Newsmakers
Demolished The Metrodome is no more. Project leaders for the new Minnesota Vikings stadium say the demolition of the team’s old home was formally completed. The final remnants were being trucked away a month ahead of schedule. The building was razed to make way for a nearly $1 billion stadium scheduled to open in 2016.
Declared Kentucky guard James Young has announced that he will enter the NBA draft, becoming the first of the Wildcats’ heralded freshmen to turn pro. The 6-foot-6 Young led Kentucky with 82 3-pointers last season. His 43-percent shooting from long range in the tournament helped Kentucky reach the final before it lost 60-54 to Connecticut last week.
Transferred North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell says star freshman Diamond DeShields plans to transfer. In a statement, Hatchell says she doesn’t know “or understand” why DeShields is leaving. Hatchell didn’t coach this year while focusing on treatment for leukemia, which is in remission. DeShields averaged 18 points for the team, which finished with 27 wins and an appearance in the NCAA regional final.
Out Top-seeded Indiana won’t have Andrew Bynum for its first-round series against Atlanta. Coach Frank Vogel said that he believes the Pacers’ oft-injured center could still work his way back for the playoffs. But he won’t be available for the first round, which opens Saturday in Indianapolis.
Signed American goalkeeper Tim Howard has signed a two-year contract extension to stay with Everton until 2018. The 35-year-old has been at Goodison Park since 2006 following stints with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars (1998-03) and Manchester United (2003-07).
Reviewing Swan Racing’s future is on the rocks and the two-car team is reviewing its ability to compete in NASCAR. Cole Whitt drives the No. 26 Toyota Camry and Parker Kligerman drives the No. 30 Toyota Camry for Swan in the Sprint Cup series. The team says in a statement it has been unable to secure the sponsorship needed to effectively operate.
Decided Former NFL All-Pro safety Darren Sharper has lost his bid to be released on bail in a sexual assault case after an Arizona judge decided there’s enough evidence to move forward with charges against him. Sharper’s lawyers had questioned the evidence authorities are using to justify keeping him in jail in California, where he faces separate charges that he drugged and raped two women there in October.