NEW YORK — The NBA and its referees approved a new five-year deal, just two years after a contract dispute nearly caused the league to open the season with replacements.

A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press that the referees voted on the deal last week. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because those details were confidential.

DALLAS — The Dallas Stars have signed an agreement to sell the team to Vancouver businessman Tom Gaglardi and have filed a prepackaged bankruptcy plan to help facilitate the transaction.The Stars said that the deal is subject to a court-approved auction and NHL approval.<B>Tavares staying with Islanders</B>UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Forget all that talk and speculation that John Tavares would flee Long Island as soon as he got a chance at free agency.Not only is he staying put, but the soon-to-be 21-year-old center won’t even test the market.Tavares and the New York Islanders agreed to terms on a six-year, $33 million contract that will keep the 2009 No. 1 overall pick under contract through the 2017-18 season. The new deal won’t kick in until Tavares’ three-year, entry-level contract expires after the upcoming season.Tavares’ new contract will carry an annual salary cap charge of $5.5 million.<B>Johnson’s 7-under 65 tops LPGA</B>PRATTVILLE, Ala. — Jennifer Johnson shot a career-best, 7-under-par 65 to take the first-round lead over teenager Lexi Thompson in the Navistar LPGA Classic.Johnson was 6 under on the back nine on the Senator course at the Robert Trent Jones Trail’s Capitol Hill complex. She eagled the par-4, 389-yard 15th hole and had birdies on Nos. 10, 13, 17 and 18.The 16-year-old Thompson is one stroke back after a 6-under 66, with Becky Morgan and Alison Walshe another shot behind. There is a seven-way tie for fifth.