SPORTS BRIEFS - Sports Tuesday

SPORTS BRIEFS

Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008 - 12:07 AM

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NBA

Oklahoma City era under way

ORLANDO, Fla. - The uniforms arrived in time, black mesh with white stripes along the sides, the words "Oklahoma City" across the front of the jersey and atop a simple NBA logo. Around the bench, there was barely any SuperSonics green or gold in sight.

And with that, Oklahoma City's latest NBA storyline got off to a simple start. A week ago, these players would have been called the Seattle SuperSonics. Now, they're from Oklahoma City, nickname to be announced. And yesterday, in the first game of the Orlando summer league, the former Sonics franchise took its first steps along the road of relocation, in a glorified scrimmage for rookies and other young pros.

"It's all happened so fast," Oklahoma City rookie point guard Russell Westbrook said. "It's something you have to live with. It happened so fast. I'm very excited to be in the position I am now."

NFL

Steelers to restructure ownership

PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney and his son, team President Art Rooney II, want to buy other family members' shares to assure that one of the NFL's most storied franchises does not leave Rooney control.

In a statement, the team said some of Dan Rooney's four brothers want to focus their business efforts on racetracks and other non-football interests. The brothers - Art Jr., Timothy, Patrick and John - all own an interest in the team as does another related family, the McGinleys, although it has only a small stake in the 75-year-old franchise.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has asked former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue to represent the league in talks to reach an agreement on a separation of the gambling interests and the restructured ownership if part of the team is sold, according to the statement. In other NFL news:

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu pleaded guilty to drunken driving and was sentenced to a day in jail and fines totaling $1,255. Tatupu, 25, who is a co-captain and cornerstone of the Seahawks' defense, likely will serve his sentence before the start of training camp July 24.

Former Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Darrion Scott pleaded guilty to child endangerment for putting a plastic bag over the head of his 2-year-old son. Scott pleaded guilty to the gross misdemeanor as jury selection was scheduled to begin in his trial. He faces a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $3,000 fine. He was a third-round pick in the 2004 draft and played 48 games with the Vikings. He is a free agent.

NHL

Bertuzzi signs with Flames

CALGARY, Alberta - Free agent forward Todd Bertuzzi signed a one-year, $1.95 million contract with the Calgary Flames. Bertuzzi, 33, had 14 goals and 26 assists last season for the Anaheim Ducks. The two-time all-star has 580 points in 793 career regular-season games. In other NHL news:

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed restricted free agent forward Matt Stajan, 24, to a two-year, $3.5 million contract. Stajan played in all 82 games last season, totaling a career-high 16 goals, 17 assists and 47 penalty minutes.

The Carolina Hurricanes agreed to terms with defenseman Dennis Seidenberg on a one-year, $1.2 million contract. Seidenberg, 26, played 47 games with Carolina last year, finishing with a career-high 15 assists and posting a plus-6 rating.\

The Pittsburgh Penguins signed forward Janne Pesonen to a one-year contract. Pesonen, 26, of Suomussalmi, Finland, had 34 goals and 44 assists with Oulu Karpat to lead the Finnish Elite League last season. He was originally drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2004 NHL draft.

Philadelphia Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren agreed to a three-year contract extension that will keep him with the NHL team through the end of the 2011-12 season.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Brey, Notre Dame agree on extension

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Notre Dame's Mike Brey, the Big East basketball coach of the year the past two seasons, has agreed to a two-year contract extension to remain with the Irish through the 2014-15 season. Brey, 49, has coached the Irish to five 20-win seasons in his eight years as coach, including five NCAA tournament appearances,

TELEVISION

Patrick, Olbermann reunited in studio

NEW YORK - Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann are reuniting on television on NBC's Sunday night NFL coverage. The network announced that it had hired Patrick, hoping the recapture the chemistry that hooked viewers to ESPN's "SportsCenter" during the pair's run from 1992-97. Patrick joins the returning cast of NBC's studio show that includes Olbermann and host Bob Costas.

ELSEWHERE

Former San Diego Chargers linebacker Steve Foley agreed to settle his lawsuit for $5.5 million against a police officer who shot him two years ago, ending his football career.

Indiana quarterback Kellen Lewis was reinstated to the team after being suspended for about four months. The school never explained why Lewis was suspended in March, but coach Bill Lynch said his star player did what was necessary to return to the team.

Igor Andreev beat Marcos Daniel 6-4, 7-5 in an opening round match at the Swiss Open in Gstaad. Andreev, the 2004 runner-up here, broke Daniel once in each set. The only other seed in action, No. 8 Guillermo Canas, overcame Ivo Minar 7-6 (11-9), 6-3.

AROUND THE STATE

Virginia Commonwealth University has a new director of women's basketball operations. Darren Guensch joins coach Beth Cunningham's staff after serving in the same capacity for two seasons at George Mason. Guensch says he's excited and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the VCU program.