Tiger Woods’ endorsements for 2010 worth $22 million less than last year

Tiger Woods’ estimated endorsements for 2010 are worth $22 million less than last year, according to Sports Illustrated’s annual analysis of the highest-earning American athletes.

Woods is still No. 1 on the list, as he has been for the rankings’ seven years. But his estimated total earnings of more than $90 million are down 30% from nearly $128 million two years ago.

Rival golfer Phil Mickelson is again No. 2 with total earnings of more than $61 million. His estimated endorsement income is $52 million, compared with $70 million for Woods.

Floyd Mayweather Jr., LeBron James, Alex Rodriguez, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Derek Jeter, Peyton Manning and Dwyane Wade round out the top 10.

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For all the turmoil and talk of debt, Manchester United is still the most valuable franchise in all of sports.

Forbes released its list of the world’s most valuable teams, with the English Premier League club leading the way at $1.84 billion.

The top American franchise, the Dallas Cowboys, was second at $1.65 billion. The New York Yankees, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots, Real Madrid, New York Giants, Arsenal, New York Jets and Houston Texans round out the top 10.

The Lakers are the NBA’s top valued franchise at $607 million.

Amid protests from fans, Manchester United’s owning Glazer family has insisted it will not entertain offers for the club, which has around $1 billion of debt.

ETC.

Former Florida Gators standout Maurkice Pouncey denied allegations Wednesday that he took money from a representative of a sports agent while he was still at the university.

“I did not accept $100,000, it is an absolutely ridiculous claim. I have completely cooperated with the investigation and answered any and all questions put to me,” Pouncey said in a statement released through his Gainesville attorney, M. Stephen Stanfield.

Florida and the NCAA are investigating an allegation that Pouncey was paid $100,000 between the Southeastern Conference title game and the Sugar Bowl last season, ESPN.com reported earlier this week.

The offensive lineman was selected 18th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in this year’s NFL draft. His twin brother, Mike, will be a senior at Florida this season.

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NASCAR has placed drivers Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski on probation following their late-race incident during last weekend’s Nationwide race at Gateway International Raceway.

Edwards was fined $25,000 and docked 60 Nationwide Series driver points and both Edwards and Keselowski were placed on probation through Dec. 31. Jack Roush, owner of Edwards’ No. 60 Ford, was also docked 60 series championship points.

Trouble began as the two drivers were battling for the lead on the final lap.

Keselowski nudged Edwards out of the way to take the lead and Edwards returned the favor in the final straightaway, sending Keselowski into the outside wall and starting a chain reaction that collected 10 cars in all while Edwards raced to his second victory of the season.

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Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed says he expects to miss the start of the regular season while he recovers from off-season hip surgery. Reed told 105.7 The Fan he expects to be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which requires a player to miss the first six games of the season.

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Richard Jefferson is returning to the San Antonio Spurs after opting out of his old contract that would have paid him $15 million next season. The Spurs announced Wednesday they had re-signed the veteran swingman. Terms were not disclosed, though Jefferson was willing to part with his bloated deal that expired next summer for longer-term security.

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One of the biggest names remaining on the market, free agent forward Tracy McGrady completed his workout session for the Clippers Wednesday at the team’s training facility in Playa Vista. He had a physical on Tuesday.

“The workout and visit went well,” Clippers General Manager Neil Olshey said. “Tracy will continue exploring his options and so will we.” Translation: Nothing is imminent.

Olshey goes well back with McGrady, and McGrady’s agent, Arn Tellem. There has been reported interest by other teams in the 31-year-old, but it’s hard to gauge how strong the enthusiasm is for the oft-injured McGrady, a seven-time All-Star. McGrady finished last season with the New York Knicks after being traded by the Houston Rockets in February.

--Lisa Dillman

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The Milwaukee Bucks completed a trade with the Sacramento Kings for forward Jon Brockman in exchange for forward Darnell Jackson and a 2011 second-round pick.

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The New Orleans Hornets selected Dell Demps as the franchise’s seventh general manager. Demps, who played three seasons in the NBA, takes over for Jeff Bower, who stepped down last week.

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Golden State forward David Lee won’t play for the United States in the world championships because of an injured middle finger on his right hand. USA Basketball said Lee would have his finger placed in a splint and could miss six weeks.

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The Golden State Warriors signed undrafted free-agent guard Jeremy Lin, who played at Harvard.

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Former Seton Hall basketball coach Bobby Gonzalez pleaded not guilty to shoplifting a satchel at an upscale shopping mall in New Jersey last month.

Gonzalez spoke during the five-minute arraignment only to verify his address in Harrison, N.Y. His attorney, Anna Cominsky, entered the plea on his behalf. Neither commented after the proceeding.

Gonzalez is accused of taking a satchel worth about $1,400 from the Polo Ralph Lauren store in The Mall at Short Hills on June 29. Police said he removed the sensor device from the satchel and walked out of the store without paying for it.

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The group that determines soccer rules has expanded the experimental use of two extra assistant referees into this season’s European Champions League, a move made following a series of mistakes during the World Cup.

Use of officials behind the goals was tested in last season’s Europa League, and the International Football Assn. Board says it will decide in 2012 whether to permanently adopt the change.

The introduction of officials alongside the traditional referee and two linesmen is designed to help determine whether balls cross the goal line.

Continued experimentation means discussion of goal-line video technology may be postponed at the next meeting in October, when the IFAB sets its March agenda.

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The Rose Bowl has been selected as the site of next year’s final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, soccer’s championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean. The game is scheduled for June 25.