Orlando lets Donovan out of deal

Billy Donovan is out in Orlando, and his cold feet could cost both him and the Magic.

The Magic finally let Donovan out of a five-year, $27.5-million deal late Wednesday night after news broke days ago he was having second thoughts. Donovan may have stained a good reputation built on two straight national championships at Florida.

Orlando is still without a coach, and could miss out on Stan Van Gundy if the Sacramento Kings hire him quickly.

Donovan walked out of his first NBA job after six days to return to the Gators.

“As our signing of Billy Donovan showed, we are committed to winning a championship. We have the legal right to hold Billy to the contract he signed, but with him having a change of heart about leaving college basketball, we want him at the University of Florida,” the Magic said in a statement.

Donovan also released a statement concerning his departure from the Magic. A news conference announcing his return to Florida has been scheduled for today.

“I realized in less than 24 hours after signing a contract with the Magic that I had made a mistake that had nothing to do with the Magic,” Donovan wrote in the statement. “Instead, I realized that, in my heart, I belonged in college basketball.”

SOFTBALL

Arizona beats Tennessee for its eighth title

Taryne Mowatt finished what she started and Arizona won its eighth NCAA title, breaking loose against Tennessee ace Monica Abbott for a 5-0 victory in the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.

The top-seeded Wildcats (50-14-1) lost the opener in the best-of-three championship series, then bounced back to win the final two games for their second straight title.

Mowatt pitched all 60 innings in the tournament for Arizona, breaking the mark of 53 innings by Michigan’s Jennie Ritter in 2005. Arizona scored all its runs in the fifth inning. Tennessee finished 63-8.

FOOTBALL

Green finally a Dolphin; Culpepper trade possible

Quarterback Trent Green’s long-awaited trade to the Miami Dolphins finally got done after he passed a physical and was acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs for a fifth-round draft pick in 2008.

The deal was finished hours after Dolphins General Manager Randy Mueller and Coach Cam Cameron told quarterback Daunte Culpepper they would try to trade him.

About $16,000 worth of belongings was reported stolen from the home of the late Marquise Hill’s mother while she attended the funeral for her son, a New England Patriots lineman who drowned last week, police in New Orleans said.

The Coliseum Commission, which met Wednesday for two hours in closed session, has tentatively scheduled a special meeting in two weeks to discuss an expected stadium lease proposal from USC.

The issue facing Coliseum administrators is whether to continue pursuing an NFL deal, commit to a long-term deal with USC that would close any pro football loopholes, or possibly strike a compromise that -- as Commissioner Bill Chadwick has suggested -- would not close the door on an NFL option but would give the school veto power on a deal.

A source familiar with the negotiations said USC is expected to present its latest lease proposal to the commission today or Friday.

-- Sam Farmer

BASKETBALL

Afflalo, Pruitt focusing on private workouts

Arron Afflalo and Gabe Pruitt each are working out in private for NBA teams after skipping a major showcase camp last week in Orlando.

Agent Sam Goldfeder, representing both players, said he thought his clients were better off focusing on private workouts before the June 28 draft.

Afflalo, an All-American who left UCLA after his junior season, has already performed for the Houston Rockets and is scheduled to work out for the Lakers on Friday. Later, he is expected to work out for Philadelphia, Utah and San Antonio. Pruitt, who left USC after his junior season, has workouts scheduled for Seattle, Utah, Detroit, Golden State and San Antonio.

-- Diane Pucin

Former Missouri coach Quin Snyder has been hired by the Austin Toros of the NBA Developmental League. Snyder, 40, replaces Dennis Johnson, the former NBA star who died of a heart attack on Feb. 22.

MISCELLANY

New Zealand sets up America’s Cup rematch

Emirates Team New Zealand completed the first 5-0 sweep in the Louis Vuitton Cup final, beating Luna Rossa in Valencia, Spain, to set up a rematch with Alinghi in the America’s Cup.

The Kiwis won by 22 seconds over the Italian boat in the fifth flight to become the first team to go undefeated in a best-of-nine series in the 24-year history of the event.

Emirates Team New Zealand set up a rematch with Alinghi, which beat the Kiwis four years ago. The best-of-nine America’s Cup series begins June 23.

Preakness winner Curlin was made the 6-5 favorite for Saturday’s $1-million Belmont Stakes, with the filly Rags To Riches the third choice at 3-1 in a field of seven 3-year-olds.

Curlin will leave from the No. 3 post position under Robby Albarado. Hard Spun, second in the Kentucky Derby and third in the Preakness, was the second choice at 5-2 and has the No. 6 post. Rags To Riches drew the No. 7 post. Also entered are Imawildandcrazyguy, Tiago, Slew’s Tizzy and C P West.

The USC men suffered a setback on the first day of the NCAA track and field championships in Sacramento when Jamere Holland pulled up with a leg injury on the first leg of the 400-meter relay.