DEVELOPING: Taurasi B-Sample Also Positive

A Turkish television station is saying Diana Taurasi's backup doping sample has also tested positive for a banned substance.

NTV did not attribute their report to any one particular source for their story, and Turkey's basketball federation did not immediately confirm NTV's report.

Taurasi tested positive last month for the stimulant modafinil while playing in Turkey during the WNBA offseason. She had been suspended by her Turkish club Fenerbahce pending the outcome of her B sample testing.

More when we know more...

BREAKING: Taurasi Tests Positive

WNBA and Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi has tested positive for a banned substance...

More when we know more...

Literally, this is all the HQ knows at present...

Until then, here's the Taurasi-Cappie Pondexter fight from the last WNBA season...
((HT: WNBA/Youtube))


2230 UPDATE: According to ESPN, Taurasi's lawyer, Howard Jacobs, maintains her "A" sample has come back positive for a mild stimulant while playing in a pro basketball league overseas.

A Turkish lab released the info and she was provisionally suspended by the Turkish league she's playing in. Taurasi has requested that her "B" sample be tested.

Jacobs said the substance "was not a steroid or recreational drug." He is not identifying the substance in question.

"We're taking it one step at a time," Jacobs said. "I'd rather not say what it is at this stage, they've only tested the 'A' sample. Somehow it leaked over in Turkey. We're waiting for the 'B' sample to be tested. We've had some difficulty with getting a date so far, mostly because of the holidays. We're hoping to get it as soon as we can."

Taurisi to sit for 2

Late word out of Phoenix today that star Guard Diana Taurisi will be suspended without pay for the next 2 games. Taurisi was pulled over and arrested for DUI July 2nd after a home game in Phoenix.

The story from The East Valley Tribune here .

The WNBA apparently feels that the team suspension is enough punishment saying "The WNBA supports the actions taken today by the Mercury and we don't believe further action by the league will be necessary". The judge hearing the case on July 22nd however, may say a little more due to the fact that Miss Taurisi had a nearly lethal level of alcohol in her bloodstream.

Taurasi Faces "Extreme DUI" Charge

((HT: Arizona Republic/Ferraresi))

Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi ((pictured, thanks Arizona Republic/Michael Chow)) faces three drunk-driving related charges, including extreme DUI, for a July 2 incident in which she was pulled over on Camelback Road.

Results of a blood draw showed Taurasi was driving her 2006 Land Rover with a blood-alcohol level of 0.17 percent, or more than twice the Arizona legal limit of 0.08 percent, according to a Phoenix police report released today.

Taurasi, 27, pleaded not-guilty to the charges filed recently in Phoenix Municipal Court. Her next scheduled court date is set for July 22.

According to the police report, Taurasi told her arresting officer she had "a few" drinks at an unnamed club and was on her way to the Phoenician hotel. She was trailed by friends in other vehicles.

A Phoenix officer stopped Taurasi around 2:30 a.m. near Camelback Road and Seventh Street after the officer observed the Land Rover drift outside of a traffic lane. The officer claimed Taurasi was speeding nearly 20 mph over the 35 mph limit as she drove eastbound on Camelback.

In addition to the DUI charges, Taurasi was also cited for speeding, which she pleaded not responsible to, according to court records.

Taurasi's citation came on the heels of her 22-point effort on July 1 in the Mercury's 93-81 victory over the Seattle Storm.

The point guard leads all WNBA players in fan voting for the July 25 all-star game.

A Mercury spokesman and Taurasi's personal representative did not immediately return requests for comment.

Buying The Shirt On Your Back

The next step of corporate domination of professional sports has occurred thanks to the WNBA. The Phoenix Mercury have sold advertising space on the teams uniforms to the identity theft protection company LifeLock. This means the team's primary logo on their home and road jerseys and shooting shirts will be replaced by the LifeLock logo.

How ironic, the Phoenix Mercury loses their identity to a company who protects you from identity theft.

It's a 3-year deal worth at least a $1 million annually, enough to pay the bills.

Rick Welts, chief executive officer of the Phoenix Suns, which owns the Mercury told Sports Business Weekly, “The league has been working for months to revise our business model and to be prepared to look outside the boundaries on both the revenue and expense side. There is no secret that every league is facing its own challenges and the WNBA is no different. This is a big step for an American sports league to be taking.”

WNBA President Donna Orender expect other WNBA franchies to follow.

“It is a groundbreaking deal, and companies are looking for brand-new space that allows them to create new sales and to connect with a consumer base. This relationship will likely spark others, but in terms of when, it remains to be seen. ”

Those of us at the OSG HQ are wondering how this will effect team jersey sales?

Photo Courtesy: Phoenix Mercury