The move splits executive vice president of basketball operations Stu Jackson's role into two positions, a plan commissioner David Stern announced in the fall. Johnson will oversee all aspects of officiating, while Jackson will continue to handle all other domestic and international basketball matters.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, a frequent critic of the league's officiating, is glad to have Johnson in charge. "I'm thrilled," Cuban said. "I think it's the perfect hire. . . . He has experience managing professionals in high-stress situations."

Johnson recently retired after 32 years of service as a combat engineer.

ESPN.com reported that Baron Davis was close to signing a long-term deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, a day after the point guard opted out of the last season of his contract with Golden State to become a free agent.

Hockey

Campbell's deal is reportedly worth $7.14 million annually, with the total of $57.12 million the richest in team history. Campbell, dealt by the Buffalo Sabres to the San Jose Sharks at last season's trade deadline, has 35 goals and 160 assists in 411 regular-season NHL games.

Chicago also signed free-agent goalie Cristobal Huet to a four-year deal worth $5.626 million per season. The former Washington Capitals goalie has an 83-61-11 career record.

The Capitals re-signed Mike Green, the NHL's top scoring defenseman, to a four-year, $21 million contract. Washington also added free agent Jose Theodore, signing the former Colorado goalie to a two-year, $9 million deal.

The New Jersey Devils re-signed forward Jay Pandolfo and defenseman Bryce Salvador. They also brought back two former players, free-agent centers Brian Rolston (Minnesota) and Bobby Holik (Atlanta).

The Phoenix Coyotes signed free agents Todd Fedoruk and Kurt Sauer. Fedoruk, a former Flyer, was signed to a three-year deal, while Sauer, a defenseman, got a four-year deal.

Elsewhere: The New York Rangers re-signed defenseman Michal Rozsival and added free-agent blue-liner Wade Redden, who played for Ottawa last season. . . . The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired winger Raffi Torres from the Edmonton Oilers for center Gilbert Brule. The Blue Jackets also signed defenseman Mike Commodore, who split last season between the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators. . . . Free-agent left winger Andrew Brunette returned to the Minnesota Wild, signing a three-year, $7 million deal. He played last season for Colorado. . . . The Pittsburgh Penguins re-signed forward Pascal Dupuis to a three-year contract. . . . The Colorado Avalanche signed former Maple Leafs goalie Andrew Raycroft and forward Darcy Tucker, who both had their contracts bought out by Toronto last week. . . . The St. Louis Blues retained forward David Backes by quickly matching the three-year, $7.5 million offer sheet the young forward signed with the Vancouver Canucks. . . . The Tampa Bay Lightning signed veteran goalie Olie Kolzig to a one-year contract. Kolzig 38, spent his entire career with the Capitals. Also, the Lightning signed free-agent right winger Radim Vrbata, a former Coyote, to a three-year contract worth $9 million. . . . The Florida Panthers signed forward Cory Stillman to a three-year, $10.6 million deal. . . . The Buffalo Sabres signed goalie Patrick Lalime to a two-year, $2 million contract.

Colleges

Elsewhere: John Pont, who guided Indiana to its only Rose Bowl appearance 40 years ago and also coached football at Northwestern, Yale and Miami of Ohio, died at age 80. . . . St. Joseph's women's basketball coach Cindy Griffin gave birth Monday to her third child, Curtis John Griffin Jr., who weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces.

Noteworthy