NFL
Former Bears, Cowboys receiver Hurd indicted: DALLAS (AP) — A federal grand jury has indicted former NFL wide receiver Sam Hurd on drug conspiracy and possession charges after he and another man were accused of trying to establish a drug-dealing network.
The indictment Wednesday accuses Hurd and codefendant Toby Lujan on single counts of cocaine possession and conspiracy to possess cocaine. It also seeks forfeiture of $88,000 in cash by Lujan and a 2010 Cadillac Escalade by Hurd.
If convicted, both could be sentenced to 10 years to life in prison.
Hurd was arrested Dec. 14 outside a Chicago steakhouse after authorities said he agreed to buy a kilogram of cocaine from an undercover agent. The Chicago Bears cut the former Dallas Cowboys receiver Dec. 16, two days after his arrest.
NBA
Hornets, Grizziles 76ers agree to trade: NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Philadelphia, Memphis and New Orleans have agreed on a multi-player trade.
The 76ers are sending Marreese Speights to Memphis, the Grizzlies will move Xavier Henry to New Orleans and the Grizzlies and Hornets each will send a second-round draft pick to Philadelphia.
The 6-foot-6 Henry, in his second NBA season out of Kansas, has averaged 4.3 points and 1.0 rebound in 38 games with Memphis.
“We are delighted to welcome Xavier to our team and the New Orleans community,” Hornets general manager Dell Demps said in a release Wednesday. “We hope Xavier will develop into a good basketball player that will contribute to the success of the New Orleans Hornets this season and into the future.”
Henry became the first player in Kansas history to leave for the NBA after his freshman season.
The 6-10 Speights is in his fourth NBA season out of Florida and has averaged 7.2 points and 3.7 rebounds.
Majors
Torre quits MLB to pursue Dodgers ownership: NEW YORK (AP) — Joe Torre has resigned as Major League Baseball’s executive vice president for baseball operations to join a group trying to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Torre managed the Dodgers from 2008-10, then retired and joined MLB last February as a top aide to Commissioner Bud Selig.
The Dodgers have been put up for sale by owner Frank McCourt, who put the team into bankruptcy last year as he battled former team executive Jamie McCourt in divorce court.
Initial bids for the team are due Jan. 23.
AP source: Marlins acquires Zambrano from Cubs: MIAMI (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations says the Chicago Cubs have reached a deal to trade pitcher Carlos Zambrano to the Miami Marlins for pitcher Chris Volstad.
The person confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because the teams hadn’t announced a trade. The swap is pending physicals and approval by Major League Baseball.
Zambrano wore out his welcome with the Cubs after repeated meltdowns. The former ace cleaned out his locker and talked about retiring after being ejected during a loss to Atlanta on Aug. 12. He was suspended without pay and then it was decided he would sit out the rest of the season.
Zambrano went 9-7 with a 4.82 ERA and has a year left on a $91.5 million, five-year deal.
Tennis
Williams withdraws from Brisbane with injury: BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Brisbane International after injuring her left ankle, delivering a major blow to her Australian Open preparations.
Williams twisted her ankle and crashed heavily to the court while serving for the match with a 6-2, 5-3 lead against Serbia’s Bojana Jovanovski in their second-round match Wednesday.
The 13-time Grand Slam winner was able to continue after receiving medical treatment, clinching the match in the next game to secure a quarterfinal spot, but later withdrew after she said tests showed that she had a left ankle sprain “that I probably shouldn’t play on.”
Williams was playing in her second singles match since losing the U.S. Open final in September.
She plans to take a few days off and remains “hopeful of playing the Australian Open,” which begins Jan. 16.
Nadal, Federer reach quarterfinals at Qatar Open: DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer eased into the Qatar Open quarterfinals in rare cool and windy conditions in Doha on Wednesday.
Nadal routed German qualifier Denis Gremelmayr 6-2, 6-2, while Federer overwhelmed Slovenia qualifier Grega Zemlja 6-2, 6-3.
Federer won his 19th straight match dating to his U.S. Open semifinal loss to top-ranked Novak Djokovic.
Federer and Nadal were joined by the sixth-ranked Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who saved two set points in the first set before defeating Flavio Cipolla of Italy 7-6 (8), 6-3.
Soccer
Goalkeeper Tim Howard scores for Everton: LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Tim Howard became the fourth goalkeeper to score in English Premier League history but Everton lost 2-1 to Bolton which left the bottom of the standings on Wednesday.
Howard, playing his 250th club match in England, put Everton ahead in the 63rd minute at Goodison Park. The American’s clearance from his own penalty area bounced about 25-30 meters from the Bolton goal and was blown in by the wind over leaping Bolton keeper Adam Bogdan.
But four minutes later, David Ngog equalized with only his second goal for Bolton since joining the club this season from Liverpool, and captain Gary Cahill hit in the winner in the 78th. Cahill could have played his last game for Bolton as a fee has been agreed for him with Chelsea.
Donovan starts for Everton in 1st game back: LONDON (AP) — Landon Donovan has returned to the Everton lineup, starting a Premier League match against Bolton in his first game eligible following a loan from Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy.
The 29-year-old midfielder, who scored two goals in 13 matches during a loan to Everton from January to March 2010, was in the starting lineup for Wednesday night’s home game along with fellow American Tim Howard, the Toffees’ regular goalkeeper.
Donovan is to remain with Everton through its Feb. 25 Merseyside derby at Liverpool.
