losing skid. Greg Holland got the last three outs for his 1

MINNEAPOLIS -- A federal judge in Minnesota gave final approval Friday to a $50 million settlement in the complicated court fight over publicity rights for retired NFL players, calling it a "one-of-a-kind, and a remarkable victory for the class as a whole." The NFL and the retired players reached the agreement in March, and U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson gave preliminary approval in April. But 19 players had filed objections, with some saying direct payments wont be made to the former players and that varying benefits will be unfairly distributed. In his order Friday, Magnuson said those who objected because they were lured by the prospect of a lucrative personal payout have strayed from the initial goal of the lawsuit -- to help those players with dire physical, mental and financial needs. He said the majority of the class -- more than 25,000 players -- recognized the settlement would help thousands of former players because a large financial payout would go to a fund organized for their benefit. "Nearly all of the objections boil down to what is, in the courts view, the objectors very mistaken belief that they could reap significant financial benefits from continuing this case," Magnuson said. He said those who believe a settlement that doesnt directly benefit players is impermissible "are wrong." More than 2,000 players opted out of the settlement, and will have the opportunity to pursue their own claims against the NFL. Those cases will be allowed to immediately go forward. Bob Stein, an attorney for some of the plaintiffs who opposed the settlement, said he will appeal. He said there was no discovery that revealed the value of NFL Films, so theres no way to know if the settlement is fair. He also said the settlement doesnt provide direct payments to those who have given up publicity rights. Dan Gustafson, an attorney representing those who agreed to the settlement, said hes pleased with the judges ruling and hopes those opposed will "put this behind them now and join us in trying to implement the settlement for the benefit of the players." Under the agreement, some $42 million will be distributed to a "common good" trust over eight years to help retired players with issues like medical expenses, housing and career transition. The settlement will also establish a licensing agency for retirees to ensure compensation for the use of their identities. The league will pay another $8 million in associated costs, including startup money for the licensing agency. The trust will be administered by a group of retired players approved by the court. The licensing agency will for the first time market retiree publicity rights in conjunction with the NFL, thereby making it easier for retired players to work with potential sponsors and advertisers. The settlement only covers those players who are currently retired, but players who retire in the future will have the chance to utilize the newly formed licensing agency. Magnuson wrote that while the objections were "especially vociferous," only one-tenth of 1 per cent of the class objected and less than 10 per cent requested to opt out. He said the objections were without merit. "This fund will provide substantial benefits to the class as a whole," the judge wrote. The lawsuit was filed in 2009, with NFL Hall of Famer Elvin Bethea, Fred Dryer, Dan Pastorini, Joe Senser, Ed White and Jim Marshall accusing the NFL of exploiting retired players identities in films, highlight reels and memorabilia to market the leagues "glory days" without compensating the players. That same year, a group of more than 2,000 retirees won a $26.25 million settlement with the NFL Players Association over the use of their likenesses in video games, trading cards and other sports products. Pastorini, Marshall, and Senser ended up objecting to the settlement and will be part of an appeal. The other three original plaintiffs opted out and will be included in other litigation, Stein said. Gordon Rudd, another attorney for the plaintiffs in favour of the settlement, said the settlement gives retired players a chance to monetize the value of their images through the licensing agency. "It is a historic settlement," he said. "Its very creative and its very exciting to see this opportunity being provided to retired players for the first time." The lawsuit against the league was similar to a still-pending lawsuit filed against the NCAA by Ed OBannon and other former college athletes seeking damages for the use of former players likenesses in video games and other material. 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Louis Cardinals for the National League Wild Card, are in the drivers seat as they open the final series of the regular season, but they face a large task in the form of the Philadelphia Phillies.TORONTO -- Like hes done all month, Edwin Encarnacion did his part to put the Toronto offence in position for a victory. It was the defence that came up short Thursday night and it proved costly in an 8-6 loss to the Kansas City Royals. With two outs in the ninth inning, Toronto shortstop Jose Reyes had a chance to seal the win on a routine ground ball. However, his throw was low and pinch-runner Jarrod Dyson came around from second base to tie the game. The Royals scored two more runs in the 10th inning to end Torontos season-high nine-game winning streak. "Theres no excuse," Reyes said. "I should make a better throw there. Thats a routine ground ball, I got it perfect. I just didnt have enough on the throw." Omar Infante drove in a pair of runs off Toronto reliever Todd Redmond (0-4) in the 10th inning as Kansas City (25-28) ended its four-game losing skid. Greg Holland got the last three outs for his 15th save. "Well you dont expect to lose one like that," said Blue Jays manager John Gibbons. "But you know what, weve been playing some good baseball. The key is just to come back out and play a good clean game tomorrow." Encarnacion continued his phenomenal play this month by launching two no-doubt homers to give him 18 on the season and a team record 16 for the month. "To watch what hes been doing this month, I dont know where it goes down in history but its pretty historic in my mind anyway," Gibbons said. Jose Bautista also homered for the Blue Jays, who had their seven-game home winning streak come to an end. Encarnacion is now one away from tying Barry Bonds major-league record for most homers in the month of May. Bonds hit 17 with San Francisco in May 2001. The Toronto slugger also has five multi-homer games this month, which ties the major-league record for any month currently shared by Albert Belle (September 1995) and Harmon Killebrew (May 1959). Blue Jays starter R.A. Dickey pitched to two batters in the sixth inning before being pulled. He said the team will focus on its positive play over the last few weeks. "Jose makes that play 99 out of 100 times, it was just a real fluke thing," Dickey said. "But we cant second-guess things the way that weve been playing and the way weve been pitching and hitting.dddddddddddd I mean, Edwin -- what can you say? "I mean its been fun to watch and to be on a team where so many things are going well and I think itll continue tomorrow. I think this was just kind of a mild hiccup." The American League East-leading Blue Jays fell to 32-23 with the loss. Kansas City starter James Shields worked seven innings and reliever Wade Davis (4-1) pitched two innings for the win. The Royals left 11 batters on base but outhit Toronto 14-9. "I was really pleased with the way we swung the bats tonight," said manager Ned Yost. "We were driving balls. We just had some great at-bats." Salvador Perez hit his fifth homer of the season for the Royals in the second inning and Kansas City added three runs in the fifth. The Royals also loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh inning but Aaron Loup got out of the jam by striking out Alcides Escobar on three pitches. Closer Casey Janssen, who was looking to pick up his ninth save, recorded the first two outs in the ninth before Alex Gordons single. He was replaced by Dyson, who stole second. "We were facing a hot team that had swept their last three teams," Dyson said. "I thought we did a great job to come over here and kind of break that up a little bit and get going." In the 10th, Redmond gave up a single to Escobar to open the inning and Pedro Ciriaco reached when he was beaned while squaring up to bunt. Nori Aoki advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt. Notes: Announced attendance was 17,978 and the game took three hours 26 minutes to play. ... Encarnacion belted his second homer of the night into the second deck in left field -- virtually the same spot as his first blast. The crowd gave him a standing ovation and he came out of the dugout to tip his hat. ... Bautista threw out Billy Butler from right field for the second out in the ninth inning. ... Torontos J.A. Happ (4-1) is scheduled to start Friday night against fellow left-hander Jason Vargas (4-2). ... The Rogers Centre roof was closed despite comfortable spring conditions outside. 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