Newsmakers

Pleaded NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Michael Annett pleaded guilty to driving while impaired. Annett entered his plea Friday in North Carolina District Court. He was given a suspended jail sentence of 120 days and sentenced to two years unsupervised probation. Annett was sentenced to 48 hours of community service and fined $200. He also must forfeit his driver’s license for one year. Annett was arrested Feb. 6 after he ran into another car stopped at a light in Mooresville, N.C.

• Green Bay Packers cornerback Brandon Underwood pleaded not guilty to a count of disorderly conduct after being charged in an incident with his wife the night the team got their Super Bowl rings last month. Authorities allege the 25-year-old Underwood ripped a necklace off his wife, Brandie, and pushed her to the ground at their home following the June 16 ring ceremony. Brandie Underwood has said the incident has been blown out of proportion.

Committed Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki says he will play for Germany at the upcoming European Championship when Olympic berths will be at stake. Nowitzki said the break after the NBA finals was brief, but he’d “like to help the young German team have success.”

Promoted

Nick Arison is the new CEO of the Miami Heat. Micky Arison remains the managing general partner of the Heat, and his 30-year-old son had been long expected to take over the franchise. Nick Arison had been the team’s vice president of basketball operations since September 2008.

Announced Former NFL running back Ottis Anderson won’t be listed as a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the league after what his representative and a lawyer handling the case call a misunderstanding. Anderson was one of 75 retired players named in the suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. The suit contends the NFL concealed information about the danger of concussions for decades.

Concluded Oregon tight end Brandon Williams decided to end his college career because on an unspecified chronic condition. Williams, expected to back up starter David Paulson this season, will remain in Eugene, Ore., to complete his degree in sociology, the school said.