Gould signs with N.Y. Giants:

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Josh Brown’s future with the New York Giants and possibly the NFL is in jeopardy after police released journal entries and emails in which the place-kicker admitted that he repeatedly verbally and physically abused his former wife. The league reacted Thursday by re-opening its investigation into a 2015 domestic abuse complaint made by Brown’s former wife. Meanwhile, the Giants announced before traveling to London that Brown wouldn’t make the trip for a game Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. The Giants reached an agreement with former Bears kicker Robbie Gould late Thursday. Gould, the Bears’ career scoring leader, will join the team in London.

Former Bulls No. 1 pick retires:

Philadelphia 76ers and former Bulls forward Elton Brand announced his retirement Thursday. Brand was the first overall pick out of Duke in the 1999 NBA draft by the Bulls and was named rookie of the year. Brand played 17 seasons in the NBA and was in his second stint with the Sixers. He averaged 15.9 points and 8.5 rebounds in 1,058 games with the Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks and Sixers.

UVA players accused of hazing:

RICHMOND, Va. — A University of Virginia football player was bullied and harassed by teammates because of his learning disability and seriously injured after being forced to fight another athlete in order to prove his “manliness,” according to a federal lawsuit filed against the school this month. Aidan Howard, who has since left the school, said in the complaint filed in a Pennsylvania federal court that his teammates called him “slow” and “retarded” in front of coaches when he couldn’t quickly comprehend plays. Howard also suffered a broken eye socket when he was forced to fight another first-year player in August as part of his “initiation.” A university spokesman said the school is investigating.

Limited replay coming:

INDIANAPOLIS — NCAA has approved an experimental rule allowing the Big Ten and Mid-American conferences to use instant replay on certain plays within the restricted arc for the 2016-17 season. The rule will be the first that allows coaches to initiate instant replay in college basketball.

Louisville basketball charges:

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The NCAA accused Louisville of four serious violations and criticized the conduct of coach Rick Pitino for failing to monitor a former basketball staffer who hired escorts and strippers for sex parties with recruits and players. The governing body’s report Thursday did not mention a lack of institutional control — considered the most serious violation in some cases. Pitino disputed the finding that he did not monitor Andree McGee, saying his tendency is to over-monitor.

Tree-burning case goes to jury:

OPELIKA, Ala. — The case against a man accused of torching one of Auburn University’s famed oak trees at Toomer’s Corner is going to a grand jury. a judge sent the case against Jochen Wiest, 29, of Auburn to a grand jury to consider an indictment following a hearing Wednesday.

Thomas tied for lead at CIMB:

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Justin Thomas opened his CIMB Classic title defense with an 8-under 64 on Thursday for a share of the lead with fellow Americans Keegan Bradley and Derek Fathauer.