■ICE HOCKEY
Coyotes’ chairman resigns
Jeff Shumway resigned as chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of the financially troubled Phoenix Coyotes on Friday. Shumway had served as CEO of the Coyotes since April 2006. He was relinquishing his duties with the NHL team to manage other business ventures of team owner Jerry Moyes. “Jeff has done a great job in managing the team for me but right now I need him to focus on some of my other projects,” Moyes said in a statement. The 51-year-old Shumway’s resignation removes an upper layer of management for the team coached by Wayne Gretzky. Moyes will take over as the Coyotes’ governor on the NHL Board of Governors, and president Doug Moss and general manager Don Maloney will report directly to Moyes.
■ICE HOCKEY
Players decline agreement
The executive board of the NHL Players’ Association turned down an opportunity to reopen the collective bargaining agreement with the NHL on Friday, ensuring labor peace through the 2010-2011 season. The union had until May to decide, but chose to make the announcement early during NHL All-Star weekend. The players’ association can extend the deal, which ended the yearlong lockout in 2005, for another season if it chooses. That determination won’t have to be made until May 2011. The NHL held out to get a “cost-certainty” model and finally convinced the union to accept a salary cap system after the 2004-2005 season was canceled due to the lockout.
■BASKETBALL
Iavaroni fired by Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies announced the firing of coach Marc Iavaroni on Friday. The Grizzlies also said assistant coach Johnny Davis would take over the National Basketball Association team on an interim basis. In one-and-a-half seasons, Iavaroni compiled a 33-90 record. The Memphis Commercial Appeal is reporting that former Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins, now an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks, will be eventually be named as Iavaroni’s replacement. The newspaper said that Hollins plans to bring with him former Philadelphia 76ers coach Maurice Cheeks and former Los Angeles Clippers coach Barry Heckler.
■ICE HOCKEY
Jazz owner has surgery
Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller, who suffers from diabetes, underwent double amputation surgery on Friday. As part of the operation, Miller’s lower legs were amputated 15cm below each knee. Miller has type two diabetes and the Jazz said his recovery could take months. “Larry is doing well and is expected to continue to recover in the coming weeks and months,” said Greg Miller, chief executive of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies. The 64-year-old business tycoon Miller has owned the Jazz for 23 years.
■FOOTBALL
Chiefs’ head coach fired
Herm Edwards, the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs during the worst two-year span in team history, was fired on Friday. Edwards goes out with a three-year regular-season record of 15-33 and with one year remaining on a four-year, US$12 million contract. As head coach of the New York Jets in 2001-2005, he had a regular-season mark of 39-41 and was 2-3 in the playoffs. Edwards had been waiting to learn his fate since president and general manager Carl Peterson abruptly resigned on Dec. 15. When Scott Pioli was introduced as Peterson’s successor on Jan. 13, he was noncommittal and said only that he intended to speak with Edwards.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely