Headlines from around the world in sports
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Source: Butler, Creighton, Xavier to Big East
NEW YORK – A person with knowledge of the announcement said Butler, Creighton and Xavier will join the so-called Catholic 7 schools in the new Big East basketball conference.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement will not take place until today, when it will be made in conjunction with a news conference on the league’s broadcast deal with Fox.
Georgetown, St. John’s, Villanova, Seton Hall, Providence, Marquette and DePaul are taking the Big East name with them as they form a new league for next season.
Meanwhile, members of the more football-oriented conference growing from the old Big East announced a broadcasting deal with ESPN yesterday. The contract for football, basketball and other sports runs through the 2019-20 season and pays about $20 million a year. That conference still is unnamed.
NBA
Cavaliers rookie Waiters out with a knee injury
CLEVELAND – Cavaliers rookie guard Dion Waiters will miss at least one week with a sore left knee and may need surgery.
The Cavs said an MRI taken yesterday revealed a loose fragment in Waiters’s left knee. He injured his knee in the first half of Monday’s home loss to Indiana and did not return.
He will rest and have treatment over the next week, and the Cavs said it’s possible the No. 4 overall pick in last year’s draft may need an arthroscopic procedure.
The loss of Waiters is another blow to the Cavs, who are already missing All-Star guard Kyrie Irving and forward Anderson Varejao with injuries.
NBA
Bulls sign Thomas to 10-day contract
CHICAGO – Forward Malcolm Thomas signed a 10-day contract with the Chicago Bulls.
Thomas appeared in five games with the Golden State Warriors, scoring three points and grabbing five rebounds. He also appeared in two NBA Development League games this season – with the Santa Cruz Warriors and with the Los Angeles D-Fenders.
The 24-year old Thomas began his college career at Pepperdine before playing two seasons at San Diego State.
The Bulls announced the move yesterday.
NFL
Waiting for Cruz decision, Giants add WR Murphy
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – With leading receiver Victor Cruz still unsigned, the New York Giants added Louis Murphy.
The Giants yesterday confirmed the signing of the speedy receiver who played last season with Carolina. The five-year veteran has 115 receptions for 1,707 yards and seven touchdowns, including 25 catches with the Panthers in 2012.
Murphy was Oakland’s fourth-round draft choice in 2009. As a rookie, he scored four touchdowns.
The Giants have now signed seven free agents from other teams. In addition to Murphy, they have added placekicker Josh Brown (Cincinnati), linebacker Dan Connor (Dallas), defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins (Philadelphia), tight end Brandon Myers (Oakland), safety Ryan Mundy (Pittsburgh) and cornerback Aaron Ross (Jacksonville).
The Giants made a first-round tender to Cruz, meaning they will receive a first-round draft pick if he signs elsewhere and the Giants do not match the offer.
NFL
Vikings sign Olsen
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – The Minnesota Vikings have signed Seth Olsen to add some depth to their offensive line.
The Vikings announced the signing yesterday. Olsen was on the Vikings practice squad in 2010 and spent the past two seasons playing in Indianapolis. He made five starts for the Colts and returns to his home state to serve as a backup at both guard and tackle.
The Vikings were in the market for another versatile player after veteran backup Geoff Schwartz signed with Kansas City.
Olsen grew up in Willmar before playing in college at Iowa. He’ll fall in behind a unit that brings all five starters back from the group that paved the way for star running back Adrian Peterson last season.
nfl
Panthers land free agent CB Moore
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Panthers signed unrestricted free agent cornerback D.J. Moore.
The 5-foot-9, 180-pound Moore played in 13 games with two starts for the Chicago Bears last season and had 29 tackles and two interceptions. He served as the Bears nickel back for a portion of the season.
Carolina announced the move yesterday. Moore, 25, received a one-year contract but financial terms weren’t disclosed.
He’s played all four seasons in Chicago after being selected in the fourth round in 2009. He’s played in 43 games with three starts tallying 133 tackles and 10 interceptions, including two touchdown returns.
Moore could potentially replace nickel back Captain Munnerlyn, an unrestricted free agent who’s exploring the free agent market.
Moore is a native of Spartanburg, S.C., where the Panthers hold their annual training camp.
NHL
Senators’ Michalek has knee surgery
OTTAWA – Ottawa Senators Coach Paul MacLean said forward Milan Michalek has undergone arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and will be out indefinitely.
MacLean said yesterday the surgery was to clean up debris in the knee.
The injury caused Michalek to miss 10 games this season. He came back for two games in early March, picking up an assist in each game, but the knee kept bothering him.
Michalek has two points and eight assists in 15 games with the Senators this season. He had a breakout season in 2011-12, with 35 goals and 25 assists in 77 games.
The Senators’ lineup has been depleted this year, with star center Jason Spezza, Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Erik Karlsson and starting goaltender Craig Anderson all out with long-term injuries.
Tennis
Pennetta earns win at Sony Open
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. – Flavia Pennetta of Italy won her first-round match, 6-4, 6-1 over Johanna Larsson of Sweden at the Sony Open yesterday.
Pennetta is making her ninth appearance at this Key Biscayne-based event and has reached the third round on five occasions.
Pennetta played one of the 10 WTA main draw matches scheduled for the opening day of the tournament.
Ayumi Morita of Japan defeated Heather Watson of Britain, 1-6, 7-5, 6-4.
Kristina Mladecnovic of France scored a 7-5, 6-2 win over Aleksandra Wozniak of Canada.
Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan battled in the second-set tiebreaker to secure a 6-4, 7-6 (15) victory over Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine.
Speedskating
Braves VP Plant named speedskating president
Atlanta Braves Vice President Mike Plant was appointed president of the U.S. Speedskating board, taking a lead role in the troubled organization with the Winter Olympics less than a year away.
Plant is a former speedskater and member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team.
The board announced the move yesterday, saying Plant will take over immediately as interim president. He is expected to be confirmed at the organization’s next board meeting in May.
U.S. Speedskating has been marred by allegations of abuse against the former national short track coach, as well as sexual abuse claims against Andy Gabel, the former president and Olympic medalist.
Also, a group of athletes filed a complaint with the U.S. Olympic Committee, contending the governing body was incapable of carrying out its duties.
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