Johnson is released by ‘embarrassed’ Bears

The Chicago Bears, saying that they were “embarrassed” and that Tank Johnson had “compromised the credibility” of the team with his latest incident, released the defensive tackle Monday.

Johnson was waived three days after he was pulled over by police in Arizona. He already had been suspended for the first eight games of the 2007 season for violating probation on a gun charge. He spent two months in jail and was released in May.

“We made it clear to him that he had no room for error,” General Manager Jerry Angelo said. “Our goal was to help someone through a difficult period in his life, but the effort needs to come from both sides. It didn’t, and we have decided to move on.”

Police in the Phoenix suburb of Gilbert said Johnson was stopped for driving 40 mph in a 25-mph zone at 3:30 a.m. Friday and the officer made observations that led him to believe Johnson was impaired.

Johnson released a statement Monday evening through his Chicago attorney, Lorna Propes:

“I want to thank the Bears organization and fans for their support during a difficult time,” he said. “I regret that I have to leave Chicago under these circumstances and wish my friends at the Chicago Bears nothing but the best.”

In December, police raided Johnson’s suburban Chicago home and found six unregistered firearms -- a violation of his probation on an earlier gun charge. Two days after the raid, Johnson’s bodyguard was shot and killed in an early-morning fight while he and Johnson were at a Chicago nightclub.

Last month, Johnson pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor weapons charge stemming from the December raid as part of a deal with prosecutors that kept him from serving more time in jail. He was ordered to serve 45 days, which he served concurrently with the sentence for violating his probation.

The Bears signed Nathan Vasher to a five-year contract extension that will keep the Pro Bowl defensive back with the team through the 2012 season. Details were not disclosed.

PRO BASKETBALL

Spears is out as Sparks’ president

Nancy Spears, the Hollywood marketing executive handpicked to be Sparks team president by owners Kathy Goodman and Carla Christofferson, is unexpectedly out, in a move made last week and confirmed Monday.

“Carla and Kathy ... told me that they’re moving in a different direction,” Spears said. “I really have no comment other than that.”

Goodman, who will take over the job for the rest of this season, said without going into details, “We had an amicable parting of the ways.... We’re good friends.”

-- Lauren Peterson

HOCKEY

Penner is tendered an offer by Ducks

Dustin Penner, who scored 29 goals last season with the Ducks, was among five restricted free agents to whom the club tendered qualifying offers.

The Ducks can sign Penner to a long-term contract, but he doesn’t have arbitration rights.

Based on the collective bargaining agreement where a player whose salary was equal to or less than $660,000 must receive an offer at 110% of the player’s previous salary, Penner can receive a pay hike to $495,000 from $450,000. Players have until July 15 to accept.

The Ducks also qualified defensemen Aaron Rome and Brent Skinner and wingers Bjorn Melin and Brandon Segal, acquired Monday from Nashville for future considerations.

As expected, they did not qualify goalie Sebastien Caron and let loose goalies David McKee and Nathan Marsters and defenseman Doug O’Brien. The Ducks also signed center Matt Keith to a one-year contract extension.

-- Eric Stephens

COLLEGE SPORTS

UC Riverside’s Kelly to pitch for Team USA

Pitcher Joe Kelly, a freshman right-hander from UC Riverside, has been added to the USA Baseball national team roster.... UC Irvine outfielder Bryan Petersen was included on the College World Series all-tournament team. He batted .533 in four games.

USC quarterback John David Booty and UCLA tailback Chris Markey are on the 2007 watch list for the Maxwell Award, given each year to the top college football player in the nation.

Five Trojans -- linebackers Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga and Keith Rivers, end Lawrence Jackson and tackle Sedrick Ellis -- and two Bruins -- end Bruce Davis and strong safety Chris Horton -- are on the list for the Bednarik Award, given to the top defensive player.

Running back Milton Knox of Lake Balboa Birmingham High, the City player of the year last season, has committed to UCLA.

MISCELLANY

Jockey is suspended for kicking a horse

Veteran jockey Victor Molina, who kicked his horse in the stomach before a race June 18, was suspended for 30 days and fined $1,000 by Philadelphia Park officials.