Newsmakers

Announced The University of Notre Dame plans to move ahead with a $400 million project to add up to 4,000 premium seats to its football stadium and buildings on three sides. The Rev. John Jenkins, the university’s president, says no decision has been made on whether to include video boards for instant replay or switch to an artificial playing surface.

Fired The St. Louis Rams fired defensive coordinator Tim Walton after finishing with the 15th overall defense in the NFL during the regular season, allowing 345 yards per game. Walton spent four years as the secondary coach in Detroit before he was hired last year by St. Louis.

• The Miami Dolphins and assistant general manager Brian Gaine have parted ways, a move that comes shortly after he did not get hired as the team’s general manager. Gaine was a candidate for the job that wound up going to Dennis Hickey, who was formally introduced by the team on Tuesday.

Hired The Baltimore Ravens have hired senior defensive assistant Steve Spagnuolo to be their secondary coach and assistant head coach. Spagnuolo, head coach of the Rams from 2009-11, was also defensive coordinator for the Saints (2012) and Giants (2007-08). Retiring Six-time All-Star Lance Berkman is retiring after 15 seasons in the major leagues. The 37-year-old Berkman was the first overall pick by Houston in 1997 out of Rice, and played 12 seasons for the Astros. He played 1,879 career games, all but 287 of them for Houston.

Signed Infielder Yuniesky Betancourt has signed with the Orix BlueWave of Japan’s Pacific League. Betancourt has a .261 career average with 80 home runs and 457 RBIs with Seattle (2005-09), Kansas City (2009-10, 2012) and Milwaukee (2011, 2013).

Sorry Yakult Swallows slugger Wladimir Balentien apologized to his fans, several days after pleading not guilty to domestic violence charges following an arrest in Florida on Jan. 13. Balentien hit 60 homers last year, breaking Japan’s previous season record of 55. He also has played for Seattle from 2007-09.

Suing Former Lions running back Jahvid Best is suing the NFL and helmet maker Riddell after concussion problems helped cut short his career. The lawsuit filed in Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit on Tuesday, alleges the NFL has been aware of evidence of mild traumatic brain injuries and the risk for its players for years, but “deliberately ignored and actively concealed” the information.