Newsmakers
Voted Come summer 2016, when the best of the best athletes climb podiums wearing gold, silver and bronze medals, Las Vegas gamblers could very well be counting their green. Nevada gambling regulators voted to allow the state’s sports books to offer bets on the Olympics for the first time in years.
Pleaded Former Louisville guard Chris Jones, 23, pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and sodomy, days after being dismissed from the team. It’s the latest turn over eight tumultuous days for Jones, who was dismissed from the team Sunday.
Returned Former No. 2 pick Michael Beasley is back with the Miami Heat, for a third time. The team’s pick from the 2008 draft signed a 10-day contract. Beasley spent his first two pro seasons with the Heat and returned to Miami last season. He spent the bulk of this season in China, scored 59 points in an All-Star game there and has been working out in Miami for several days.
Added The New Jersey Red Bulls added former MLS and U.S. national player Chris Armas to their coaching staff. New coach Jesse Marsch announced the choice, saying Armas will join the team in Bradenton, Florida, where it is training for the upcoming season. Armas retired after the 2007 season following 12 years in the MLS.
Traded The New Jersey Devils traded Jaromir Jagr to the Florida Panthers in exchange for two draft picks. Jagr is fifth in NHL history with 1,784 points and sixth with 716 goals, one behind Phil Esposito. The Panthers sent a second-round pick in this year’s draft and a conditional third-rounder in the 2016 draft to the Devils in exchange for Jagr.
• The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired right wing David Clarkson from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for right wing Nathan Horton. The 29-year-old Horton, a prized signing two years ago, has not played for the Blue Jackets all season because of a degenerative condition in his back. Extended Mississippi State announced a contract extension for coach Dan Mullen that will pay him more than $4 million per season for the next four years. The four-year contract is the longest allowed by state law. The school said Mullen will be paid $4 million in 2015 and the average yearly salary of the contract is $4,275,000.
Signed The Los Angeles Sparks re-signed Alana Beard after she spent the last three seasons with the WNBA team. She was named to the league’s all-defensive team for the fifth time last year.