HOCKEY

SASKIN FIRED AS NHLPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The NHL Players’ Association fired executive director Ted Saskin on Thursday, two months after placing him on a paid leave of absence following allegations that he and senior director Ken Kim read players’ e-mails.

The union’s executive board, made up of 30 player representatives and the six-member interim executive committee, voted to fire Saskin on a conference call.

“All I am going to say at this time is that I remain proud of all the work I did for NHL players over the last 16 years and particularly in negotiating the new CBA, which has been working out well,” Saskin said. “I will work towards a fair resolution of my contractual rights with the NHLPA and wish them well in the future.”

The NHLPA said it was considering its options with Kim, and would have no further comment at this time.

“I doubt it’s over,” said Chris Chelios, the Detroit player who spearheaded the movement to fire Saskin. “We haven’t heard from Ted yet. But it was a unanimous vote today, which was nice. We’re all on the same page. We’re moving forward.”

TENNIS

SLUMPING FEDERER LOSES TO WILD CARD AT ROME MASTERS

Roger Federer lost to Italian wild card Filippo Volandri 6–2, 6–4 yesterday in the third round of the Rome Masters, extending his title drought to four straight tournaments and marking the worst stretch of his career since he rose to No. 1 in February 2004.

“I don’t know what’s wrong,” Federer said. “I have to analyze it myself. It was over too soon for me today.”

The top-ranked Swiss won in Dubai in March. He has since failed to win at Indian Wells, Calif.; Key Biscayne, Fla.; Monte Carlo Monaco; and Rome.

Federer often missed routine baseline shots against Volandri, and his body language conveyed little will to compete. He hit only two winners with his forehand, normally his best shot, and made 44 unforced errors to Volandri’s 23.

BASEBALL

TORONTO’S RYAN OUT FOR YEAR AFTER TOMMY JOHN SURGERY

Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan will miss the season after having Tommy John surgery on his left elbow yesterday, a major blow to Toronto’s hopes.

Ryan, who signed a $47 million, five-year contract before the 2006 season, is expected to ready for spring training next year.

Ryan was 0–2 with three saves and a 12.46 ERA in five games this season. Last year, he was 2–2 with a 1.37 ERA and 38 saves in his first season since leaving Baltimore as a free agent.

Dr. Timothy Kremchek, the Reds’ team doctor, performed the ligament surgery in Cincinnati.

BASKETBALL

NASH LEADS VOTES FOR ALL-NBA FIRST TEAM

Steve Nash was a unanimous selection to the All-NBA team yesterday and was joined by Phoenix Suns teammate Amare Stoudemire on a squad made up entirely of Western Conference players.

Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki, San Antonio forward Tim Duncan, and Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, the league’s leading scorer, rounded out the first team.

“It’s a tough conference,” Suns coach Mike D’Antoni said.

Nash, the league’s two-time defending MVP, received 129 firstplace votes and 645 total points from the panel of 129 press members.

“You’re playing with the best players in the world, and to be mentioned in the top group is something I’m very proud of,” the point guard said.