Former referee Donaghy reportedly to plead guilty

Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy planned to plead guilty in federal court today to charges alleging he bet on games he officiated, a person familiar with the betting scandal probe told the Associated Press.

Donaghy was to surrender at Brooklyn federal court, the person said on condition of anonymity because charges had not been made public yet.

A law enforcement source told The Times that Donaghy was expected to be sentenced at a later date, and that two others associated with the case will turn themselves in to FBI agents today without pleading guilty.

No other NBA officials or players were expected to be involved in the scandal.

TENNIS

Roddick advances, but Murray loses

Andy Roddick relied on his nasty serve to set up a 7-6 (3), 6-2 victory over Fernando Verdasco in his first match in the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters at Mason, Ohio.

Andy Murray, struggling to come back from a wrist injury, became the first seeded player to lose in the tournament. The 14th-seeded Murray never got into a rhythm during a 6-1, 6-2 loss to Marcos Baghdatis.

Stephanie Dubois upset Ai Sugiyama, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 7-5, in the first round of the Rogers Cup at Toronto.

Nathalie Dechy defeated Emmanuelle Gagliardi, 6-4, 7-5, and Virginie Razzano beat Aravana Rezai, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

HOCKEY

DiPenta agrees to deal with Ducks

Defenseman Joe DiPenta signed a one-year contract with the Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks.

DiPenta, who had two goals and six assists in 76 games last season, is set to enter his third year with the Ducks. He went scoreless in 16 playoff games.

Center Mike Ricci announced his retirement after 16 seasons in the NHL. Ricci, 35, said that he had not fully healed from the neck surgery he had undergone last year.

GOLF

Ames and Johnson added to Skins Game

Defending champion Stephen Ames and Masters winner Zach Johnson will play in the 25th Skins Game on Thanksgiving weekend at Indian Wells.

Ames and Johnson will be joined by Fred Couples, the most successful golfer in Skins Game history, and Brett Wetterich.

Defending champion Davis Love III withdrew from the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, N.C., after his doctor recommended removing kidney stones that had been bothering him for several weeks.

MISCELLANY

Clippers sign forward Powell

The Clippers signed free-agent forward Josh Powell, 23, to bolster the team’s front-court roster in the aftermath of Elton Brand’s Achilles’ tendon injury this month. Terms were not disclosed.

The 6-foot-9 Powell, who played at North Carolina State, is entering his third NBA season after brief stints with the Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers and, most recently, the Golden State Warriors.

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A $1.5-million lawsuit brought by the Jockeys’ Guild against former chief executive Wayne Gertmenian was dismissed on the eve of a trial. Los Angeles federal court judge Otis Wright would not let the suit continue after he found that the guild was not a union. His reasoning was that its members are independent contractors, not employees.

Attorney Bob Cantore said that the guild is considering its options, which include appealing the decision or re-filing the case.

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The NCAA announced that Cal State Northridge will host the 2008 Division I men’s and women’s Outdoor Track & and Field West Regional May 30-31.

Northridge will also play host to the 2008 Big West championships two weeks earlier.

Florida A&M; fired basketball Coach Mike Gillespie, less than three months after he was charged with misdemeanor stalking.

The College World Series will start on a Saturday in 2008, breaking its tradition of opening on a Friday.

Kyle Busch signed with Joe Gibbs Racing, ending a busy 10-week negotiating period that began when Hendrick cast him aside to make room for Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Former major leaguer Darryl Strawberry owes more than $481,000 in taxes from 1988 to ‘90, the Internal Revenue Service charged.

Former U.S. national goalkeeper Tony Meola has agreed to a contract with the expansion New Jersey Ironmen of the Major Indoor Soccer League.

Lawrence Rink, the head of the doping commission for the World University Games, told the Associated Press there have been positive tests at the recent competition in Bangkok, Thailand, but he would not identify the athletes or say how many were involved.

San Luis Obispo will play host to the 2007 Mountain Biking Professional Championships, beginning at the Madonna Inn, on Saturday.