Sports briefs

Vancouver Games came with big price tag

VANCOUVER — Hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games cost Vancouver only slightly less than it takes to run the city itself for an entire year.

A report going before the city council next week estimates the city spent $727.6 million on infrastructure and operations to host the world for the 27 days of the games.

It recouped $174.5 million of it from the provincial and the federal governments, leaving a bill of $553.1 million.

That doesn't include the cost of taking over the $1 billion Olympic athletes village project after the primary financier balked.

Raiders add QB Boller to crowded roster

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders signed free agent quarterback Kyle Boller on Thursday, adding a former first-rounder to an unsettled quarterback mix.

Former No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell lost his job midway through last season because of ineffectiveness and is competing with Bruce Gradkowski to get it back. Charlie Frye started three games last season and is also back.

How Boller fits into the mix is not immediately evident. The team announced the move shortly after coach Tom Cable addressed the media about the upcoming draft.

Seahawks prepping for life after Jones

RENTON, Wash. — Signs are pointing to the imminent retirement of six-time All-Pro Walter Jones.

Seahawks general manager John Schneider said Thursday he is preparing for next week's draft under the assumption the 36-year-old left tackle will not play in 2010.

The first-year GM said the team should know for sure very soon. Seattle has the sixth and 14th overall picks in the draft.

Omaha home to UFL expansion squad

OMAHA, Neb. — Omaha will host the fifth franchise in the United Football League, and former Boston College coach Jeff Jagodzinski will coach the team.

Commissioner Michael Huyghue said at a news conference that the yet-to-be-named team will play at Rosenblatt Stadium this fall, then move downtown to the new TD Ameritrade Park in 2011.

The fledgling minor league, which touts itself as a developmental league for the NFL, reportedly lost about $30 million in 2009, its first season.

The UFL is the sole owner of the Omaha team, but Huyghue said he hopes to find local investors to whittle the league's stake to 50 percent.

Omaha will join teams in Hartford, Conn., Sacramento, Calif., Las Vegas and Orlando, Fla., for a season that runs from September to November.

— Deseret News staff and wire reports