Phil Jackson Rejects Bulls’ Offer

Phil Jackson rejected the Chicago Bulls’ contract offer and team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf is asking to meet privately with the coach who has led the team to five NBA championships in seven years.

Jackson’s agent, Todd Musburger, said Tuesday the Bulls had made an “insulting” offer that did not reflect Jackson’s worth. No more negotiations were scheduled for this week.

The situation has serious implications for the Bulls for one reason--free agent Michael Jordan says he will not return to the Bulls if Jackson is not the coach.

Musburger, brother of broadcaster Brent Musburger, said Jackson, who made $2.7 million last year, wants a salary “equal to the amazing contribution Phil has made to this organization and a sum that reflects where coaching salaries are in the NBA.”

Newspaper reports have said Jackson is probably seeking between $4.3 million and $5.75 million next season.

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Shawn Kemp, who has said he will never play for the Seattle SuperSonics again, wants to speak to owner Barry Ackerley about his trade demand. Kemp has played eight seasons in Seattle but is unhappy with his contract, which has six more years to run. Kemp will be paid $3.3 million next season.

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Dominique Wilkins, 37, agreed to a two-year contract with Teamsystem in Bologna, Italy. Wilkins played last season with the San Antonio Spurs. . . . Coach and General Manager Flip Saunders has been signed to a five-year contract extension by the Minnesota Timberwolves. . . . Point guard Sam Cassell re-signed with the New Jersey Nets. The New York Post reported the deal was for $21 million over six years.

Tennis

Michael Chang, playing for the first time since losing in the first round of Wimbledon, had to save two match points and erase a 5-2 deficit in the third set to beat Luis Herrera of Mexico, 6-3, 6-7 (11-9), 7-6 (7-5), in the second round of the Legg Mason Classic at Washington, D.C.

Luke Smith, the NCAA champion from Nevada-Las Vegas playing in his first ATP Tour tournament, upset sixth-seeded Lionel Roux, 6-3, 6-3. Andre Agassi, playing for the first time since May 1, has a second-round match today against Doug Flach.

French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten needed three sets to beat German wild card Jens Knippschild in the second round of the Mercedes Cup at Stuttgart, 6-7 (7-4), 6-4, 6-4.

Jana Novotna, weakened by chest-muscle pain, pulled out of the Czech Open, spoiling a possible rematch with Brenda Schultz-McCarthy of the Netherlands. Schultz-McCarthy, who lost to Novotna in the Fed Cup semifinal over the weekend, advanced to the second round of the clay-court tournament at Prague by defeating Slovakia’s Radka Zrubakova, 6-2, 6-1.

Terry Ann Zawacki defeated Shaun Stafford Beckish, 6-1, 6-0, in the opening match of the A&P; at Mahwah, N.J. and will play top-seeded Monica Seles in the second round of the exhibition tournament Thursday night.

Pro Football

Charles Haley, the best pass rusher in Dallas Cowboy history, and tight end Jay Novacek, the club’s best third-down receiver, both retired because of similar back injuries. . . . All-pro guard Randall McDaniel re-signed with the Minnesota Vikings for four years and $12.5 million. . . . First-round pick Chad Scott, the former Maryland cornerback who could start as a rookie, reached terms with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a five-year contract worth $5.17 million.

Viking running backs coach Carl Hargrave was charged with drunken driving and disorderly conduct stemming from an accident July 3. . . . The Arizona Cardinals signed former Dallas Cowboy wide receiver Kevin Williams and ex-San Diego Charger safety Eric Castle to one-year contracts. . . . The St. Louis Rams waived cornerback Anthony Parker.

Miscellany

The NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers signed goaltender Neal Little to a one-year contract and center Craig Darby to a two-year pact. . . . Buffalo Sabre forward Michael Peca underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder and will probably miss the start of training camp.

Bob Baffert, trainer of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Silver Charm, paid $1.5 million for a son of Storm Cat during the final session of Keeneland’s (Kentucky) July Selected Yearling Sale.

Tickets for the John R. Wooden Classic, a high school basketball tripleheader and college basketball doubleheader at the Pond of Anaheim Dec. 4 and 6, will go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Pond box office.