Newsmakers
Finalized Free-agent pitcher Cliff Lee and the Phillies finalized a $120 million, five-year contract Wednesday that brings the star pitcher back to Philadelphia. Lee spurned more lucrative offers from the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers to return to the Phillies, who traded him away a year ago after he helped them reach the 2009 World Series. The former Seattle Mariner could have had $150 million and a spot on the biggest stage in baseball, playing for the Yankees.
Hired Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen has been hired for the same position at West Virginia next season, and the Mountaineers plan to make him head football coach in 2012. Holgorsen will replace Jeff Mullen as offensive coordinator and become “head coach in waiting” in 2011.
Clarified NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday a new labor agreement could be in place by the Super Bowl “if we all commit to it and work hard at it.” Goodell made it clear that NFL negotiators are willing to do so. “There’s no higher priority than getting a collective bargaining agreement,” he said following a day of meetings with NFL team owners at Fort Worth, Texas. “So we will work night and day to get that done.” NFLPA spokesman Carl Francis said, “We have no comment at this time.”
Honored Five-time defending NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson beat out NHRA Funny Car champion John Force for the Driver of the Year award. It’s the fourth time Johnson has received the honor, tying him with Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon for most wins in the award’s 44-year history.
Sidelined Washington Wizards forward Yi Jianlian said he expects to miss 2-to-4 weeks because of a sprained right knee.
Married Celebrity wrestler Hulk Hogan and Jennifer McDaniel were married at Hogan’s Clearwater Beach (Fla.) home Tuesday during a small, private ceremony.