Big Ten's Delany stays tight-lipped

Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany unfolded a piece of stationery with notes scribbled all over it as he prepared to provide an update on the conference's exploration into expansion.

Delany's first public comments in about two months on the subject that is dominating college football this offseason lasted about 30 minutes, but didn't provide much insight.

"There are no announcements, notifications, or is there a change in the timeline," he said Wednesday, while taking a break from BCS meetings in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Back in December, the Big Ten announced it was considering expansion and that it would take about 12 to 18 months to figure out what it wanted to do.

According to Delany, the league is still mulling over its options.

"It's pretty clear that we may not act," he said. "It's also a possibility that we may. It's a possibility that we may act in a way that would [add] more than a single member.

"There's nothing Earth-shattering here. I wanted to put our announcement of last December into some sort of context given some of the reports."

Settlement documents in New Era Sports and Entertainment co-founder Lloyd Lake's civil suit against Bush, his mother and his stepfather are expected to be filed in San Diego Superior Court Thursday or Friday. The settlement includes a confidentiality agreement preventing either side from discussing the case.

Bush, now with the New Orleans Saints, avoids having to be questioned under oath about a scandal that could result in the Trojans vacating the 2004 national championship, forfeiting victories in the 2005 season and Bush being stripped of the 2005 Heisman.

The settlement also clears the way for the NCAA to issue a ruling in its three-year investigation of the USC football and basketball programs.

USA Swimming addresses scandals Rocked by allegations of rampant sexual misconduct within its coaching ranks, USA Swimming unveiled a plan to make it easier for athletes to report abuse while addressing some of the concerns raised by several lawsuits around the country.

The seven-point plan was detailed in an open letter from USA Swimming president Jim Wood and executive director Chuck Wielgus, who said the organization has "a responsibility to help create a safe and positive environment for children and young adults who are our members."

ABC's "20/20" reported at least 36 coaches have been banned for life by USA Swimming over the past 10 years because of sexual misconduct.

Field announced for Indy 500 The Indianapolis Motor Speedway says 40 entries have been filed for next month's Indianapolis 500. It's the second consecutive year with that many entries, the most since 2002.

The field includes four former champions (Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon, Dario Franchitti, Dan Wheldon) as well as four women (Danica Patrick, Milka Duno, Sarah Fisher, Simona De Silvestro).

• NASCAR said Sprint Cup cars driven by David Reutimann, Martin Truex Jr., Max Papis and Marcos Ambrose all failed Friday's post-qualifying inspection at Texas Motor Speedway.

Tennis: Venus Williams will not play for the U.S. in the Fed Cup semifinals against Russia this weekend, joining her sister Serena on the sidelines. Williams said she is still rehabilitating a troublesome knee injury.

College baseball: Arizona State is vacating 44 of its 49 victories from the 2007 season and will be reducing scholarships as part of self-imposed sanctions for violating NCAA rules.

WNBA: The Seattle Storm and Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft Corp.'s search engine announced they have signed a multiyear partnership that will put the Bing logo on Storm game jerseys beginning this season.

Boxing: Ocie Harris of Chicago, an associate of boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., was indicted in Las Vegas in a shooting involving a man who argued with the boxer last August at a skating rink.