THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — A potentially explosive news conference with an alleged mistress was canceled Thursday, and more details trickled out about the car accident that started all the trouble for Tiger Woods.
The news conference for Rachel Uchitel, the woman who denied a tabloid report about an affair with Woods, was canceled about an hour before it was to begin.
Attorney Gloria Allred, who was to make a statement about Uchitel’s relationship with golf’s No. 1 player, said it was called off because of “unforeseen circumstances.” Allred said she would have no further comment.
An audio recording of an interview the Florida Highway Patrol conducted with Woods’ neighbors after Friday morning’s accident indicated Woods’ mother, Kultida, and mother-in-law, Barbro Holmberg, were at the scene.
Blackhawks sign trio of players
CHICAGO — The Chicago Blackhawks signed three of their top players — Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith — to lucrative contract extensions.
Toews and Kane signed five-year deals reported to be worth $31.5 million each. Keith, a defenseman, got a 13-year contract worth a reported $72 million, making it the richest in team history and surpassing the 12-year, $62.8 million given to Marian Hossa in the offseason.
• Brendan Shanahan joined the NHL front office less than a month after ending a 21-year career. The three-time Stanley Cup champion will have the title of vice president of hockey and business development.
• Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jonas Gustavsson will undergo his second heart procedure in less than three months. A prognosis was not available.
Polanco rejoins Phillies
PHILADELPHIA — Placido Polanco is putting aside his Gold Glove and switching positions to return to the Philadelphia Phillies with an $18 million, three-year contract. Polanco won Gold Gloves at second base for the Detroit Tigers in 2007 and this year, but will shift to third base to replace Pedro Feliz, whose $5.5 million option was declined.
• The Oakland Athletics acquired third baseman Jake Fox, second baseman Aaron Miles and cash considerations from the Chicago Cubs for right-hander pitcher Jeff Gray, minor-league outfielder Matt Spencer and minor-league right-hander Ronny Morla.
• The Atlanta Braves agreed to a $3.2 million, one-year contract with reliever Takashi Saito.
Footnotes.
Tim Burke matched the best finish by a U.S. biathlete in a World Cup event, finishing second to Emil Hegle Svendsen of Norway in the men’s season-opening race in Ostersund, Sweden.
• Two-time Grand Slam champion Amelie Mauresmo retired from tennis, saying she no longer had a burning desire for competition. The 30-year-old Frenchwoman spent 39 weeks at No. 1.
• Negotiations to bring Danica Patrick to NASCAR are ongoing with Dale Earnhardt Jr.‘s race team, but Earnhardt said he has not participated in the talks and isn’t certain she will drive for his Nationwide Series team.
