Syracuse pays to leave Big East early
The Big East has reached an agreement with Syracuse, allowing the Orange to leave the league a year early for the Atlantic Coast Conference. Syracuse announced last fall its intention to join the ACC, but under Big East bylaws the school needed to serve a 27-month exit period. Instead, the Orange will now be allowed to leave July 1, 2013, and will have to pay a fee of $7.5 million to depart. That’s $2.5 million more than specified in the conference bylaws. Pitt will also leave the Big East for the ACC, but its departure date remains uncertain. The school filed a complaint in a Pennsylvania court in early May, claiming the Big East had waived its right to enforce its 27-month withdrawal notice and that the Panthers should be allowed to move without further penalty by the 2013-14 conference year . . . The Ivy League announced Monday it will impose rules to limit concussions in lacrosse and soccer, including the possibility of suspension for hits to the head. The changes take effect this fall.
Paterno family to conduct own review
Joe Paterno’s family vowed to make its own investigation of the Jerry Sandusky scandal, rejecting the findings of a special investigator who concluded the late football coach and other top Penn State administrators concealed Sandusky’s sexual abuse of children in order to shield the school from bad publicity . . . Three men told investigators that Sandusky molested them in the 1970s and ‘80s, the Patriot-News of Harrisburg, Pa., reported, citing sources close to the case. None of Sandusky’s 10 previously known victims had predated the 1990s.
Reds lose Votto for up to a month
Reds first baseman Joey Votto will have surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee, leaving the NL Central leaders without their best hitter for the next 3-4 weeks. The 2010 National League MVP hurt the knee while sliding into third base June 29 in San Francisco, but had continued playing. A medical exam Monday detected the tear . . . The Reds expect righthander Johnny Cueto to start Tuesday night against Arizona after a blister on the index finger of his pitching hand caused him to miss his start Sunday night.
US men, women rout Brazil in tuneups
LeBron James scored 30 points and the US men’s Olympic basketball team rallied from an early 10-point deficit to beat Brazil, 80-69, in Washington. Lindsay Whalen scored 21 points to power the US women to a 99-67 win over Brazil in the opener of the doubleheader . . . Coaches Gary Blair of Texas A&M and Jim Foster of Ohio State headline the 2013 women’s basketball Hall of Fame class. Joining them are former UConn star Jen Rizzotti, Peggie Gillom-Granderson, Annette Smith-Knight, and Sue Wicks . . . The Dallas Mavericks and shooting guard O.J. Mayo have agreed to a multiyear deal, ESPN.com reported, citing a source with knowledge of the situation . . . The Atlanta Hawks acquired small forward Kyle Korver from the Chicago Bulls for a trade exception and cash . . . The Brooklyn Nets signed swingman Jerry Stackhouse.
Kings bring back rookie standout King
The Los Angeles Kings re-signed playoff hero Dwight King for two years, meaning every player who suited up during the team’s Stanley Cup run is under contract for next season. The rookie scored five playoff goals . . . The Capitals re-signed defenseman Mike Green to a three-year contract . . . The Revolution acquired French striker Dimitry Imbongo on a free transfer, providing depth to the team’s attack. Imbongo, 22, played last season for third-division German club SV Darmstadt 98 . . . Venus Williams earned wins in mixed and women’s doubles, leading the Washington Kastles to a 20-11 win over the Boston Lobsters in a World TeamTennis match in Washington. The Kastles have won 22 straight league matches. Irina Falconi beat Williams in women’s singles, 5-0, as the Lobsters dropped to 2-3 . . . Roger Federer surpassed Pete Sampras to set the record for the most weeks at No. 1 in the ATP rankings. After winning Wimbledon a week ago, Federer returned to the top for the first time since June 2010. Monday marked his 287th week at No. 1, one more than Sampras.