ESPN suspends Tony Kornheiser for remarks about "SportsCenter" anchor Hannah Storm's attire | Media

Media

Kornheiser says he called Storm to apologize: ESPN has suspended host Tony Kornheiser from his television talk show "Pardon the Interruption" for two weeks for comments he made on the radio last week about "SportsCenter" anchor Hannah Storm's clothing.

Kornheiser announced the suspension on his Washington D.C. radio show Tuesday morning, calling his remarks about Storm intemperate and stupid.

"As the result of this, I have been sent to the sidelines of PTI for a while," Kornheiser said.

In a written release, ESPN called Kornheiser's comments inappropriate.

"Hurtful and personal comments such as these are not acceptable and have significant consequences," said John Skipper, ESPN vice president for content.

Kornheiser, 61, described an outfit Storm, 47, was wearing at ESPN last week as "horrifying."

According to The Washington Post's Web site, Kornheiser's radio comments included:

"She's got on red go-go boots and a Catholic-school plaid skirt ... way too short for somebody in her 40s or maybe early 50s by now ... She looks like she has sausage casing wrapping around her upper body ... Come on now! Stop! What are you doing?"

Kornheiser said he had called Storm to apologize for the remarks. According to The Washington Post's Web site, last week he told radio listeners "no one should take anything I say about them personally, because I am a troll."

Storm declined to comment, ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said.

Tennis

Serbian court reduces sentence for Dokic's father: A Serbian court has reduced the prison sentence for Jelena Dokic's father, who was convicted of threatening the Australian ambassador.

The court in Sremska Mitrovica said it reduced Damir Dokic's 15-month sentence to 12 months. Dokic, 51, could be out of prison in early May.

Dokic was arrested last year after reportedly saying he would blow up Australian ambassador Claire Birgin's car because of articles in the Australian media in which Jelena Dokic accused him of beating her. Upon arrest, police found a large number of weapons in Damir Dokic's home.

The Dokic family emigrated from Serbia to Australia in 1994. Jelena, 26, is ranked No. 99 in the world; she was ranked No. 4 in August 2002.

Venus Williams wins on clay: Defending champion Venus Williams, the top seed, won her first clay-court match of the season, defeating Mathilde Johansson of France 6-2, 6-3 to reach the second round of the Mexican Open in Acapulco.

Williams won the Dubai Championships title Saturday. "I was just trying to get my rhythm on the clay and make the transition," she said.

Soccer

Latest extension in MLS labor talks is to expire Thursday: Negotiators for Major League Soccer players and owners failed to meet Tuesday, two days before the latest extension in their labor talks is due to expire.

With players failing to match management's no-lockout pledge with a no-strike offer, the league's first work stoppage appears possible — one that could postpone the first game of the expansion Philadelphia Union playing Seattle Sounders FC on March 25 at Qwest Field.

The league's first collective-bargaining agreement expired Jan. 31, and the sides twice extended bargaining.

Real Salt Lake acquires Gil: Defending MLS champion Real Salt Lake has acquired 16-year-old American midfielder Luis Gil from Kansas City for a second-round draft pick next year, an international-player roster spot and 25 percent of any future transfer fee for Gil to a team outside the league.

Gil is from Garden Grove, Calif., and preferred to play for a team closer to home. Kansas City won his rights during a weighted lottery Monday.

Barcelona ties with Stuttgart in UEFA Champions League: Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored off the rebound of his initial shot in the 52nd minute, giving defending champion Barcelona of Spain a 1-1 tie at Stuttgart of Germany in the first round of the second leg of the UEFA Champions League.

The second round of the home-and-home, total-goals series will be March 17 in Barcelona.

In Tuesday's other match, Bordeaux of France won 1-0 at Olympiakos of Greece on Michael Ciani's header.

Rooney leads the way: Wayne Rooney scored on headers in the 38th and 55th minutes, leading host Manchester United to a 3-0 victory over West Ham in the English Premier League.

Rooney has a league-leading 27 goals, including 11 in his last eight matches.

Manchester United (19-6-3) is second in the league, one point behind Chelsea (19-4-4).

Volleyball

Dodd is commissioner: Mike Dodd, an Olympic silver medalist, is the new commissioner of the American pro beach volleyball tour.

Dodd, 52, will be in charge of the AVP's competition, athlete welfare and sport development.

Dodd won 75 titles in an 18-year pro career.

Leonard Armato resigned as commissioner in April 2009. Jason Hodell, the AVP chief executive officer, was acting commissioner before the hiring of Dodd.

College athletics

Ole Miss students decide to replace Colonel Reb: Mississippi students voted to start looking for a mascot to fill the void left by Colonel Reb.

The Southern gent with a cane and floppy hat was booted as the on-field mascot in 2003 as the university continued its move away from Old South symbols.

Seattle Times news services