Cavs complete deal with Gooden
The Cavaliers finally got Drew Gooden’s autograph.
Almost one month after he agreed to terms of a three-year, $23 million contract, Gooden signed the deal Monday, giving the NBA club a power forward it believes can get it further into the playoffs. The signing of Gooden’s deal was delayed so he could get a physical, and so his agents could finalize details on the package.
“We are excited to move forward with Drew as an integral part of our team,” general manager Danny Ferry said. “Re-signing him was a priority for us in the off-season and we certainly will be a better team with him.”
•The Charlotte Bobcats signed forward Walter Herrmann of Argentina to a one-year contract. The Bobcats, who selected Adam Morrison in June’s NBA draft, have been looking to bring in shooters since Michael Jordan became part-owner with the final say on all personnel decisions.
•Kendrick Perkins has signed a multiyear contract extension with the Boston Celtics after the center had the best of his three seasons with the team.
•The Arizona State women’s team, which played an outdoor game against Tennessee six years ago, has scheduled an outdoor game against Texas Tech for Dec. 18 in the Arizona Cardinals’ retractable-dome stadium.
Hockey
Vokoun gets paid big
The Nashville Predators have re-signed goaltender Tomas Vokoun.
A franchise that lost in the opening round of the playoffs last spring with Vokoun out because of blood clots has signed the 30-year-old to a four-year extension with the franchise’s richest contract ever at $22.8 million.
• Frantisek Kaberle, who scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal for Carolina, had shoulder surgery and could miss up to six months.
•The Philadelphia Flyers re-signed free-agent Simon Gagne to a five-year contract, ending difficult negotiations.
•Trevor Linden re-signed with the Vancouver Canucks, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $600,000.
Miscellany
NCAA relaxes rule
Clemson received permission from the NCAA to provide assistance to a freshman football player who is taking care of his younger brother.
Ray Ray McElrathbey, 19, has temporary custody of his 11-year-old brother, Fahmarr, because of his mother’s continuing drug problems and his father’s gambling addiction. The brothers have moved from foster homes and now share an apartment near the Clemson campus.
McElrathbey will be allowed to receive assistance, such as local transportation and child care for Fahmarr, including having friends and coaches wives pick him up and look after him.
•Roger Federer’s four-set victory over Andy Roddick in the U.S. Open final in New York on Sunday, drew a 4.1 rating on CBS – a 15 percent decrease from last year, when Federer beat Andre Agassi for the title.
•Petty Enterprises has hired two new crew chiefs. Bill Wilburn, former crew chief for Rusty Wallace, was chosen to run Kyle Petty’s team, while crew chief Paul Andrews will handle the same duties for Bobby Labonte.
•Olympic bronze medalist Toby Dawson announced his retirement from moguls skiing.