Hockey
FEDOROV DISPUTE: The Carolina Hurricanes asked an arbitrator to uphold the contract offered to Detroit center Sergei Fedorov.
Following a teleconference hearing, arbitrator John Sands did not immediately rule on the deal. The NHL moved to disallow the deal Monday, saying it violated the league's collective bargaining agreement.
Fedorov, a restricted free agent who helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup last year, agreed to a six-year contract with the Hurricanes that would pay him a $14 million signing bonus, $2 million in salary and $12 million if his team makes it to the conference final this year.
ISLANDERS' DEAL IS DONE: The New York Islanders have been officially bought by New York Sports Ventures, headed by Steven Gluckstern and Howard Milstein, with an announcement scheduled this morning. New York Sports Ventures purchased the team from John Pickett for $195 million.
Football
NFL SIGNINGS: The Pittsburgh Steelers signed free agent cornerback Dewayne Washington to a four-year deal worth nearly $8.8 million. Washington, 25, spent the last four seasons with Minnesota.
- Eric Hill, a free agent linebacker who spent nine seasons with Arizona, signed a two-year, $5.25 million contract with the St. Louis Rams. The deal includes a $1 million signing bonus.
- Keith Byars, one of the best receiving running backs in NFL history, signed with the New York Jets.
Byars has 8,478 yards of total offense in 12 seasons for Philadelphia, Miami and New England. The Jets also signed former Chicago offensive lineman Todd Burger. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.
MANNING RECEIVES SULLIVAN AWARD: Former Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning received the Sullivan Award as the nation's top amateur athlete.
Manning is only the fourth football player in 68 years to win the Sullivan, presented by the U.S. Amateur Athletic Union.
Baseball
ANGELS INK ERSTAD: First baseman Darin Erstad, selected first overall in the 1995 draft, agreed to a four-year contract with the Anaheim Angels.
Erstad, 23, hit .299 with 34 doubles, four triples, 16 homers, 99 runs scored, 77 RBIs and 23 stolen bases in 139 games last season.
Meanwhile, former Cy Young Award winner Jack McDowell, who sat out most of last season with Cleveland because of an elbow injury, agreed to a one-year contract with the Angels.
SURGERY FOR FRYE: Boston Red Sox second baseman Jeff Frye will undergo reconstructive surgery on his left knee.
Frye, who will miss all of the season, tore the anterior cruciate ligament and lateral cartilage during a rundown drill Tuesday.
Tennis
ADVANTA CHAMPIONSHIPS: At Philadelphia, Jim Courier won his first match since the middle of October, beating Norway's Christian Ruud 6-7 (8-6), 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of the Advanta Championships. In a second-round match, top-ranked Pete Sampras beat Italy's Andrea Gaudenzi 7-6 (8-6), 6-4.
GUARDIAN DIRECT CUP: At London, Germany's Marc-Kevin Goellner beat fourth-seeded Greg Rusedski of Britain 5-7, 7-5, 6-4 in the first round of the Guardian Direct Cup.
In a second-round match, third-seeded Yevgeny Kafelnikov of Russia defeated Daniel Vacek of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-4.
IGA CLASSIC: At Oklahoma City, Defending champion Lindsay Davenport beat Julie Halard-Decugis of France, 6-3, 6-3 in the second round of the IGA Classic.
Basketball
SURGERY FOR VAN EXEL: Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Van Exel was scheduled to undergo a diagnostic arthroscopic procedure on his right knee today. Van Exel has not played since Feb. 15.
FERRY ON INJURED LIST: The Cleveland Cavaliers placed forward Danny Ferry on the injured list because of an inflamed right knee before their game against the Vancouver Grizzlies on Wednesday night.
FULLERTON SCANDAL: A Cal State Fullerton student accused of trying to bribe a member of the school's basketball team into throwing a game last week pleaded not guilty. Jack Oh entered the plea to one felony count of point shaving in North Orange County Municipal Court.