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USC reinstates suspended hoops coach

LOS ANGELES, March 13 (UPI) -- Suspended University of Southern California basketball Coach Kevin O'Neill has been reinstated to the team, school officials said Sunday.

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O'Neill missed Friday's loss by the Trojans to Arizona in the quarterfinals of the Pac-10 Tournament after USC Athletic Director Pat Haden suspended him hours beforehand.

The coach was disciplined for getting into a verbal confrontation with an Arizona fan at the team's Los Angeles hotel.

Haden lifted the ban Sunday.

"Coach O'Neill and I have talked numerous times these past few days," Haden said. "He has continued to express his regret and embarrassment over the incident that led to his suspension from any remaining games of the Pac-10 Conference Tournament."

"I temper my excitement of being reinstated with the realization that I made a serious error in judgment the other night," O'Neill added. "The disciplinary measures that Pat Haden took, including the suspension, were absolutely the right call."

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The Trojans are considered a "bubble team" candidate for inclusion in this month's NCAA Tournament.


Heat's Dwyane Wade given sole custody of kids

CHICAGO, March 13 (UPI) -- A Chicago judge has given Miami Heat all-star guard Dwyane Wade sole custody of his two sons after a legal battle with his ex-wife, attorneys said Sunday.

An attorney for Wade's ex-wife, Siohvaughn Wade, told the Chicago Tribune the mother of the boys, ages 8 and 3, was informed of the judge's decision Friday.

The woman's lawyer, Michael Haber, said she was considering an appeal of the decision, under which the boys will live with Dwyane Wade in Miami while Siohvaughn Wade is allowed visitation on alternating weekends and holidays.

"Unfortunately I think the court got it wrong and it's not in the best interest of these children and fails to recognize that Siohvaughn Wade has been a wonderful mother and a provider for these children, educationally, emotionally and physically," Haber said.

The NBA star testified in a trial last year that his ex-wife had become violent toward him in the past while denying her accusations he had abused the boys.

The boys' court-appointed representative recommended Wade be given sole custody and requested a mental evaluation of Siohvaughn Wade, the Tribune reported.

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Maple Leafs' majority owner seeks buyer

TORONTO, March 13 (UPI) -- The Canadian teachers' pension fund that owns the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team says its majority stake in the club is now for sale.

An unspecified number of potential buyers have already expressed interest in the 66 percent share of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment owned by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, The (Toronto) Globe and Mail reported Sunday.

The pension fund released a statement during the weekend confirming it has begun to explore the sale of MLSE and Montreal newspaper La Presse said the fund has hired investment bank Morgan Stanley to find buyers.

MLSE also owns the NBA's Toronto Raptors and Major League Soccer's Toronto FC as well as facilities such as the Air Canada Centre, the Ricoh Coliseum hockey arena and the BMO Field soccer stadium.

Sources told The Globe and Mail the pension fund is seeking at least $1.46 billion, a 25 percent premium over earlier estimates of its worth.


Mets' Santana denies rehab is lagging

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla., March 13 (UPI) -- Injured New York Mets pitcher Johan Santana Sunday denied a report that his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery has hit a roadblock.

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Santana refuted the report in The (Bergen, N.J.) Record citing an unnamed source claiming the Mets were preparing to rule their ace hurler out for the year due to slow progress in his comeback from September surgery on his throwing shoulder.

"Time will tell once I get on the mound," Santana told The New York Times at the Mets' spring training home of Port St. Lucie, Fla., without specifying when he hoped to return.

Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson said last month he expected Santana to return to the rotation in late June or July. But the Record's source indicated the lefty hasn't "been fluid" in recent workouts.

Santana told reporters last week he was feeling good and was working out on his own at Port St. Lucie.

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