Michaels to NBC; ESPN names crew

Al Michaels appears headed to NBC after ESPN hired former quarterback Joe Theismann, Washington Post columnist Tony Kornheiser and Mike Tirico as its Monday night broadcast crew

Michaels had been with ABC since 1976 and had been the play-by-play voice of “Monday Night Football” since 1986, when he replaced Frank Gifford.

NBC takes over Sunday night games next season from ESPN. John Madden, Michaels’ broadcast partner for the last four seasons, agreed in June to a six-year contract with NBC.

Former St. Louis Rams head coach Mike Martz became the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, a week after he turned down the job for financial reasons.

Contract terms weren’t disclosed.

The Houston Texans hired Johnny Holland to coach linebackers, John Benton as offensive line coach and Martin Bayless to be an assistant defensive backs coach.

Auto Racing

Busch slapped

NASCAR driver Kurt Busch was ordered to perform 50 hours of community service as part of a plea agreement over a reckless driving citation he received near Phoenix International Raceway.

His lawyer, Lee Stein, said his client admitted to speeding, a misdemeanor, and two civil citations: following too closely and passing in a no-passing zone. In exchange, the reckless driving charge was dropped.

NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said the sanctioning body would take no action against the 2004 Nextel Cup champion.

Baseball

Seeking Sosa

The Washington Nationals have offered a non-guaranteed, incentive-laden major league contract to Sammy Sosa, assistant general manager Tony Siegle said. The offer is the latest attempt by the Nationals to persuade Sosa to join the team. They previously had offered the slugger a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.

The Milwaukee Brewers and center fielder Brady Clark agreed to a two-year deal worth $7 million and avoided a salary arbitration hearing.

The Toronto Blue Jays cleared room for catcher Bengie Molina on their 40-man roster by designating left-hander Brian Tallet for assignment.

Emil Brown defeated the Kansas City Royals in salary arbitration and will get his request for $1,775,000 rather than the team’s offer of $1.4 million.

Infielder Alex S. Gonzalez agreed to a $750,000, one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. Gonzalez hit .269 with nine homers and 38 RBIs in 109 games for Tampa Bay last season.

Minnesota’s Wayne Krivsky was hired as the Cincinnati Reds’ next general manager, ending a two-week search that involved eight candidates.

Tennis

Martina ‘not done’

Even as she approaches her 50th birthday and recovers from knee surgery, Martina Navratilova plans to play a full schedule of doubles tournaments in 2006, including the Grand Slams, and might take another stab at singles.

“I just feel like I’m not quite done yet,” Navratilova said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press from Sarasota, Fla. “When I feel like I’m done, then I’m done. And I don’t know when that will happen.”