Lindros Set to Sign $60-Million Contract

A framework is in place for Philadelphia center Eric Lindros to get the richest contract in hockey history with a new seven-year, $60 million deal with the Flyers, sources said Monday night in Philadelphia.

Although Flyer spokesman Joe Kluge said late Monday night that no deal was in place, sources said only minor fine tuning remained and should be worked out today.

The contract will replace the six-year, $22-million deal he signed when he joined the Flyers in 1991.

Colorado’s Joe Sakic is to make the most money this season in the NHL with a $17-million salary.

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Pavel Bure of the Vancouver Canucks dismissed reports that he wants to be traded, saying he will report to training camp today.

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J.F. Jomphe, a restricted free agent, signed a two-year contract with the Mighty Ducks. . . . The Detroit Red Wings and defenseman Vyacheslav Fetisov agreed to a one-year contract. . . . Buffalo Sabre defenseman Bob Boughner agreed to a multiyear contract. . . . The New York Rangers agreed to terms with defenseman Alexander Karpovstev. . . . The Carolina Hurricanes signed left wing Gary Roberts to a multiyear contract.

Basketball

Shaun Stonerook, Jermaine Tate and Trent Jackson were dismissed from the Ohio State team for failing to live up to their obligations as student-athletes, according to new Coach Jim O’Brien.

Stonerook, a 6-foot-7 forward, was the Buckeyes’ leading rebounder as a sophomore last season.

The Boston Celtics signed first-round draft picks Chauncey Billups and Ron Mercer. Terms weren’t disclosed but under the rookie salary cap, Billups, selected third overall, could get a maximum of $8.3 million over three years. Mercer, chosen sixth, can get $6.1 million over three years.

The Indiana Pacers signed veteran free agent Mark West and rookie Mark Pope. . . . Center Bill Wennington signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bulls. . . . The Utah Jazz re-signed guard Jeff Hornacek to a two-year contract. . . .

. . . The women’s American Basketball League has reached agreement on contracts with Fox Sports Net and the Black Entertainment Network. Fox Sports Net will televise 16 regular-season ABL games on Sunday nights, plus seven playoff games. Black Entertainment Network will televise 12 Saturday night games.

Horse racing

Arlington International Racecourse in suburban Chicago, home of the Arlington Million, announced it will close next month, after completing the season, because of competition from riverboat casinos. Owner Richard Duchossois, who said the track has lost $60-70 million since 1988, left open the door to resume racing, but said it won’t happen next year.

Jurisprudence

A former equipment manager at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting 24 teenage boys from 1969 to 1988.

Gordon Stuckless, 47, faced 22 indecent assault charges and two counts of sexual assault. He is to be sentenced Oct. 10.

Miscellany

Heavyweight Ed Mahone improved to 13-0-1 at the Forum, stopping Bruce Bellocchi at 1:03 of the second round. In the semi-main event, Isidro Garcia (15-0) remained unbeaten by defeating Miguel Granados (17-7-1) on a ninth-round disqualification.

Brazil won, 3-0, eliminating the United States from medal contention at the under-17 World Cup soccer tournament at Alexandria, Egypt.

CBS Sports extended its contract to televise the U.S. Open tennis tournament through 2004. The agreement is worth a reported $33 million a year for four years, up from the current $27 million.

The land-speed record duel got underway, but only briefly as Briton Richard Noble’s jet-powered vehicle encountered battery problems after a 147-mph run in Gerlach, Nev., and American Craig Breedlove suffered more serious difficulties after a 328-mph run when something was sucked through the intakes.