■FOOTBALL
NFL fines Stokley over swat
The NFL fined Denver receiver Brandon Stokley US$25,000 for making contact with an official that led to him being tossed from last week’s game in Philadelphia. Stokley said he would appeal the fine. The 11-year veteran was upset over the lack of a pass interference call on a third-down play in the first quarter against the Eagles when his route was disrupted by a defender. Seeing no penalty flag, he sprinted down the field and shouted at official Todd Prukop, who pointed for him to go to his sideline. As Stokley moved to leave the field, he turned and waved his right arm in disgust, accidentally slapping Prokop’s hand.
■FOOTBALL
Nix to manage Bills
Three days before ending their season, the struggling Buffalo Bills promoted Russ Brandon to chief executive and appointed national scout Buddy Nix as general manager on Thursday. Brandon had served as chief operating officer and general manager for the last two years, while Nix returned to the Bills as national scout on Jan. 26 after a brief retirement. Team owner Ralph Wilson announced the restructuring of his front office as the Bills prepared to host the Indianapolis Colts (14-1) tomorrow. “This is someone that we needed for a long, long time,” Wilson told the team’s Web site. “Something that fans as well as everyone in the area and myself have wanted, and that’s a GM of football.”
■BASEBALL
Byrd signs with Cubs
Free agent outfielder Marlon Byrd has agreed to a three-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, the club announced on Thursday. Although financial details were not disclosed by the Cubs, local media estimated the deal to be worth US$15 million. Byrd, 32, batted .283 last season with the Texas Rangers while setting career-best totals of 20 homers and 89 RBIs. A versatile player who is experienced in all three outfield positions, Byrd is expected to take over in center from Kosuke Fukudome, who is likely to move back to right field.
■BASEBALL
Lowell surgery successful
Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell is expected to be fit for spring training after having thumb surgery this week, the American League club said on Thursday. Lowell, the 2007 World Series MVP who came close to being traded to the Texas Rangers earlier this month, had an operation on Wednesday to repair a torn radial collateral ligament. The 35-year-old is scheduled to make a complete recovery in six to eight weeks, the Red Sox announced on their Web site. Lowell, a four-time All-Star who will start the final season of a three-year contract in Boston, is batting .280 with 218 homers and 926 RBIs in 1,528 career games.
■BIATHLON
Poiree injures back in crash
Former biathlon world champion Raphael Poiree is hoping to undergo surgery today after sustaining serious back injuries in an all-terrain quad vehicle crash, close associates said on Thursday. The 35-year-old Frenchman, who retired in 2007 and is based in Norway, sustained the injuries on Monday when the vehicle he was driving in the southwestern Norwegian town of Eikelandsosen flipped over. He was to have gone under the knife on Wednesday but the operation was postponed owing to heavy bruising. Doctors at the Norwegian hospital to which he was airlifted after the crash near his home described his condition as “serious but stable” on Thursday.
■CRICKET
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