Newsmakers
Diagnosed Former All-Star pitcher Curt Schilling has announced that he is battling cancer, according to a statement released on Wednesday through his employer, ESPN. The statement did not indicate what type of cancer Schilling has.
Voided A person familiar with his decision told the AP that Vikings QB Matt Cassel will void the 2014 option on his contract and test the open market. Cassel’s decision leaves Christian Ponder as the Vikings’ only QB under contract. Cassel would have made $3.7 million next season.
Announced Attorney Ted Wells, who is investigating the Miami Dolphins bullying case involving tackle Jonathan Martin and guard Richie Incognito, says his report will likely be issued next week or early the following week.
Renamed NASCAR Team owner Harry Scott Jr. is rebranding the race team he bought from James Finch last October into HScott Motorsports. The team was previously called Phoenix Racing.
• The Texas Rangers have reached a 10-year deal with an insurance company for naming rights of their stadium. The 20-year-old stadium will immediately be renamed Globe Life Park in Arlington.
• The New Orleans Pelicans reached a 10-year agreement with the Louisiana-based Smoothie King to rename the New Orleans Arena as the Smoothie King Center.
Planned Veteran driver Morgan Shepherd, 72, will attempt to become the oldest driver to race in the Daytona 500 when he tries to qualify later this month. Shepherd has competed in 15 previous Daytona 500s, with a career-best finish of second in 1992. Transferred Brazilian ex-Olympic gymnast Lais Souza, who injured her back while she was preparing to compete as a skier at the Sochi Winter Games, will be transferred from the University of Utah to a Miami hospital that specializes in spinal injuries. The 25-year-old remains in a serious but stable condition.
Assumed Former Lakers great Magic Johnson is part of a group buying the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA. Johnson was a part owner of the NBA’s Lakers for a decade before selling his share of the team in 2011.