GOLF: The PGA Tour pulled the plug on nearly 50 years of Q-school as a way to get to the big leagues. In a massive overhaul of its structure and season, the tour's policy board approved starting the official season in October and making the Nationwide Tour the primary path to getting a PGA Tour card.
COLLEGES: Bill Bradshaw, who served as the director of athletics at Temple for the last 10 years, is one of five finalists in the Athletic Director of the Year category for the 2012 Sports Business Awards, presented by Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily.
Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony May 23, at the New York Marriott Marquis.
The other finalists are Dave Brandon (Michigan), Mark Hollis (Michigan State), Jeff Long (Arkansas), and Ian McCaw (Baylor).
Army football player Andrew Rodriguez was named the winner of the James E. Sullivan Award by the AAU. Temple rower Jason Read was one of the nominees.
SOCCER: Union defender Sheanon Williams was added to the U.S. Under-23 men's national team for the Olympic qualifying tournament that starts Thursday in Nashville.
The UEFA chose Lisbon's Stadium of Light to host the 2014 Champions League final.
Lionel Messi, 24, broke Barcelona's all-time scoring record by netting twice in the defending Spanish champions' game against Granada on Tuesday. The three-time world player of the year has scored 234 goals in all competitions.
France Football magazine says Lionel Messi is the highest annual earner in soccer. Messi earns an estimated $43.5 million, totaling $15.8 million in wages and bonuses and $27.7 million in endorsements.
Former England captain David Beckham is next with $41.5 million, followed by Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo with $38.5 million.
The English Premier League is considering selling its TV rights on a pan-European basis to prevent domestic fans from being able to pay for cheaper continental channels.
Vancouver Whitecaps striker Darren Mattocks burned his upper right arm and shoulder while making dinner and is being treated at a hospital. The MLS team said in a statement the accident happened Sunday but did not say how the 21-year-old Jamaican forward burned himself.
AUTO RACING: NASCAR's chief appellate officer overturned the six-race suspension of five-time championship winning crew chief Chad Knaus. The $100,000 fine levied will stand. Jimmie Johnson, whose car was involved, will have 25 points restored.
BOXING: Former WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez said he did not recall accusing a referee of betting following his second career loss to Mexican Orlando Salido.
HORSE RACING: Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Synchronised will attempt to become the first horse in 78 years to capture British steeplechasing's two biggest races in the same season after being entered for this year's Grand National.
- Associated Press
