Okafor signs richest deal in Bobcats history
Emeka Okafor signed his six-year, $72 million free-agent deal with the Charlotte Bobcats on Thursday.
Okafor, who was a restricted free agent, agreed to terms on the richest contract in team history early Tuesday, after nearly a month of negotiations.
The 6-foot-10 Okafor has averaged 14.3 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in four seasons in Charlotte. He was the expansion team’s first draft pick and the second overall selection in 2004.
•The Chicago Bulls locked up their best player, signing versatile forward Luol Deng to a long-term extension worth $71 million in guaranteed money and up to $80 million.
•Maurice Evans decided to stay with the Atlanta Hawks in hope of replacing reliable sixth-man Josh Childress, who surprisingly bolted for Greece. Evans accepted a three-year deal reportedly for about $7.5 million.
•Free-agent forward Brian Skinner, a first-round pick of the Los Angeles Clippers 10 years ago, signed with the team.
Hockey
Bowman to Chicago
Hall of Fame coach Scotty Bowman is joining the Chicago Blackhawks as a senior adviser for hockey operations.
The 74-year-old Bowman signed a three-year deal with Chicago.
•New Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz promoted general manager Kevin Lowe to president of hockey operations and named longtime Vancouver Canucks executive Steve Tambellini to replace him.
Soccer
Portland wants MLS
Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson said he will submit an application for a Major League Soccer expansion franchise that would play at PGE Park in downtown Portland.
•The U.S. Soccer Federation has suspended Chicago Fire midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco from U.S. Open Cup play for at least two years.
Football
Brown sues Sony, EA
NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown has filed a lawsuit in New York claiming Sony and video game maker Electronic Arts are using his name and likeness without his permission.
•Leif Pettersen, a former CFL receiver who played in two Grey Cups before becoming a television analyst, died in Toronto. He was 57.