Baseball owners voted Thursday to install John Seidler, the oldest brother of the late former Padres chairman Peter Seidler, as the team’s control person.

“We’re looking forward to continued stewardship of the Padres by a member of the Seidler family,” Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said. “And that is really noncontroversial.”

John Seidler is not yet the trustee of Peter Seidler’s trust; such a move is expected in the coming weeks. But the move by MLB owners does come amid controversy — a lawsuit brought by Peter Seidler’s wife.

Sheel Seidler sued brothers-in-law Matthew and Robert Seidler last month, attempting to prevent John Seidler from taking control of the team. Sheel Seidler alleged Peter Seidler, who died at age 63 on Nov. 14, 2023, wanted her to succeed him as the team’s control person.

Ohtani’s ex-interpreter sentenced to 4 years and 9 months >> The former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison and three years’ supervised release for bank and tax fraud after he stole nearly $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers player’s bank account.

Ippei Mizuhara, who was supposed to bridge the gap between the Japanese athlete and his English-speaking teammates and fans, was sentenced in federal court in Santa Ana after pleading guilty last year.

He was ordered Thursday to pay $18 million in restitution, with nearly $17 million going to Ohtani and the remainder to the IRS. He was ordered to surrender to authorities to begin serving his sentence by March 24.

Pham joins 10th big league team >> Outfielder Tommy Pham joined his 10th major league team, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates worth $4,025,000.

The deal is pending a successful physical for Pham, who turns 37 next month.

Pham split the 2024 season among the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals, hitting .248 with 20 doubles, nine home runs and 39 RBIs.NBA

LeBron goes No. 1 in All-Star draft >> LeBron James got drafted No. 1 — again.

James, the player with the most All-Star appearances in NBA history, was selected No. 1 overall for the Feb. 16 competition in San Francisco. The All-Star draft was held on TNT, with analysts Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley picking the teams.

The 21-time All-Star was the No. 1 pick, just like he was when he entered the NBA in 2003.

24 All-Stars were drafted onto one of three eight-man rosters.

James will join the Warriors’ Steph Curry, who was taken fifth by Team Shaq. No Kings were picked.

Wizards trade Butler to 76ers >> The Washington Wizards traded guard Jared Butler and four second-round draft picks to the Philadelphia 76ers for guard Reggie Jackson and a 2026 first-rounder.

Washington then quickly requested waivers on the 34-year-old Jackson.

The rebuilding Wizards receive one of three possible first rounders in 2026 — whichever is least favorable among picks owned by the Clippers, Thunder and Rockets, assuming Houston’s isn’t in the top four.

OTHER DEADLINE TRADES >> Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland has agreed to acquire forward De’Andre Hunter from the Atlanta Hawks for two players and a package of draft compensation ... The Charlotte Hornets have acquired center Jusuf Nurkic and a 2026 first-round pick from the Phoenix Suns for guards Cody Martin and Vasilije Micic and a 2026 second-round pick. ... The Boston Celtics traded guard Jaden Springer to the Houston Rockets for draft picks, parting ways with the 23-year-old wing defender just a year after acquiring him at last season’s trade deadline.

Golf

Clark shoots 7-under 64 at Phoenix Open >> Wyndham Clark saved par after hitting his tee shot into the water on the par-4 17th hole and shot a bogey-free 7-under 64 to take a one-shot lead in the first round of the Phoenix Open.

Lee Hodges had two eagles on the back nine — his front — and added three straight birdies starting at No. 1 to shoot 65. He was tied with Taylor Moore, who eagled the par-5 third hole to cap a 7-under stretch in seven holes.

Justin Thomas had six birdies and was among six players who shot 66. Jordan Spieth escaped from some difficult spots to shoot 68 in his second tournament since offseason wrist surgery.

Kupcho, Koerstz Madsen share 1st-round lead >> Jennifer Kupcho shot a 6-under 65 to share the first-round lead with Nanna Koerstz Madsen at the Founders Cup.

Kupcho made the turn at 2 under and shot a bogey-free 4-under 31 on the back nine at Bradenton Country Club.

Colleges

NCAA changes transgender policy >> The NCAA changed its participation policy for transgender athletes, limiting competition in women’s sports to athletes assigned female at birth only.

The move came one day after President Donald Trump signed an executive order intended to ban transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports. The order gives federal agencies latitude to withhold federal funding from entities that do not abide by Title IX in alignment with the Trump administration’s view, which interprets “sex” as the gender someone was assigned at birth.

NCAA committee to consider rule for fake injuries >> A proposed rule change intended to discourage players from faking injuries that prompt unwarranted timeouts will be considered when the NCAA Football Rules Committee meets this month.

Feigning injuries, sometimes at the coach’s instruction, has become a tactic defenses use to slow down tempo offenses or as a way for an offense to avoid a delay of game penalty or get an extra timeout.

The American Football Coaches Association submitted a proposal that would require a player who goes down on the field and receives medical attention to sit out the rest of that possession. Currently, the player must go out for one play before re-entering.

NFL

Bears owner McCaskey, daughter of George Halas, dies at 102 >> Virginia McCaskey, who inherited the Chicago Bears from her father, George Halas, but avoided the spotlight during four-plus decades as principal owner, has died. She was 102.

McCaskey’s family announced through the team that she died Thursday. She had owned the Bears since her father’s death on Oct. 31, 1983.

During her stewardship, the Bears won a Super Bowl in 1986 and lost a second 21 years later.

Twilley, receiver for undefeated 1972 Dolphins, dies at 81 >> Howard Twilley, a key receiver for the Miami Dolphins during the team’s perfect 1972 season and a Heisman Trophy runner-up at the University of Tulsa, has died. He was 81.

No cause of death was given.

Twilley caught a touchdown pass in Super Bowl 7 against the Washington Redskins, a 14-7 victory that capped Miami’s 17-0 season. He also played for the team that repeated as Super Bowl champions the following season.