Associated Press
NEW YORK ó NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is taking a pay cut, and the league staff has been trimmed by 15 percent.
The league said that its staff cut, announced more than two months ago, has resulted in a reduction of 169 jobs through buyouts, layoffs and other staff reductions.
Goodell voluntarily took a cut of 20-25 percent from the $11 million salary and bonuses he was to receive.
– LAS VEGAS ó Dr. James Andrews says Tom Brady’s doctors were aggressive in finding and treating the infection after his operation and the chances are good for a full recovery.
– EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. ó Less than two weeks after putting a franchise tag on him, the New York Giants signed halfback Brandon Jacobs to a four-year, $25 million contract.
– TAMPA, Fla. ó Derrick Brooks, Joey Galloway, Ike Hilliard, Warrick Dunn and Cato June were cut by the Bucs in a purge of the team’s older players.
– NEW YORK ó The Jets restructured Laveranues Coles’ contract, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent when the signing period begins Friday.
– MIAMI ó Prosecutors dropped charges of resisting arrest and other crimes Wednesday against Jonathan Vilma after the Saints linebacker agreed to give to charity and clear up outstanding tickets.
– ST. LOUIS ó The Rams released veteran quarterback Trent Green and wide receiver Drew Bennett.
– ST. PAUL, Minn. ó A federal judge has set a June 15 trial date for Vikings stars Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, who tested positive for a banned substance last year.
The players are seeking monetary damages in addition to having a four-game suspension from the NFL overturned.
– MIAMI ó Linebacker Channing Crowder has signed a multiyear contract to remain with the Dolphins.
– SAN DIEGO ó Offensive lineman Kynan Forney re-signed with the Chargers.
GOLF
MADRID ó Seve Ballesteros’ second round of chemotherapy went “very well” and the golf great is due to start a third session shortly, Ballesteros said on his Web site.
HOCKEY
DETROIT ó Henrik Zetterberg scored two goals ó the first short-handed and the second on a power play ó to help Detroit beat NHL-leading San Jose 4-1.
– TORONTO ó Nikolai Kulemin scored the shootout winner, Vesa Toskala turned aside all three New York attempts and Toronto spoiled John Tortorella’s Rangers debut with a 2-1 victory.
– PITTSBURGH ó Petr Sykora scored with 2:28 remaining as the Penguins beat the New York Islanders 1-0.
– NEWARK, N.J. ó New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur is set to return tonight against Colorado for his first game since undergoing elbow surgery almost four months ago.
– RALEIGH ó Carolina has sent center Brandon Sutter, its first-round pick from 2007, to AHL affiliate Albany for a conditioning stint.
TENNIS
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates ó Protected by two bodyguards as he walked on the court, Andy Ram became the first Israeli to play in this Gulf state. He lost a doubles match a week after Israel’s Shahar Peer was denied a visa for the women’s tournament.
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, meanwhile, led the top six seeds into the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
SWIMMING
CALGARY, Alberta ó Michael Phelps has been dropped as the keynote speaker at two events in Canada next week.