Briefs | College football: Florida QB Tebow has surgery on shoulder

College football

Tebow is expected to be ready for spring practice: Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, who passes with his left hand, had surgery on his right shoulder Monday and is expected to be ready for spring practice in April.

The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner had surgery to remove a bone spur; it might reduce chronic inflammation. Tebow, who helped the Gators win the national championship last week, announced Sunday he will return for his senior season.

"The surgery went well," team physician Dr. Pete Indelicato said. "He should be able to begin throwing in the next three to four weeks and a full recovery is expected."

Rhodes scholar Rolle picks Oxford over NFL draft: Florida State safety Myron Rolle, who won a Rhodes scholarship in November, will study at Oxford in England instead of entering this year's NFL draft.

Rolle plans to seek a one-year master's degree in medical anthropology and enter the 2010 draft.

Utes plan to turn pro: Utah defensive end Paul Kruger, a sophomore, and defensive back Sean Smith, a junior, said they will enter the NFL draft.

Staying put: Texas linebacker Sergio Kindle, defensive tackle Lamarr Houston and linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy — all juniors — said they are returning for their senior seasons with the Longhorns.

NBA

Man worked as Curry's driver: A man who worked for three years as Eddy Curry's driver is suing the New York Knicks' center in federal court, alleging sexual harassment and Curry's failure to pay him $93,000 he contends he was owed.

Dave Kuchinsky claimed Curry, 26, owes him $68,000 in back wages and another $25,000 for charges made on Kuchinsky's credit card.

In the suit, Kuchinsky also described two alleged incidents in which he claimed Curry dropped his pants and made lewd and suggestive remarks.

Curry, who is married and has children, said the allegations were "absolutely false. Just incredible. I can't even believe it."

McGrady to rest sore knee: Houston Rockets guard Tracy McGrady will miss the next two weeks to rest his sore left knee.

Soccer

Cristiano Ronaldo, Marta earn FIFA awards: Cristiano Ronaldo won the FIFA World Player of the Year award. The 23-year-old winger from Portugal led Manchester United to the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles.

Brazil's Marta, 22, won the FIFA women's award for the third time in a row.

Marta announced she is joining the Los Angeles Sol in the Women's Professional Soccer League. The Sol will host the Washington Freedom on March 29 in the league's inaugural game.

NHL

Luongo returns to practice: Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo returned to practice and declared he is "back to 100 percent" after missing most of the last two months with a groin injury.

All-Star Luongo listed himself as day to day and said he is "doubtful" to play in tonight's home game against New Jersey.

Must-see TV: The Winter Classic on Jan. 1 at Wrigley Field in Chicago lured the biggest television audience for a regular-season league game in nearly 34 years. Detroit beat Chicago 6-4 and NBC's telecast attracted an average of 4.4 million U.S. viewers — the most since a Philadelphia-New York Rangers game in February 1975.

Golf

Poulter to have eye surgery: Ian Poulter of England has pulled out of this week's Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in order to undergo corrective eye surgery.

Tennis

Garrison, USTA in dispute: Zina Garrison, former Fed Cup captain, and the U.S. Tennis Association are in a dispute over her departure. The USTA announced in December 2007 that 2008 would be Garrison's final season at the helm, with Mary Joe Fernandez taking over this year.

ATP hires Helfant: The ATP hired former Nike executive Adam Helfant as executive chairman and president. Helfant, 44, replaces Etienne de Villiers, who ran the Tour since 2005 and stepped down last year.

Motor sports

Sainz is on a roll, Street withdraws from Dakar Rally: Carlos Sainz of Spain won his third consecutive stage of the Dakar Rally. The Spaniard finished the 279-mile ninth stage between La Serena and Copiapo in Chile in 5 hours, 56 minutes, 8 seconds. He leads American Mark Miller, who is second, by 19 minutes, 52 seconds.

Frans Verhoeven of the Netherlands won the stage in the motorbike competition in 6:26:33. Spain's Marc Coma is the overall leader in the category and Jonah Street of Ellensburg withdrew.

Street, who was second in the standings after winning the fifth stage, has a wrist injury, according to the race Web site.

Power to step in: Will Power will step in for Helio Castroneves at Team Penske while the two-time Indianapolis 500 champion fights tax-evasion charges in court.

Olympics

Vancouver wants to borrow money: Vancouver's city council is seeking emergency powers so it can borrow money to finance the athletes village for the 2010 Games. The British Columbia government seemed receptive to the council's motion. The city is renegotiating a $615 million loan among itself, Fortress Investment and Millennium Development.

USOC hires Baird: The U.S. Olympic Committee hired Lisa Baird, 47, of Old Greenwich, Conn., as its chief marketing officer.

Seattle Times news services