NBA’s Rockets are going up for sale
The Houston Rockets are going up for sale.
Rockets CEO Tad Brown made the announcement Monday, hours after owner Leslie Alexander made the decision.
“It’s been my great joy and honor to own the Houston Rockets for the past 24 years,” Alexander said in a statement. “I’ve had the incredible opportunity to witness true greatness through the players and coaches who have won championships for the city, been named to All-Star and All-NBA teams, enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame, and done so much for our franchise and our fans.”
Alexander took over as owner on July 30, 1993, and the Rockets went on to win back-to-back titles in 199495 behind the likes of Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler.
Brown emphasized that Alexander is healthy and his health was not an issue in this decision.. PIERCE TO RETIRE A CELTIC >> The Truth is retiring as a member of the Boston Celtics. The Celtics announced that they have signed Paul Pierce to a contract so the 10-time All-Star can retire with the team he spent his best 15 seasons in the NBA with.
Track and field
FREDERICKS SUSPENDED
FROM DUTY >> Four-time Olympic medalist Frank Fredericks has been suspended from duty by track and field’s governing body, the IAAF, while he is investigated for alleged corruption suspected of being linked to the 2016 Olympics hosting vote.
The independent Athletics Integrity Unit said that its request for an interim ban on Fredericks, a former sprinter from Namibia, was granted by the IAAF disciplinary panel.
Fredericks, who is also an International Olympic Committee member, is separately being investigated by the IOC ethics commission over a near-$300,000 payment he received on Oct. 2, 2009 the same day Rio de Janeiro won the 2016 Olympic hosting vote in a four-city contest.
NHL
CAMPBELL RETIRES >> Defenseman Brian Campbell is retiring at age 38 after playing 17 NHL seasons and winning the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010. SENATORS, PAGEAU AGREE TO TERMS >> The Ottawa Senators avoided arbitration with restricted free agent forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau by agreeing to terms on a $9.3 million, three-year contract.
Tennis
FEDERER NOW RANKED
THIRD >> Roger Federer’s eighth Wimbledon title pushed him back up to No. 3 in the ATP rankings after he ended last season at No. 16.
Garbine Muguruza’s first championship at the All England Club returned her to the WTA’s top 10 at No. 5, a rise of 10 spots, while runner-up Venus Williams goes from No. 11 to No. 9.
Swimming
U.S. DOWNED AT WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIPS >> Canada came from four goals down to draw with Montenegro 8-8, while the United States lost its opening match of men’s water polo at the world championships in Budapest, Hungary. Croatia defeated the United States 12-7 in Group D.
MMA
FIGHTER DIES AFTER MATCH
>> A mixed martial arts fighter has died after losing a match in Kentucky. Gary Thomas of Hardrock MMA promotions, which put on the event, told The Courier-Journal that 37-yearold Donshay White of Radcliff, Kentucky, died Saturday after competing in a heavyweight match in Louisville against challenger Ricky Muse.
Fantasy sports
CASINO TO INSTITUTE FANTASY CONTESTS FOR MONEY
>> New Jersey’s first casino has become the first in Atlantic City to let patrons play daily fantasy sports contests for money.
Resorts Casino Hotel launched FastPick, a daily fantasy sports game in which customers choose head-to-head player matchups of real-world athletes.