Briefs | WNBA's Detroit Shock franchise reportedly is moving to Tulsa, Okla.

WNBA

Shock has won three of last seven league titles: The Detroit Shock franchise is moving to Tulsa, Okla., a team official told The Associated Press. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity Monday because he was not authorized to make the announcement.

Detroit made its debut in the league in 1998 and won championships in 2008, 2006 and 2003. Last week, investors in Tulsa said they would formally apply to the league to purchase a franchise. Lead investor Bill Cameron has said his group, Tulsa Pro Hoops LLC, will exercise its option to buy a WNBA team and expected a decision from the league by the end of October — with the goal of having a team in Oklahoma next season.

Cameron and fellow investor David Box — both Oklahoma City businessmen — announced last month Nolan Richardson, a former Tulsa and Arkansas men's coach, would serve as the WNBA team's coach and general manager if Tulsa landed a franchise.

Cameron also is part of the ownership group of the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder. That group bought the Sonics and WNBA Seattle Storm in 2006, but sold the WNBA franchise before moving the NBA team to Oklahoma City last year.

NBA

Nets ticket deal includes rent-a-player perk: For $25,000, you can watch the New Jersey Nets from courtside — and have a player stop by your kid's birthday party.

For their "Your Ticket to a Player" package, the Nets are offering four courtside tickets for 10 games, parking, access to a private lounge at the Izod Center in East Rutherford with free food and beverages and something more — a one-hour appearance by a Nets player of your choice at your home, office, school or party.

"It will be interesting to have an NBA player come to your birthday party or come to your bar mitzvah or even just coming to your house for dinner for an hour when your friends are over," chief executive Brett Yormark said.

Williams helps Hawks win: Marvin Williams of Bremerton scored 16 points on 6-for-7 shooting to help the host Atlanta Hawks beat the Washington Wizards 113-95 in an exhibition game.

College basketball

Louisville players reach plea deal: Two Louisville players were sentenced to one year of probation after pleading guilty to a charge stemming from an Oct. 11 altercation with off-duty police at a Jeffersonville, Ind., restaurant.

Guard Jerry Smith, 22, and forward Terrence Jennings, 20, must complete 40 hours of community service and pay about $500 in court costs as part of their pleas on a charge of resisting law enforcement, a misdemeanor.

Southern Illinois dismisses Hare: Southern Illinois guard Ryan Hare, a sophomore from Chicago, has been dismissed from the team, a month after being suspended while facing battery and felony trespassing charges.

Stanford's Brown to miss season: Stanford freshman forward Andy Brown will miss the season because of a torn ligament in his left knee; he was injured during Saturday's practice.

Soccer

Davies was in car wreck last week: U.S. national-team forward Charlie Davies has been moved out of intensive care as he recovers from injuries after a car wreck in the Washington, D.C., area.

U.S. Soccer Federation officials said Davies, 23, is able to receive visitors at Washington Hospital Center Medstar, where he is listed in fair condition. He is to have surgery early next week to repair a broken left elbow and might require operations to repair facial fractures.

Davies broke several bones, including two in his right leg, and has a lacerated bladder.

He is expected to need from six to 12 months to recover, essentially ruling him out of the World Cup, which begins in South Africa in June.

Onyewu to have surgery: American defender Oguchi Onyewu, 27, will have surgery Wednesday to repair a ruptured tendon in his left knee, an injury that occurred during last week's World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica.

The time frame for Onyewu's recovery will be determined after the operation in Los Angeles.

Tyler to call World Cup matches for ESPN: ESPN's World Cup coverage will have a British accent.

The network announced Martin Tyler, one of the top announcers in the United Kingdom, will be the lead play-by-play voice for ESPN's English-language broadcasts in the United States.

Tennis

Swedish police suspect two players of soliciting prostitutes: Swedish police say two players are suspected of soliciting prostitutes before the Stockholm Open.

The two men were identified only as foreign citizens. Investigation leader Jonas Trolle said the men were detained as they entered a hotel in Stockholm early Sunday with their escorts.

Track and field

Bolt is honored in Jamaica: Usain Bolt, who holds world records in the 100 and 200 meters, has received one of his Caribbean homeland's highest honors.

Bolt received the Order of Jamaica award during heritage celebrations in Kingston. At 23, he is the youngest person to receive the honor.

Boxing

Vitali Klitschko to defend WBC heavyweight title Dec. 12: WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (38-2) of Ukraine will defend his title Dec. 12 in Bern, Switzerland, against American Kevin Johnson (22-0-1).

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