K.C. Chiefs sign Matt Cassel to big deal
KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 15 (UPI) -- The Kansas City Chiefs have signed quarterback Matt Cassel to a multi-year contract.
No terms were disclosed by the NFL team, but the Kansas City Star reported he will receive as much as $63 million through the 2014 season, $28 million guaranteed.
The Chiefs acquired Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel from New England in February for a second-round pick in this year's NFL Draft.
"I am honored and humbled by the faith that the Chiefs organization has displayed in me," he told the newspaper in a statement.
"He has embraced the team and the community," said General Manager Scott Pioli in a statement released by the team. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."
The seventh-round pick in 2007 by New England out of Southern California threw for 3,693 yards with 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 16 games last season after starter Tom Brady suffered a season-ending left knee injury in the 2008 season-opener.
Report: Lakers withdraw Lamar Odom offer
LOS ANGELES, July 15 (UPI) -- The NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers have withdrawn their latest contract offer to free agent forward Lamar Odom, the Orange County Register said.
The 10-year veteran had been offered a $30 million three-year contract or a $36 million four-year contract. He made $11.4 million last season and had said earlier this year he would take less money to stay in Los Angeles.
The report said Dallas and Miami, teams believed to be pursuing the 6-foot-10 forward, can offer him only the mid-level exemption of $5.8 million over a possible five years.
"Any businessman wants the most money as possible," Odom told the newspaper this week at the team's championship DVD screening.
General Manager Mitch Kupchak said Tuesday he was not "as hopeful" of re-signing Odom as he had been earlier.
Odom averaged 11.3 points and more than eight rebounds in 78 games while helping the Lakers win their 15th NBA title last season.
Walker charged with stiffing Vegas casinos
LAS VEGAS, July 15 (UPI) -- Former NBA all-star Antoine Walker owes $822,500 in gambling debts at three Las Vegas casinos, Nevada prosecutors say in a felony criminal filing.
The Clark County, Nevada, district attorney's office filed the complaint Tuesday against Walker, 32, who last played in the NBA for the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2008, The Las Vegas Sun reported.
Prosecutors charged Walker, who made the NBA all-star team three times as a member of the Boston Celtics, with three felony counts for allegedly passing $1 million in bad checks at Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood and Red Rock Resort for gambling markers between July 2008 and January.
The Sun said the complaint alleges the basketball star obtained gambling markers by writing 10 separate $100,000 checks with insufficient funds at the casinos. Prosecutors are reportedly asking a justice of the peace for a warrant to arrest Walker, whom they say has paid back only $177,500 of the amounts owed.
Walker was charged with suspected drunken driving in Miami Beach, Fla., in January, and in 2007 he and a relative were robbed at gunpoint in his suburban Chicago home, the newspaper said.
Formula One head confirms exit
LONDON, July 15 (UPI) -- Max Mosley, the head of FIA, the governing body of Formula One auto racing, confirmed Wednesday he will not seek re-election in October.
He has informed the FIA of his decision June 24 shortly after his son, Alexander, died.
"I have decided to reconfirm my decision (I will not be a candidate) in October," the 69 year-old Mosley said in a statement. "From a personal point of view, it would be very difficult for me to change my mind and stand again."
Mosley agreed he would not to seek a fifth four-year term when a number of Formula One teams threatened to leave the FIA earlier this summer.
He endorsed former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt to be his successor.
"Jean is unquestionably the outstanding motor sport manager of his generation," he told BBC Sport.
Ari Vatanen, a former member of the Peugeot world rally team, told BBC Sport he also will be running for the FIA presidency Oct. 23.
