Organizers revealed that former heavyweight boxing champion MIKE TYSON was granted a visa to enter Australia for a series of motivational talks next month. Tyson's speaking engagements in Australia "were supposed to include a similar visit" to New Zealand, but his visa was revoked (REUTERS, 10/10). ... ManU CEO DAVID GILL will replace DAVE RICHARDS as the FA's representative from the professional game to "strengthen his already influential standing" in English football ahead of the UEFA election at the London Congress in May (London DAILY MAIL, 10/9). ... The London Guardian's DONALD MCRAE and the former Observer columnist SIMON JORDAN were included in the final 14 for the annual William Hill Sports Book of the Year. VICTORIA PENDLETON's autobiography "Between The Lines," was co-authored by McRae, who won the award in '96 and '02. Jordan's book, "Be Careful What You Wish For," describes his ownership of English side Crystal Palace and the "loss of his personal fortune" when the club went into administration in '10 (London GUARDIAN, 10/10). ... Former NBA player TRACY MCGRADY, who announced he will play for the Chinese Basketball Association Qingdao DoubleStar Eagles, "did not give terms for the one-year contract." However, Chinese media reports are saying that "the contract is worth at least $1M" (AP, 10/10). ... Australian speculation is mounting that National Rugby League Melbourne Storm Coach CRAIG BELLAMY will join the New Zealand Warriors in '14 in a multi-million deal. Australian media are reporting that the Warriors will likely hire a interim coach next year as they wait for Bellamy to take up a three-year contract worth $A4M ($4.1M) beginning in '14 (NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 10/10).
GOLF AND TENNIS: A blogger in China who made a death threat against ROGER FEDERER said that he has apologized after threatening to "assassinate" Federer. An Internet user under the name "Blue Cat Polytheistic religion Founder 07" issued the threat (AFP, 10/10). ... Suspended Cricket South Africa CEO GERALD MAJOLA has withdrawn from his disciplinary hearing, according to his lawyer. Majola was suspended in March after a long-running bonus scandal following the '09 Indian Premier League T20 tournament, which was hosted by South Africa. (SAPA, 10/10). ... TIGER WOODS will "consider the possibility" of joining the European Tour after changes are made to membership qualification rules. The European Tour is expected to reveal that participation in the Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup and the Seve Trophy will count toward the 13 events needed for membership (AP, 10/10).... Golfer JUSTIN ROSE officially opened a new TaylorMade Performance Lab at Carya in Turkey this week (TODAYSGOLFER.co.uk, 10/10). ... Turkish Golf Federation President AHMET AGAOGLU has apologized for his part in a brawl involving journalists, which threatened to overshadow the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final. Agaoglu was accused of "headbutting a journalist during the incident amid chaotic scenes" on the first tee before Tiger Woods' opening match with CHARL SCHWARTZEL in Antalya, Turkey on Tuesday (PA, 10/10). ... RAFAEL NADAL conceded that it is "unlikely he will play tennis again" in '12 as he continues to recover from a knee injury. Nadal said, "Impossible, no. But difficult, yes" (PA, 10/10).
ON ICE: Czech goaltender DOMINIK HAŠEK "has retired from professional hockey." The 47-year-old, who took a year off, "is without a club, and negotiations with U.S. minor league clubs failed." Hašek played 19 seasons in the NHL. He won the Stanley Cup in '02 and '08 as part of the Detroit Red Wings and an Olympic Gold Medal in '98. Hašek is a six-time Vezina Trophy winner and two-time league MVP (SID, 10/9). ... German second-tier hockey club SC Riessersee "signed NHL goaltender RICK DIPIETRO during the league's lockout." The 31-year-old was the first goaltender to be selected first overall in the NHL draft by the N.Y. Islanders in '00. In '06, DiPietro signed a 15-year deal with the Islanders. He will join St. Louis Blues defenseman MATT D'AGOSTINI who recently joined the German club (SID, 10/10). ... U.S. skier BODE MILLER "will miss the season opening giant slalom in Sölden, Austria on Oct. 28." Miller is "still rehabilitating" from knee surgery he underwent in March (APA, 10/10).
