AP - The NHL is threatening to kick the owners of the New York Rangers out of the league or force them to sell the team as punishment for accusing league officials of violating antitrust laws.

AP - John McLaren was fired Thursday as manager of the Seattle Mariners, who began the season with playoff aspirations and now have the worst record in the major leagues.

AP - Paul Pierce had not slept in 36 hours but the Boston Celtics captain was more than ready to greet the tens of thousands of fans who turned out Thursday for the rolling rally celebrating the team's first NBA championship in 22 years.

AFP - Radek Stepanek faces a race against time to be fit for Wimbledon after the Czech pulled out of the Nottingham Open with a rib injury.

AP - Sean Ratliff homered and Cord Phelps tripled in Stanford's four-run fifth inning, and the Cardinal ousted top-seeded Miami from the College World Series with an 8-3 victory Wednesday night.

AP - The NHL board of governors unanimously approved the sale of the Edmonton Oilers to Canadian billionaire Daryl Katz, and the purchase of the Tampa Bay Lightning by a group of investors led by Hollywood producer Oren Koules and former player Len Barrie.

AFP - Europe's footballing wheat has been sorted from the chaff and the current eight best teams on the Old Continent will do battle from Thursday for the right to claim semi-final berths at Euro 2008.

AP - Dan Uggla and Mike Jacobs hit long two-run homers for Florida and the top home run hitting team in the majors added to its league-leading total in the Marlins' 8-3 win over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night.

AP - SuperSonics owner Clay Bennett testified Wednesday that he made mistakes in dealing with the city of Seattle after he bought the team in 2006.

AP - Arizona Cardinals running back J.J. Arrington was among five people arrested after a fight at a nightclub in North Carolina.

AP - Alex Rodriguez homered for the fourth straight game and the New York Yankees held off the San Diego Padres 8-5 Wednesday night, setting a season high with their sixth consecutive victory.

AP - Good pitching, solid defense and timely hitting is a winning combination the surprising Tampa Bay Rays rarely put together when they were managed by Lou Piniella.