Rose Bowl, ESPN agree to extension

The Rose Bowl agreed to a 12-year extension with ESPN that will keep the game on the network through 2026.

ESPN President John Skipper, Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany, Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott and Rose Bowl officials announced the deal Thursday. Skipper called the Rose Bowl “one of sport’s most meaningful” events.

ESPN will keep the broadcast rights to the Rose Bowl regardless of the final format developed for college football’s new playoff system, which kicks in for the 2014 season. The first championship game under the new system is Jan. 12, 2015.

The network’s current deal with the Rose Bowl runs through the 2014 BCS title game.

ETC.

Wade to miss Olympics because of surgery

Dwyane Wade needs surgery on his ailing left knee and will not play in the London Olympics.

The Miami Heat guard called USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo and Olympic Coach Mike Krzyzewski on Thursday to break the news, which was not unexpected after Wade played through pain in the postseason.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins and superstar center Sidney Crosby agreed to a 12-year contract extension that leaves little doubt Crosby has overcome the concussion symptoms that sidelined him for most of the last two seasons.

The deal keeps the 24-year-old Crosby in Pittsburgh through 2025 and gives the team room to play in the free-agent market. Crosby, whose previous deal was set to expire next summer, will be paid about $8.7 million a season. Crosby will sign the extension Sunday.

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James Buescher held the lead for most of the way with the temperature approaching 100 degrees, fending off challengers to win the NASCAR Truck Series race at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta.

Sprint Cup driver Brad Keselowski started 17th but climbed back to finish second. Ty Dillon was third.

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Mike Mitchell, the second-leading all-time trainer at Hollywood Park, with 884 victories, will undergo surgery on Friday at USC Medical Center after receiving a diagnosis of a brain tumor. On Saturday, he saddled Potesta to victory in the Grade II Hollywood Oaks.

—Eric Sondheimer