The NHL sent a new offer to the NHLPA on Thursday that includes some compromise according to an NHL player in a report by ESPN.com’s Pierre LeBrun.

The player, who requested anonymity, said the new proposal moved on term limits for player contracts, salary variance and buyouts.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly would not confirm what the player said when reached by ESPN.com.

The league’s push for a five-year limit has been a major roadblock for the players, whose Dec. 6 counter proposal offered to limit deals to eight years. It’s believed the league has offered to move to six-year limits on player contracts.

Looming deadlines on both sides of the labor dispute could require an agreement soon if the league is to play some form of a regular season.

The NHL has cancelled games through Jan. 14 since the two sides last met with mediators on Dec. 13.

On Dec. 6, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said he “can’t imagine wanting to play fewer than” 48 games, a shortened season that would likely have to begin around the third week of January and a resolution to the labor standoff by mid-January.

A vote by the players has given the NHLPA’s executive board the power to decide whether or not to file a notice of disclaimer of interest, effectively dissolving the union, by Jan. 2.

An NHL player says the NHL made a new offer to the NHLPA on Thursday, one which moved on contract term limits, buyouts and variance…—
Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) December 28, 2012

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly would not confirm it when reached—
Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) December 28, 2012

Michigan State’s athletic director abandoned a plan to have Cowboys Stadium host an event in which four basketball teams would play at once. ( Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis has abandoned a plan to host an eight-team event at Cowboys Stadium that would see four games go on simultaneously.

Hollis, who initially shared the plan with SI.com’s Seth Davis, said Thursday that his plan was “off,” according to a report in The Detroit Free Press.

The Free Press reported that the lack of a TV deal to showcase the event — which would have kicked off the 2013-14 season on Veterans Day — ultimately was its biggest backbreaker.

ESPN, CBS and Turner networks were approached, but there were concerns about “diluting exposure and tying down four networks,” Hollis said, at a time of year in which college basketball does not typically receive high ratings.

The eight schools also had disagreements about how to split the financial take.

Hollis explained that he hoped the event would create a March Madness-like feel in November. Each of the four games would have started 15 minutes after the previous one.

“We’re going to squeeze everything into a three-hour time period,” Hollis told Davis. “We’re talking with eight institutions right now that have a very high interest and have that weekend open, and we’re going to partner with the 12 [military] bases that are around Dallas, so we can make it a celebration for the guys at Fort Hood and others.”

Greg McElroy did not tell the Jets staff about his concussion until Thursday. (Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

New York Jets quarterback Greg McElroy did not tell the Jets training staff about his concussion until Thursday. But he told teammates about his symptoms much earlier in the week, ESPN.com’s Jane McManus reported.

According to the report, McElroy told several teammates about his reluctance to reveal the concussion to the Jets staff. Jets head coach Rex Ryan surprisingly announced that McElroy would be out for Sunday’s finale against the Buffalo Bills and that Mark Sanchez would start in his place.

McManus named wide receiver Clyde Gates and offensive guard Matt Slauson as two of the teammates that were aware of McElroy’s plight. Gates was diagnosed with a concussion earlier this season, so McElroy came and talked to him on Tuesday in the team’s hotel.

“He came to my room and we talked about it,” Gates told ESPNNewYork.com. “He was hurting real bad. I was like, ‘Bro, I know, I’ve been down that road already. I’m just saying you can’t try to tough it out cause you going to end up hurting yourself. You’ve got to let everybody know how you really feel.’ “

Slauson, meanwhile, told McManus that he suffered a concussion in either 2010 or 2011, about which he did not alert the Jets. But he said that McElroy’s concussion concerned him.

“He definitely has that (warrior) mentality, but it got to the point where it was scaring him,” Slauson said.

Deron Williams said he was “surprised” at coach Avery Johnson’s firing. (Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

After the Brooklyn Nets unexpectedly fired head coach Avery Johnson on Thursday, much of the blame fell on star point guard Deron Williams, due to the pair’s reported rift.

But Williams downplayed those suggestions on Thursday. He told the New York Daily News’ Stefan Bondy Thursday night that he had nothing to do with Johnson’s firing. In fact, he said, he was as “surprised” as anyone.

“I was surprised,” Williams said in a telephone interview with Daily News. “I never had any conversation with (GM) Billy King about not liking coach, nothing about coach Johnson. Avery was a big reason I came back, because him and Billy. So I was surprised.

The Nets fired Johnson on Thursday after a 14-14 start and a horrid month of December in the franchise’s much-anticipated first season in Brooklyn.

For Williams, the situation mirrors one two years ago when he was with the Utah Jazz. Coach Jerry Sloan retired then after a reported rift with Williams.

Last week, Williams caused a stir when he said that he had never been comfortable in Johnson’s offense. But on Thursday, he tried to put aside any notion that those comments led to bad blood between him and Johnson.

“It’s almost like I’m always on the offense when I talk about Utah because of how things ended there with coach Sloan,” Williams said. “So the next day I went in, talked to coach Johnson and made sure he knew that I didn’t mean anything by it, and he was like, ‘No worries, I haven’t even thought about it.”

Johnson was in the final year of a three-year, $12 million contract. Williams, who signed a near $100 million contract this offseason, has struggled this season. He has averaged 16.6 points per game while shooting only 39.8 percent from the field.

The 49ers’ Justin Smith reportedly has a partially torn triceps. (David Welker/Getty Images)

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Justin Smith has a partially torn triceps, Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee reported on Thursday. Barrows reported that Smith will likely need surgery in the offseason.

Smith, who suffered the injury in the 49ers’ Dec. 16 game against the New England Patriots, has not practiced or played since. Smith missed last weekend’s game against the Seattle Seahawks with what the 49ers called an elbow injury.

He is listed as questionable for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals.

The 49ers (10-4-1) can clinch the NFC West division title with a win Sunday against the Cardinals. San Francisco could also earn a first-round with a win and a Green Bay Packers loss.

Smith has been one of the cornerstones of the 49ers defense over the past five seasons, though his production is slightly down this year. He has 66 tackles and three sacks in 14 games.

The firing of Avery Johnson by the Brooklyn Nets Thursday morning has already elicited denials of interest by two unofficial candidates.

The agent for Phil Jackson, Todd Musburger, told NBA.com’s David Aldridge Thursday that Jackson is not interested in coaching the Nets.

“Phil has no interest in the Nets job at this time,” Musburger said via text.

ESPN.com’s Marc Stein reported Thursday morning via Twitter that the Nets planned to discuss the job with Jackson.

Jackson talked with the Lakers about their head coaching job after the team fired Mike Brown earlier this season, but was later surprised to learn that the Lakers hired Mike D’Antoni instead.

Former Miami Heat and Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy reportedly has no interest in the Nets job according to a tweet from Brian K. Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel.

According to NBA coaching source, Nets launching broad search that will include call to Phil Jackson to gauge Phil's interest in Brooklyn—
Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) December 27, 2012

Stan Van Gundy has no interest in Brooklyn job—
Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) December 27, 2012

DeMarcus Ware has been slowed by a hyper-extended elbow and a strained shoulder. (Layne Murdoch/Getty Images)

DeMarcus Ware has not practiced this week but the Cowboys outside linebacker said he will play Sunday against the Redskins in a game that will determine the winner of the NFC East.

Ware, who was selected to his seventh Pro Bowl on Wednesday, has recorded 11.5 sacks and forced five fumbles despite being bothered by a hyper-extended elbow and a strained right shoulder that may require surgery in the off-season.

“I’m feeling good enough to play on Sunday,” he told the Dallas Morning News. “So I’ve been just doing treatment and getting ready.”

Ware addressed the fact that the combination of injuries have diminished his productivity late in the season.

“It’s just something you’ve got to fight through,” Ware said.

The Jets have made the playoffs in just three of Mike Tannenbaum’s seven seasons as general manager. (Karl Walter/Getty Images)

The Jets will relieve Mike Tannenbaum of his general manager duties Monday, according to a league source in a CBSSports.com report.

Team owner Woody Johnson reportedly will either fire Tannenbaum or reassign him within the organization.

Tannenbaum has been under fire since last year’s disappointing 8-8 finish and throughout this season’s 6-9 campaign. Several of his personnel moves, including the high-profile trade for quarterback Tim Tebow, have been widely criticized.

The Jets hired Tannenbaum as director of player contract negotiations in 1997. He was promoted to general manager in 2006. The Jets have qualified for the playoffs in just three of his seven seasons as general manager, appearing in the 2006 wild card game, and 2009 and 2010 AFC Championship Games.

Head coach Rex Ryan’s job appears to be safe, but offensive coordinator Tony Sparano is also reportedly on the hot seat for a struggling Jets offense.

Mike Napoli and the Red Sox have yet to finalize a 3-year, $39 million deal. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

At least one team has talked with Mike Napoli’s representatives since his negotiations with the Red Sox have stalled, according to multiple baseball sources in a WEEI.com report.

One source believes no contract has been offered other than the Red Sox’s deal originally agreed upon in early December.

The Red Sox have yet to sign off on a three-year, $39 million deal after a physical revealed a concern regarding the free agent’s hip.

Earlier Thursday, multiple reports linked the Red Sox and free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche as a possible option if a contract with Napoli is not finalized.

Henry Melton called Dominic Raiola the Lions’ biggest trash talker. (Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Lions center Dominic Raiola called Henry Melton “a clown” one day after the Bears defensive tackle called the Lions “dirty” and “cheap.”

“Who? Who?” Raiola said, according to the Detroit Free Press, when asked about Melton’s comments Thursday. “Exactly.”

In anticipation of the teams’ upcoming showdown on Sunday, Melton accused Lions offensive players of playing dirty and singled out Raiola as the team’s chief trash talker. Raiola fired back, questioning Melton’s relevance and saying accusations that the Lions play dirty have gotten old.

“I mean, this guy, he made it to the Pro Bowl?” Raiola said. “This guy made the Pro Bowl? (Over) Kevin Williams, who worked through injuries all year? (Over Ndamukong) Suh, who’s a better player than this guy? Come on.

“It’s tiresome, especially from a guy like this, a guy that didn’t even play the past two weeks. … I don’t know what to say anymore. In my book, he’s a clown. That’s all I got.”

The Bears need a win over the Lions, coupled with a Packers win over the Vikings to earn the NFC’s sixth and final playoff berth.

USC quarterback Matt Barkley’s college career is over. Coach Lane Kiffin announced that Max Wittek would start in the Sun Bowl instead of Barkley, who is out with a shoulder injury.

Barkley ends his career as a Trojan with 1,001 completions (64.1 percent), 12,327 passing yards and 122 total touchdowns. He was sixth in Heisman voting his junior year and is the Pac-12′s career leader in pass completions and passing yards.

Barkley suffered a right shoulder sprain in November against UCLA when he was sacked from behind by linebacker Anthony Barr. He had hoped to return for the team’s final game, but will remain on the sidelines on doctors orders.

Lane Kiffin announced that Max Wittek will start at QB for USC in the @HyundaiSunBowl. Matt Barkley's college career is officially over.—
USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) December 27, 2012

Barkley on his injured AC joint: "I've worked as hard as I could to get back for this game, and nature is not allowing it." #USC #SunBowl—
USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) December 27, 2012

Doctors haven’t cleared me to play, so I won’t be suiting up on Saturday. I’ll be here with my team to finish strong. Proud to be a Trojan!—
Matthew Barkley (@MattBarkley) December 27, 2012

The Trojans take on the Georgia Tech on New Year’s Eve in the Sun Bowl. Wittek, a redshirt freshman, has played in seven games and accumulated 281 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Knicks guard Raymond Felton will be out four to six weeks with a fractured pinky. (Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)

Knicks point guard Raymond Felton was diagnosed with a fractured pinky finger on his right hand, according to Newsday.

Felton injured the finger on Tuesday against the Lakers when he and Steve Nash both went for a ball. Originally, the injury was thought to be a sprained ligament, but X-rays revealed a fracture, which could keep Felton out for four to six weeks.

“I was hurt. I was angry. But it happens. It was a freak accident. Can’t be too upset. Just have to do what I’ve got to do and get the treatment so I can get back,” Felton said. “It’s tough, because I want to be there for my teammates and my team but I have to do what I have to do.”

Prior to the injury, Felton had started in all 28 games and was averaging 15.8 points and 6.3 assists per game.

Outfielder Hideki Matsui plans to announce his retirement from baseball on Thursday night, reports the YES Network’s Jack Curry. An official press conference will be held in New York. As a free agent, Matsui drew some interest from big league teams this winter but decided not to return.

Matsui, 38, was born in Ishikawa, Japan and spent 10 years in the Major Leagues. He played for the Yankees for the majority of his career (2003-2009) and also had one-year stints with the Angels, A’s and Devil Rays. Matsui was a career .282/.360/.462 hitter and was named the World Series MVP in 2009.

Hideki Matsui will announce his retirement tonight, according to Sankei Sports. He was one of the classiest players I ever covered.—
Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) December 27, 2012

The Brooklyn Nets announced on its official Twitter site that they fired Avery Johnson on Thursday afternoon. Johnson was named the team’s head coach on June 15, 2010. He had a 60-116 record with the Nets in his two-plus years with the team.

Johnson was the Eastern Conference’s Coach of the Month in October and November after a 11-4 start. But the team has gone 3-10 since then and are in third place in the Atlantic Division, six games behind the Knicks, with a 14-14 record.

Prior to joining the Nets, Johnson led the Dallas Mavericks to the playoffs three times, including a Western Conference title in 2005-06, the same year he was named NBA Coach of the Year.

The Brooklyn Nets have relieved Avery Johnson of his head coaching duties, Nets GM Billy King announced.—
Nets PR Dept. (@Nets_PR) December 27, 2012

Analysts reacted to the seemingly abrupt decision:

While not unforeseen given the Nets' struggles, firing Johnson caught some in the organization off guard. Clearly a Prokhorov decision.—
Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) December 27, 2012

It was believed that Johnson would be given more time to turn things around after nine losses in 12 games against mostly winning teams.—
Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) December 27, 2012

David Beckham has offers from several teams but is in no rush to make a decision about where he will play next. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

David Beckham has several “serious proposals” from clubs around the world, but the former L.A. Galaxy midfielder and England captain is in no rush to make a decision, according to a report from the Associated Press:

A “host of clubs” have come in with offers for Beckham, according to a statement by his management company issued to The Associated Press on Thursday, but it remains “early days in the process.”

“David is in no hurry to make a decision, the key is making the right one as he has always done successfully in his career,” the statement said.

Beckham left the Galaxy after five years with the team and an MLS cup victory on Dec. 1. He has also played for Manchester United (1993-2003), Real Madrid (2003-2007) and on loan for AC Milan (2009, 2010). Offers have reportedly come in from clubs in France, Australia and Asia. Beckham, 37, said a return to the EPL was unlikely, as is a move to Australia’s A-League.

Mark Sanchez will start for the Jets now that Greg McElroy has a concussion. (Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

The drama continues to unfold with the New York Jets.

The team announced Thursday morning that third-string quarterback Greg McElroy, who was slated to get his second career start on Dec. 30, is now out with concussion-like symptoms. Head coach Rex Ryan had to decide between starting Mark Sanchez, who is having the worst season of his career, or Tim Tebow.

Ryan has decided to give the nod to Sanchez, who will start at quarterback for the Jets’ final regular season game on Sunday in Buffalo against the Bills, the team that New York beat in Week 1 of the regular season.

Ryan found out about McElroy’s condition at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday after McElroy reported headaches while lifting weights, according to a report from New York Daily News Jets beat reporter, Manish Mehta:

“There’s no way I’m going to play him. There’s no doubt. I don’t care what the tests say. We‘re going to err on the side of caution. So he definitely will be out for the game.”

Ryan said he was “stunned” to find out about the concussion-like symptoms, adding that Tebow was not happy about his decision to start Sanchez:

“Mark has had success earlier in the season against Buffalo. He’s very familiar with them. That’s the reason I’m going with Mark. I had the conversation with both Mark and Tim…. about what I was going to do. Obviously, Tim’s not happy with that. That’s what you expect.”

#RL Jets HC Rex Ryan has just announced: Greg McElroy has concussion, Mark Sanchez will start Jets' season finale @ BUF on Sunday.—
New York Jets (@nyjets) December 27, 2012

Rex found out at 9:30am mcElroy had headaches. Then Rex told Sanchez and Tebow about his decision: "Obviously Tim's not happy with that"—
Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) December 27, 2012

McElroy experienced headaches this morning while lifting weights. Right now he is won evaluated for concussion. Rex says he won't play him—
Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) December 27, 2012

This is a surreal ending to a surreal QB drama for the Jets this season. "I was stunned by it," Rex said. #nyj—
Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) December 27, 2012

Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman won his drug test appeal and will not be suspended. (Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

UPDATE: Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman tweeted Thursday afternoon that he won the appeal for his test of performance enhancing drugs. Sherman was at risk of being suspended for four games if he had lost the case. The NFL also tweeted the news on Thursday.

Sherman said earlier this week that he would likely sue the NFL if his suspension was upheld, according to a report from ESPN.

News first broke of his failed test Nov. 28. Sherman’s argument was that the cup was leaking at the time that he submitted it and that there were mistakes made by the tester at the lab. Sherman said a second cup was placed under his cup to stop the leaking and the seal on that second cup was broken. His drug test for Adderall will now be voided because it has broken the chain of custody and Sherman will not be suspended.

Sherman, 24, tweeted his thoughts on Christmas about the reputation of the drug tester, claiming that the person who conducted his test has a “history of errors.”

Sherman had said before he declared victory that if the drug tests come back positive, he would still continue his appeal and would sue the league:

“I can’t get back playing regardless. I can just sue the league, and that’s probably what I’m going to do if they suspend me.”

The Seahawks’ other cornerback, Brandon Browner, is already serving a four game suspension and won’t return until the playoffs. Browner opted not to appeal the results of his test for PEDs.

The Seahawks clinched a playoff berth with a 42-13 route of the San Francisco 49ers on Dec. 23, with Sherman returning a blocked field goal attempt for a touchdown and playing an overall pivotal role in the game as the team now readies for the post-season.

Thank you @nfl for upholding the truth! To the 12s Thank you your faith is rewarded! Thank you lord—
Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) December 27, 2012

I won—
Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) December 27, 2012

Richard Sherman wins his appeal, has his four-game suspension overturned. Huge lift for Seahawks. nfl.com/news/story/0ap…—
NFL: AroundTheLeague (@NFL_ATL) December 27, 2012

John Wall said he will return to the Wizards in January. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The Washington Wizards have remained mum on a timetable for John Wall’s return. But now there reason to believe the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft will be back in the next couple of weeks, and the news is coming straight from the man himself.

Wall revealed to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports on Wednesday night that he expects to be back sometime in January and that he’s not feeling pain after three consecutive days of working out. The Wizards point guard has yet to play this season because of a stress injury to his left patella:

“My timetable is some time in January. The way I am feeling with no pain, working out and doing it three [days straight] and it has no pain, I’m feeling good. I feel like I am taking the right steps and I haven’t had no pain the last couple of days after workouts.”

Wall made those comments after the Wizards lost by three on Wednesday night to the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by point guard Kyrie Irving, the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Wall said he never considered the possibility of going the entire season without playing but he’s still not quite in game-shape form; doctors have yet to clear him to fully practice or even scrimmage with the team.  Wall said he still needs to strengthen his legs for jumping and cutting before he’s at a point where he can play in a game again. He also wants to drop 10 pounds before he makes his return; Wall has been in the locker room bulking up and is currently listed at 210 pounds.

Wall averaged 16.3 points, eight assists and 4.5 rebounds last season. He said when he returns in January, he will show everyone why he is one of the elite point guards of the future:

“If you look at the list of the point guards of the future, I’m not up there. That gives more motivation to me when I get back to show the NBA what I really have to give to the league. They will respect me again. Everybody will see. I won’t do the talking. I will let my game do the talking.”

Henry Melton called center Dominic Raiola the Lions’ biggest trash talker. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton accused Lions offensive players of playing “dirty,” via the Chicago Tribune prior to the teams’ game Sunday at Ford Field.

“Dirty. They’re dirty,” Melton said of the Lions. “They’ve always been a dirty team since I’ve been here. I don’t like them. They’re going to be looking for cheap shots and all that mess, just have to hold our composure and play the game we know.”

Melton said the Lions’ dirty play is evident on game video. The Bears took exception to an Ndamukong Suh hit on quarterback Jay Cutler during their previous meeting at Soldier Field this season.

“They just try to do all this extra stuff, talking little cheap shots,” Melton said. “If you look at the tape, they’ve always thrown cheap shots, we had a brawl last year. It is what it is, I’m ready.”

Melton called center Dominic Raiola the Lions’ biggest trash talker, accusing the veteran of swearing and taking cheap shots.

“He’s old and he just talks. He’s more just cuss words, bad language,” Melton said. “Then he’ll throw some cheap shots in there and then he’ll say some bad words.”

Bears safety Major Wright gave the Lions more bulletin board material when he accused Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford of folding under pressure.

“You’ve got Matthew Stafford; he’s definitely having an OK season,” Wright said. “He can make any throw on that field, so you have to be aware of putting pressure on him because you put a little pressure on him, he kind of folds.”

The Bears must win Sunday — and have the Packers beat the Vikings — to secure the NFC’s sixth and final wild-card berth.

Gorgui Dieng has been out of the Louisville lineup since fracturing his wrist on Nov. 23. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Louisville center Gorgui Dieng will play Saturday against rival Kentucky, Cardinals coach Rick Pitino told CBSSports.com.

Dieng, who has been sidelined with a broken wrist suffered while drawing a charging call against Missouri on Nov. 23, practiced with the team on Wednesday.

Pitino said last week that Dieng would not return to play until Jan. 2 against Providence. Two screws surgically inserted into the wrist in late November have helped shorten his recovery time.

The 6-foot-11 junior from Senegal is averaging 8.2 points, eight rebounds and two blocks this season.

Dieng’s parents are scheduled to attend the Kentucky game. It reportedly will be the first time to see their son play for Louisville.

Eric Gordon has missed all but nine Hornets games in the last two seasons. (Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)

Hornets coach Monty Williams predicted shooting guard Eric Gordon would make his season debut Saturday against the Bobcats, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

A patella tendon disorder and bone bruise on his right knee that required arthroscopic surgery have forced Gordon to miss all but nine games last season and the first 27 games of this season.

Gordon’s right knee has been pain-free since Monday.

“If I had to guess it would be Saturday against Charlotte,’’ Williams said before Wednesday night’s game against the Orlando Magic. “A lot of that is me, and we want to make sure that we bring him back when he’s in a lot better shape. He’s spent so much time rehabbing and getting his quad stronger, but we have to make sure he’s in a good place before he comes back.’’

Gordon’s presence should immediately help the struggling Hornets who are one loss way from matching a franchise-record 12-game losing streak set in 1990.

“He changes the way we play with his ability to do a number of things,’’ Williams said of Gordon’s impending return. “Shooting the ball and attacking the basket and defending certain guys. It will take him not long to get back to the frame of mind that he needs to play and that’s always at a high level. But we want to make sure that he has the conditioning level that he needs to play well.”

Jordan Hamilton yelled profanities at a courtside fan in his native Los Angeles. (Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

The NBA has fined Nuggets forward Jordan Hamilton $25,000 for yelling profane language at a courtside fan in Tuesday night’s 112-100 loss to the Clippers, according to the league.

Hamilton was caught during the nationally televised game yelling profanities as he made his way back to the court after chasing a ball out of bounds behind the baseline. He finished with 16 points on 7-of-9 field-goal attempts, 4 rebounds and an assist playing at the Staples Center in his native Los Angeles.

Hamilton, 22, was the Nuggets’ first-round pick (No. 26) in the 2011 draft. He is averaging 6.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg and 0.7 apg.

The Yankees are reportedly signing outfielder Matt Diaz to a minor league deal, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News. Diaz was released as a free agent by the Braves in October. He played in 51 games and hit .222/.280/.333 with Atlanta. The 34-year-old has been considered as a possible outfielder or designated hitter for the Yankees.

Diaz will be extended an invitation to spring training and compete for a spot on the big league roster:

BREAKING: Yankees have agreed to terms on minor-league deal with outfielder Matt Diaz. Invite to big-league camp and will compete for spot.—
Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) December 26, 2012

Diaz attended FSU and was drafted by the Rays in the 17th round of the 1999 draft. He has spent the majority of his time in the big leagues with the Braves and is a career .291/.339/.431 hitter with 45 home runs and 225 RBIs.

English defender Danny Rose was one of the players subjected to racial slurs from Serbian fans, provoking UEFA sanctions. (Tom Dulat/Getty Images)

UEFA announced that it will appeal the sanctions imposed on Serbia and England after racial chants by fans sparked a brawl among players and coaches, according to the Winnipeg Free Press. The incident occurred in October during an under-21 match between the two teams.

The original sanctions were handed down by UEFA’s own independent disciplinary panel and consisted of a $105,000 fine on the Football Association of Serbia, suspension of players and coaches, and playing a match in an empty stadium. Two English players also received bans.

But in the wake of outrage over the perceived leniency of the sanctions–and comparisons to a $130,000 fine on Denmark’s Nicklas Bendtner for wearing sponsored underpants–the organization hopes to send a message with stronger penalties.

“Having reviewed the motivated decisions for the sanctions imposed … the UEFA disciplinary inspector felt it necessary to immediately confirm his intention to appeal on UEFA’s behalf,” European football’s governing body said in a statement.

Groups such as Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) also lobbied UEFA for more stringent punishment.

“UEFA now have an opportunity to send out a message,” FARE executive director Piara Powar said. “It takes a lot of honesty and self-reflection to admit that one arm of the organization got it wrong … what happened warranted a harder sanction.”

The Bulls-Pacers game scheduled for 7 p.m. EST on Wednesday has been postponed due to inclement weather conditions, according to the Pacers’ official Twitter page. Snow and sub-freezing temperatures are forecast for Indianapolis.

The Bulls (15-12) are coming off a Christmas Day loss to the Rockets, 120-97. The Pacers (16-12) are a half game up on the Bulls in the Central Division and beat the Hornets 81-75 in their last game. The last time the two teams met was on Dec. 4 when the Pacers won 80-76 in Chicago.

The team did not say when the game would be rescheduled, but that tickets for the original game would be honored.

UPDATE: Tonight's game has been POSTPONED due to weather conditions.—
Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) December 26, 2012

UPDATE ON POSTPONED GAME: The game will be rescheduled &  announced at a later date. Tix for tonight's game will be honored for that game.—
Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) December 26, 2012

Any potential closer controversy caused by the addition of Joel Hanrahan to the Red Sox was quickly quelled, according to the Boston Globe’s Pete Abraham. Hanrahan was part of a six-player trade between the Red Sox and Pirates that was finalized on Wednesday. The deal sent Hanrahan and shortstop Brock Holt to Boston, and first baseman/outfielder Jerry Sands, reliever Mark Melancon and minor leaguers Stolmy Pimentel and Ivan De Jesus to Pittsburgh.

The Red Sox acquired reliever Andrew Bailey from Oakland at the end of the 2011 season to replace closer Jonathan Papelbon. Bailey missed most of the 2012 season with a thumb injury, and according to Abraham, Hanrahan will be the team’s closer in 2013:

#RedSox asst. GM Brian O'Halloran said John Farrell told Hanahan and Bailey that Hanrahan is the closer—
Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) December 26, 2012

Smart move by #RedSox deciding this right away. Cuts down on drama.—
Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) December 26, 2012

Bailey, 28, appeared in 19 games for Boston last season and had six saves and a 7.04 ERA. Hanrahan, 31, had 36 saves and a 2.72  ERA with the Pirates in 2012.

Catcher A.J. Pierzynski criticized Rangers manager Ron Washington last July for not selecting him as an All-Star. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

On the day his one-year, $7.5-million deal with the Texas Rangers was made official, catcher A.J. Pierzynski attempted to put to rest any thoughts of a lingering feud with Rangers manager Ron Washington.

Last July, Pierzynski criticized Washington for snubbing him in selecting the American League All-Star team, despite posting 16 home runs and an .865 OPS before the break.

After Washington said that he felt bad for Pierzynski, the catcher said, “If (Washington) felt that bad he would have put me on the team. He had an opportunity to and he didn’t do it. Obviously, he can feel as bad as he wants, but he didn’t feel that bad.”

The 15-year veteran, who finished with career highs in runs (68), home runs (27), RBI (77) and OPS (.827), and the seventh-year manager both told reporters on Wednesday that they have moved on, according to ESPN.com’s Richard Durrett:

“It came up (at the lunch), and I made a joke of it,” Pierzynski said. “It was over as soon as it happened. You’re disappointed as a player because you want to go to the All-Star Game and be honored that way.

…

“I know he was in a tough spot,” Pierzynski said. “It wouldn’t change how I feel about Ron Washington because I know what he’s done in this game and where he stands. I’m over it and hopefully we can move on from that also.”

Washington said Wednesday the whole episode is “old news” and that he’s moving forward, claiming he is pleased to have Pierzynski on the Rangers.

“I always believed he did anything and everything he had to do to try to beat you,” Washington said.

Pierzynski, who Washington named Texas’ starting catcher, also responded to questions about his reputation, as he is considered unpopular among players and coaches for his strong personality.

“The only thing [Rangers fans] need to know about me as a person is that I want to win,” he said.

Ray Lewis has been added to the Ravens’ active roster, although he won’t play on Sunday against the Bengals. (Harry How/Getty Images)

The Ravens moved linebacker Ray Lewis from short-term injured reserve to their 53-man roster on Wednesday, reports the NFL’s Gregg Rosenthal. Lewis tore his triceps in Week 6 against the Cowboys; he began practicing three weeks ago.

Wide receiver LaQuan Williams was placed on injured reserve to make room for the 17-year veteran in what was largely a “procedural move.” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Lewis would not be on the field for the team’s final regular season game against the Bengals but would return for the playoffs.

“We will not look at him again for this week,” Harbaugh told reporters. “It’s an injury that is a 12- to 16-week injury. So, if you do the math going back, we thought there was a chance. He is progressing really well. I’m not saying he couldn’t have played the last couple of weeks, but it would’ve been risky to re-injure it. The fact that there was some patience on Ray’s part and our part, it turned out well.”

The Ravens (10-5) have already clinched the AFC North and will host either the Bengals or the Colts in the Wild Card round on Jan. 5 or Jan. 6.

Chad Johnson, who last played for the Patriots in 2011, is reportedly “furious” over the leak of a sex tape that features him about three years ago. (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Chad Johnson has contacted the FBI regarding a leaked sex tape that features the former NFL wide receiver, according to TMZ.com.

Johnson has reportedly asked the FBI to hunt down the person that leaked the video, and asked his lawyer to put together a cease-and-desist letter to remove the footage from the internet.

Segments of the tape hit the web on Tuesday, when Johnson admitted to TMZ that it was him in the video. He reportedly insisted that he did not want the footage, which he says was shot about three years ago, to go public and is “furious” about its release.

The charismatic former wide receiver, whose career 766 receptions and 11,059 receiving yards are 30th and 28th all-time, respectively, has continued to make headlines despite not playing a down in the NFL this season. He was cut by the Miami Dolphins during training camp following an arrest.

The New York Daily News‘ Ethan Sacks provided details on Johnson’s off-the-field troubles this year.

It’s been a tough stretch for the artist formerly known as Ochocinco. The 34-year-old athlete-turned-reality-TV-star fumbled his short-lived marriage to Evelyn Lozada after being arrested and charged with headbutting his new bride in the head.

The Aug. 11 fight — reportedly over a receipt for condoms she found in the trunk of their car — cost him his marriage, his VH1 reality show, “Ev and Ocho,” and his position on the Miami Dolphins.

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier is currently under contract through the 2013 season. (Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Vikings have gone from 3-13 last season to 9-6 this season, with a chance to lock up a playoff berth with a win against the Packers on Sunday — a turnaround that makes a contract extension for head coach Leslie Frazier “likely only a matter of time,” according to 1500ESPN.com’s Judd Zulgad.

Frazier, whose current deal runs through the 2013 season, has compiled a 15-22 record in three seasons with the Vikings since taking over when Brad Childress was fired in the middle of 2010.

Linebacker Chad Greenway praised Frazier, formerly the team’s defensive coordinator, for his consistent demeanor in comments to Zulgad:

“His speeches are real consistent if you know what I mean,” Greenway said, jokingly. … “Obviously Leslie’s the kind of guy, ‘We’re still in this thing. We’re fighting. We’re together. We’re all in.’ And his approach is perfect, in my mind, for what an NFL coach needs to be. He’s really consistent. He knows what he wants from his players. He hires high-character guys to have in the locker room and it seems to be working pretty well.”

In search of its first playoff appearance since 2009-10, Minnesota can clinch a wild card spot either by defeating Green Bay or, if it loses, by the Cowboys, Giants and Bears also losing.

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski broke his arm during a game against the Colts on Nov. 18. (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Although Rob Gronkowski returned to Patriots practice from a broken arm last week, coach Bill Belichick said Wednesday that his star tight end is still “not ready yet” to play in a game. Gronkowski, who suffered the injury on Nov. 18 and was expected to miss four-to-six weeks, will not return to full-time action until he is medically cleared to play, according to Belichick.

The third-year pro caught 53 passes for 748 yards and 10 touchdowns in the season’s first 10 games. New England has won four of the five games he has missed, as tight end Aaron Hernandez returned from his own injury to post 29 receptions for 296 yards and three touchdowns over that stretch.

Belichick said that the team is evaluating Gronkowski’s injury day-by-day and the decision is fully in the hands of team doctors, according to The Boston Globe‘s Mike Whitmer.

“He did more last week than he did the week before, and we’ll see where he’s at today and tomorrow when we go out there, see what he can do,” Belichick said on Wednesday, prior to the team’s practice. “We’ll take it day-to-day, based on where he’s at. He’s moving along, not ready yet.”

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“There’s nothing more important than a player’s health and safety, so when they’re cleared to play, then we make a playing decision, and if they’re not cleared to play, then there’s no decision to make.

“I don’t think that’s a decision that a coach makes or influences, that’s a medical decision if it’s a medical situation. Once it’s a competitive decision, then that’s a coach’s decision. [If it's a] medical decision, that’s made by medical people.”

The Patriots enter their season finale against the Dolphins as the No. 3 seed in the AFC, trailing the Texans and Broncos by one game.

The Boston Red Sox finalized a trade on Wednesday to send reliever Mark Melancon and three prospects to the Pittsburgh Pirates for closer Joel Hanrahan and infielder Brock Holt. Reports of the two sides nearing an agreement emerged on Saturday, with details of the players involved outside of Hanrahan unknown.

Boston will trade three young players to Pittsburgh, the latter two of whom were acquired in the August blockbuster that sent Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez to the Dodgers: 19-year-old pitcher Yankory Pimentel, who saw limited action in the rookie league last season; 25-year-old outfielder Jerry Sands, who owns a .244 average in 221 career MLB at-bats but hit 26 home runs in Triple A last season; and 25-year-old infielder Ivan De Jesus, a .205 career hitter in 73 MLB at-bats and .298 hitter in eight minor league seasons.

#redsox announce deal is Hanrahan and IF Brock Holt for Pimentel, Sands, Melancon, DeJesus—
Alex Speier (@alexspeier) December 26, 2012

Holt posted a combined .344 average in Double A and Triple A last season before being called up to the Pirates in September. Melancon was expected to serve as Boston’s setup man last season after being acquired from the Astros, but pitched to a 6.20 ERA in 45 innings and was even sent to the minors between April and June.

Hanrahan, meanwhile, has been named an All-Star in each of the past two seasons since becoming a full-time closer. He posted a combined 2.24 ERA and 128 strikeouts in 128.1 innings in those seasons, with 76 saves in 84 opportunities.

I'm very excited to be joining the @RedSox and look forward to joining the great history of Boston and making some new history!!!—
Joel Hanrahan (@hanrahan52) December 26, 2012

Raymond Felton could be out with a sprained pinkie. (Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)

New York Knicks point guard Raymond Felton might sit out against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night because of a sprained pinkie that he sustained in the loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas.

Felton sprained his left pinkie in the third quarter after diving for a loose ball and colliding with Lakers point guard Steve Nash, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. The sprained pinkie itself might not be too serious but Felton had already been dealing with a bone bruise in both bands. He admitted after the game that his shot was off in the fourth quarter, finishing with 10 points on a night when he shot 5-of-19 from the floor.

“If it’s as tough in the fourth quarter when I couldn’t shoot the ball like I wanted to do, I’m not going to try to play. We’ll see. We’ll see what happens. I can’t answer that right now.’’

Berman also reported that Steve Novak said he blacked out for a few seconds after Lakers forward Metta World Peace elbowed him in the head while going for a rebound in the fourth quarter. World Peace fouled out with 1:58 remaining the game. Novak will undergo tests to determine whether there’s anything that needs to be watched but he said he doesn’t think it’s a concussion. Novak finished the game with three points on two shots in 15 minutes.

Dwight Howard admitted that he thought about retiring after last season. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard admitted to thinking about an early retirement from the NBA last season after doctors told him that a herniated disk in his back had caused severe nerve damage in his leg.

Howard said he is not 100 percent and that on some days he’s “not so good” because he’s still rehabbing after nerve damage caused him to lose strength in his entire left leg. He told Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com that he probably wouldn’t have been able to compete anymore had he played through the pain toward the end of last season and if he pushed his surgery until late spring or early summer. Instead, he had surgery April 20, which kept him out for the remainder of the season for the Orlando Magic and the London Olympics for Team USA.

When asked whether he had thought about retirement, Howard said it was definitely something that was on his mind:

“I did for a couple days.”

He added that he knew he would potentially miss a few playoff games for the Magic, but said his long-term health is more important:

“If I would have waited until after the season (to have the operation), if I would have tried to continue to play, then I probably wouldn’t be able to play anymore. I had to do it right away. I didn’t want to risk my career for some playoff games. They were important for me, but my health is important.”

Now playing again, Howard has not missed any games so far with his new-look Lakers. After one of the worst starts in franchise history, Howard and the Lakers seem to have regained their stride. The team is riding a five-game winning streak, including a victory on Christmas at home against the New York Knicks, who handed the Lakers their last loss, on Dec. 13.

Howard was traded to the Lakers in August as part of a four-team deal that sent center Andrew Bynum from Los Angeles to Philadelphia. Bynum has yet to play a game with the Sixers because of his own health problems with his knees.

Ray Edwards could sign with the Seattle Seahawks. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Seattle Seahawks are reportedly expected to announce by end of day Wednesday whether the team will sign defensive end Ray Edwards, who was dropped by the Atlanta Falcons in November, according to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com.

Edwards, 27, worked out with the San Francisco 49ers on Dec. 3 and then the Seahawks on Dec. 24. As Florio points out, the Seahawks and Falcons could meet in the Divisional round of the playoffs, so Seattle could see Edwards as a source of inside information in the potential match up against his former team.

The Falcons opted to cut him from the team after nine tackles and no sacks through nine games this season.