So after the race issues of yesterday I've got even more interesting news today.

From Slam Online....There's an actual press release for the Bavetta v. Barkley Race.

Let’s get ready to stuuuumble!” On the evening of Saturday, February 17, former NBA superstar and current TNT basketball analyst Charles Barkley, 43, will challenge veteran NBA referee Dick Bavetta, 67, to a footrace during TNT’s coverage of NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by EA SPORTS. The distance of the race will be 235 feet (78.3 yards), as Barkley and Bavetta will race baseline to baseline, and then to the half-court line of the regulation basketball court at the Thomas & Mack Arena. In conjunction with the race $50,000, $25,000 from the NBA and $25,000 from TNT, will be donated to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas.

The initial challenge to race was issued on January 4 when Barkley subbed in for TNT game announcer Steve Kerr and made a rare courtside appearance with Albert for TNT’s broadcast of the L.A. Lakers @ Sacramento Kings game. During the first half of the match-up, in which Bavetta was officiating, Barkley made the off-the-cuff comment, “I can outrun Dick Bavetta right now, Marv.”

“Charles, let me say something to you, there’s no way you can critique the game the way you critique it if you cannot beat a referee,” weighed in Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star forward Kevin Garnett.

“It better be a short race, because if it’s an endurance race, I think Bavetta has got him licked,” said reigning two-time NBA MVP and Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash on Barkley v. Bavetta. “I’m sure Charles will try to make the distance just right for himself.”

Michael Jackson can't even get courtside seats to Sunday's NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas, where he's been living lately. A well-placed source says Wacko Jacko waited too long to call for tickets - the front-row seats had already been promised to Jack Nicholson, Christina Aguilera, Jay-Z, Diddy, Nelly and Adam Sandler. "The tickets he wants are not available at this time," said our insider.

"Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said that there is “‘no truth’ that he is preparing to announce a $10 Billion downtown development that would include a sports arena as the centerpiece.” In Las Vegas, Norm Clarke noted Goodman and NBA Commissioner David Stern are speaking at a Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce luncheon today, “but it won’t involve an NBA team relocating to Las Vegas.” Goodman said that he will meet with Stern to “discuss going forward with ‘an attempt to get a franchise here’”