Newsmakers

Cut The Dallas Cowboys cut placekicker Nick Folk on Monday and replaced him with Shaun Suisham, a former Cowboy. Suisham previously kicked for Dallas in 2005 and 2006. He was released by Washington on Dec. 8 after missing a key kick – the same problem that cost Folk his job Monday.

Out Chicago Bears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye will miss the rest of the season because of a fracture in his lower left leg. Ogunleye, the team leader with 61/2 sacks, was injured during the third quarter of the Bears’ 31-7 loss at Baltimore on Sunday. Coach Lovie Smith said that Ogunleye won’t need surgery. But with an expiring contract, his future with the Bears has been put in doubt.

Charged Winning came with a hefty price for the New York Yankees. The World Series champions were hit with a luxury tax of nearly $25.69 million, the penalty for once again crossing the payroll threshold in baseball’s collective bargaining agreement. New York is the only team to pay a tax for this season and has crossed the threshold in all seven years since the tax started. It must send a check to the commissioner’s office by Jan. 31.

Awarded Winger Lionel Messi is the FIFA World Player of the Year after leading FC Barcelona to an unprecedented trio of Spanish and European titles. Messi accepted the award at a FIFA gala in Zurich.

Engaged Country music superstar Carrie Underwood is engaged to Ottawa Senators hockey player Mike Fisher, her publicist said. No wedding date has been set for the couple, who have been dating for about a year. Fisher recorded his 300th career point for the Senators in their win over Minnesota on Saturday.