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NBA • The larger-than-life figure who teased and tormented the Sacramento Kings is now the biggest name to join the franchise's new ownership group. The Kings announced Monday that Shaquille O'Neal has acquired a minority stake in the team under new owner Vivek Ranadive. The Kings will introduce the four-time NBA champion at a news conference Tuesday in Sacramento.
During the height of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, O'Neal fueled the rivalry with the Kings with his play on the court and his personality off of it.
O'Neal handed Sacramento its biggest blow by rallying the Lakers from a 3-2 deficit to win the 2002 Western Conference finals, which is still a sore spot for Kings fans. The 7-foot-1 center even labeled the franchise the "Sacramento Queens" and accused fan favorite Vlade Divac — whom he referred to as "she" at one point — of flopping.
• The Miami Heat signed guard Larry Drew II, making him the 18th person on the roster for training camp with the two-time defending NBA champions. Drew II, the son son of Milwaukee Bucks coach Larry Drew, went undrafted out of UCLA. He averaged 7.5 points and 7.3 assists last season for the Bruins.
Team USA stays afloat in Cup race
Sailing • Skipper Jimmy Spithill and defending champion Oracle Team USA accelerated off the starting line and stayed ahead of Emirates Team New Zealand to win their fifth straight race and remain alive in the America's Cup on Monday in San Francisco Bay. Oracle closed the Kiwis' lead to 8-6 in the series. Team New Zealand has been on match point since Wednesday, only to watch Spithill and Oracle's 72-foot catamaran sail ahead in a determined attempt to keep the oldest trophy in international sports. Racing will resume Tuesday.
AC Milan star Balotelli suspended
SOCCER • AC Milan forward Mario Balotelli has been banned for three matches following a confrontation with the referee after a loss to Napoli.
From wire reports