Sports in Brief: Bryant's wife files for divorce

Kobe Bryant's wife, Vanessa, filed for divorce on Friday from the Los Angeles Lakers star, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split.

Vanessa is reportedly asking for joint custody of their daughters, 8-year-old Natalia and 5-year-old Giana.

According to the TMZ website, the couple has no prenup, meaning 29-year-old Vanessa is entitled to half of the couple's assets. The site quoted sources who said Vanessa is ending the marriage because she believes Kobe has been unfaithful, again.

In 2003, Bryant was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 19-year-old hotel employee in Colorado.

Bryant admitted an adulterous sexual encounter with his accuser, but denied the assault allegation.

The case was dropped by prosecutors after the alleged victim refused to testify in the trial. Afterward, Bryant agreed to apologize to her, and a civil suit was settled out of court.

Miami Heat president Pat Riley says coach Erik Spoelstra has received a new contract from the team. Riley did not divulge terms. Earlier this week, Spoelstra said he did not expect his contract status to be a distraction for Miami, which lost in last season's NBA Finals. Spoelstra is entering his fourth season as Miami's coach, having been picked by Riley after the Hall of Famer retired from the sideline.

BASEBALL: The Colorado Rockies and free-agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer have agreed to a three-year deal worth about $30 million. Cuddyer, who hit .284 with 20 home runs and 70 RBIs last season, also was pursued by the Phillies and Mariners.

The Minnesota Twins welcomed former A's outfielder Josh Willingham to the team. Willingham agreed to a three-year, $21 million contract. Willingham, a righthanded hitter joining a lefty-heavy lineup, hit .246 with a career-high 29 homers and 98 RBIs last year for the A's.

NFL: The league denied the appeal by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison of a one-game suspension. Harrison's helmet-to-helmet hit on Cleveland quarterback Colt McCoy will keep him out of Monday night's game in San Francisco. McCoy, who returned during the Steelers' win over the Browns on Dec. 8, suffered a concussion on the play.

Harrison responded to the league's decision on his Twitter page: "17 games, 1000+ snaps, 100+ tackles, 12+sacks and 2 forces fumbles since my last incident and I get a suspension for a football play!"

LOCAL COLLEGES: La Salle freshman Kelsey Haycook, a Point Pleasant Boro graduate, was named to Soccer America's freshman first team. She is the only player in the Atlantic Ten Conference to be honored on the women's all-rookie team.

The College Sports Information Directors of America recognized Eastern volleyball setter Maria Horning as an Academic all-American. Horning was the only member of the Capital One Academic all-American first team who played in the national finals in St. Louis.

Eastern juniors Kelsey Doutrich and Alysia Goodman were named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's Division III all-Mid-Atlantic Region first team.

Chestnut Hill College senior forward Lauren Riiff, a Paul VI grad from Clementon, earned her second Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference women's soccer player of the year award. She led the CACC in goals (18), points (40), and shots (93) as captain of the Griffins. She also was the CACC player of the year in 2009.

Rowan senior midfielder Christie Fink was selected to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America South Atlantic All-Region first team.

SAILING: Anna Tunnicliffe's U.S. crew won all four races to beat Britain to the women's match-racing gold at the world sailing championships in Fremantle, Austrailia. - Staff and wire reports