Cuban working on deal to sell Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is working on a deal to sell a majority stake in the NBA franchise to the family that runs the Las Vegas Sands casino, a person with knowledge of the talks told the Associated Press Tuesday night. The agreement would be in the valuation range of $3.5 billion and take weeks for the league to process, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Cuban would retain control of basketball operations. The family of Miriam Adelson, widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, announced earlier Tuesday it was selling $2 billion of her shares to buy a pro team. The 65-year-old Cuban, who said almost a year ago he was interested in partnering with the Sands, rose to fame quickly after buying the team in 2000. The Mavericks, one of the worst franchises in pro sports in the 1990s, won a championship in 2011 and are worth $4.5 billion, according to Forbes.
GOLF Woods: PGA, Saudi deal work in progress
Tiger Woods sounded more optimistic about playing golf next year than he did about the PGA Tour finalizing a deal with Saudi Arabia or private investors by the end of the year. Woods addressed reporters for the first time since having fusion surgery on his right ankle and deciding to join the PGA Tour board for the first time. He is playing in the Hero World Challenge, his event in the Bahamas for 20 top players. Woods said his ankle, but not the rest of his body, is pain-free and suggested he hopes to play once a month in 2024. Woods expressed frustration with the secret negotiations between PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and two board members that led to the agreement announced June 6 with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. Woods said there were options, a lot of moving parts, and that all sides were working aggressively toward a deal. The agreement announced in June set a Dec. 31 deadline, though a clause said it could be extended.
NHL Kane chooses to sign on with Red Wings
Patrick Kane is joining the Red Wings for the rest of the season, choosing the championship-rich franchise over teams such as the Sabres, Maple Leafs, and Panthers as the four-time All-Star returns from June hip resurfacing surgery. The three-time Stanley Cup champion with Chicago and 2016 league MVP signed for a prorated $2.75 million, meaning he’ll make just over $2 million through mid-April. Kane, who turned 35 on Nov. 19, has been skating since August. The Red Wings, who are third in the Atlantic Division, are trying to end a seven-year playoff drought, their longest since the 1970s.
Blackhawks cutting ties with Perry
The Blackhawks say Corey Perry engaged in unacceptable conduct and are moving toward terminating his contract in the latest twist involving the veteran winger who was sent home last week without explanation. The Blackhawks said an internal investigation showed Perry acted in violation of his NHL Standard Player Contract and their club policies “intended to promote professional and safe work environments.” Chicago put Perry on unconditional waivers and said his deal will be terminated if he clears Wednesday.
COLLEGES BU women can’t hang on against Colorado
In women’s basketball, Frida Formann scored 22 points and No. 7 Colorado (7-1) used a 38-3 run starting late in the third quarter to erase a 50-47 deficit and pull away for an 85-55 win over Boston University (5-2) in Boulder, Colo. Caitlin Weimar had 16 and 12 rebounds for the Terriers, while Alex Giannaros added 16 points . . . In women’s hockey, Taze Thompson scored twice as Northeastern (10-8-0, 6-6-0 Hockey East) skated to a 4-2 over Providence at Matthews Arena.
Plenty of contenders for football playoff
The four-team College Football Playoff is going out with the most crowded field of contenders and the most consequential championship weekend in its 10 years. Eight teams are still alive. The penultimate rankings have Georgia staying No. 1. Michigan rose a spot to No. 2 after beating Ohio State, followed by unbeatens Washington and Florida State. Oregon remained fifth and Ohio State fell to No. 6, followed by Texas and Alabama. The playoff field will be announced Sunday . . . Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen said on social media that he is bypassing his senior season for the NFL Draft but didn’t indicate whether he will play in a bowl game. Allen, who is ninth on Wisconsin’s career list with 3,494 rushing yards, has run for 984 yards on 181 carries this season . . . Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. said on social media that he is giving up his final year for the NFL Draft. Trotter is not expected to play in a bowl. Trotter led the Tigers this season with 87 tackles, 14½ stops behind the line of scrimmage, and 2 interceptions.