MOSCOW -- The Kontinental Hockey League, widely considered the worlds strongest hockey competition outside the NHL, is considering cutting teams because of financial pressure.A recession in Russia, where the KHL is based, and the low price of oil have hurt the fortunes of the Russian state-owned companies and regional governments that fund most teams, pushing several deeply into debt.League president Dmitry Chernyshenko said the KHL board is set to discuss an optimization of the number of clubs taking part, in comments Monday to state agency R-Sport.I think its possible that the league could contract if the board takes that decision, Chernyshenko said.The move occurs months after a significant expansion with the addition of a team in China, a market also being targeted by the NHL for future merchandising growth. However, the Chinese team, split between Beijing and Shanghai, has struggled to attract fans, with attendances of below 1,000 at some games at the Shanghai arena.The KHL features 29 teams across eight countries in Eastern Europe and Asia, though most are based in Russia and even the non-Russian teams tend to rely heavily on Russian state funds to meet their wage bills.Last week, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov accused Russian regional governments in financial difficulties of being irresponsible by continuing to finance sports teams. Justin Upton Angels Jersey . Murray beat Sam Querrey 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-1, 6-3 to clinch Britains opening-round victory against the United States on Sunday at Petco Park. "Im proud of the way Im playing just now, because I had to do a lot of work to get back to where I want to be," Murray said after celebrating with his teammates on the red clay court in a temporary stadium in left field of the downtown home of baseballs San Diego Padres. Jim Fregosi Jersey . At a news conference Tuesday where it was thought that the fiery Schallibaum may be shown the door after a dismal finish to the Major League Soccer season, team president Joey Saputo said no decision has been made on whether the Swiss Volcano will be back in 2014. https://www.cheapangels.com/2183j-bobby-knoop-jersey-angels.html . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. Anthony Bemboom Jersey . Robredo, ranked No. 16, bounced back from an upset loss to Leonardo Mayer in the second round of the Royal Guard Open in Chile last week to down Carreno Busta in 1 hour, 25 minutes. On a day filled mostly with qualifying matches, fifth-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain also entered the second with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 win over Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, while Guido Pella of Argentina defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-6 (6), 6-4 to advance. Darin Erstad Jersey . -- Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings was selected Monday to his second straight Pro Bowl, while guard Kyle Long made it after a solid rookie season. Five states -- Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, West Virginia and Wisconsin -- and the American Gaming Association filed amicus briefs with the United States Supreme Court this week in support of New Jerseys efforts to offer legal sports betting at its casinos and racetracks.New Jersey, after losing a decision in the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals in August, filed a request to the Supreme Court in October. Its the second time New Jersey has asked the Supreme Court to hear its case against the NCAA and four major professional sports leagues, which sued Gov. Chris Christie in 2012, setting off a legal battle that has lasted more than four years. The leagues have won every step of the way.The Supreme Court declined to take New Jerseys case in 2014, but the group of states is hoping for a different outcome this time. West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey took the lead on the amicus brief for the five states, which have concerns over federalism issues and believe the Third Circuits ruling against New Jersey fundamentally alters the nature of federal-state relations.The concern of the Amici States ... is not what Congress regulates but how it does so, the states wrote in the brief filed Monday.The American Gaming Association, represented by Washington, D.C., law firm Sidley Austin LLP, claims the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA), the federal prohibition of state-sponsored sports betting, is unconstitutional and prevents states from combatting illegal and organized crime.The Third Circuits decision is not just wrong; it is dangerous because it deprives States of the authority to combat illegal gambling, the AGA wrote in its brief, alsso filed Monday.ddddddddddddOnly a handful of states may offer legal sports betting, with only Nevada being allowed to accept bets on single games and events.The AGA says the federal laws have helped create a massive black market and estimates that around $150 billion is wagered illegally on sports annually in the U.S.The AGA has begun forming a coalition and is planning to lobby Congress in 2017 to lift the federal ban on sports betting. AGA president and CEO Geoff Freeman has said President-elect Donald Trump will have sports betting legislation on his desk during his term.As President-elect Donald Trump has acknowledged, illegal sports betting is a thriving industry, Freeman said in a statement to ESPN. The 24-year-old federal ban -- which is breathing life into a $150 billion illegal sports betting market -- threatens the integrity of games, presents fundamental questions about states sovereignty to define their own laws and combat crime within their borders, and prevents fans from engaging with the sports they enjoy in a safe, legal way. The United States Supreme Court should consider New Jerseys important claims and allow all states to address the serious problems associated with illegal sports betting.In 1993, Trump told reporters that legalizing sports betting in New Jersey is vital to putting the bookies out of business.The Supreme Courts decision whether to take the New Jersey case is expected sometime early in 2017. The Supreme Court accepts only a tiny percentage of cases.The sports leagues have until Dec. 14 to file their briefs. ' ' '