[naviga:h3]NBA makes moves to speed up games[/naviga:h3]

LAS VEGAS — The NBA has for years heard complaints that a free-flowing, fast-paced and athletic game grinds to a halt at the most important and compelling time, when everyone tunes in to watch the final few minutes of a tight game.

Now the league is finally taking steps to make sure crunch time doesn’t get bogged down by commercial time.

The league’s Board of Governors unanimously approved some changes that will potentially eliminate four timeouts per game, help speed up the final minutes of games and emphasize a timely resumption of play after halftime.

[naviga:h3]Thunder courting George to stay put[/naviga:h3]

OKLAHOMA CITY — Paul George never expected to end up in Oklahoma City.

The Thunder and their fans are already making the pitch to keep him for a while.

A day after hundreds of fans greeted George at the airport, the Thunder pulled out all the stops with a lavish, invitation-only welcome party Wednesday night. It was out of character for the buttoned-down Thunder to throw such a bash — general manager Sam Presti said he couldn’t recall anything like it.

Of course, George has just one year left on his deal, so now is the time to start making a lasting impression.

[naviga:h3]Disgraced soccer exec Blazer dead[/naviga:h3]

NEW YORK — Chuck Blazer, the disgraced American soccer executive whose admissions of corruption set off a global scandal that ultimately toppled FIFA President Sepp Blatter, died Wednesday. He was 72.

Blazer’s death was announced by his lawyers, Eric Corngold and Mary Mulligan. At a November 2013 court hearing during which Blazer entered guilty pleas to 10 federal charges, Blazer said he had rectal cancer, diabetes and coronary artery disease.

[naviga:h3]Mayweather on hook for $7.2 million in tax[/naviga:h3]

WASHINGTON — The IRS still has Floyd Mayweather Jr. on the hook for $7.2 million in taxes from 2010, according to records that show a lien as unresolved for the year he fought Shane Mosley.

That’s on top of the $22.2 million the undefeated boxer nicknamed “Money” owes in 2015 taxes for the year he earned $200 million to fight Manny Pacquiao. He brushed off the tax debt in comments to reporters Tuesday at the start of his tour to promote an Aug. 26 boxing match against Irish MMA star Conor McGregor.

[naviga:h3]Cowboys franchise worth $4.2 billion[/naviga:h3]

NEW YORK — The Dallas Cowboys are worth $4.2 billion, making it the most valuable sports franchise for the second straight year, according to Forbes.

In its annual rankings, Forbes placed the New York Yankees second — up from fourth a year ago — with a value of $3.7 billion.

Next are three soccer clubs: Manchester United ($3.69 billion), Barcelona ($3.64) and Real Madrid ($3.58).