Sports briefs for January 19, 2004

Monday, Jan. 19, 2004 | 9:12 a.m.

Kobe loses deal with McDonald's

Kobe Bryant lost his sponsorship deal with McDonald's, costing the NBA star another endorsement while his sexual assault case proceeds in Colorado.

The fast-food company said today in Oak Brook, Ill., that its three-year agreement with the Los Angeles Lakers guard expired Dec. 31 and was not renewed.

"It would be inappropriate to comment or speculate at this time about any future sponsorship relationship," spokesman Bill Whitman said.

Ferrero of Italy, the maker of Nutella chocolate spread, earlier chose to not renew Bryant's endorsement contract.

Bryant, a five-time All-Star who helped the Lakers win three NBA championships, is averaging 22 points. He recently hurt his shoulder and could miss several weeks.

Bryant's once-wholesome image has been damaged since a 19-year-old woman accused him last year of sexual assault. Bryant contends the sex was consensual.

U.S. ties Denmark

Landon Donovan's penalty kick with 14 minutes left Sunday gave the United States a 1-1 tie against Denmark in an exhibition, the Americans' first game in six months. Denmark's goal also came on a penalty kick, by Thomas Roll-Larsen in the 28th minute.

Iginla injured

Calgary Flames captain and leading scorer Jarome Iginla is day-to-day with a sprained left ankle. He was hurt Saturday in a 3-2 loss to the Dallas Stars.

South Koreans qualify

South Korea's women's basketball team qualified for the Athens Olympics with an 88-59 victory against Taiwan today in the bronze-medal game of the Asian championships.

The South Koreans joined the two other Asian qualifiers for the women's tournament in August, China and Japan.

LSU star will stay

LSU defensive end Marquise Hill, a key player on college football's stingiest defense, withdrew his name from the list of early entrees into the NFL draft.

Surgery for champion

Olympic champion Janica Kostelic plans to have surgery this week for her thyroid imbalance and will not ski this season.