Panel hands Landis another defeat

Floyd Landis lost what was likely his final chance to retain his 2006 Tour de France title yesterday, the last step of a long, multimillion-dollar process that poked holes in the anti-doping establishment but ultimately left the cyclist as just another convicted cheater. A three-person panel at the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld a previous panel's decision, ruling his positive doping test during the Tour two years ago was, indeed, valid. Landis also must pay $100,000 toward the legal fees of the US Anti-Doping Agency. "I am saddened by today's decision," Landis said in a statement. "I am looking into my legal options and deciding on the best way to proceed." He has 30 days to appeal to the Swiss Federal Court.

Golden State point guard Baron Davis elected to become a free agent, opting out of the final year of his contract - worth $17.8 million - with the Warriors in a surprise move. Davis still could return as a free agent, but his opt-out clause was his only bit of leverage in forcing contract talks with the Warriors before next summer. Davis, 29, also is now free to negotiate with other clubs . . . Two Los Angeles Clippers - forwards Elton Brand and Corey Maggette - also will opt out of the final year of their contracts. Brand was owed $16.4 million and Maggette $10 million. Brand said he will continue negotiations with the Clippers . . . Two-time All-Star forward Antawn Jamison has re-signed with the Washington Wizards, agreeing to a four-year, $50 million deal, clearing the way for the team to focus on its other major free agent: three-time All-Star Gilbert Arenas. Arenas had said he would not return unless the team also re-signed Jamison.

Tiger Woods does not know when he can play golf again, but he said his rebuilt left knee has been sore his entire PGA Tour career and he looks forward to playing on two good legs. "My left knee has been sore for 10 to 12 years," said Woods during a conference call, his first public comments since surgery last week. "It will be nice to finally have a healthy leg. They assured me my longterm health will be a hell of a lot better than it's been over the last decade. I'm really looking forward to that." . . . Former PGA Championship winners Davis Love and Rich Beem qualified for the British Open and Jeff Overton won a North American qualifying section in Dearborn, Mich.

The Tampa Bay Lightning signed left wing Gary Roberts to a one-year contract and forward Vinny Prospal to a multiyear deal. The rights to Roberts and Ryan Malone were acquired from Pittsburgh Saturday in exchange for a conditional draft pick in 2009 . . . The Sabres re-signed center Paul Gaustad to a four-year, $9.2 million contract.

Shawn Chacon cleared waivers and was released by the Houston Astros, five days after a physical altercation with general manager Ed Wade in the clubhouse. Michael Weiner, the general counsel of the players' association, said the union planned to file a grievance today. The union will claim the Astros improperly terminated the deal and that Chacon is owed the remaining $983,607 of his $2 million salary this year . . . Tigers righthander Jeremy Bonderman had surgery to correct a condition that caused a blood clot in his pitching arm. He is not expected to return this season . . . Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder and leadoff hitter Juan Pierre was placed on the 15-day disabled list after spraining a ligament in his left knee . . . Lefthander Jamie Walker (elbow) was placed on the 15-day DL by the Baltimore Orioles . . . The Cleveland Indians placed reliever Scott Elarton on the restricted list after he told manager Eric Wedge he needed to leave the team indefinitely for personal reasons . . . Pawtucket righthander Devern Hansack was named International League pitcher of the week after going 2-0 while throwing 15 innings of shutout ball . . . Former Red Sox player Brian Daubach was named hitting coach of the Can-Am League Nashua Pride.

Indiana University president Michael McRobbie told the NCAA infractions committee that the hiring of ousted men's basketball coach Kelvin Sampson was "a risk that should not have been taken." McRobbie told the committee June 14 that Sampson had betrayed the school's trust in violating NCAA regulations on telephone calls to recruits. Sampson, who left Indiana in February after accepting a $750,000 buyout, was under NCAA recruiting restrictions when IU hired him in 2006 because of a previous phone-call scandal at Oklahoma . . . The Boston Blazers selected Dan Dawson in the National Lacrosse League dispersal draft. Dawson had 38 goals and 43 assists with Portland in 2008. The Blazers begin play in January 2009 . . . Boston Cannons attackman Mikey Powell was named Offensive Player of the Week by Major League Lacrosse . . . US national soccer team member Josh Wolff is returning to Kansas City after a two-year stint playing in Germany, signing a four-year deal with the Wizards.