Shop Talk for Wednesday, Sept. 26th

Shop Talk NHL

Bill Wirtz dead at 77
William Wirtz, the longtime owner of the Chicago Blackhawks notorious for driving a hard bargain, died Wednesday at age 77.In an announcement on the team website, the Blackhawks said Wirtz died at Evanston Hospital after battling cancer. Wirtz was chairman of the Board of Governors of the National Hockey League for 18 years and helped negotiate the merger of the NHL and the World Hockey Association in the late 1970's.

Shop Talk NFL

Grossmann out,Griese in
Rex Grossman reportedly will be benched by the Chicago Bears for Sunday's game at Detroit, with Brian Griese starting at quarterback. The Bears would not confirm that any decision has been made, saying only that coach Lovie Smith would be available for his regular Wednesday news conference.

Shop Talk MLB

Clemens will sit until playoffs
Roger Clemens was scratched from his start for the New York Yankees on Tuesday night at Tampa Bay because of a lingering left hamstring injury and won't pitch for the remainder of the regular season.Clemens is "confident" he will be ready for the opening round of the postseason if the Yankees qualify. New York started play Tuesday with a magic number of one to clinch at least the AL wild-card spot.

Shop Talk NBA

Marion wants trade
Phoenix Suns forward Shawn Marion says he wants to be traded after eight years with the club.
Marion said he decided to ask to leave because the team considered trading him over the summer and won't talk about a contract extension. Marion has two years left on his contract, which will net him $16.4 million for this season and $17.8 million in 2008-2009.