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NBA
Kevin Durant withdraws from reeling US national team, is ‘physically and mentally drained’
Kevin Durant withdrew Thursday from the U.S. national team, the biggest loss yet for a weakening American squad that will go to Spain without the leading scorer on its last two gold medal winners.
LA Galaxy star Landon Donovan says he will retire from pro soccer after season
CARSON, Calif. – A year after Landon Donovan returned to soccer, he realized he had lost his passion for the sport again. This time, the best player in American history decided to walk away for good.
Former top draft pick Greg Oden released after arrest; accused of punching ex-girlfriend
INDIANAPOLIS – Police arrested former NBA No. 1 draft pick Greg Oden on battery charges early Thursday, alleging that he punched his ex-girlfriend in the face during a fight.
Report: NBA fines Raptors for tampering over Drake’s Kevin Durant comments
TORONTO – The Toronto Raptors have reportedly been fined US$25,000 for comments that rap star Drake made about Kevin Durant at a recent concert.
Wiggins dances around questions about future, says “I can play anywhere”
VAUGHAN, Ont. – It’s been a roller-coaster summer for Canadian basketball star Andrew Wiggins, from that momentous night in June that had him bound for Cleveland as the No. 1 draft pick, to last week’s reports that Wiggins was on the move.
$2 billion sale of LA Clippers goes through; Ballmer replaces Sterling as owner
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The Clippers moved on from months of ugliness Tuesday, with Steve Ballmer officially becoming the team’s new owner in a record US$2 billion sale that ousted Donald Sterling as the NBA’s longest-tenured owner.
Former NBA No. 1 draft pick Greg Oden faces October trial on Indiana battery charges
INDIANAPOLIS – Former NBA No. 1 draft pick Greg Oden is free to leave Indiana while he awaits trial on charges he punched his ex-girlfriend in the face as long as he remains on GPS monitoring, a judge ruled Wednesday.
NBA spokesman says league did not suggest Drake’s title be removed
NEW YORK, N.Y. – The NBA is refuting a Globe and Mail report that suggested the league offered to drop a tampering fine issued to the Toronto Raptors if the team removed Drake’s title of global brand ambassador.
NBA releases schedule for upcoming season, Raptors back on U.S. TV
TORONTO – The Toronto Raptors will be back on national television in the United States when the 2014-15 NBA season tips off this fall.
Appeals court rejects Donald Sterling’s effort to block sale of LA Clippers; deal is done
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Donald Sterling’s latest effort to block the $2 billion sale of the Los Angeles Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer was rejected Wednesday by a California appeals court.
Arizona State’s Sarafin becomes first active Division I football player to come out
TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State offensive lineman Edward Sarafin has told a local magazine he is gay, making him the first active Division I football player to come out.
Major League Baseball owners select Manfred to replace his boss Selig as commissioner
BALTIMORE – Rob Manfred was elected baseball’s 10th commissioner Thursday, winning a three-man competition to succeed Bud Selig and given a mandate by the tradition-bound sport to recapture young fans and speed play in an era that has seen competition increase and attention spans shrink.
Sacramento Kings sign 7-foot-5 Sim Bhullar, 1st player of Indian descent to sign with NBA team
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Toronto native Sim Bhullar became the first player of Indian descent to sign a contract with an NBA team Friday, inking a deal to join the Sacramento Kings in training camp.
Canada’s Bennett trying to stay focused on upcoming season amid trade chatter
TORONTO – It has been an unusual summer to say the least for two of Canada’s top young basketball players.
Tim Leiweke denies report he’s leaving MLSE, says focus is on ‘season at hand’
TORONTO – Tim Leiweke is denying a report that he will soon be leaving Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.
New York Islanders sell minority stake of team to Capitals co-owner, London-based investor
UNIONDALE, N.Y. – The New York Islanders are selling a minority stake of the team, with a former Washington Capitals co-owner and a London-based investor to become full owners in two years.
Veteran NBA ref Bavetta retires after 39-year career in which he never missed an assignment
NEW YORK, N.Y. – NBA referee Dick Bavetta is retiring after a 39-year career in which he never missed an assignment.
NHL makes changes to draft lottery next year with bigger ones coming in 2016
NEW YORK, N.Y. – The NHL draft lottery will have a slightly different look next year and a drastically different one in 2016.
MLSE’s Leiweke focused on upcoming season, remains mum on long-term plans
TORONTO – President and chief executive officer Tim Leiweke is focused on his immediate goals at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.
MLSE looking for new chief executive after Leiweke exit plan unveiled
TORONTO – Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment has cleared up the uncertainty surrounding president and chief executive officer Tim Leiweke’s long-term future with the company.
Toronto FC striker Defoe says club should honour Leiweke by making playoffs
TORONTO – Jermain Defoe would like to honour the man who brought him to Toronto with his team’s first ever playoff appearance.
Ujiri, Leiweke envision new Raptors training facility as basketball “mecca”
TORONTO – Masai Ujiri and Tim Leiweke envision a training facility that will be both the talk of the NBA and a home to young Canadian players — a “Field of Dreams” facility that they say will help bring basketball’s best to Toronto.
Love trade to Cleveland will make Wiggins a rare No. 1 pick dealt before his rookie season
MINNEAPOLIS – The wait is almost over.
US picks 12-man roster for Basketball World Cup after beating Puerto Rico 112-86 in exhibition
NEW YORK, N.Y. – The U.S. has picked the 12 players it believes can defend its world basketball title.