A-Rod, Yankees agree to $30m package

Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees have agreed on a $30 million marketing package based on home run achievements that could raise the total value of his new contract to $305 million over 10 years, it was confirmed yesterday. Under the agreement, which remains to be finalized, Rodriguez, who has 518 homers, could receive $6 million each for tying the home run levels of Willie Mays (660), Babe Ruth (714), Hank Aaron (755), and Barry Bonds (762), and an additional $6 million for breaking Bonds's major league record . . . Medical tests to determine the cause of death of lefthanded pitcher Joe Kennedy are expected to take about 6-8 weeks. Kennedy, a journeyman who pitched for three major league teams last season, collapsed and died at his in-laws' home in Florida Friday at age 28.

Pete Sampras notched a win in Macau to wrap up a three-match exhibition series against Roger Federer. Sampras never faced a break point and handed Federer a 7-6 (10-8), 6-4 defeat at the Venetian Macao arena, finishing 1-2 against the top-ranked Swiss player. Sampras downplayed his victory, noting that Federer was coming off a long season and that he was helped by his big serve and the fast indoor carpet surface. His goal was to win one set during the three-match series. "Let's not get carried away," he said. Sampras ruled out a comeback from retirement, telling the audience after the match, "I had my time in the '90s." The two players have won a combined 26 major titles, but Sampras, 36, retired five years ago after winning the US Open. Federer, 26, won three majors this year and the Masters Cup last week en route to a 68-9 record.

Four weeks after winning the Breeders' Cup Sprint, Midnight Lute was upset by Daaher in the $300,000 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct. Midnight Lute, who staged an explosive rally to win the BC Sprint at Monmouth Park, appeared to be in perfect position to take on Daaher as the two turned for home. But Bob Baffert's 4-year-old colt was unable to close ground and was beaten by 2 1/2 lengths . . . Also at Aqueduct, favorite Court Vision rallied in the stretch and caught Atoned in the final strides in the $200,000 Remsen Stakes for 2-year-olds, to give trainer Bill Mott a Kentucky Derby hopeful for next year . . . Veteran jockey E.J. Perrodin remained in intensive care in New Orleans, a day after a filly threw him and then fell on top of him during warm-ups for a race at New Orleans Fair Grounds. The 50-year-old rider is in stable condition with a broken pelvis and ribs and a lacerated liver, said his agent, Tony Martin.

American Johnny Weir won the gold medal at the Cup of Russia in Moscow with a program less adventurous but more successful than the one by two-time world champion Stephane Lambiel of Switzerland. Weir was less than a half-point behind Lambiel going into the free program and finished more than 11 points ahead. On the women's side, Kim Yu-Na of South Korea won her second Grand Prix event of the season with a precise and passionate free skate, and Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao of China took their second gold medal in two weeks in pairs. Yuko Kawaguchi and Alexander Smirnov of Russia completed a quad throw salchow, but took the bronze behind Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany.

Canada's Jan Hudec won the first downhill of the World Cup season before a home crowd in Lake Louise, Alberta, making a big comeback from three knee operations. He was timed in 1 minute 42.79 seconds and was followed by American Marco Sullivan in 1:43.03 and Andreas Buder of Austria in 1:43.13. New Hampshire's Bode Miller finished 20th in 1:43.75 . . . Italy's Denise Karbon won her second consecutive World Cup giant slalom to open the season in Panorama, British Columbia, with a two-run time of 2:42.71. Austria's Elisabeth Gorgl was second and Italy's Manuela Moelgg finished third . . . Sara Robinson, a former beverage manager at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, has sued Dennis Rodman, claiming the former NBA star assaulted her in March 2006 by rubbing up against her body and slapping her on the buttocks. In 1998, four women sued Rodman, 46, accusing him of grabbing their breasts at the Las Vegas Hilton. In 2001, a district court jury awarded former Mirage craps dealer James Brasich $80,000 in another case against Rodman . . . Pascal Pelletier scored twice for the host Providence Bruins in their 5-4 shootout victory over the Worcester Sharks.