In Brief

college

NCAA president urges tougher rules for parents of athletes

NCAA president Mark Emmert on Thursday called for new rules so parents no longer "sell the athletic services" of their children in the wake of backlash following the investigation into Auburn quarterback Cam Newton.

Emmert didn't mention the Heisman Trophy winner during his first state of the association speech at the NCAA's annual convention in San Antonio. But he said the NCAA could vote on new enforcements as early as April.

Emmert didn't suggest what new rules might look like. But he said the measures must be clear so that the public understands what's a violation.

Seizing on the incident of Ohio State players selling memorabilia -- while not specifically mentioning it -- Emmert said the NCAA needs to review and make public who gets to play in bowl games when violations occur. He also said the NCAA will take another look at the relationships between players and agents.

miscellaneous

Cuban sues UFL, claims league failed to repay $5 million loan

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has filed a lawsuit against the United Football League, claiming the league has failed to repay a $5 million loan.

The federal lawsuit said the league missed the initial deadline for repayment in October and another Dec. 1.

The lawsuit names as defendants league co-founder William Hambrecht and his revocable trust, which guaranteed the loan.

Calls to the league's legal and public relations were not returned.

Also: The New York Yankees have reached a three-year agreement with American League saves leader Rafael Soriano, a person familiar with the negotiations said.

Soriano must pass a physical to complete the contract, which could be worth $35 million.

Soriano led the AL with 45 saves last season for Tampa Bay, then became a free agent. The 31-year-old right-hander was 3-2 with a 1.73 ERA and was a member of the AL All-Star team.

All those rookies ready to start their PGA Tour careers will have to wait another day. The first round of the Sony Open, the first full-field event of the season, was postponed because of heavy overnight rain that left too much water on Honolulu's Waialae Country Club.

The plan is to play the first two rounds today and Saturday, with 36 holes Sunday.

Rather than make most players from both teams travel from Europe to the West Coast, the United States and Argentina will play a high-profile exhibition game March 26 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

The match figures to feature Argentina's Lionel Messi, who won his second straight FIFA player of the year award this week.

Omar Salgado, a 17-year-old forward on the U.S. Under-20 team, was selected by the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps with the first pick in the Major League Soccer draft.