Sources: Woods queried in Galea probe
NEW YORK, June 30 (UPI) -- Authorities probing a doctor accused of providing performance-enhancing drugs have interviewed U.S. golfer Tiger Woods, The New York Times reported Wednesday.
Citing "two people briefed on the matter," the newspaper said U.S. authorities investigating Canadian physician Anthony Galea talked to Woods in a second round of meetings with athletes who have been treated by the accused doctor.
The Times had previously reported that authorities met this spring with New York Mets baseball players Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran and with several professional football players.
The newspaper said investigators are using the athletes' comments to build a case against Galea, who has denied giving performance enhancing drugs to players.
Woods has acknowledged receiving treatment from Galea but said it consisted only of plasma replacement therapy on his left knee and no performance-enhancing drugs were involved.
Stoudemire opts out in Phoenix
PHOENIX, June 30 (UPI) -- Phoenix Suns center Amare Stoudemire has exercised his early-out clause just ahead of the NBA's free-agency period, his agent said.
Happy Walters told SI.com he met Tuesday with Suns owner Robert Sarver and Coach Alvin Gentry in Los Angeles but the two sides were unable to come to terms on a new deal for his client.
The 6-foot-10, five-time all-star was scheduled to earn $17.7 million with the Suns, where he has spent all eight years of his pro career.
Last season, he averaged 23.1 points and 8.9 rebounds in 82 games last season.
The 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year has averaged 21.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots in 516 career games. He suffered a partially detached retina in February 2009 and had microfracture surgery in October 2005.
Rivers returning as Boston Celtics coach
BOSTON, June 30 (UPI) -- Boston Celtics Coach Doc Rivers said Wednesday he's coming back for another year of coaching the NBA Eastern Conference champs.
Rivers told The Boston Globe in a text message he has decided to return after earlier acknowledging the pull of wanting to spend more time with his family and watch his son play basketball and his daughter participate in volleyball.
"I'm coming back. I want another crack at it with this group," Rivers told the Globe while in San Antonio to watch his son Austin play in the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championships.
The younger Rivers is considered one of the top high school prospects in the country.
Doc Rivers coached the Celtics to the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers this month but lost in a seven-game series.
Flyers sign goalie Leighton
PHILADELPHIA, June 30 (UPI) -- Goalie Michael Leighton is reported to have signed a two-year contract to stay with Philadelphia, a day before he would have become a free agent.
CSNPhilly.com reported Wednesday the deal is worth $3.1 million.
Leighton, 29, helped the Flyers reach the Stanley Cup Finals, starting the final 13 games after relieving injured goalie Brian Boucher in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against Boston.
He posted an 8-3 record with a 2.46 goals-against average and three shutouts, only to be yanked twice in the finals, which the Flyers lost in six games to Chicago.
Leighton appeared in 27 games in the regular season after being claimed off waivers from Carolina in December. He went 16-5-2 with a 2.48 GAA.
In nine NHL seasons, he is 34-40-4 with 10 ties, a 2.94 GAA and four shutouts. He has also played for Chicago and Nashville.
