Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House Task Force on the World Cup, spoke Thursday at a kickoff event in Miami Beach about the unique security challenges of preparing for an event of this magnitude.

The commissioner discussed the proposal at an owners' meeting when the Rays gave an update. Meantime, former manager Joe Maddon says he hopes Tampa can "finish what we started."

The No. 1-seed Lions won 11 straight at the tournament in Chattanooga, closing with two straight against McKendree in the best-of-three championship round.

Cooper was caught off-guard when he was presented with the trophy during a ceremony at Tampa General Hospital to open a pediatric cancer lounge was fundred by his charity.

During the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, athletes will leap from up to 90 feet at the St. Pete Pier. It starts on Friday and is free to watch.

Local government support for the Rays' ballpark was fragile before the tax measure went on the November ballot. Now, the Tampa Sports Authority is writing a letter to state its priority: Raymond James Stadium.

Terms include the sports authority receiving some revenue from non-USF events. TSA would also be positioned for greater involvement in the Fowler corridor, including the planned MOSI Fieldhouse.

Athletics CEO Rob Higgins said general seating for the inaugural schedule will go on sale this fall, with season tickets as low as $25 per game. Higgins also said all 28 luxury suites are sold out.

City negotiations with the team and the county have been handled by officials on the mayor's staff. But some council members have expressed frustration with having to vote on a deal without having a seat at the table.

Kremer, 30, was an assistant on a Cardinal team that went 39-5 and reached the NCAA championship match this past season. She was hired after the abrupt resignation of inaugural coach Pri Piantadosi-Lima.

The Blue Sharks from the tiny African archipelago will train throughout the tournament at the Waters SportsPlex in Town 'N Country, one of 25 team bases in North America that will not host matches.

Legislators have included $50 million in the state budget for campus improvements, as requested by the school. However, the governor said the state could eventually provide additional funding.