Sports briefs

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Mississippi State-Newton pay plan?

Mississippi State booster Bill Bell told ESPN.com Wednesday that he received a payment plan from a man who said he represented Cam Newton's father that was designed to get the quarterback to sign with the Bulldogs. Bell, a former Mississippi State player, says Kenny Rogers sent him a text message outlining a payment schedule that included $80,000 on the day Newton signed, $50,000 30 days later and $50,000 30 days after that. Rogers, who has worked for an agent, is also a former Mississippi State player. Bell says he was on three-way calls with Rogers and Cam's father, Cecil, when discussions about the payment plan took place. He says Cecil Newton never directly asked for money and he has shared some voice messages with the NCAA. Cam Newton signed with Auburn.

NHL

Flames GM Sutter trades son

The Carolina Hurricanes have acquired forward Brett Sutter and defenseman Ian White from the Calgary Flames in exchange for defenseman Anton Babchuk and forward Tom Kostopoulos. The Hurricanes announced the trade about three hours before last night's game against Ottawa. Sutter was traded roughly a week after he got into a fight outside an Arizona bar and was jailed briefly on suspicion of assault. He is the son of Flames general manager Darryl Sutter, the nephew of Calgary coach Brent Sutter and the older cousin of Carolina alternate captain Brandon Sutter - Brent's son.

SOCCER

Red Bulls' Agudelo scores for U.S.

Six days shy of his 18th birthday, Juan Agudelo became the youngest American player to score for the national team in the modern era. His goal in the 85th minute of his debut gave the U.S. a 1-0 victory over South Africa in the Nelson Mandela Challenge exhibition in Cape Town. The teenager, who just made his first two starts for the Red Bulls in the MLS playoffs because of a knee injury to Thierry Henry, dropped to his knees and thrust both index fingers in the air. Jozy Altidore had set the previous mark for youngest scorer in the modern era with a goal against Mexico on Feb. 6, 2008, when he was 18 years and 92 days old. - AP

NBA

Spurs sign North Babylon's Green

Danny Green, a North Babylon product and St. Mary's alum who was waived by the Cavaliers on Oct. 19, was signed by the San Antonio Spurs. The 6-6 swingman, who was a two-time Newsday All-Long Island selection, played 20 games for Cleveland last season, averaging 2.0 points per game. Former Cavs GM Danny Ferry, who selected Green in the second round of the 2009 draft (46th overall) out of North Carolina, is a member of the Spurs' front office. GOLF

Saladino LI player of year

Joe Saladino of Huntington was named Long Island Golf Association Player of the Year, completing his sweep of local postseason honors. Earlier this month, Saladino won the Player of the Year Award from the Metropolitan Golf Association. He won the Havemeyer and Nassau Invitationals, reached the match-play phase of the U.S. Amateur and the round of 16 of the U.S. Mid-Amateur.