Newsmakers

Awarded Goalie Antti Niemi was awarded a $2.75 million salary for next season, an arbitrator’s decision that could force the Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks to make another tough decision about their roster to stay under the $59.4 million salary cap. Niemi earned $826,875 last season as a rookie. He played all but one period of Chicago’s postseason run to the title, going 16-6 with a 2.63 goals-against average, .910 save percentage and two shutouts.

Re-signed The San Jose Sharks re-signed restricted free-agent forward Devin Setoguchi to a one-year contract. Setoguchi, 23, was tied for fourth on the team with 20 goals last season. He had 36 points in 70 games while playing mostly on the second line. He added five goals and four assists in 15 postseason games.

• The Edmonton Oilers re-signed goalie Jeff Deslauriers, agreeing to a one-year contract. The 26-year-old Deslauriers was 16-28-4 last season with a 3.26 goals-against average and .901 save percentage, seeing extensive time after Nikolai Khabibulin injured his back.

Filed A former assistant football coach has filed a lawsuit against the University of New Mexico and coach Mike Locksley over an altercation between the two men last year. J.B. Gerald filed the lawsuit in Albuquerque, N.M., alleging Locksley attacked him on Sept. 20 by choking him, punching him in the face, and cursing at him in front of peers and athletes.

Undecided Nearly two months after being accused of sexual assault, Packers cornerback Brandon Underwood says he doesn’t know if he will be charged with a crime. Two women told investigators Underwood sexually assaulted them at a condo on June 5.

Recovering Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham is recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, and AC Milan’s coach doesn’t expect him to return for a third stint with the Italian club. Beckham has twice gone on loan to Milan during the Major League Soccer’s offseason.

Released Real Madrid soccer great Alfredo Di Stefano has been released from the hospital after being monitored for a heart problem. The 84-year-old Argentine left Madrid’s La Moraleja Hospital on Saturday. He was admitted July 23. He scored an estimated 890 goals in a 22-year career for Real Madrid.

Waived Defender Rafael Marquez was released from the final two seasons of his contract with Barcelona, a move that allowed the 31-year-old Mexican defender to join former teammate Thierry Henry with Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls.