Cycling
Phinney right on time to open the inaugural Dubai Tour
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Taylor Phinney of the United States won the opening time trial of the inaugural Dubai Tour, a four-stage race.
Phinney completed the 6.1-mile race through the streets of Dubai on Wednesday in 12 minutes, 3 seconds. Michael Cummings, his BMC Racing teammate, was 14 seconds back in second, and Lasse Norman Hansen of Garmin-Sharp was another two seconds back in third.
NFL
NFL awards Thursday-night TV contract to CBS
NEW YORK – CBS won bidding among broadcast networks to televise eight Thursday night NFL games next fall, and perhaps beyond that.
The NFL said Wednesday that CBS and its broadcast team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms will be in the booth for eight early-season Thursday night games simulcast on the NFL Network.
The league’s cable network will show six Thursday night games alone, produced by CBS, with Nantz and Simms also in the booth. Included in the deal is two Saturday games, but it is unclear whether they will be on CBS or the NFL Network.
The NFL said the contract is for one year, and the league has an option to extend it for 2015. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Manning swings from the Super Bowl to Pebble Beach
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – This might be the best way for Peyton Manning to get over the Super Bowl – a week at Pebble Beach.
Manning was a late entry to play in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, which will start Thursday. He will be the amateur partner for Scott Langley. Also playing in their group is Greg Owen and Harris Barton, who played for the San Francisco 49ers.
Seattle’s defense overwhelmed Manning and the Denver Broncos in a 43-8 win Sunday to give the Seahawks their first Super Bowl championship.
Soccer
Beckham exercises his option to buy a MLS team in Miami
MIAMI – Professional soccer moved a step closer to returning to South Florida on Wednesday, when former MLS star David Beckham confirmed he exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami.
The deal will be finalized when the former English national team captain can secure a financing plan and location for a new stadium. The retired soccer icon has scouted possible stadium sites and is seeking investors to assist with startup costs such as construction and player acquisitions.
USA draws Pia Sundhage and Sweden at the Algarve Cup
CHICAGO – The U.S. women’s soccer team will play Denmark, Japan and Sweden in Group B of the Algarve Cup in Portugal next month.
The Americans said Wednesday they will open against Japan on March 5, will face Sweden and former U.S. coach Pia Sundhage two days later and will end the first round against Denmark on March 10.
Sites and kickoff times have not been determined.
The U.S. has won the tournament in nine of 18 previous trips.
Group A includes China, Germany, Iceland and Norway.
WNBA
Sparks fly in L.A. after Magic buys the WNBA franchise
LOS ANGELES – Magic Johnson was back at the Staples Center, dishing an assist to the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks.
The former Lakers great is part of a group buying the Sparks to keep league MVP Candace Parker and the team in L.A.
Johnson is joined in the ownership group by Mark Walter, the controlling owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and co-owners Todd L. Boehly, Robert L. Patton and Stan Kasten. The WNBA and NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the purchase of the Sparks by the ownership group.
Associated Press
