Sports briefs

Swoopes is let go The Seattle Storm waived three-time WNBA MVP and three-time Olympic gold medalist Sheryl Swoopes on Tuesday, a day before her 2009 contract would have become guaranteed. Swoopes is 37 and might now pursue something she's talked about since September -- coaching and being a full-time mother.

Coach Brian Agler says the weekend move was made to clear space under the $803,000 salary cap. Lauren Jackson could be leaving soon as an unrestricted free agent. Center Yolanda Griffith, another former league MVP, turns 39 next month after a season in which she had knee and ankle problems.

Swoopes won four league championships with Houston before she signed with Seattle 11 months ago as a free agent while recuperating from back surgery. She was then sidelined by a concussion and averaged 7.1 points in 29 games, her career low for a season in which she played at least 10 games.

• The WNBA All-Star game will be July 25 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., league President Donna Orender announced. The Mohegan Sun venue also was host to the 2005 game.

Extended stay for Beckham in Italy? David Beckham has the support of AC Milan's coach and management if he wants to get out of his Los Angeles Galaxy contract to stay in Italy.

Beckham is halfway through a three-month loan with Milan that will end March 8, and he has said he's enjoyed his return to Europe more than he expected.

While he respects the five-year contract he signed with Major League Soccer's Galaxy, Beckham said playing for Milan was "something special."

But Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti, who has been surprisingly impressed by Beckham, would like the England midfielder to remain at San Siro.

"Beckham has given a new push to the team in terms of quality and enthusiasm," Ancelotti added. "He has given the team something extra and certainly if he stayed it would make it easier to win the scudetto (the top Italian league title)."

Football: Former Kentucky and New Mexico State football coach Hal Mumme has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Mumme's agent, Russ Campbell, confirmed the diagnosis Tuesday, saying the prognosis is good because of early detection.

Tennis: Serena Williams, who recently won her 10th Grand Slam singles title, will return to the Washington Kastles after being chosen as the top pick in the World Team Tennis marquee draft. She'll headline the roster for the Kastles, who enter their second season with the 10-team coed summer league. Sister Venus Williams will play for the Philadelphia entry. The league also includes former stars John McEnroe (New York) Anna Kournikova (St. Louis) and Martina Nav- ratilova (Boston).