Football

Ex-OSU and NFL player Brandon Browner arrested — Former Oregon State and NFL defensive back Brandon Browner was arrested Sunday in La Verne, California, about 30 miles east of Los Angeles, after police say he broke into the house of a former girlfriend, threatened to kill her and stole a Rolex watch valued at about $20,000. According to NBC Los Angeles, he faces charges of kidnapping, burglary, false imprisonment and violation of a protective order. Browner broke into the unidentified woman’s house through a locked window around 10 a.m. Sunday, according to the Los Angeles Times, and forced her inside as she tried to escape. He then physically harmed the woman and threatened to kill her before leaving with the Rolex, according to the Times. He fled before police arrived at the house and was arrested by La Verne police around 3:30 p.m., according to Los Angeles County jail records that indicate Browner is being held at the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles. Bail has been set at $10 million. It is Browner’s fourth arrest over the past 14 months. Browner, 33, last played in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints in 2015. An original member of the Seattle Seahawks’ Legion of Boom defense, he was a Pro Bowler in his first NFL season in 2011 and helped the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title during the 2013-14 season, though he did not play in the title game while serving a suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. He then joined the New England Patriots the next season and was part of the team that defeated the Seahawks for the Super Bowl title.

Sarkisian loses $30M lawsuit against USC — Former Southern California head football coach Steve Sarkisian has lost a $30 million lawsuit that claimed he was improperly fired by the school instead of being allowed to seek treatment for alcoholism. An arbitrator last week ruled in favor of the University of Southern California, saying Sarkisian concealed his condition from the school. In a statement Monday, Sarkisian said he was “disappointed in the decision, but we will respect it and move on.” Sarkisian was fired in October 2015, two months after he slurred his words and swore during USC’s annual “Salute to Troy” preseason pep rally. Sarkisian blamed his behavior on mixing alcohol with medication before the event. However, Sarkisian also reportedly showed signs of being intoxicated during a game and at a team meeting. He was replaced by current head coach Clay Helton. Sarkisian sued for breach of contract and discrimination based on disability, alleging that the school fired him instead of allowing him to seek treatment for alcoholism.

Basketball

LeBron James’ deal with Lakers finalized — It is official. LeBron is a Laker. The Los Angeles Lakers announced the signing of LeBron James as a free agent Monday night, confirming the seismic shift created by the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player’s decision to leave Cleveland for the 16-time champion franchise on the West Coast. James’ representatives at Klutch Sports Group tweeted a photo of James signing his contract with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka. James’ agency already announced last week that the superstar had agreed to a four-year deal worth $153.3 million with Los Angeles.

— From wire reports