Mediator Gives Mccourts Settlement Proposal

JUDGE PETER LICHTMAN MEETS SEPARATELY WITH EACH SIDE AND ORDERS BOTH PARTIES NOT TO DISCUSS THE TERMS OF HIS PROPOSAL PUBLICLY.

FRANK and JAMIE MCCOURT each appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday to receive a settlement proposal from the mediator assigned to their divorce case, probably setting the stage for a ruling in the Dodgers' ownership battle.

Superior Court Judge PETER LICHTMAN, the mediator, met in separate closed sessions with each of the McCourts and their attorneys. Lichtman ordered the parties not to discuss the terms of the proposal publicly.

He is thought to have given each side until the end of the month to accept or reject his proposal. If the proposal is rejected, as expected, then Superior Court Judge Scott Gordon would rule on whether to uphold a marital agreement that would give Frank McCourt sole ownership of the Dodgers. Jamie McCourt has asked the court to throw out the agreement, which could make the team community property.

The McCourts have failed to settle despite several rounds of negotiations over the past year, with and without mediators.

Although the terms of Lichtman's proposal are confidential, previous discussions have established the outline of an agreement in which Frank McCourt would keep control of the Dodgers and would pay Jamie McCourt to surrender any claim to the team. The sides have been unable to agree how much Frank McCourt should pay and how that payment should be structured.

BILL SHAIKIN

The Detroit Tigers finalized a $16.5-million, three-year contract with right-handed reliever Joaquin Benoit. He had a 1.34 earned-run average as a setup man for Tampa Bay last season and held opponents to a .147 batting average.

Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane, 74, is putting the team he has owned since 1992 up for sale.

The New York Yankees hired Larry Rothschild as their pitching coach. Rothschild, who was the Chicago Cubs' pitching coach, replaces Dave Eiland, who was fired in October.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

TENNESSEE'S PEARL SUSPENDED FOR EIGHT SEC GAMES

Tennessee Coach BRUCE PEARL was suspended for the Volunteers' first eight Southeastern Conference games as punishment from Commissioner MIKE SLIVE for violating NCAA rules and misleading investigators.

"I have been a very public advocate for playing by the rules," Pearl said.

MCRIB'S BRIEF RETURN HAS FANS BUZZING

PORTRAIT EMERGES OF WOMAN WHOSE MUMMIFIED BODY WAS FOUND IN CAR

BLACK WOMEN REWRITING THE RULES ON HAIRDISABLEDS