Glum economic forecasts greeted the Hornets upon their return to New Orleans following a two-year displacement forced by Hurricane Katrina. George Shinn, the team's majority owner, said his accountants initially projected the franchise would run a deficit of about $20…

The Boston Bruins re-signed veteran defenseman Aaron Ward to a multiyear contract extension. Ward, 35, had five goals and eight assists in 65 regular-season games for the Bruins last year, as well as one assist in six playoff games. He has 40 goals and 88 assists in a 13-year career with five teams. Ward was the fifth overall pick in the 1991 NHL draft by the Winnipeg Jets.

Brewers manager Ned Yost isn't upset with outfielder Ryan Braun's comments that the team lacked confidence while being swept in Boston, saying Tuesday that any team that is losing will question itself. After the Brewers lost their fifth in a row, 11-7 to Boston on Sunday, Braun said, "I almost felt like this series, we didn't expect to win.

The Dallas Cowboys signed running back Marion Barber and cornerback Terence Newman to long-term extensions Tuesday, just in time to beat a deadline that would've changed how the money is spread over the salary cap. It wasn't cheap, though, costing Jerry Jones roughly $95 million. At least he knows he'll have both players through 2014.