UPI NewsTrack Sports

Colts hire Pagano as head coach

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Baltimore defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano has been picked as the new head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

Pagano, 51, replaces Jim Caldwell, who was fired last week after posting a 2-14 record this past regular season.

The Colts are to hold a news conference Thursday afternoon to officially announce Pagano's hiring.

NFL extends Goodell's contract

NEW YORK, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- The NFL has extended the contract of Commissioner Roger Goodell through the 2018 season.

Goodell, 52, has been commissioner of the NFL since 2006 when he replaced Paul Tagliabue. He is credited with helping the league negotiate a 10-year collective bargaining agreement with the players' union that ended last summer's labor lockout.

His new agreement runs to March 31, 2019.

Among issues Goodell has faced while commissioner are player health and safety, retired players' medical needs and pensions, personnel conduct and international development.

Goodell first worked in the NFL office in 1982 when he was an administrative intern to Commissioner Pete Rozelle. Among his later assignments were positions as executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Officials ban encampments at Olympics

LONDON, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Britain's home secretary said tents and encampments will not be allowed at Olympic venues because of the threat of protests.

Home Secretary Theresa May said authorities are preparing for "all eventualities," and security measures will include banning encampments at all venues being used for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, the BBC reported Wednesday.

May said police have arrested 97 people in connection with crimes related to the Games, including illegal ticket sales, creating fake Web sites and selling non-existent hotel rooms.

"Police are sending a very clear message that we're not going to tolerate intrusions by organized criminals into the Olympic Games," she said. "We are also helping the police and LOCOG (the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games) to deal with the other emerging threats that have faced the Home Office in recent months, such as encampment protests."

T-Wolves lock up Love for 4 years

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- All-star forward Kevin Love said Wednesday he has come to terms with the Minnesota Timberwolves on a four-year contract extension.

"I'll be in Minnesota for 4 more years! Excited to see you when I get back to Minneapolis," Love said in a Twitter post.

The St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press, citing an unnamed source "with close knowledge of the situation," reported Love, who is in Dallas for a Wednesday game against the Mavericks, will be paid $62 million over the four years.

Love was headed toward restricted free agency if a deal had not been struck by 11 p.m. Wednesday.

"I am happy for Kevin, who deserves to have the financial security that this contract affords him," Timberwolves basketball operations President David Kahn said. "Kevin has worked extremely hard to earn this and we are thrilled that he'll be with us for many years to come."

The former No. 5 overall draft pick's career numbers include 15.8 points and 11.9 rebounds a game over three-plus seasons. He is averaging 24.9 points and 13.9 rebounds this season.