Call Krazy George and rock the Casbah – the San Jose Earthquakes are returning to Major League Soccer.
MLS commissioner Don Garber awarded an expansion franchise Wednesday to a Bay Area ownership group that will revive the Earthquakes in 2008, more than two years after the two-time league champion club moved to Houston.
Oakland Athletics owners Lew Wolff and John Fisher will own the MLS’s 14th franchise – even though it doesn’t have anywhere to play just yet. The team is Silicon Valley’s latest incarnation of the Earthquakes, a beloved nickname employed by three San Jose teams in three soccer leagues over the last 33 years.
“From the league perspective, it was traumatic to leave,” Garber said while in Denver for MLS all-star festivities. “We had hoped to get back as soon as possible and know that our fans have been wanting for their team to return. We were anxious to do it as quickly as we could.”
NBA
Durant nets $60 million deal with Nike
Second overall draft pick Kevin Durant of the Seattle SuperSonics has agreed to a seven-year, $60 million endorsement deal with Nike that includes a $10 million signing bonus.
It is the second-largest endorsement contract for an NBA rookie behind LeBron James’ $90 million deal with Nike in 2003.
Andres Nocioni, a restricted free agent, signed a five-year contract worth $37.5 million with the Chicago Bulls. He has averaged 11.5 points since entering the NBA with Chicago in 2004.
The Bulls added some depth to their frontcourt with the signing of 6-foot-10 Joe Smith to a two-year contract worth $5.36 million annually.
Restricted free-agent forward Travis Outlaw is staying with the Portland Trail Blazers. Outlaw signed a three-year contract. Terms were not disclosed.
Dennis Haslam, president of the Utah Jazz and the Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment Group of Companies, said he is stepping down after 10 years to pursue other interests.
Part-time starter Fabricio Oberto re-signed with the NBA champion San Antonio Spurs. Terms were not disclosed.
The Albuquerque Thunderbirds of the NBA Development League hired two-time NBA all-star and former Iona College coach Jeff Ruland, 48, as head coach.
NFL
Vikings wrap up picks Robison, Allison
The Minnesota Vikings signed defensive end Brian Robison and wide receiver Aundrae Allison.
Robison, a fourth-round draft pick from Texas who has a knack for blocking kicks, helped lead the Longhorns to the 2005 national championship as a junior.
Allison, chosen in the fifth round out of East Carolina, caught 145 passes including 11 TDs in two seasons.
The Cleveland Browns signed rookie defensive lineman Chase Pittman to a four-year contract, making him the first of the club’s draft picks to agree to a deal.
Saints defensive tackle Brian Young fractured a foot while doing some offseason training on his own in Florida and will likely miss the opening practices of training camp.
FOOTNOTES
USA, Cuba square off in final
Cody Satterwhite of Mississippi saved both baseball games as the United States’ collection of college players beat Brazil 7-5 and Mexico 2-1. When Cuba shut out Nicaragua 4-0, it set up a Pan American Games final between the two rivals today in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“I’m excited for us to play for the gold, an opportunity that not everyone gets,” catcher Preston Paramore of Arizona State said.
Mike Oliver (20-0) won a unanimous decision over Cruz Carbajal in an International Boxing Federation junior featherweight title eliminator in Boston.
Chris Clark could have become an unrestricted free agent after next season, but instead signed a three-year, $7.9 million deal to stay with the Washington Capitals.
