Newsmakers

Traded The Atlanta Falcons acquired tight end Tony Gonzalez from the Kansas City Chiefs for a draft pick next year. The Falcons will send a second-round pick in 2010 to Kansas City in exchange for Gonzalez, the only tight end in NFL history selected to 10 Pro Bowls. Gonzalez caught 96 passes for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2008. “It’s somewhat bittersweet,” Gonzalez, 33, told FoxSports.com. “I love Kansas City. I grew up in Kansas City. … But I’m looking forward to making a Super Bowl run in Atlanta every year for the next three or four years.”

Extended The Carolina Panthers gave quarterback Jake Delhomme a five-year, $42.5 million extension that keeps the 34-year-old under contract through the 2014 season.

Fired The Sacramento Kings fired interim coach Kenny Natt and his four assistants, a week after the club finished with the NBA’s worst record – 17-65.

Revealed New FIU basketball coach Isiah Thomas will earn $1.29 million in base salary and scheduled bonuses if he stays for five seasons, plus be eligible for incentives and any state-approved raises, according to documents obtained by the Associated Press. As a bonus, Thomas will receive nearly half of any gross revenues from ticket sales, commissions collected on food and beverage concessions and sponsorships.

Grounded The Atlanta Hawks’ real-life mascot has been grounded. “Spirit,” the hawk that delayed the team’s playoff loss to the Miami Heat on Wednesday night by flying around Philips Arena instead of returning to his handler, won’t take flight when the playoff series returns to Atlanta next week.