National Basketball League Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins head coach ANTONIO LANG "has been dismissed." A source said that the Nagoya-based team told the American coach that "it would part ways with him after four seasons in charge." Lang "confirmed he was let go by Mitsubishi" (JAPAN TIMES, 5/27). ... Argentine first division side River Plate coach RAMÓN DÍAZ has "resigned from his post just one week after" River Plate won this year's championship. River Plate announced the news in a statement on Tuesday (BUENOS AIRES HERALD, 5/27).
F1 NAMES: Mercedes F1 driver NICO ROSBERG "has reportedly extended his contract with the team for another two years until '16." Rosberg's current contract "was set to expire at the end of the season." The team "has not yet confirmed the extension" (KURIER, 5/23). ... The feud between Mercedes teammates Rosberg and LEWIS HAMILTON, which exploded publicly in Monaco, "had been brewing" since Hamilton "used an unauthorised engine mode" to hold off Rosberg in the Spanish Grand Prix. The pair -- "locked in a private duel" for this year's world championship -- "are not on speaking terms." They "barely offered one another a glance on the podium in Monaco, declined to shake hands and did not congratulate each other" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 5/27).
BOGUT CRITICAL OF ESPN'S SMITH: NBA Golden State Warriors center ANDREW BOGUT "has lashed out at controversial ESPN commentator" STEPHEN A. SMITH, calling him a “wanker.” Bogut, from Australia, "has had public spats with Smith in the past and he held no punches when asked about Smith while appearing on the Australian basketball podcast Downtown, released on Tuesday." Bogut: "He is just a wanker, pretty much" (SMH, 5/27).
LUXURY ACCOMODATIONS: Former Brazilian footballer RONALDINHO "is renting out his Rio de Janeiro mansion" in the first half of July during the finals stage of the tournament. A "mere" A$16,700 ($15,400) per night "will get you access to the entire house -- including a sauna, swimming pool, jacuzzi, barbecue area, home theatre, wine cellar, zen room for massages and yoga plus an 'exclusive stage to enjoy a good samba party with friends'" (AAP, 5/27).
