Blogxilla does make an interesting point: "I don't see nearly enough women around to warrant taking off anyone's shirt!!!"

I don't know, maybe it's a guy (plus an excess of Patrón tequilla) thing.

The rapper/music exec/mogul/man who's richer than Richie Rich, Jay-Z, a minority owner of the New Jersey Nets, will represent the team in tonight's NBA Draft Lottey.

He will be one of 14 team representatives at the lottery, which is being televised live on ESPN at 8pm before Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons.

What are the odds that Jay snags the first pick? Quite out there, as the Nets have a 1.1 percent chance of receiving the first pick of the draft, and less than a four percent chance of snagging a top 3 selection.

Yet don't tell that to Jay-Z.

In true LeBron fashion, King James carried the Cavs on his back in Game 7, scoring 45 points. Yet also, as is typical in LeBron fashion, his monster game couldn't make up for the fact that he, um, plays for the Cleveland Caveliers.

Instead Paul Pierce, who scored an equally spectacular (if not more because his team won) 41 points and the Boston Celtics will face the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Final. Game 1 tips off in Boston on Tuesday.

All this begs the question: What does LeBron James need to do to win a championship?

From AP:

MIAMI (May 15) - One of five suspects charged in the slaying of Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor has pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree murder and burglary.

Is Venus Williams a better tennis player than her sister Serena? See what she told Real Sports on HBO:

What happens when a former flashy athlete, his model perfect wife and their five children, live in a hot 40,000-square-foot mansion and have their lives videotaped to find out what happens when black families get real? 'Prime Time' gold.



According to the Hollywood Reporter, Oxygen's 'Deion & Pilar: Prime Time Love' set network records in its premiere airing, becoming the channel's most-watched original series premiere ever. Following the lives of sports star Deion Sanders, Pilar Sanders and their family, the reality show scored big in the desirable demos of women ages 18-34 and 18-49 and men and women 18-49.

NEW YORK (AP) - Isiah Thomas was fired as coach of the New York Knicks on Friday after a season of listless and dreadful basketball, a tawdry lawsuit and unending chants from fans demanding Thomas' dismissal.

Thomas, the coach for two seasons, will remain with the organization reporting directly to new president Donnie Walsh, a rapid fall for Thomas who also was team president a little more than two weeks ago.

Walsh took over that role April 2, and his first big decision was to change coaches as he begins the process of turning around a team that never won a playoff game in Thomas' tenure.

"I just believe a new voice, a new coach, is necessary to change the direction of the team," Walsh said.

The Knicks finished 23-59, matching the franchise record for losses, in their seventh straight losing season.

"I can't tell you really where we failed," Walsh said. "The bottom line is we haven't won, and the team didn't look like it was motivated to try to win."

Walsh wants a new coach in place by the draft in June, when the Knicks will finally have their lottery pick again after handing over their last two to Chicago in the Curry trade. Walsh said Sunday he had not yet talked to any candidates for either a coach or general manager job.