Jazz, Stockton agree to two-year contract

SALT LAKE CITY -- John Stockton was willing to take a pay cut. He's fairly certain he'll be able to make ends meet with a salary of $8 million for each of the next two seasons.

The future Hall-of-Famer announced Thursday that he has signed a two-year contract extension with the Utah Jazz, the only team he's ever played for.

Stockton made $11 million last season, but agreed to take about $3 million less so that the Jazz would not exceed the estimated luxury tax threshold of $54 million.

"I just look at myself mostly as fortunate," Stockton said. "It's not like we'll be at the soup kitchen. This is a very good job. There's not a guy in the league who doesn't have one of the best jobs in the world."

He begins his 18th season with the Jazz next week, when training camp opens.

Stockton is the NBA's all-time leader in assists and steals.

NFL bans use of ephedrine

NEW YORK -- The NFL has banned the stimulant ephedrine after being told by experts that the substance often found in strength-building food supplements can cause seizures, strokes and even death.

The ban will be part of the league's anti-steroid policy, which means that players will be subject to year-round random testing for the substances.

But commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who announced the policy Thursday in a memo to the 31 teams, said the testing won't begin until further consultations with the NFL Players Association, which has approved the ban but not the timing.

"This strengthening of our policy responds to the recent introduction of new substances, as well as new evidence addressing the risks associated with certain products already on the market," Tagliabue said.

Ephedrine, an amphetamine-like stimulant, is sold in a few over-the-counter asthma medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

NASCAR announces new seat belt rules

Reacting to the discovery of a partially torn seat belt in Jeremy Mayfield's car, NASCAR on Thursday announced new rules regarding the placement of belts and manufacturer labels that the sanctioning body hopes will prevent a recurrence.

The changes were recommended by Dr. James Raddin and Dr. John Melvin, two experts NASCAR commissioned to investigate the death of Dale Earnhardt and conduct an additional study on occupant-restraint systems.

NASCAR sent them Mayfield's belt to examine after it was found to be partially torn following an accident in Dover, Del., on Sunday.

Effective immediately, manufacturer labels cannot be located under the adjusting mechanism when the driver is buckled in the seat and has tightened the seat belts and shoulder harness.

If the label is under the adjusting mechanism, the label must be removed or relocated "in a manner that does not affect the integrity of the belt material." The date of manufacture must still remain visible on the belts at all times.

Reds' Boone undergoes surgery on thumb

CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Reds third baseman Aaron Boone underwent surgery Thursday to insert a pin and a wire into his left thumb, which was broken when he was hit by a pitch Sunday in Milwaukee.

The pin will be removed in about four weeks, but the wire will not be removed, Reds officials said. Boone should be able to begin full activity in eight weeks and should be 100 percent by spring training.

He was injured when Milwaukee's Jamey Wright hit him with a pitch. It was the third time this season that Boone broke a bone when he was hit by a pitch.

Dr. Greg Sommerkamp, a hand specialist, and Reds team physician Timothy Kremchek performed the surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati.

Boone hit .294 this season with 14 home runs and 62 runs batted in.

-- From wire reports