Barkley Acquitted of Hitting Fan

Phoenix Sun star Charles Barkley was acquitted Wednesday of charges he hit a fan in the face after a game last season at the Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford, N.J.

New York City fireman Dennis McKeever alleged he was punched and knocked out on Dec. 8, 1992, as he was reaching to congratulate Barkley for his play.

McKeever, 30, of Yonkers, N.Y., will continue to pursue a civil suit, his attorney said.

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New Orleans investors headed by former Houston Mayor Fred Hofheinz and including boxing promoter Bob Arum have told members of the Minneapolis city council that they would buy the Target Center and bring hockey back to Minnesota, but would take the Timberwolves to Louisiana. . . . Manute Bol rejoined the Philadelphia 76ers under a 10-day contract.

Hockey

The St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks have left to an arbitrator a decision on compensation for free agent center Petr Nedved, signed by the Blues last week.

The Blues also signed center Peter Stastny, who must clear waivers before joining them.

College Sports

Glenn Robinson of Purdue, Ed O’Bannon of UCLA and Jason Kidd and Lamond Murray of California were among 16 finalists nominated for the Wooden Award.

Rutgers and West Virginia were invited to leave the Atlantic 10 and join the Big East Conference as all-sports members, leaving Temple and Virginia Tech as Big East members for football only.

The move keeps the Big East at eight schools for football and 12 for basketball and other sports.

The Big Eight signed a five-year football contract with ABC and Liberty sports that will total $100 million, the most lucrative conference television deal ever.

Football

Free-agent center Courtney Hall will remain with the San Diego Chargers after signing a three-year contract believed to be worth more than $6.5 million.

Center Jeff Bostic, one of the original “Hogs” whose blocking took the Washington Redskins to four Super Bowls in 10 years, is retiring after 15 years in the NFL.

Sailing

Kevin Mahaney steered a Catalina 37 to four consecutive victories on the first day of the 30th Congressional Cup at Long Beach for a share of first place with Roy Heiner of the Netherlands at 4-0.

Names in the News

Former Iditarod champion Martin Buser made a four-minute stop at the Takotna checkpoint, passing defending champion Jeff King and five-time winner Rick Swenson in the Anchorage-to-Nome dog sled race. . . . Kevin Wert of Canada and Melanie Suchet of France won downhill events in the World Junior Alpine Championships ski competition at Lake Placid, N.Y.