Chiefs sign Cassel to a multiyear deal

After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Kansas City Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed 27-year-old quarterback Matt Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.

A lifelong backup until Tom Brady went down because of a season-ending knee injury last September, Cassel was obtained from the Patriots during the off-season along with linebacker Mike Vrabel. The former seventh-round pick led New England to an 11-5 record and the Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.

New Coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during off-season workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.

The New York Jets have signed veteran free-agent tight end Richard Owens. The signing comes a day after the team released Bubba Franks.

NBA

Pacers sign Jones to four-year deal

The Indiana Pacers have signed free-agent guard Dahntay Jones. His agent, Aaron Mintz, said the four-year deal is worth $11 million.

Jones started 71 games for the Denver Nuggets last season and played a key role in the team’s run to the Western Conference finals.

The Atlanta Hawks traded the rights to forward David Andersen to the Houston Rockets for an undisclosed second-round draft choice, cash and future considerations.

Forward Tim Thomas and the Chicago Bulls have agreed on a contract buyout, ending the veteran’s second stint with the Bulls.

COLLEGES

Tarkanian’s surgery is delayed

Spinal surgery for former Nevada Las Vegas coach Jerry Tarkanian has been delayed. The operation had been scheduled for Tuesday in California. The Las Vegas Sun reported that Tarkanian’s son, Danny Tarkanian, says his father’s blood is too thin for surgery.

Doctors at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla will monitor the 79-year-old Tarkanian the next few days. They are to remove a bone spur pressing on the spinal cord. Tarkanian has had difficulty walking for several years. earlier this we ek he didn’t think it was fair for the NCAA to take the wins away from the elder Bowden.

Minnesota lost two key players for next season when football Coach Tim Brewster said that safety Tramaine Brock and star recruit Hasan Lipscomb will not play for the Gophers.

TENNIS

Cornet loses in the first round

Swedish Open champion Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez of Spain ousted third-seeded Alize Cornet of France, 6-2, 6-2, in the first round of the Palermo Open in Italy. Martinez Sanchez beat three seeded players en route to her second title of the year at Bastad on Saturday, and came into Palermo unseeded again.

Nicolas Kiefer upset third-seeded Tomas Berdych, 6-3, 6-3, to move into the second round of the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart, Germany. Top-seeded Gilles Simon beat Philipp Petzschner, 6-3, 6-4.

Guillermo Canas beat Grigor Dimitrov, 6-3, 7-6 (2), in the first round of the Swedish Open in Bastad, Sweden. Juan Monaco beat eighth-seeded Maximo Gonzalez, 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-1.

JURISPRUDENCE

Walker is facing criminal charges

Former NBA star Antoine Walker is facing criminal charges over $822,500 in gambling debts to three Las Vegas casinos.

Documents provided by the Clark County district attorney accuse the 32-year-old Walker of three felony counts of writing bad checks.

Prosecutors say he failed to make good on 10 checks totaling $1 million written to Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood and the Red Rock Resort.

Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi faces three drunk driving-related charges, including extreme DUI, for a July 2 incident in which she also was cited for speeding.

A Phoenix police report released Tuesday shows Taurasi’s blood-alcohol level was 0.17%, or more than twice the Arizona legal limit of 0.08%.

Taurasi pleaded not guilty to the DUI charges and not responsible to the speeding citation.

Her next scheduled court date is July 22.