Sports briefs

GOLF

Golf Channel pulls Gray

The Golf Channel pulled reporter Jim Gray from the Northern Trust Open in the wake of an argument with Dustin Johnson's caddie after Thursday's round. USA Today reported Gray argued with Bobby Brown after Gray attempted to interview Johnson during his round about a two-stroke penalty for being late for his tee time. "Our aim is to provide the best possible golf coverage for our viewers," the channel said in a statement. "Anything else is a disservice. In order not to provide further distraction, we've decided to remove Jim from this particular assignment."

NFLMediator meeting

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and union head DeMaurice Smith met with a federal mediator for about six hours, a bid to jump-start slow-moving labor negotiations two weeks before owners could lock out players and threaten the 2011 season.

COURTSPrison in Pitino case

A judge in Louisville sentenced Karen Cunagin Sypher, convicted of threatening to reveal a sexual tryst with basketball coach Rick Pitino unless he paid her millions, to more than seven years in prison.

COLLEGESHit streak ends at 56

Florida International's Garrett Wittels went 0-for-4 against Southeastern Louisiana, ending his hitting streak at 56 games, two shy of matching Robin Ventura's Division I record set in 1987. - AP

New SBU soccer coach

Stony Brook University named Ryan Anatol its new men's soccer coach, athletic director Jim Fiore announced. Anatol most recently was an assistant coach for the University of South Florida, which won a Big East title and competed in the NCAA Tournament.