Joey Votto is guaranteed $251.5 million

Joey Votto received a big payday by staying in a small market, agreeing to a $251.5-million, 12-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday that is the longest guaranteed contract in major league history.

The agreement adds $225 million over 10 years to his previous contract. The deal includes a club option for 2024, when the 2010 National League most valuable player turns 41.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Star quarterback commits to USC

Max Browne, a highly regarded high school quarterback from Washington, announced that he would attend USC, according to the Seattle Times.

Browne, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound junior, reportedly chose the Trojans over Oklahoma, Washington and Alabama.

Browne passed for 45 touchdowns last season at Skyline High in Sammamish, Wash.

Browne is scheduled to arrive as part of the Class of 2013. Jesse ScrogginsCody Kessler Max Wittek

—Gary Klein

Arizona State unveiled its plans to renovate its football stadium in an effort to remain competitive with other schools in the region.

The university plans to add a fabric roof at Sun Devil Stadium, which can be quite uncomfortable during games early in the season.

The plans also call for reducing seating capacity from 71,000 to between 55,000 and 65,000, the Arizona Republic reported.

ETC.

Buckeyes’ Sullinger heading to NBA

Two-time Ohio State All-American forward Jared Sullinger is moving on to the NBA.

The 6-9 sophomore announced that he is giving up his final two seasons with the Buckeyes to make himself available for the NBA draft June 28.

Sullinger averaged 17.5 points and 9.2 rebounds a game while shooting 52% from the field, 77% at the free-throw line and 40% on three-pointers while leading the Buckeyes to a 31-8 record and a Final Four berth.

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Jerry Tarkanian’s son said the former Nevada Las Vegas basketball coach is expected to be out of a hospital Friday, more than two weeks after suffering a heart attack.

Danny Tarkanian told the Associated Press that his father has been transferred to a rehabilitation center at MountainView Hospital in northwest Las Vegas.

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Commissioner David Stern said the NBA is close to finalizing a deal to keep the Hornets in New Orleans with a very favorable lease, important capital improvements, tax benefits and a new television deal.

Stern said the league was in intense negotiations with three groups. He was hopeful he could tell team owners at a meeting next week that the deal was done or that he was on the verge of a deal.

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Venus Williams looked strong in powering past Jelena Jankovic, 7-5, 6-0, in the Family Circle Cup at Charleston, S.C.

Williams won 12 of the last 14 games to take the matchup of two former world No. 1s trying to rediscover their old form. Williams had fallen to 87th in the world after sitting out more than six months because of a fatigue-causing autoimmune disease.

Williams returned last week and won four matches in the Sony Ericsson Open before falling to eventual champion Agnieszka Radwanska in straight sets.

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Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and Kaka had a first-half goal as Real Madrid completed its easy passage into the Champions League semifinals with a 5-2 victory over APOEL Nicosia at Madrid.

Madrid reached its second straight semifinal under Coach Jose Mourinho after winning the quarterfinal, 8-2, on aggregate.