Sports in brief

FINANCESpanish teams are best paid

The Barcelona and Real Madrid soccer giants have overtaken the Yankees as the best-paid global sports teams, according to a British study. The review published yesterday showed annual average pay during the 2009-10 season was $7.9 million at Barcelona and $7.4 million at Real Madrid. The Yankees are paying their players an average of $6.8 million this season. The Yankees last year topped the review which is compiled by www.sportingintelligence.com and is being published by ESPN The Magazine.

COLLEGE HOOPSStorm signs a Chicago guard

St. John's announced it had signed Chicago point guard Phil Greene to a national letter of intent. Greene, who played his senior year at IMG Academy in Florida, is the Red Storm's first signee of the spring period. He joins seven other players who signed during the early signing period. St. John's also announced it has released Uniondale's Dwight Meikle from his NLI. Meikle, who played at Quality Education Academy (North Carolina), signed with the Red Storm last November.

Kentucky freshmen eye NBA draft

Kentucky freshmen Terrence Jones, Brandon Knight and junior DeAndre Liggins may be heading to the NBA. The school announced the three players have declared for the NBA draft but will not sign with an agent, clearing the way for them to return to school next fall if they change their mind by May 8.

SEE PHOTOSThe fall and rise of St. John's basketball

Henderson will coach Princeton

Mitch Henderson is coming back to Princeton to replace former teammate Sydney Johnson as the Tigers' basketball coach. This will be the first head coaching job for Henderson, who spent the past 11 seasons as an assistant at Northwestern under Bill Carmody, another former Princeton coach.

SOCCER

Real Madrid beats Barcelona

Cristiano Ronaldo headed home the winner in extra time as Real Madrid ended an 18-year Copa del Rey trophy drought with a 1-0 victory over biggest rival Barcelona.

COLLEGE FOOTBALLUMass to leave CAA after season

The University of Massachusetts announced it will leave the CAA at the end of the 2011 season and begin play in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in 2012. The Minutemen plan to play a full MAC schedule beginning in 2012 and by 2013 be eligible for the MAC Championship and bowl participation.