College Football
49ers’ new home is Pac-12’s new home for title game
SAN FRANCISCO – The Pacific-12 Conference will announce at a news conference Thursday that it is moving the league championship game to the San Francisco 49ers’ new 68,500-seat, $1.2-billion stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The first three conference championship games have been held in the stadium of the division champion with the best conference record – Oregon in 2011, Stanford in 2012 and Arizona State last year.
Cycling
An Italian wins Giro’s fifth; an Australian keeps the lead
VIGGIANO, Italy – A powerful final burst from Diego Ulissi helped the Italian cyclist win the fifth stage of the Giro d’Italia on Wednesday, while Australian rider Michael Matthews retained the overall leader’s pink jersey.
Ulissi came from behind with 150 meters to go to cross the line solo, with his arms raised high in celebration at the end of the 126-mile leg from Taranto to Viggiano.
Australia’s Cadel Evans was second, with Julian David Arredondo Moreno of Colombia third.
Matthews, the Orica-GreenEdge rider, extended his lead to 14 seconds, with Dutchman Pieter Weening moving into the second spot.
Routley the surprise Stage 4 winner in Tour of California
CAMBRIA, Calif. – Will Routley of Canada surprised the favored sprinters by winning Stage 4 of the Tour of California on Wednesday, and Bradley Wiggins of Britain retained his race lead for the third day.
Routley (Optun-Kelly Benefit), a former national titlist who was part an early, six-rider breakaway, completed the 102.6-mile Monterey to Cambria road race in 3 hours, 48 minutes, 37 seconds.
American Gregory Daniel (Bissell Development) was second, and Kevin De Mesmaeker (Team Novo Nordisk) of Belgium was third.
Wiggins (Sky) finished 77 seconds behind the stage winner. He increased his lead to 28 seconds over Rohan Dennis (Garmin-Sharp) of Australia.
NBA
Kerr spurns Jackson’s Knicks to coach the Warriors
OAKLAND, Calif. – The Golden State Warriors are taking another chance on a television analyst and former NBA guard who never has been a head coach at any level.
The Warriors won the bidding war with the New York Knicks for Steve Kerr on Wednesday, hiring him away from the TNT broadcast table to be their coach. Kerr agreed to a five-year, $25-million deal with Golden State, said his agent, Mike Tannenbaum.
The Warriors confirmed the agreement Wednesday night and said they will introduce Kerr at a news conference after the contract is complete.
Kerr had been in talks with the Knicks about becoming their coach since Phil Jackson took over as team president in March. He won three titles playing for Jackson in Chicago and another two under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio.
Kerr, 48, also spent three seasons as general manager of the Phoenix Suns before stepping down in June 2010. He replaces Mark Jackson, who was fired by the Warriors on May 6 after three seasons and back-to-back NBA Playoffs appearances.
Soccer
Shootout-specialist Sevilla wins Europa League final
TORINO, Italy – Penalty specialists Sevilla beat Benfica 4-2 in a shootout to win the Europa League after a 0-0 draw Wednesday, claiming another international title for Spanish soccer.
They have seen this story before: Sevilla beat rival Real Betis on penalties in the round of 16 and also won this competition in 2007 in a shootout.
Sevilla, which won the competition for the third time in nine seasons, ensured Spain will sweep the season-ending European club competitions. Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid will meet in the Champions League final May 24.
Associated Press
