BRIEFLY.

Raiders' lawsuit vs. NFL reinstated

The Raiders' conspiracy lawsuit, which claimed the NFL forced them to leave Los Angeles for Oakland by undermining a deal for a new stadium at Hollywood Park in 1995, was kept alive Wednesday when the California State Supreme Court agreed to review an appellate court's decision to dismiss the case.

The Raiders lost the suit in 2001, when a jury ruled 9-3 in favor of the NFL, from which the team was seeking $1.2 billion in damages. When allegations arose that two jurors had shown bias against the Raiders and owner Al Davis, the judge in the case ordered a new trial.

An appellate court in Los Angeles ruled in February that the juror misconduct did not warrant a new trial, but all seven justices agreed Wednesday to review that decision. Raiders general counsel Jeff Birren said he expects the court to hear the case next year.

- Billy Witz

HOCKEY: The NHL's owners and players have overcome their biggest obstacle to a new labor deal, the Toronto Globe and Mail reported on its Web site Wednesday.

The Canadian newspaper, citing two sources familiar with ongoing negotiations, said the sides have hammered out a complicated salary- cap/luxury-tax structure that would vary payroll limits from team to team within a narrow range.

Payroll ceilings would be between $34 million and $36 million, with payroll floors between $22 million and $24 million during the first year of what is thought to be a six-year deal, the paper said.

Jonathan Weatherdon, spokesman for the NHL Players Association, said although the two sides ``continue to have discussions to reach a common ground, no agreements have been reached.''

--Former Boston Bruins star Cam Neely, late Russian superstar Valeri Kharlamov and former Canadian Hockey Association president Murray Costello were selected for the Hockey Hall of Fame.

GOLF: Learjet should not be held responsible for the 1999 plane accident that killed golfer Payne Stewart, an Orlando, Fla., jury determined.

TENNIS: French Open champion Rafael Nadal's 24-match winning streak was snapped in a three-set loss on grass to Alexander Waske at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Mississippi running back Vashon Pearson will not play his senior season after being declared ineligible by the NCAA, coach Ed Orgeron said.

CYCLING: Lance Armstrong finished third in a time trial in Roanne, France, at the Dauphine Libere race.

SOCCER: Uruguayan-born Colorado Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo, a former U.S. World Cup defender, was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

HORSE RACING: Patrick Valenzuela, sidelined since a riding accident May 9, plans to return Saturday at Hollywood Park.

BASKETBALL: Leo Klier, a member of Notre Dame's All-Century basketball team who played in the 1940s, died Saturday at his home in Naperville, Ill., the school. He was 82.

- Daily News Staff and Wire Reports