LOS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant signed a three-year contract extension worth nearly $90 million that will keep him with the Los Angeles Lakers through the 2013-14 season.
The deal announced Friday will begin after next season. Bryant is making $23 million this season and is due to earn $24.8 million next season. Bryant would earn $27.4 million in 2011-12, $30.2 million the following season and more than $32 million in his final year, when he would be 35.
The deal means the Lakers achieved two main objectives going into the season — signing Bryant and 7-foot center Pau Gasol to extensions. Gasol signed a three- year deal in December that extends through the 2013-14 season. He is making $16.5 million this season and $17.8 million next year. His new deal likely will pay him around $20 million per season.
• Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (neck) and guard Ronnie Brewer (hamstring) will miss the rest of the season because of injuries.
Busch wins Trucks race
GLADEVILLE, Tenn. — Kyle Busch raced to his first NASCAR victory as a team owner, dominating the Nashville 200 at Nashville Superspeedway for his 17th career Camping World Trucks Series win.
The Sprint Cup star led 131 of the 150 laps on the 1.333-mile concrete oval. Kevin Harvick, the winner of his previous four Truck starts, was second, followed by Ron Hornaday Jr. and Timothy Peters.
Tracy leaves U.S. ski team
PARK CITY, Utah — U.S. women’s ski coach Jim Tracy stepped down less than five weeks after guiding the team to a strong showing at the Vancouver Olympics.
He did not give a reason but said he appreciated being part of “something very special.”
Tracy was in charge for two seasons and has been involved with the U.S. team for more than two decades. He was the women’s speed coach for nine seasons and also worked with the men’s downhill squad. He took over the women’s program after the 2008 season, when Patrick Riml left for a position with Canada.
“I will carry many good memories with me as I move forward,” Tracy said.
Footnotes.
The NHL suspended Atlanta Thrashers forward Colby Armstrong for two games without pay for hitting Washington forward Mathieu Perreault in the head during Thursday night’s game against the Capitals.
• Organizers of the Meineke Bowl terminated their title sponsorship agreement effective after this year’s game, which means there will likely be a different name for the event in 2011.
• Florida running back Jeff Demps has the fastest 100-meter time in the world this year, clocking 10.11 seconds in the Florida Relays in Gainesville. Nesta Carter of Jamaica had the previous fastest time of 2010 at 10.15.
• Brian Ching will be sidelined for at least several weeks after hurting his left hamstring while playing for Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo, an injury that could hamper the American forward’s preparations for the World Cup.
