With its draft on tap, NHL plans higher cap

Hockey • After a year of record revenues, the NHL salary cap is going up again. The exact figure for the 2014-15 hasn't been set yet, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Thursday in New York following a meeting of the league's board of governors, but he hoped it would be worked out with the players' association in time for the start of the two-day entry draft Friday in Philadelphia.

The final number is expected to be in the high $60 millions or low $70 millions. That gives general managers a guideline as they head into the draft and the free-agency season that begins Tuesday.

Oklahoma coach Stoops gets raise

football • Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops' salary will jump to $5.25 million for the upcoming season. The new figure was approved by the school's Board of Regents. The total is up from about $5 million last season.

Stoops' base salary will remain $325,000. He receives $700,000 for staying at Oklahoma. His income from private funds will increase from $3,725,000 to $4,025,000.

• The NFL team in Washington, D.C., has signed Jerry Rice Jr., son of the Hall of Fame receiver. Rice is an undrafted free agent out of UNLV. He caught 11 passes for 86 yards and one touchdown last year in his only season with the Rebels. Rice is 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds.

Chinese fighter's U.S. debut set for August

boxing • A 6-foot-6 Chinese boxer who won the super heavyweight silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics will make his professional debut in August. Zhang Zhilei will fight in the heavyweight bout Aug. 8 in Fallon, Nevada, on a card televised by ESPN. His opponent has not been determined.

Zhang is promoted by Dino Duva's Dynasty Boxing. He has former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield as an adviser. Says Holyfield: "I can't make him a champion. He's got to want to be a champion."

From wire reports