Newsmakers

Agreed Award- winning singer and actor Justin Timberlake agreed to be part of the ownership group assembled by billionaire Robert Pera in his attempt to buy the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA, said a person familiar with the situation.

• The Boston Bruins agreed to a new, four-year deal with forward Brad Marchand. The feisty Marchand, 24, a key cog in the Bruins’ run to the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup, will make $4.5 million per season, starting in 2013-14.

Purchased A starter on Duke’s 2010 national championship basketball team purchased nearly $100,000 in custom jewelry that season from a New York firm that caters to professional athletes and is now suing him for failing to pay the balance of what he owes. Lance Thomas purchased five pieces of diamond jewelry in the middle of his senior season.

Parted JR Motorsports and competition director Tony Eury Sr. have parted ways, effective immediately.

Confirmed Driver Elliott Sadler confirmed he will not be returning to Richard Childress Racing next season. The Nationwide Series points leader said he doesn’t think his departure will hurt his chance at winning the championship.

Suspended Iowa State basketball reserve Bubu Palo was suspended after being charged with sexually abusing a woman he was driving home earlier this year. Palo and Spencer Cruise, 21, were charged with second-degree sexual abuse.

• Four Saginaw Valley State football players under investigation after a former player accused them of sexual abuse have been suspended for two games. The university said that Tevon Conrad, Kaleb Forr, Jack Raymond and Jesse Somsel can return Sept. 15. A fifth player, Nate Snyder, served a one-game suspension.

Arrested Arkansas State football receiver Allen Muse is facing a misdemeanor charge following a domestic dispute. Muse was arrested Wednesday after his mother-in-law called university police. Signed The Houston Rockets signed Scott Machado, who led the nation in assists last season with Iona.