Lawmaker wants tighter controls for sports regulatory commission

A state lawmaker says Georgia is losing out on some popular sports events because of weak regulations.

Events like boxing and ultimate fighting matches can bring in big money to the state. Those and other sporting events are regulated by the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission. It oversees the integrity of sports for fans, and safety for its participants.

Republican state senator Eric Johnson of Savannah calls the current laws the Commission has to work with “vague and ambiguous”. Because of that, he says some promoters of big events have bypassed Georgia—taking money with them.

Johnson hopes to change that with new legislation.

"One of the goals is economic development. One of the reasons I'm interested in it is Savannah has a great boxing history and good boxing enviroment, and we want to make sure we can get some of the fights all over Georgia. Augusta is the same way...it has a great boxing history. And of course we've got the former heavyweight champion living in Atlanta".

The World Wrestling Entertainment organization says it would consider leaving Georgia with tighter regulations. They’ve operated under a special exemption since July 2005.

Pro wrestler murder-suicide probe continues

Authorities in Fayetteville are looking into whether Chris Benoit was on steroids before killing his wife and son, then later committing suicide. Officials say the pro wrestler strangled his wife Nancy last Friday, suffocated his 7-year-old son on Saturday, then later killed himself by hanging. Investigators found prescription anabolic steroids in the house. The drugs have been known to cause paranoia, depression and outbursts known as "roid rage". Benoit was a wrestler with World Wrestling Entertainment.

Details emerge in pro wrestler's death

Police have released more information on the deaths of pro wrestler Chris Benoit, his wife and son.

Investigators say Benoit strangled his wife Nancy and smothered his 7-year-old son Daniel over the weekend at their Fayetteville home. They say Benoit hanged himself Monday in his weight room.

Benoit’s friends and family reported receiving strange text messages from Benoit early Sunday morning. Authorities say they are investigating whether steroids may have been a factor.

The 40-year-old Benoit was a native of Canada, and had maintained a home in Atlanta since the time he was with now-defunct World Championship Wrestling.