Sports
The Sanford Herald / Wednesday, May 12, 2010 / 5B
ON THE FRINGE
SPORTS BRIEFS NBA approves sale of Nets to Prokhorov
NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA’s board of governors has approved the sale of the New Jersey Nets to Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov. Prokhorov becomes the league’s first owner from outside North America. Details of Tuesday’s vote were not provided. The purchase had to be approved by threefourths of the NBA’s owners. Russia’s richest man agreed to buy 80 percent of the Nets and 45 percent of an arena project in Brooklyn late last year. Final approval of the sale was delayed until the state of New York had taken over all the land seized under eminent domain at the site of the team’s Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Nets hope Prokhorov’s wealth will help them quickly turn around from a 12-70 season.
Steelers uncertain when QB will return
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers resume voluntary offseason workouts next week, but it’s unclear whether suspended quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be allowed to participate. On April 21, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended the two-time Super Bowl winner for the first six games of the season and also ordered him to undergo a behavioral evaluation following a March incident in which a 20-year-old college student accused him of sexual assault in Milledgeville, Ga. The case will not be prosecuted. The Steelers are not certain when Roethlisberger might be cleared by Goodell to resume workouts. Voluntary practices
are scheduled for May 18-20, May 25-27, June 1-3 and June 8-10.
Haney spares himself — and Tiger By DOUG FERGUSON
Mother of UVA lacrosse player praises victim RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The mother of a former University of Virginia lacrosse player charged with killing a member of the women’s team described the victim Tuesday as a “sweet wonderful young woman with a limitless future.� Marta Murphy’s son, George Huguely, is charged with first degree murder in the killing of women’s lacrosse player Yeardley Love. Love’s battered body was found in her off-campus apartment May 3. In her first public statement, Murphy said it had been “difficult to remain silent during this dark tumultuous time.� “Though my pain is great, it will never come close to the anguish felt by the Love family,� Murphy said in an e-mailed statement. “Along with my family, I am devastated and confused. We are all trying to understand and cope as best we can.�
Davies left off World Cup roster NEW YORK (AP) — Charlie Davies has failed in his attempt to make the U.S. World Cup team seven months after nearly being killed in a car crash. Sidelined since the Oct. 13 accident, the forward was omitted Tuesday from the 30-man U.S. preliminary roster despite a furious effort to make a comeback.
AP Golf Writer
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — For all the criticism Hank Haney has faced over six years and six major championships working with Tiger Woods, his latest move deserves nothing but praise. Haney resigned as his swing coach Monday night, and the timing could not have been better. “I know Tiger Woods will be successful in the future no matter who helps him,� Haney said on his website. “He is an incredible athlete with an incredible work ethic.� Haney informed his star client through a text message. He said Woods was with his two children when they exchanged messages, and they would talk more on Tuesday. Speculation of a split began at Quail Hollow. Despite what Woods said about Haney at The Players Championship — “I’m still working with him, yeah� — it became clear last week from those close to the world’s No. 1 player that change was imminent. And even though Haney said he had just been paid for the next
quarter, he knew it was coming, too. The only question was how long it Woods would take. While the timing looks bad — Woods is at his lowest personally and professionally — Haney did not walk out on him. What he did was spare Woods from having to spin tales about their relationship for the next however many months. He also spared the media and the public from having to listen to it and speculate about it. That’s how it was with Butch Harmon. Woods began the process of leaving Harmon in the summer of 2002. In effect, they were done at the PGA Championship when Woods told him at Hazeltine he was going on his own. Yet he continued to mention Harmon as his coach through the following summer, and Woods never confirmed he was working with Haney until nine months after they officially started.
Stepping aside was a gracious move by Haney. Where does Woods go now? The idea always has been for him to own his swing, although every player can use an extra set of eyes. To the casual fan, a logical move is for Woods to return to Harmon. That’s not going to happen. While their relationship is good — they chatted on the back end of
the range last week as Harmon worked with Dustin Johnson — there has been too much criticism of each other over the years. Besides, Harmon’s star pupil is Phil Mickelson, who is trying to replace Woods at No. 1. It’s possible Woods could work with Harmon — but only if it’s Billy Harmon, an outstanding teacher who stays out of the spotlight.
High Light Bill? High Fuel Bill? We have the solution! Call about our HYBRID SYSTEM or visit maytag.hybridsaver.com
$59.00 Service Call, Maintenance as low as $15.75 per month (with bank draft option). *Progress Energy offers rebates for duct repair and/or system efďŹ ciency upgrades. Discounts are provided to maintenance plan customers.
License #23141
775-1188 www.airotemp.com
12 Years Parts & Labor! Strongest Warranty On The Market!
Recital Gifts & Candy Bouquets Great Selection
Floretta Imports (AWKINS !VE s s -ON 4HURS &RI 3AT s WWW SHOPmORETTA COM
ge n a h C l i O Tire Inspection s s
Batteries
Southeast heast Auto Outlet, Inc. Saless and Service Center 819 Wicker Street, Sanford, NC $OWN &ROM 4HE (OSPITAL s "ESIDE 3COOPS (OTDOGS #ORNER OF #ARTHAGE AND 7ICKER
s -ON &RI 3AT
Trailers for rent STARTING AT
$
28 PER DAY
$100 DEPOSIT REQUIRED