Sports briefs 12/18/03

Baseball

Gary Sheffield finalized his $39 million, three-year contract with the Yankees. His deal, which includes $13.5 million in deferred money and a $13 million team option for 2007, took weeks to complete after the outfielder and owner George Steinbrenner agreed to the basics. In the end, Sheffield dropped his demand to eliminate the deferred money. He'll be the Yankees' new right fielder.

The Royals and catcher Kelly Stinnett agreed to a one-year contract for $500,000. The deal, contingent on Stinnett passing a physical, also includes $50,000 in performance bonuses. The 33-year-old Stinnett played with Cincinnati and Philadelphia last year, hitting a combined .237 with three home runs and 19 RBIs in 67 games.

Basketball

The WNBA announced three rules changes, including adding 9 1/4 inches to its 3-point shots. Also, the lane will be widened from 12 feet to 16 feet, matching the width used in the NBA, and the 30-second clock will be reset to 20 seconds instead of 30 when a defensive foul or violation occurs with less than 20 seconds left on a possession.

Colleges

Northwestern safety Torri Stuckey will not play in Motor City Bowl because he violated unspecified team rules, coach Randy Walker said. The Wildcats (6-6) face Bowling Green in the Dec. 26 game at Detroit.

Football

Brett Favre said he will return to the Packers next season, putting off any thoughts of retirement. After leading the Packers to a three-point victory over Minnesota on Nov. 2, Favre hinted strongly in an interview with The Associated Press he wanted to keep playing in 2004 and possibly beyond. He said time he was having fun leading the youthful, revamped offense, and it hadn't yet hit its peak.

A hip flexor injury could keep Philadelphia's Troy Vincent out of Sunday's game with San Francisco after he was hurt in Monday's win over Miami.

Miscellaneous

Less than a month after retiring from the NBA due to complications from the kidney disease focal glomerulosclerosis, Alonzo Mourning is scheduled to undergo kidney transplant surgery Friday in New York, The Miami Herald reported. Mourning retired from the New Jersey Nets on Nov. 24 because of complications from the kidney disease focal glomerulosclerosis. He has been searching for a matching kidney donor since, receiving offers from potential donors. The Herald, citing two unidentified sources, said it was believed Mourning is receiving a kidney from one of those donors.

-- From wire reports