Sports briefs

Knicks re-sign Lee for $8 million

NEW YORK — Power forward David Lee re-signed with the New York Knicks on Thursday, getting a one-year deal worth about $8 million.

Lee sought a multiyear contract. But with the Knicks hoping to save salary cap room for the summer of 2010, he had to settle for the chance to become an unrestricted free agent next year.

Lee averaged 16 points and 11.7 rebounds last season. He led the NBA with 65 double-doubles and was third in rebounding.

Gretzky says goodbye to Coyotes

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Phoenix Coyotes asked Wayne Gretzky to be the face of their franchise.

They only want Dave Tippett to be their coach.

Hours after Gretzky abruptly resigned Thursday amid the financial turmoil surrounding the team, the Coyotes replaced him with Tippett, the former Dallas Stars coach.

They hope Tippett will have more success than Gretzky, whose four-year tenure was marked largely by on-ice futility.

Coyotes general manager Don Maloney had been preparing for Gretzky's departure, which had been rumored as the bankruptcy court battle between Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie and the NHL over the sale of the team dragged on. In a sign of his estrangement from the club, Gretzky announced his resignation on his Web site, with no immediate comment from the team.

Light Arreola weighs in with Klitschko

LOS ANGELES — Chris Arreola has weighed in at a surprisingly slim 251 pounds for his WBC heavyweight title fight against Vitali Klitschko this weekend.

Arreola poked fun at his reputation for a paunchy physique when he mounted the scale outside Staples Center on Thursday with his shirt on, weighing in at 277 pounds. Arreola then removed his shirt to reveal a large weight vest, taking it off to reveal a considerably fitter build.

Klitschko is favored to defend his title in Saturday's fight, and the Ukrainian champion weighed in at 252 pounds with a more sculpted build.

Although both fighters live in Southern California, Arreola was the favorite of a small but vocal crowd hoping he'll become the first Mexican-American heavyweight champion.

Kasparov beats Karpov in chess rematch

MADRID — Garry Kasparov soundly defeated Anatoly Karpov on Thursday in an exhibition chess match marking the 25th anniversary of their first title bout.