ORLANDO, Fla. (STATS) - Greg Oden’s dominant performance in the nationalchampionship game was just the start of his coming-out party. It’s nowofficially in full force as he makes his way through the predraft interviewcircuit.

Once seen as a relatively emotionless physical specimen with plenty oftalent but little charisma, the 7-footer has rebuilt his image lately withnumerous appearances, candid interviews and heaps of personality.

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ATLANTA — AirTran Airways has ended its relationship with Atlanta Falconsquarterback Michael Vick, who has been a pitchman for the airline since 2004,but whose image has been tarnished in several off-field incidents.

“Michael’s contract expired May 8, and we decided to go in anotherdirection,” AirTran spokesman Tad Hutcheson told The AtlantaJournal-Constitution on Thursday.

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HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — The sweat dripped off Thomas Jones’ face and his greenNo. 20 jersey was drenched. It’s a sight the running back’s new Jets teammatesare getting used to.

“As you guys can see, he’s a physical specimen,” quarterback ChadPennington said with a laugh after the team’s voluntary workouts Thursday.

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NEW ORLEANS — The baseball stadium at the University of New Orleans offersa view of the vast lake that overflowed into this city during Hurricane Katrina,the abandoned homes and businesses along the edge of campus and a FEMA trailerpark beyond the outfield fence.

“Our guys are still submerged in the reality of the hurricane every day,”said Tom Walter, UNO’s third-year coach.

Yet, despite losing players who decided post-Katrina New Orleans wasn’t forthem, despite spending several months like vagabonds in Las Cruces, N.M., andMobile, Ala., and despite the obvious recruiting challenges they now face, thePrivateers are well on their way to becoming an elite baseball program again.

On Friday, New Orleans will open play in an NCAA tournament regional inWichita, Kan., against host Wichita State. In only their second season since thestorm, and the first season in which they’ve been able to use their ownon-campus facilities throughout the academic year, the Privateers have had theirbest campaign since 2000, the last time they made the NCAA tournament.

“Right after the hurricane hit, the first concern among players and thestaff was whether or not UNO athletics was going to cease to exist,” Waltersaid before a practice in Wichita on Thursday. “It would have been easy to saywe’re not going to have a program now and we’ll start back up when we’re ready.That probably would have been the logical thing to do and I would haveunderstood because the school’s primary responsibility is to educate people.”

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NEW YORK — The Stanley Cup finals lost nearly a quarter of what already wasa small television audience.

Anaheim’s 1-0 victory over Ottawa in Game 2 on Wednesday night got a 0.6cable rating on Versus and was watched in 446,000 homes in the United States.

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SAN ANTONIO — After an inconsistent start to the season and watching otherclubs go on lengthy winning streaks, the San Antonio Spurs knew it was time tomake their run at the playoffs.

The Spurs showed that form on Wednesday as they closed out their series withthe Utah Jazz in five games and advanced to the NBA finals for a chance at theirfourth NBA title in nine seasons.

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Marquise Hill used to sit just behind Ty Warren atPatriots meetings. During team drills, they would face each other across theline of scrimmage.

On Thursday, there were flowers in the locker where Hill had dressed.

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PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach Larry Zierleinapologized Thursday for accidentally e-mailing an explicit sex video to numerousNFL employees, including league commissioner Roger Goodell.

Zierlein said the incident has been difficult for him and his family andthat he intends to use his team-issued computer only for football business fromnow on. He sent a note of apology to all NFL employees and those with theSteelers who received his raunchy e-mail.

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WASHINGTON — Washington Mystics forward Crystal Robinson retired Thursdayand will join the team’s coaching staff.

Robinson signed with the Mystics last year after seven seasons with the NewYork Liberty. She previously played in the American Basketball League.

“She is almost like family to me,” Mystics coach Richie Adubato said.”She is a great defender and a clutch shooter. This year she has had somenagging injuries and felt that it was time. She is going to be an asset to me onthe bench, as she has been a coach on the floor.”

Robinson, 33, had only two points and two rebounds this season. Last seasonshe averaged 7.4 points and 2.6 rebounds.

ORLANDO — After leading Florida to two national titles, Billy Donovan hasagreed to leave the Gators to coach the Orlando Magic, an official in the NBAtold The Associated Press on Thursday.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’tbeen finalized, said Donovan agreed to a five-year, $27.5 million contract.

Donovan, who turned down an offer in April to coach Kentucky, replaces BrianHill, who was fired after two consecutive losing seasons.

16 wins. 16 teams. 1 trophy. Tune in to the NBA Playoffs to see who is left standing as NBA champion