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■ NFL
Redskins release John Hall
The Washington Redskins have cut injury-prone placekicker John Hall, the club said on Wednesday. According to media reports, the move will save the Redskins US$1.5 million in salary cap space. The 32-year-old was acquired in 2003 as a free agent from the New York Jets but suffered various leg injuries and was frequently sidelined. Last season, Hall was placed on injured reserve with a strained groin, paving the way for Shaun Suisham to shine as his replacement. The 25-year-old Suisham, who played with the Dallas Cowboys in 2005, hit eight of nine field goals. Hall connected on nine of 11 field goals last season before he was injured in October.

■ Basketball
Bryant suspended for strike
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has been suspended one game for striking Minnesota Timberwolves guard Marko Jaric in the face, the NBA announced on Wednesday. The incident occurred on Tuesday night with 58.7 seconds left in the fourth period of the Lakers' 117-107 double-overtime loss to the host Timberwolves at the Target Center. Bryant, an eight-times All-Star, served his suspension on Wednesday night when the Lakers visited the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center.

■ Football
Porter signs for Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins inked former Steelers stalwart Joey Porter to a five year contract worth a reported US$32.5 million on Wednesday. The fiery linebacker was released by Pittsburgh just six days earlier. He adds another dimension to the Dolphins, who ranked fourth overall in total defense last season. "We're excited to be able to add Joey to our football team," new Dolphins coach Cam Cameron said. "He is an impact player who will add many different dimensions to our defense." A three-time Pro Bowler, Porter led the Steelers with seven sacks and recorded 64 tackles -- including 43 solo -- and two interceptions last season.

■ Baseball
Gene Oliver dies aged 71
Former catcher Gene Oliver, who played for the St Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs during a 10-year major league career, has died. He was 71. Oliver died on Saturday of complications following lung surgery, the Wheelan Funeral Home said. He was remembered at funeral services on Wednesday for his humor and commitment to the Quad Cities. He landed a minor league deal with the Cardinals organization in 1956 where he spent three years. He came up to the Cardinals in 1959 and was traded to the Milwaukee Braves in 1963. He stayed with the Braves through the team's move to Atlanta in 1965 and later played with the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox. He ended his career in 1969 after a year with the Cubs.

■ Hockey
Bettman seeks solution
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was due to meet yesterday with all parties involved in the possible move of the Pittsburgh Penguins in a bid to settle the matter, TSN reported on Wednesday. The Canadian sports network said an unnamed source declared the gathering in Philadelphia with team, city and state officials was expected to bring "closure one way or another" to the issue. The Penguins' lease expires after this season in their arena, the NHL's oldest, and club officials declared an impasse in talks with state and city officials on Monday, saying they would pursue relocation alternatives.

■ Skiing
Sergei Shiriaev banned
Sergei Shiriaev was banned for two years by the Russian Nordic ski federation on Wednesday for doping. The federation also said that Shiraev's coach, Anatoly Chepalov, had been suspended as coach of the Russian Nordic ski team. Shiriaev first tested positive for EPO during an out-of-competition urine test on Feb. 21 in Sapporo, Japan, shortly before the start of the Nordic world championships. Federation coach Yuri Borodavko later confirmed that the "B" sample also tested positive.

■ Softball
American coach demoted
China's Olympic softball team has demoted its American coach and promoted Chinese Wang Lihong to the top job. Michael Bastian, who was hired about a year ago, will become a team assistant coach, the Chinese softball team said in a statement. Attempts to reach Bastian yesterday were unsuccessful. In its statement, the China Softball Association (CSA) gave no reason for demoting Bastian. Wang was a pitcher on China's silver-medal team at the 1996 Olympics. "Wang used to be one of the best pitchers in the world," the CSA said in a statement. "She has vast experience as an athlete and a coach." China is hoping for a softball medal when it hosts the Summer Olympics next year. The team is usually considered to be ranked No. 4 in the world behind the US, Japan and Australia.

■ Rugby Union
Tuqiri gets second offer
The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) made a new contract offer to Lote Tuqiri yesterday, giving the Wallabies winger until Monday to accept or reject the deal. Tuqiri has reportedly been considering whether to remain in rugby union after this year's World Cup in France or to accept offers to return to rugby league. Pat Wilson, ARU manager of rugby operations, said the offer was in line with financial agreements in place for top Wallabies players. "We are hopeful Lote now decides to stay with rugby," Wilson said. "This offer is the second to Lote. An initial and higher offer by the ARU last November was turned down and subsequently withdrawn."

■ Ice Hockey
Avalanche extend streak
Wojtek Wolski scored the go-ahead goal 1:41 into the third period, extending the Colorado Avalanche's NHL winning streak to five games with a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday. Paul Stastny set up two goals to extend his point streak to 17 games and match an NHL rookie record set in 1993 by Winnipeg's Teemu Selanne. Milan Hejduk had a goal and assist, and Brett McLean also scored for the Avalanche. It's Colorado's longest streak since winning four in a row in January 2004. At Columbus, Ohio, David Vyborny scored twice -- including a goal with 21.4 seconds left in overtime -- to lead Columbus over Los Angeles 3-2. Vyborny's 15th goal tied it 2-2 at 5:02 of the third period.

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