Newsmakers
Banned Longtime agent Gary Wichard was suspended by the NFL Players Association on Friday for nine months for his role in a recruiting scandal involving the University of North Carolina. The union also is revoking the agent certification of Southern California undergrad Teague Egan, who gave a ride across campus to tailback Dillon Baxter, a violation of NCAA rules.
Injured Montreal Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov will miss the rest of the season because of a right knee injury. The 31-year-old Markov is scheduled to have surgery Wednesday to repair a meniscus and reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament.
• X-rays confirmed that Baylor guard LaceDarius Dunn has only a bruised left forearm. Dunn was injured when he fell to the floor while going for a rebound in the 11th-ranked Bears’ victory over Arizona State on Thursday night.
Fined Houston Texans safety Bernard Pollard was fined $40,000 by the NFL for unnecessary roughness against Justin Gage of Tennessee.
• Arizona Cardinals tackle Jeremy Bridges was fined $20,000 for unnecessary roughness. He hit 49ers LB Takeo Spikes after Spikes’ interception during San Francisco’s victory over Arizona on Monday night.
Sent Charlotte Bobcats guard Stephen Jackson sent a letter to fans apologizing for his ejection and ensuing one-game suspension for verbally abusing a referee.
Signed The Atlanta Hawks signed six-year NBA veteran Damien Wilkins. The 30-year-old Wilkins adds depth as the Hawks adjust to losing Joe Johnson for four to six weeks following elbow surgery.
Resigning WNBA president Donna Orender is resigning Dec. 31 after six seasons. She said she plans to start her own business and spend time with her family.
Admitted Former Seton Hall basketball coach Bobby Gonzalez has been admitted into a pretrial intervention program over his arrest on a shoplifting charge in New Jersey. The charge will be dismissed if he successfully completes community service and pays restitution over the next year.
Died The wife of boxing promoter Don King died Thursday night in Boca Raton, Fla., from complications from stomach cancer. Henrietta King was 87.