Stadium project may keep RaidersOAKLAND, Calif. — City and county officials approved opening negotiations with an investment group on a possible $1.3 billion stadium project that supporters hope will sway the Oakland Raiders to stay.The approvals give an investment team anchored by Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott and former quarterback Rodney Peete the right to negotiate a formal agreement for a $1.3 billion stadium that includes $350 million in public money.

Rockies’ Bettis battling cancerDENVER — Colorado Rockies right-hander Chad Bettis hopes to be back on the mound for spring training after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.Bettis said in a statement that he underwent surgery on Nov. 29 to have a testicle removed after bloodwork revealed an abnormality. Bettis added that doctors are confident the cancer was isolated and hasn’t spread.The news was first reported by ESPN. The Rockies wished him well on the team’s Twitter account as he works toward a return for spring training in February.

Minnesota gridders get suspensionsMINNEAPOLIS — The University of Minnesota has suspended 10 players indefinitely from all team activities.Defensive backs Ray Buford, KiAnte Hardin, Dior Johnson, Antonio Shenault and Antoine Winfield Jr., running backs Carlton Djam and Kobe McCrary, quarterbacks Seth Green and Mark Williams and defensive lineman Tamarion Johnson were all suspended.The school cites “privacy restrictions relating to student educational data” in withholding further comment.Buford, Hardin, Dior Johnson and Tamarion Johnson were suspended for three games earlier this season when their names came up in a police investigation. A restraining order filed by a woman making allegations in that case prevented the players from being at TCF Bank Stadium on game days, but no charges were filed and they returned to the team.