Pat Riley will resume coaching the Miami Heat following the All-Star break, an official within the NBA said on Monday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because Riley has not formally announced his plans. Riley is expected to announce his return at a news conference today in Miami. His first game back would be on Feb. 21 against Houston. Riley left the team on Jan. 3 because of ongoing hip and knee problems, both which required surgery. He had a procedure to repair cartilage in his right knee on Jan. 5, then hip replacement surgery on Jan. 11.
■ Baseball
Liberty Media to buy Braves
Time Warner finalized an agreement to sell the Atlanta Braves to Liberty Media on Monday after more than a year of negotiations. The deal, which values the team at US$450 million, was submitted to Major League Baseball for its approval process, two people familiar with the deal said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The parties hope the league will approve the sale in time for the team to be transferred by opening day on April 1, the source said. Under the agreement, Terry McGuirk will remain in charge of the team after the sale. General manager John Schuerholz and manager Bobby Cox also are expected to remain, the source said.
■ Baseball
Rivera could leave Yanks
As the New York Yankees prepared to start spring training without Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera talked about the possibility of not being with the team a year from now. Rivera will get US$10.5 million this season, the option year of a contract paying him US$31.5 million over three seasons. He is eligible to become a free agent after the World Series. "If they want to talk, we're willing to listen," Rivera said on Monday following a pre-spring training workout. "But I'm going to bring nothing to the table. I'm just going to focus on what I have to do and see what happens. I have a contract for this year. That's what matters. All I have to do is focus on this season."
■ Baseball
Matsuzaka draws crowd
Daisuke Matsuzaka arrived for Boston Red Sox spring training accompanied by crowds of reporters, photographers and television crews who flocked to Florida to chronicle the US$100 million Japanese ace's landing. "I have a few days left before camp officially starts," Matsuzaka said through an interpreter during a five-minute interview session. "My excitement has not reached its peak, but I would love to meet my teammates." Matsuzaka agreed to play for the Red Sox after bumpy negotiations led to a US$52 million, six-year contract.
■ Olympics
Protesters disrupt event
Police dragged a protester off the stage and officers tackled a woman with a bandanna over her face during a ceremony marking the three-year countdown to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver on Monday. Despite heavy security at the downtown event with dozens of officers in yellow jackets, including some on horseback and in riot gear, one protester managed to leap onto the stage and push the master of ceremonies out of the way. The protester shouted obscenities into the microphone before being dragged off by officers.
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