Vancouver Canucks sign forward Mason Raymond to 2-year, $5.1 million contract | NHL

NHL

Canucks avoid arbitration hearing: The Vancouver Canucks avoided an arbitration hearing with Mason Raymond by signing the forward to a two-year, $5.1 million contract.

Raymond, 24, scored a career-high 25 goals last season, when he made $760,000. He filed for arbitration and was on his way to a hearing in Toronto on Monday when the new deal was worked out.

Raymond will receive $2.5 million next season and $2.6 million in the 2011-12 season.

The deal puts the Canucks more than $2.6 million above this season's $59.4 million salary cap.

NHLPA files grievance in Kovalchuk case: The National Hockey League Players' Association has filed a grievance over the league's rejection of a $102 million contract between forward Ilya Kovalchuk, 27, and the New Jersey Devils.

The league rejected the 17-year deal last week, saying the longest contract in league history violated its salary cap.

Auto racing

NASCAR is not publicly identifying the drivers it fined: NASCAR has fined at least two of its high-profile drivers this season for making critical comments about the racing series, The Associated Press has learned. Sources familiar with the penalties told the AP the comments were considered disparaging to the sport. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because NASCAR was not publicly identifying the drivers it fined. They say one driver was penalized as much as $50,000.

NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston on Monday confirmed some action had been taken, but would not discuss details. "It is the sanctioning body's obligation on behalf of the industry and our fans to protect the sport's brand," Poston said. "Any action taken by NASCAR has nothing to do with the drivers expressing an opinion — it's focused on actions or comments that materially damage the sport."

Softball

Finch exits on winning note as U.S. takes World Cup title: Jennie Finch, 29, closed out a brilliant international career as a champion, as the U.S. team beat Japan 5-1 to win its fourth consecutive World Cup of Softball title in Oklahoma City.

"I'm sad, you know, but we just won the World Cup," Finch said. "We can't be too sad."

Finch plans to continue playing professionally with the Chicago Bandits until the National Pro Fastpitch season ends next month.

Finch played first base and went 0 for 3 in the World Cup title game against 2008 Olympic champion Japan. She pitched 18-2/3 innings at the Cup and did not allow a run.

"My career has been way more than I possibly ever could have dreamt of or imagined," said 2004 Olympic gold medalist Finch, who is leaving the sport in order to spend more time with her family.

Tennis

Federer to work with Annacone, former coach of Sampras: Third-ranked Roger Federer of Switzerland is working with coach Paul Annacone on a trial basis.

Annacone, an American, is the former coach of American Pete Sampras. He coaches men's tennis for Britain's Lawn Tennis Association.

Olympics

BMW, USOC make 6-year sponsorship deal official: German automaker BMW and the U.S. Olympic Committee announced a six-year sponsorship deal at a news conference at a BMW dealership in New York. A person familiar with the contract told The Associated Press in May that it is worth about $24 million.

BMW will be the first foreign automaker to sponsor the USOC and will fill a void left when General Motors decided not to renew its deal after the 2008 Games.

Short-track speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno of Seattle — an eight-time Olympic medalist who noted he owns a BMW — was on hand for the announcement.

WNBA

Tulsa completes roster overhaul by trading Hornbuckle: The last-place Tulsa Shock traded guard Alexis Hornbuckle to the Minnesota Lynx for forward Rashanda McCants, completing an overhaul of the Shock roster in the months since the franchise relocated from Detroit.

College basketball

Trial starts in alleged extortion of Louisville coach Pitino: A Kentucky woman lied repeatedly in an attempt to extort millions from Louisville coach Rick Pitino, and traded sexual favors and lied again to cover up her crime, federal prosecutors said at the start of her trial.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Kuhn told jurors that Karen Cunagin Sypher, 50, threatened to ruin the reputation of Pitino, 58, with false allegations of rape and forced abortion.

"I submit to you that you will not believe a word she has to say about anything," Kuhn said.

Drexel players face robbery charges: Drexel guard Jamie Harris, 21, and forward Kevin Phillip, 21, face robbery and weapons charges after an armed robbery at a fellow student's apartment in which they went looking for cash but came away only with two cellphones, police said.

Beach volleyball

Tour seeks new investors: The AVP is negotiating with new investors for an infusion of money that would help the U.S. pro tour avoid a midseason shutdown.

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