The NBA's locked-out referees could be back on the floor in time for the regular season.

The league has made a new proposal, and a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press it will be recommended for approval to the referees on Friday. The person, who requested anonymity because the negotiations are ongoing, said it's "highly likely" they'll be on the court for next Tuesday's season opener in Cleveland.

The breakthrough in the labor dispute came yesterday, after a meeting that included commissioner David Stern and referees union negotiator Lamell McMorris — who had both previously withdrawn from the process.

"I think it's great," players' association director Billy Hunter said. "We'd welcome them back."

Neither the NBA nor the National Basketball Referees Association would comment on the progress in the talks, first reported by www.ESPN.com.

The contract between the league and the union expired Sept. 1 and the sides have been unable to reach a deal, though they were close a couple of times. The league has been using replacements officials in the preseason, and they have been criticized for the high number of fouls called in the games.

MORE BASKETBALL

SHOCK-ING MOVE TO TULSA

The three-time WNBA champion Detroit Shock are moving to Tulsa in hopes that a small-yet-enthusiastic market will embrace what will be the city's only major pro sports team.

League President Donna Orender and other officials made the announcement yesterday that the Shock were being sold and relocated, a day after The Associated Press reported the move.

The announcement came five days after a Tulsa ownership group said it would apply to the WNBA to purchase a franchise. The sale and move need WNBA Board of Governors approval, and the purchase price wasn't revealed.

Former Tulsa and Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson already has been named coach and general manager of the new team, which will play at 18,000-seat BOK Center downtown.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

VOLS' KIFFIN SIGNS DEAL

Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin, who had been working under a memo of understanding, has signed a six-year, $14.25 million contract.

As agreed to when he was hired in November, Kiffin will earn $2 million in 2009, which includes pay for broadcasting responsibilities and endorsements.

His salary will gradually increase each season, topping out $2.75 million for the 2014 season.

Should Kiffin be fired without cause, he will receive a buyout between $5 million and $7.5 million.

ELSEWHERE

NCAA: Fewer than 25 percent of all major collegiate athletic departments made money in 2007-08.

That finding was released yesterday by the NCAA, which surveyed all 119 Football Bowl Subdivision schools. Of those, 25 reported overall profits for the fiscal year ending June 2008, up from 19 in 2006. More than half of all football and men's basketball programs finished in the black. Only one women's basketball team had a profit.

Golf: U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover fired a Port Royal course record 6-under 65 yesterday to take a two-stroke lead over British Open champion Stewart Cink in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf at Southampton, Bermuda. Masters champion Angel Cabrera shot a 70, while PGA champion Y.E. Yang had a 71.

Soccer: Landon Donovan claimed an unprecedented sixth Honda Player of the Year Award yesterday, given annually to the U.S. national soccer team's top player in a luncheon at the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

Tennis: Defending champion Jelena Jankovic advanced to the second round of the Kremlin Cup in Moscow yesterday, beating Yaroslava Shvedova, 6-4, 5-7, 6-1. On the men's side, Wayne Odesnik of the United States rallied to upset second-seeded Victor Hanescu of Romania, 5-7, 7-5, 6-4.