Report: Yankees’ Rivera

to announce retirement

NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the decision says that New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera plans to retire after the 2013 season.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday on condition of anonymity because there had been no official announcement. A news conference was expected Saturday at the Yankees’ spring training complex in Tampa, Fla.

The 43-year-old right-hander is baseball’s saves leader with 608. He missed most of last season after he tore a ligament in his right knee while catching fly balls during batting practice.

Rivera has returned home to Panama for a personal matter, and is expected to rejoin the team Saturday.

 

 

Gamecocks’ DE Clowney

buys $5M insurance policy

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney has taken out a $5 million insurance policy to protect himself financially during the Gamecocks’ 2013 season.

The All-American defensive end used Twitter to laugh off discussions last month about whether he should sit out the year and not risk injury, but he apparently has been seriously thinking about his NFL future.

Several analysts say the 6-foot-6 Clowney would be the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NFL draft if he were eligible. That led to questions whether Clowney should consider not playing and avoid possibly suffering an injury that might ruin his draft status.

Clowney said there was never a doubt he would play, but he did use the NCAA’s “Exceptional Student-Athlete Disability Program” that permits qualifying athletes in football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and ice hockey, to take out a loan to help finance the cost of an insurance policy, which they must repay upon signing a pro contract.

 

 

Akron point guard Abreu

arrested, suspended

AKRON (AP) — Akron has suspended point guard Alex Abreu after he was arrested Thursday and charged with possession and trafficking of marijuana.

A spokesman for the team says the indefinite suspension is pending the outcome of a police investigation. The spokesman says the university is gathering information and questions about the investigation should be directed to the Akron Police Department.

Akron (24-5, 14-1) secured its second consecutive Mid-American Conference title when it beat Miami of Ohio 72-58 on Tuesday night. The Zips host Kent State on Friday night in their final regular-season game.

Abreu is averaging 10.3 points and six assists per game. The 5-foot-10 junior also shoots 81 percent from the foul line.

 

Jordan applies for 2nd

marriage license

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Basketball legend Michael Jordan appears ready to get married again.

The former NBA star and Charlotte Bobcats owner and his fiancie appeared at the main Palm Beach County courthouse Thursday morning to apply for a marriage license. That’s according to Kathy Burstein, a spokeswoman for the clerk’s office. Jordan got engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Cuban-American model Yvette Prieto, in December 2011.

They have until May 9 to use their marriage license.

It will be the second marriage for No. 23.

He married Juanita Vanoy in September 1989, and they divorced in 2006. They have two sons, Jeffrey Michael and Marcus James, and a daughter, Jasmine.