American snowboarder has head injury
PARK CITY — American snowboarder Kevin Pearce sustained a head injury in training on the halfpipe.
Pearce, a top-ranked halfpipe rider with a good chance of making the U.S. Olympic team, was knocked unconscious when he hit his head on the halfpipe during a training run Thursday. He was taken to University of Utah hospital.
Pearce was preparing for next week's Olympic qualifying events in Mammoth Mountain, Calif. He was considered, along with Shaun White, to be one of America's top athletes in a sport dominated by the United States.
AT&T drops sponsorship of Tiger Woods
NEW YORK — AT&T Inc. said Thursday it would no longer sponsor Tiger Woods, joining Accenture in dropping support for the world's top golfer, who's taking a break from the sport to focus on his marriage after his admitted infidelity.
The phone company hasn't used Woods' image extensively in advertising, but its logo appeared on his golf bag. That deal had been billed as a "multiyear" agreement when it was signed early in 2009, after Buick ended its endorsement one year early because of its financial woes.
Woods has also been the host of the AT&T National PGA Tour event since it started in 2007. Tour spokesman Ty Votaw said that since Woods is on indefinite leave from professional golf, he will not serve as host for the 2010 event. However, his Tiger Woods Foundation will continue to be the beneficiary of the AT&T National, under a contract that runs through 2014, Votaw said.
AT&T said it would continue to sponsor the event.
NFL: Raiders players slapped with fines
ALAMEDA, Calif. — Three Oakland Raiders players were fined a total of $40,000 for their actions in last week's penalty-filled game against the Cleveland Browns.
Tight end Tony Stewart got hit with the biggest amount, being docked $25,000 for "making intentional physical contact with a game official." Defensive end Richard Seymour was fined $10,000 for striking an opponent after the play was over and cornerback Stanford Routt was docked $5,000 for head-butting an opponent after the play.
Both Stewart and Routt were also ejected from Oakland's 23-9 loss at Cleveland for their infractions. Oakland was penalized 13 times for 126 yards overall in the game.
BRONCOS WR FINED: The NFL has fined Denver Broncos receiver Brandon Stokley $25,000 for making contact with an official that led to his ejection from last weekend's game at Philadelphia.
Stokley said he plans to appeal the fine.
TITANS COACH FINED: The NFL has fined Tennessee defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil $20,000 for prohibited verbal abuse of a game official as a result of his sideline comments in the Titans' 42-17 loss to San Diego on Christmas night.
The Titans had just been flagged for roughing Philip Rivers when an official heard Cecil say something. The Titans were penalized another 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Coach Jeff Fisher defended his first-year coordinator, saying Cecil was overheard talking to fellow coaches on his headset.
Baseball: Phillies add reliever Baez to pen
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies and free agent reliever Danys Baez have reached a deal.
A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that the sides agreed on a two-year contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Baez must pass a physical for the contract to be complete.
Baez adds depth to the back end of Philadelphia's bullpen. The 32-year-old right-hander has 114 career saves. He was 4-6 with a 4.02 ERA in 59 games with Baltimore last year.
CUBS SIGN BYRD: The Cubs found the center fielder they'd been searching for, agreeing Thursday to a $15 million, three-year contract with Marlon Byrd.
And the Cubs are hoping to have more success with this former Texas Rangers outfielder than the one they signed last offseason — Milton Bradley.
Byrd hit .283 with 20 homers and 89 RBIs last season for Texas. He will take over in center from Kosuke Fukudome, who will move to right field full time after the trade of the troubled Bradley to Seattle.
—Associated Press