Newsmakers

Signed The Denver Broncos have signed wide receiver Brandon Stokley to a one-year deal. In June, he’ll turn 36, the same age as the Broncos’ new quarterback, Peyton Manning, with whom he played in Indianapolis from 2003-06. Stokley played with the Seahawks in 2010 and the Giants last year.

• Free agent receiver Lee Evans has signed a one-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He spent seven seasons with Buffalo (2004-10) and was with the Baltimore Ravens last year.

Announced The NBA awarded New Orleans the 2014 All-Star Game now that Saints owner Tom Benson has agreed to buy the Hornets and sign a lease extension at New Orleans Arena. NBA Commissioner David Stern, who made the announcement in New Orleans with Benson and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, said the All-Star game is a reward to the city and state for efforts to secure the Hornets’ long-term future in Louisiana.

Hired Florida International has hired Richard Pitino to replace Isiah Thomas. He signed a five-year contract to take over a men’s basketball program that has not posted a winning season in 12 years. The 29-year-old Pitino is the son of Louisville coach Rick Pitino. The younger Pitino spent this past season as Louisville’s associate head coach.

Paid Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn announced through her Facebook page that she has paid the more than $1.7 million she owed in back taxes. According to public records obtained through the Elko County recorder’s office in Nevada, the IRS hit the reigning overall World Cup champion and her estranged husband with a tax lien earlier this month.

Released Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba was discharged from a hospital in London, where he had been treated since collapsing from a cardiac arrest during a soccer game less than a month ago. Muamba recovered remarkably quickly, leaving his bed just nine days after collapsing.

Died Former University of Florida basketball star Dwayne Schintzius, who also played in the NBA, died in Tampa, Fla., after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 43.