*NBA /WNBA: Michael Beasley said that an offseason stay in a rehabilitation facility was his “lowest hour,” denied that he has a substance abuse problem and apologized to the Heat organization. … Raptors forward Chris Bosh is expected to miss the start of training camp because of a strained left hamstring. … Bulls guard Derrick Rose reiterated that he took the SAT exam to get into Memphis and dismissed the idea that someone did so in his place. … Don Nelson said the Warriors will consider trading Stephen Jackson if the team can find the right situation. … The Timberwolves say they have given veteran guard Antonio Daniels permission to seek a trade. … Sky coach/GM Steven Key signed a two-year contract extension. … Indiana’s Tamika Catchings was named the WNBA’s defensive player of the year.
*NHL: Theo Fleury’s comeback attempt with the Flames ended when he was released by the team. … Veteran center Rob Niedermayer signed a one-year contract with the Devils. … The Canucks released forward Mark Parrish.
*SOCCER: Soccer’s European governing body is investigating 40 cases of match-fixing involving Champions League and UEFA Cup matches. The cases involved early qualifying matches of clubs mainly from eastern Europe over the last four years. … Italian soccer officials are considering large-scale vaccinations for players to protect against swine flu.
*COLLEGES : UIC guard Spencer Stewart was suspended indefinitely for violating team rules. … Western Illinois football coach Don Patterson resigned citing health concerns. … Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl apologized for a joking remark that linked the rural home of one his players to the Ku Klux Klan.
*AUTO RACING : Danica Patrick agreed to a three-year contract to remain at Andretti Green Racing and stay in the IndyCar Series, according to a report in the Indianapolis Star. Patrick, the first woman to win a major open-wheel race in last year’s Indy Japan, is is fifth in points in the IndyCar series.
*ALSO: Roger Federer withdrew from the Japan Open and Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 on Friday, citing the need to rest after a physically challenging year. Floyd Mayweather’s victory over Juan Manuel Marquez last weekend generated 1 million pay-per-view buys, HBO Sports announced. It’s just the fifth non-heavyweight event to generate 1 million buys on a list headed by Mayweather’s split-decision victory over Oscar De La Hoya in 2007, which had a record 2.44 million. … Tyson Gay won the 100 meters, edging Jamaican Asafa Powell at the Daegu Pre-Championships Meet in South Korea. Gay finished in 9.94 seconds, while Powell was second in 10.00. … Sophie Gustafson shot a 3-under 69 to take a one-stroke lead in the CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge in Danville, Calif.
