Sports News Roundup: WTA increases rankings protection for returning mothers; Yankees pay Sabathia's $500K bonus despite ejection in finale

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Knicks' owner Dolan willing to sell franchise

James Dolan is selling the New York Liberty and the owner of the New York Knicks and Rangers would listen if bidders wanted to make a run at his NBA and NHL franchises. Dolan, 63, serves as chairman of Madison Square Garden and told ESPN of recent feelers from suitors for the Knicks' franchise exceeded $5 billion.

Surfing: Brazil's Medina wins second world title at Pipeline

Gabriel Medina won the men's World Surfing League championship for the second time when he advanced to the final of the Billabong Pipe Masters in Oahu, Hawaii on Monday. The Brazilian, who was also world champion in 2014, ensured he would end the two-year reign of Hawaiian John John Florence by beating South African Jordy Smith in the semi-finals.

Garrett: Cockiness not Cowboys' problem vs. Colts

Dallas Cowboys: While five straight wins lifted the Cowboys to the top of the NFC East, did they also help Dallas get a little too cocky? That question was asked of head coach Jason Garrett at his weekly news conference Monday following his team's 23-0 loss at Indianapolis, but that's not the way he sees it. "I think the best thing we've done here over the last five weeks is we understand the challenges of the game and I think we've been mentally tough over the course of these last five games" Garrett said. .".. We just didn't do what we needed to do to win the game yesterday. Period. ... It's really as simple as that." He later added: "Ultimately (the Colts) ran the ball too easily in the game." New York Giants: Despite his team officially eliminated from playoff contention, Giants head coach Pat Shurmur said quarterback Eli Manning will start Week 16 at the Indianapolis Colts, avoiding the temptation to start fourth-round rookie Kyle Lauletta. "I think we're going to try to put the player in that gives us the best chance to win," Shurmur said. "We'll see if that involves Kyle. ... Eli playing QB I think gives us the best chance to win." The coach also indicated the team isn't in a hurry to move on from Manning, whom Shurmur said he still believes has "years" left as an NFL starter. "Yeah (I want Manning back in 2019)," Shurmur said. "I want all our players to be back. I believe experience matters."

WTA increases rankings protection for returning mothers

The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) will offer greater rankings protection to mothers returning to the tour after giving birth and introduce a modernized dress rule as part of new rules announced on Monday for next season. The changes address issues that came up in 2018 when former world number one Serena Williams, who returned to action after giving birth, was unseeded for some events and caused an uproar with a black, skin-tight bodysuit she wore at the French Open.

Yankees pay Sabathia's $500K bonus despite ejection in finale

CC Sabathia gave up half a million dollars to show he had his teammate's back. Instead, the New York Yankees paid their veteran left-hander for his loyalty. The 38-year-old pitcher was two innings from receiving a $500,000 for pitching 155 innings last season when he was ejected for throwing at the Tampa Bay Rays' Jesus Sucre in the sixth inning of Sabathia's final outing of the season. Rather than pitch out of the bullpen to get his bonus, Sabathia stayed at 153 innings.

Shurmur: Manning still Giants' starter, has 'years' left

The New York Giants were officially eliminated from postseason contention Sunday, but head coach Pat Shurmur said Monday he will start quarterback Eli Manning again in Week 16 at the Indianapolis Colts. Shurmur didn't rule out the possibility of fourth-round rookie Kyle Lauletta seeing more action, but he was clear the Giants won't just be evaluating talent for the future.

Belichick not worried about Pats' run D

Buffalo Bills: While his team sits at 5-9 and he continues to rely on young players who bring little fanfare, coach Sean McDermott actually believes such reliance is proof his plan is working. "It's really the type of culture we're trying to build where I can walk into the team meeting room on Wednesday morning and say, 'Hey, Player X has earned the right to be brought up to the active roster,'" McDermott said during his Monday news conference, noting he played six undrafted rookies Sunday. "And the players, I think they really get a lot of motivation out of that and take pride in that because they know what type of culture we're trying to build and that you've got to earn things here." Miami Dolphins: With veteran Frank Gore likely out the remainder of the season with a foot injury, Dolphins coach Adam Gase has some evaluating to do at running back these last two games. One back likely to get more carries is rookie Kalen Ballage. After rushing for a total of 11 yards in his first nine games, Ballage broke out with 123 yards -- including a 75-yard score -- against the Vikings. But don't count Gase among those surprised. "That long run he had, that's how he runs every day (at practice)," Gase said. "That's how he finishes every day. ... When he gets a carry with the offense, he finishes in the end zone."

Ravens use schedule as motivator again

Baltimore Ravens: Safety Eric Weddle gets to see former teammate Philip Rivers before Christmas, but he's not in much of a festive move about the Ravens drawing one of the AFC's best teams -- the Los Angeles Chargers -- given the rest disparity. "It's obviously a disadvantage," Weddle said of the schedule working against Baltimore, with the Chargers having 10 days between Week 15 and Week 16 games. By comparison, the Ravens enter Saturday's game on less-than-normal rest. "We're going to use this as motivation," Weddle said. "It's stacked up against us. We're going to be the underdog. No one is going to think we're going to win. This just adds to the game. Would we like to have 10 days to prepare for one of the best teams in the league? Of course, but we don't." Cincinnati Bengals: Another key skill position player is likely done for the season. Wide receiver Tyler Boyd has a sprained MCL and needs at least two weeks to recover. With only two games remaining, he's a candidate for injured reserve, where he would join quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green, though head coach Marvin Lewis said no decision has been made yet. Boyd reached his goal of becoming the first Cincinnati wide receiver to reach 1,000 yards in a season not named Green since Chad Johnson did it in 2009. Now, he's looking at bigger targets to knock down in 2019. "Hopefully I get into the Pro Bowl. I've been working my tail off each and every day," Boyd said.

Flyers fire coach Hakstol; Gordon named interim

The Philadelphia Flyers dismissed head coach Dave Hakstol on Monday, hours after a team spokesman declared a report about Hakstol's imminent firing untrue. "After meeting this morning with Dave Hakstol and thoughtful consideration, I have decided to relieve him of his duties as head coach," general manager Chuck Fletcher said in a statement. "As I continue to assess the team, I feel that this is the best course of action for our group moving forward. I'd like to thank Dave for his service to the team and organization. Scott Gordon will serve as head coach on an interim basis."

Raiders' Gruden recalls Oakland Coliseum memories

Denver Broncos: The Broncos (6-8) are officially out of playoff contention, but they still have a milestone to play for. The team hasn't had back-to-back losing seasons since 1971-72, a streak it would keep alive with wins over the Raiders and Chargers over the final two weeks. "Absolutely," head coach Vance Joseph told the media Monday when asked if that's a goal. "We want to win. These next two games are important for us to finish the right way. That part is very important to me. It's about winning. That's what it's about. It's not about losing, it's about winning. That's very important to our football team and our coaches." Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Berry's return to the playing field for the first time since the 2017 opener was without setbacks, but the team will remain patient in increasing his snaps. "He'll continue to increase time and we'll see how that disperses out there and what the plan will be for this coming week," head coach Andy Reid said. "The positive was that he came out feeling good. He was sore -- he hadn't played in a long time." Meanwhile, right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is "not ready yet" in his recovery from a spiral fracture in his leg that required surgery, but Reid said he still has a shot at returning sometime this season.

(With inputs from Reuters)