Nevada commission suspends UFC fighter
Anderson Silva, one of the best fighters in mixed martial arts history, was suspended for one year by the Nevada State Athletic Commission on Thursday.
Silva, a former UFC middleweight champion, also was fined $380,000, and the NSAC changed the result of his fight against Nick Diaz on Jan. 31 from a unanimous decision victory to a no-contest. The suspension is retroactive to the date of the fight.
Silva, 40, failed several drug tests before and after the fight.
The first came Jan. 9 when he tested positive for drostanolone and androstane. A post-fight sample also found the steroid drostanolone in his system, as well as oxazepam and temazepam, both use for sleep deprivation. An out-of-competition sample on Jan. 19 was found to be clean.
NBA, referees agree on new contract
The NBA and the National Basketball Referees Association came to terms on a seven-year collective bargaining agreement announced Thursday.
The new deal between the league and the officials replaces the current CBA that was scheduled to expire after the 2015-16 season. No other terms of the agreement were released.
“The NBA takes great pride in our world-class referee program and we are pleased to extend the league’s partnership with the NBRA for another seven years,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.
“Recent efforts including state-of-the-art development and training programs, improved use of instant replay through the NBA Replay Center and unprecedented transparency concerning call accuracy have been instrumental in strengthening the game. We commend our officials for embracing these technological innovations and thank them for the high level of professionalism with which they perform their jobs.”
The new contract extends through the 2021-22 season.
Canucks defenseman Solo retires
Longtime NHL defenseman Sami Salo retired Thursday after a 15-year career spent primarily with the Vancouver Canucks, according to a report.
Salo did not play in the NHL last season because of a wrist injury that resulted in surgery and ultimately led to his retirement, Finnish publication Ilta-Sanomat reported.
The 40-year-old Salo was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in 1996 and played four seasons in Ottawa before moving on to the Canucks for nine years and then to the Tampa Bay Lightning for his final two seasons.
Wisconsin’s Bo Ryan may not retire
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan is backing away from plans announced in June to retire at the end of the 2015-16 season.
“Everybody kind of thinks they know when they’re ready to retire; I’m not totally sure,” Ryan said Wednesday at a golf tournament. “(Wisconsin athletic direct) Barry (Alvarez) said I could change my mind at any time. I haven’t submitted any papers yet. I haven’t submitted anything. … So I might stay for another four or five.”
Ryan, 67, said he made the statement in June because he was not comfortable guaranteeing recruits he would be in Madison four more years.
Father of PGA Tour golfer dies
The father of PGA Tour player Billy Hurley III was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Loudoun County, Va.
Willard Bill Hurley Jr. was in the news last month when he left his home in Leesburg, Va., with some money and clothing. A missing persons report was filed eight days later by his wife, and the following day at the Quicken Loans National tournament Billy Hurley III asked the media and public to help find his father.
Hurley III continued to play in the tournament; and, while he was on the course in the second round, his father was found using a computer in a library in Texas to watch his son play. His father told authorities in Texas that he was simply traveling and no further details were given as to why he had left his home in Virginia.
Price signs with Timberwolves
Longtime NBA forward Tayshaun Price has reached agreement on a one-year contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, reuniting the veteran with his former coach, according to a report Thursday.
Prince will receive the veteran’s minimum contract, Yahoo Sports reported, to play for Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders.
Saunders and Prince were together with the Detroit Pistons from 2005 to 2008. Prince will be starting his 14th season in the NBA this fall.
