Fast Break
College Football
LSU’s Miles signs extension
Louisiana State University head football coach Les Miles signed a contract extension Thursday to keep him at the university through 2012, apparently ending speculation that he might leave for a job at the University of Michigan.
The deal was approved by the LSU board’s athletic committee, but needs the approval of the full board, which meets today. That vote is considered a formality.
If LSU wins the national championship, the contract provides Miles would become among the nation’s top-earning college football coaches. University officials estimate that would put his annual earnings somewhere between $3.2 million and $3.5 million.
LSU (11-2) faces Ohio State (11-1) in the BCS national championship game Jan. 7.
Unchanged is the $1.25 million penalty Miles must pay to LSU if he leaves for Michigan, a contract clause that college football fans became well acquainted with after Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr announced his retirement in November.
In the courts
Coach awarded $19.1 million
A former Fresno State women’s basketball coach was awarded $19.1 million in a sexual discrimination lawsuit that alleged she was fired because she advocated for women’s rights.
The university argued Stacy Johnson-Klein was fired because she was dishonest, potentially dangerous and abusive to her players and assistant coaches.
Johnson-Klein told the Fresno Bee the jury’s unanimous verdict was a victory for women in general and proof the legal system works. After an eight-week trial, jurors deliberated about four hours before returning their verdict. Fresno State President John Welty said the university plans to appeal.
Johnson-Klein was fired in March 2005 after less than three seasons as the coach of the Bulldogs.
NBA
Knicks still worth the most
The New York Knicks’ struggles on and off the court didn’t keep the team from remaining the NBA’s most valuable franchise for the third straight year, according to a list compiled by Forbes.
The Knicks were valued at $604 million, up 3 percent from the previous year despite a spate of losing, an embarrassing defeat in a sexual harassment lawsuit, and continuing questions about the future of coach Isiah Thomas.
The Los Angeles Lakers decreased in value 2 percent, down to $560 from $568 million, but remain second on the list. Chicago, Detroit and Houston round out the top five.
The Seattle SuperSonics are 28th in the 30-team league, valued at $269 million. Portland is last at $253 million.
The complete list of NBA franchises is on the magazine’s Web site, Forbes.com/lists.