The NBA has told teams it's going ahead with replacement referees, days after the league thought a deal had been reached with locked-out officials.
The league sent a memo Tuesday informing teams it had "no expectation of concluding a timely labor contract." The memo, obtained by The Associated Press, follows the latest failure in negotiations.
According to the memo, the sides had agreed in principle on a new two-year deal Friday. But the National Basketball Referees Association rejected the NBA's proposal Sunday.
Safin advances in Thailand
Marat Safin of Russia defeated fifth-seeded Philipp Petzschner of Germany 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 Tuesday in the opening round of the Thailand Open in Bangkok.
Avenging a loss to Petzschner in the opening round last year, Safin dominated with his booming baseline game. He is playing his fourth and final Thailand Open. He plans to retire at season's end.
Toray Pan Pacific Open: Maria Sharapova cruised past Samantha Stosur of Australia 6-0, 6-1 Tuesday in the second round in Tokyo.
The former top-ranked Russian, who has been struggling since returning from a 10-month injury layoff, will face Alisa Kleybanova, who defeated sixth-seeded Vera Zvonareva 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Massa returns by kart racing
Formula One driver Felipe Massa got behind the wheels of a kart, practicing for the first time in public since sustaining multiple skull fractures in a crash.
TV showed Massa racing with his Ferrari uniform on a red kart in Sao Paulo on Tuesday. Local media said he also had raced for a few laps on Monday.
The Brazilian was hospitalized for nine days and underwent surgery after his life-threatening, high-speed crash in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 25.
Massa, 28, had said he wants to race at the Brazilian GP next month, but Ferrari hinted he won't be back until next year.
Bay Hill returns to par 72
Bay Hill is returning to a par 72 for the Arnold Palmer Invitational after the tournament host decided that it was more fun for the gallery to see players making birdies.
Bay Hill switched to a par 70 the past three years by converting two par-5s into par-4s, including the 16th hole, which often was pivotal in deciding the tournament.
Palmer to receive Congressional Gold Medal: Arnold Palmer says he has been selected to receive a Congressional Gold Medal, which honors a person for his distinguished achievements and contributions.
Verizon ends sponsorship of S.C. event: Verizon has announced it is ending its association with South Carolina's stop on the PGA Tour.
Verizon Heritage tournament director Steve Wilmot said Tuesday the event's longtime sponsor will not continue after 2010.
A vice president for Verizon Business said the company was restructuring its association with the PGA Tour.
Rice to play Nationwide event: Hall of Fame-nominated wide receiver Jerry Rice is making his professional golf debut next year as a tournament host and player at a Nationwide Tour event in northern California.
The tournament is scheduled for April 15-18 at the TPC San Francisco Bay at Stonebrae.
Mexico withdraws Cup bid
Mexico is withdrawing its bid to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022, leaving the United States as the lone contender from the Americas.
"The short-term prospects do not permit officials of the Mexican Football Federation, nor local or federal officials, to finance public works at the level this event requires," the governing body said Tuesday in a statement on its Web site.
Mexico hosted the World Cup in 1970 and 1986.
