Domestic violence case against Panthers’ Greg Hardy dismissed

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Prosecutors dismissed domestic violence charges against Panthers defensive end and soon-to-be free agent Greg Hardy after they said the accuser in the case couldn’t be found.

The dismissal happened just as Hardy’s appeal in the case was set to begin. Mecklenburg County district attorney Andrew Murray told the judge that officials attempted many times to contact the woman, but failed. Murray said the woman had settled her civil suit against Hardy.

Hardy, whose NFL future is uncertain, left with his attorney and did not answer questions.

Bills sign OL Richie Incognito

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Richie Incognito is getting another chance in the NFL.

The Buffalo Bills signed the nine-year veteran guard, providing a second opportunity after his career was derailed by the Miami Dolphins’ bullying scandal in 2013. It will be Incognito’s second stint with Buffalo; he started three games with the Bills in 2009.

The 6-foot-3, 319-pound Incognito was a free agent and had been out of football since being suspended and missing the final eight games of 2013.

NFL creates LA committee

LOS ANGELES (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has established an internal committee to review stadium options in Los Angeles and coordinate any possible move to Southern California, according to a league memo obtained by The Associated Press.

Goodell’s action comes about a month after a development group that includes a company controlled by St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke announced plans to build an 80,000-seat stadium in the Los Angeles suburbs. The proposal that envisions a stadium rising on the site of a former horse track in Inglewood once again raises the possibility that Los Angeles could get another NFL team after a two-decade drought.

No punishment for Knicks’ owner

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA will not punish Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan for his email to a Knicks fan in which he speculates that the man may be an alcoholic.

Spokesman Mike Bass says that Dolan would not be fined. Commissioner Adam Silver defended Dolan in an interview with the New York Post, calling him a “consummate New Yorker” who “got an unkind email and responded with an unkind email.”

Dolan’s email was written Jan. 23 and appeared Sunday on Deadspin.com.

Griffin out 3-4 weeks after surgery for staph infection

DALLAS (AP) — Blake Griffin will miss three to four weeks after the Los Angeles Clippers’ All-Star forward underwent surgery for a staph infection in his right elbow.

Clippers coach Doc Rivers said the timetable offered after the procedure in Los Angeles was about what the team expected. Griffin sat out his second game Monday night in Dallas ”“ a 115-98 Clippers victory ”“ after the Clippers were blown out 131-108 by Oklahoma City on Sunday in their first game without Griffin this season.

Kentucky still No. 1, Virginia up to No. 2 in latest AP poll

Kentucky is the unanimous No. 1 in The Associated Press’ men’s Top 25 for the second straight week.

The Wildcats (23-0) were the unanimous pick last week after Virginia lost and received all 65 votes from a media panel again. The Cavaliers were back up to No. 2, moving past Gonzaga after beating No. 12 North Carolina and No. 9 Louisville last week. Texas and Georgetown dropped out.

In women’s college basketball, South Florida made its first appearance in The Associated Press poll Monday, entering at No. 25.

While South Florida entered the poll for the first time, there wasn’t much change up top. South Carolina was No. 1 for the 12th straight week ”“ but lost to No. 2 UConn 87-62 on Monday night.

Padres sign SP James Shields

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Right-hander James Shields, who helped Kansas City reach the World Series last season, agreed to a $75 million, four-year contract with the San Diego Padres.

The deal includes an option for 2019 and is subject to the successful completion of a physical, likely to take place Tuesday. Shields is the latest addition by first-year general manager A.J. Preller, who in December added sluggers Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and Wil Myers, as well as Derek Norris and Will Middlebrooks.