Jackson introduced as Knicks’ president

NEW YORK (AP) — Phil Jackson is back in New York, providing the Knicks stability, championship-building ideas and a link to the franchise’s best days.

Jackson was introduced as team president of the Knicks, in the midst of another difficult season and with no easy path to a quick fix.

But Jackson has won here before, done plenty of it since and says a couple of years off have left him ready to take on what might be his toughest challenge, turning this dysfunctional franchise into a champion again.

Jackson was a member of the Knicks’ title teams in 1970 and 1973, and they haven’t won since.

The 11-time champion as a head coach will be an executive for the first time, and the Knicks say he will be in charge of all basketball decisions.

Jackson signed a five-year contract that reportedly will pay him at least $12 million annually and said he will spend significant time in New York.

“This is the best place to play basketball,” Jackson said.

Former Vols coach Pearl hired by Auburn

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn hired former Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl to revive a struggling basketball program that hasn’t been to the NCAA tournament in more than a decade.

The school announced the hiring of the charismatic coach, who remains under a show-cause penalty from the NCAA into August. Pearl had plenty of success on the court, taking Tennessee to the NCAA tournament in each of his six seasons before getting fired in March 2011 in the wake of an NCAA investigation.

NCAA spokeswoman Emily James said Auburn has 30 days to file a report to the Committee on Infractions either contesting or accepting the show-cause penalty barring Pearl from recruiting until Aug. 23.

Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs said he believes Pearl “has learned from his mistake.”

Woods withdraws from Bay Hill

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational because of persistent pain in his back, creating even more uncertainty for golf’s No. 1 player with the Masters only three weeks away.

And that’s if Woods can even play in the Masters.

Woods had to withdraw after 13 holes of the final round at the Honda Classic three weeks ago because of what he called back spasms and pain in his lower back. He tried to defend his title the following week at Doral, only for his back to flare up again in the final round. He closed with a 78, the highest Sunday score of his PGA Tour career and the first final round without a birdie.

After a week of rest and treatment, he didn’t feel fit to play Bay Hill, where he is an eight-time winner, including the past two years.

Newton undergoes ankle surgery

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Cam Newton will undergo surgery on his left ankle and will be sidelined for four months, the Carolina Panthers announced.

The team said the Pro Bowl quarterback has experienced soreness in the ankle since the end of last season and the problem simply wasn’t getting better.

The surgery will be performed by Panthers team physician Robert Anderson at Carolinas Medical Center. If all goes as expected, Newton could return before training begins at the end of July.

Hall of Fame stadium to get facelift

CANTON, Ohio (AP) — A proposed state construction budget being considered by the Ohio Legislature would grant $10 million to help the Pro Football Hall of Fame reconstruct Fawcett Stadium, the Canton field where the annual enshrinement and Hall of Fame game occur.

The $24.3 million project is designed to preserve iconic and historic elements of the 1938 structure. It will include new infrastructure and seating; new technology systems for sound and video screens; better parking and stadium access; new concession areas and restrooms; and a new plaza adjoining the stadium and the hall. It would be done in two phases, starting this year, and be completed in 2016.

The hall’s new president, David Baker, says it’s important to improve the venue because the enshrinement is attended by tens of thousands of people and watched on TV by millions more.

This year’s enshrinement is Aug. 2.