Speedway Motorsports chairman Bruton Smith has agreed to purchase New Hampshire International Speedway for $340 million, a deal that should be completed early next year.
By Bruce Martin PA SportsTicker Contributing Editor
The Vancouver Canucks will be without two of their top defensemen, losing Kevin Bieksa to a calf injury and Sami Salo to a broken nose during a 3-0 loss to Nashville. Bieksa will miss up to eight weeks after sustaining a deep cut on his right calf from the skate of Nashville’s Vernon Fiddler during the second period Thursday night.
Senators center Jason Spezza agreed to a $49 million, seven-year contract extension Friday that allowed Ottawa to lock up the final member of its potent first line. The 24-year-old would have been a restricted free agent after this season but now will be with the team through 2014-15. He joins Daniel Alfredsson, who is signed through 2011-12, and Dany Heatley, who agreed to a $45-million, six-year…
Boston Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell pulled his name out of consideration Friday for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ managing job. Farrell wants to manage in the majors, and he moved from Cleveland’s front office to the Red Sox’s bench last season partly for that reason. Farrell, however, said in a statement that this is not the right time to leave a World Series-winning club.
Matt Stairs and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed Friday to a $3.25 million, two-year contract. Stairs signed an $850,000, one-year deal last December to be a backup outfielder but got 357 at-bats because of injuries to others. The 39-year-old hit .289 with 21 homers and 64 RBIs in 125 games.
Bobby Abreu’s $16 million option for next season was exercised Friday by the New York Yankees. The 33-year-old right fielder overcame a slow start to hit .283 with 16 homers and 101 RBIs this year, when he finished second in the AL with 123 runs. He has reached 100 RBIs in five consecutive seasons. “Bobby Abreu possesses a unique skill set and has proven to be a durable and reliable asset to this…
Andy Reid has no intention of stepping down as coach of the Philadelphia Eagles despite being castigated by a judge who likened the coach’s home to a “drug emporium.” Asked at his regular Friday news conference whether he planned to coach the Eagles for the long term, Reid answered with one word: “Yes.” The judge’s comments were made Thursday, the same day his two sons were sentenced to prison…
Panthers defensive tackle Kris Jenkins was fined $7,500 by the NFL on Friday for a late hit on Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. Jenkins was called for a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty on Sunday for picking up Manning and driving his right shoulder into the turf after the quarterback had thrown a pass late in the third quarter.
David Carr is likely to start at quarterback for the Carolina Panthers at Tennessee on Sunday after Vinny Testaverde missed a third straight practice Friday with a right Achilles’ tendon injury. Coach John Fox held off naming a starter, but Carr practiced without difficulty again despite a sore back.
