Associated Press
NEW YORK ó Former Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl will host a college basketball show on satellite radio service SiriusXM.
Pearl was fired in March after six seasons in the wake of an NCAA investigation that culminated with a three-year show-cause penalty against the coach. The sanction makes it nearly impossible for another school to hire him during that time.
Famous for painting his bare chest orange during a Tennessee womenís game, Pearl always figured heíd wind up in broadcasting someday.
ěI did always know that at some point this coaching was going to end,î he told The Associated Press on Tuesday. ěI just didnít think it was going to take a break this quickly.î
Pearl will make his debut Nov. 14 and will host a three-hour call-in show twice a week starting in January.
The 51-year-old Pearl has been working as a vice president of marketing with a Knoxville-based wholesale grocery company after considering an offer to coach the Texas Legends of the NBAís development league.
ěItís all Iíve ever done,î he said of working in basketball. ěI donít want to walk away from it.î
FRAZIER REACTION
PHILADELPHIA ó There was a time when Muhammad Ali taunted Joe Frazier relentlessly, called him ugly and challenged his manhood.
After his old rival died Monday night, Ali had nothing but kind words for Smokin’ Joe.
“The world has lost a great champion. I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration,” Ali said in a short statement. “My sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones.”
Frazier died at 67 after a brief battle with liver cancer. He and Ali will be linked forever, both heavyweight champions and bitter enemies in the boxing ring who squared off in three epic fights from 1971-75.
GOLF
SYDNEY ó The only two continents where the Presidents Cup has not been played are Asia and South America, which is likely to change when the next one goes overseas in 2015. And while Asia appears to have more appeal, South America might be more critical.
A record four Asian players are on this year’s International team ó K.J. Choi, Y.E. Yang, K.T. Kim and Ryo Ishikawa ó and PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said Asia is “becoming a bigger part of what the Presidents Cup is all about.”
“We are looking hard at Asia,” Finchem said.
HENDERSON, Nev. ó Kenny Perry made nine birdies and led the Champions Tour to the title at the Wendy’s 3-Tour Challenge on Tuesday.
The Champions Tour team, made up of Perry, Jay Haas and Mark Calcavecchia, were a combined 15 under in the two-player, best-ball format that allowed each team to discard one score per hole. The group shot 8 under over the final nine holes to overtake the PGA Tour team of Boo Weekley, Gary Woodland and Jonathan Byrd, which finished at 12 under at the par-72 Rio Secco Golf Club (par 72).
NBA
SHANGHAI ó Retired basketball star Yao Ming, whose career was cut short by injury, has started classes at Jiaotong University, one of the top universities in his hometown Shanghai.
He joked to reporters Monday after his first day of classes that “the teacher showed me some mercy and did not leave me any homework.”
TENNIS
PARISó Americans Andy Roddick and John Isner advanced Tuesday at the Paris Masters.
Roddick defeated Julien Benneteau of France 6-4, 6-4, making 12 unforced errors compared to 25 for his opponent. Isner relied on his strong serve to edge Stanislas Wawrinka 6-7 (3), 7-5, 7-6 (5). He had 20 aces, including on match point.
“I’ve been in that situation, a bunch of tight matches, where although I’m maybe a little tired, I’m still able to hit my biggest serve,” Isner said. “That’s what I did.”
Isner is ranked 25th and hopes to get into the top 10.
BIG 12 SETTLED
NORMAN, Okla. ó University of Oklahoma President David Boren said the Big 12 Conference is settled with 10 teams through the 2012 football season, but didn’t rule out the possibility that two more teams could be added in 2013.
Boren did not identify which other schools have expressed an interest in joining the conference.
With the departure of Missouri and Texas A&M to the Southeastern Conference and the addition of TCU and West Virginia to the Big 12, Boren said game schedules and media contracts are set for 2012 with 10 teams.
Boren said he would like the league to ultimately explore the option of expanding to 12 teams.