Agent: G Andy Levitre, Bills’ 2nd-round pick, close to signing contract

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills rookie second-round pick, guard Andy Levitre, is close to agreeing to a contract and could report to training camp as early as Sunday afternoon, his agent said.

Bills WR Owens wants NFL to reinstate suspended QB Michael Vick

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Terrell Owens wants Michael Vick to be reinstated immediately by the NFL, and said any extension of the quarterback’s suspension would be similar to “kicking a dead horse.”

Ricky Henderson and Jim Rice, the walkman and anti-walkman, set to enter Baseball Hall of Fame

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Rickey Henderson knew what was expected every time he batted. So, too, did Jim Rice.

Bills get a taste of T.O.-mania as they open training camp with new star receiver

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Coach Dick Jauron was in the midst of discussing the electric quality Terrell Owens’ presence brings to the Buffalo Bills when, as if on cue, a roar of cheers and shrieks erupted from the other side of the field.

Henderson and Rice, the walkman and anti-walkman, enter Baseball Hall of Fame

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Rickey Henderson knew what was expected every time he batted. So, too, did Jim Rice.

Bills LB DiGiorgio waived after having knee surgery to repair bone damage

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Linebacker John DiGiorgio was waived by the Buffalo Bills on Saturday for failing his physical after having season-ending surgery to repair bone damage in his right knee.

Bills LB DiGiorgio will miss season after having knee surgery to repair bone damage

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills linebacker John DiGiorgio will miss the season after having surgery to repair bone damage in his right knee.

Player in NY softball rec game sentenced up to 4 years in death of opponent

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A player in a softball rec game in New York state has been given a two- to four-year prison sentence for dealing a deadly blow to the back of the head of an opponent.

Williams sisters, Clijsters among 5 past champions heading US Open women’s field

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Defending champion Serena Williams and four other past winners, including her sister Venus and wild-card entry Kim Clijsters, are in the provisional women’s field for the U.S. Open.

New York Islanders agree to 1-year deal with goalie Martin Biron

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — The New York Islanders have agreed to terms with goalie Martin Biron on a one-year deal.

Islanders agree to one-year deal with goalie Martin Biron

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — The New York Islanders have agreed to terms with goalie Martin Biron on a one-year deal.

Federer, Nadal, Roddick head US Open men’s field that includes 8 Grand Slam singles champions

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Five-time defending champion Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick are among eight Grand Slam winners leading the men’s field for the U.S. Open.

60-foot dollar sign burned into NY high school football field, letter complains about spending

EAST HAMPTON, N.Y. — A 60-foot-long dollar sign has been burned into the synthetic turf at a Long Island high school football field.

Islanders sign top overall draft pick John Tavares to 3-year entry level deal

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — John Tavares signed a three-year entry level contract with the New York Islanders, who took the 19-year-old standout first overall in last month’s NHL draft.

Rachel Alexandra has strong workout at Saratoga; no decision yet on next start

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Preakness-winning filly Rachel Alexandra put in another solid workout at Saratoga Race Course, although it’s still not clear when she’ll next race.

Rachel Alexandra has strong workout, next start remains undecided

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Preakness-winning filly Rachel Alexandra has had another solid workout at Saratoga Race Course, although it’s still not clear when she’ll next race.

Buffalo Sabres sign free agent defenseman Joe DiPenta for 1-year contract

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres have signed free agent defenseman Joe DiPenta.

Tavares faces pressure, expectations on Long Island after being picked No. 1 in NHL draft

No. 1 choice Tavares welcomed as face of Islanders

US Open men’s and women’s singles winners will earn record $1.6 million each

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — The winners of the U.S. Open men’s and women’s singles title will each receive a record $1.6 million.

Andre Agassi to be honored with first-night ceremony at US Open

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Andre Agassi is coming back to the U.S. Open.

Tiger Woods set to compete in upstate NY skins game to benefit Native American children

VERONA, N.Y. — Tiger Woods is coming to Turning Stone Casino and Resort to compete in a skins game to benefit Native American children.

Justin Wilson gives Dale Coyne Racing its first win since forming in 1984

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — For a guy who waited a quarter of a century to win an open-wheel race, Dale Coyne seemed to take his breakthrough victory in stride.

Justin Wilson wins at The Glen, giving Dale Coyne Racing its first win since forming in 1984

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Justin Wilson passed polesitter Ryan Briscoe early, then dominated the IndyCar Series race on Sunday at Watkins Glen International to give team owner Dale Coyne his first victory after 25 years of trying.

IndyCar leaders say the open-wheel circuit, fresh from a leadership change, is doing well

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Four days after Tony George was ousted as president and chief executive officer of the IndyCar Series, the president of the commercial division said the series was on sound ground.

Ryan Briscoe captures his second straight pole at Watkins Glen

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Ryan Briscoe couldn’t help but flash a big smile.

Roloson leaves Oilers for Islanders, forms goalie tandem with DiPietro on Long Island

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — If Rick DiPietro gets hurt again, the New York Islanders now have a veteran goalie to back him up.

Former Islanders coach Ted Nolan named VP hockey operations for AHL Rochester

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Ted Nolan is taking over as vice president of hockey operations for the Rochester Americans, the American Hockey League team for which he once played.

Sabres open their free agent season by signing D Montador

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Unable to meet defensman Jaroslav Spacek’s contract demands, the Buffalo Sabres wasted little time to find an experienced — but less expensive — replacement: Steve Montador.

Blake gets nod over Fish, Querrey for 2nd singles spot on US Davis Cup team, alongside Roddick

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — James Blake is joining Andy Roddick and the Bryan brothers on the U.S. Davis Cup team that will play Croatia in next month’s quarterfinals.

South Korean’s Jiyai Shin wins Wegmans LPGA, her fifth victory in 11 months

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A year after her mother died in a car crash, Jiyai Shin picked up the first of 20 victories on the Korean professional circuit while still in high school in 2005.

Lonnie Nielsen shoots 63, rallies past Fred Funk to win Dick’s Sporting Goods Open

ENDICOTT, N.Y. — When Fred Funk birdied the fifth hole on the final round of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open, he squinted at Lonnie Nielsen’s line on the leaderboard and then turned for some help.

Jiyai Shin leads by 4 strokes at Wegmans LPGA; Tiger Woods’ niece misses cut

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Jiyai Shin shot a 5-under 67 on Saturday to extend her lead to four strokes at the Wegmans LPGA.

Jiyai Shin leads by four strokes at Wegmans LPGA, Tiger Woods’ niece misses cut

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Jiyai Shin shot a 5-under 67 on Saturday to extend her lead to four strokes at the Wegmans LPGA.

Fred Funk holds second-round lead at 15 under at Dick’s Sporting Goods Open

ENDICOTT, N.Y. — Fred Funk shot a 7-under 65 Saturday to take a three-stroke lead after the second round at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open.

What’s in a name? Plenty, when Sabres draft son of former captain Mike Foligno

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Marcus Foligno vividly recalls attending the on-ice ceremony when his father, Mike, was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres’ Hall of Fame.