Big East will expand football membership

? The Big East conference is set to expand its football roster.

Big East presidents unanimously agreed to expand the number of football-playing schools to 10 at Tuesday’s board of directors meeting in Philadelphia.

Commissioner John Marinatto said in a statement potential expansion candidates will start to be evaluated. He declined comment to the Associated Press, along with athletic directors and Big East adviser Paul Tagliabue, after the meeting.

The 16-member Big East, where all members play basketball, has eight teams playing football. There was no timetable announced for a decision.

Women’s basketball

GW has transgender player

Washington — A female-to-male transgender member of the George Washington women’s basketball team wants to be identified as a man this season.

Junior Kye Allums — who used to be known as Kay-Kay — is referred to on the school’s website as a “male member of George Washington’s women’s basketball team.”

In a statement posted Tuesday on the website, Allums says the school “has been supportive during this transition” and that “teammates have embraced me as the big brother of the team.”

GW’s senior vice provost Robert Chernak says Allums “has decided to live as a male student” and “informed the university that he will not begin any medical or drug protocols while a student-athlete.”

Coach Mike Bozeman says on the website he supports “Kye’s right to make this decision.”

NFL

Merriman officially done with S.D.

San Diego — The San Diego Chargers have waived outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, three weeks after he was placed on injured reserve with a “minor injury” designation. The Chargers said back then that they would release Merriman once he was healthy.

In other NFL news:

n Former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell worked out with the Washington Redskins on Tuesday, just three days after Donovan McNabb was benched in the closing minutes of a loss to Detroit.

Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said Russell was one of many players, including at least one other quarterback, who were getting a look from the team.

“We’ll evaluate him and everyone else out there,” Shanahan said.

n Two people with knowledge of Randy Moss’ status tell the Associated Press that the Minnesota Vikings have waived the receiver. The people spoke Tuesday on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information publicly.

NBA

Grizzlies’ Conley signs extension

Memphis, Tenn. — The Memphis Grizzlies have signed point guard Mike Conley to a contract extension.

They agreed to terms before a Monday night deadline and waited for the NBA to approve the contract Tuesday before announcing what the Grizzlies call a multi-year deal. The Commercial Appeal reports the deal is worth $40 million over five years, with Conley able to earn more through incentives.

MLB

Source: Brewers hire Roenicke

Milwaukee — The Milwaukee Brewers have hired Los Angeles Angels bench coach Ron Roenicke to be their new manager, a person with knowledge of the situation told the Associated Press on Tuesday.

The person requested anonymity because the team has not yet announced the move. An announcement could come this week.

In other baseball news:

n A person familiar with the Florida Marlins’ managerial search says Edwin Rodriguez will keep the job next season.

The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the Marlins weren’t planning an announcement until today.

n The San Diego Padres have exercised their $5.9 million option on All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez for 2011. Next season is the final year of Gonzalez’s team-friendly $9.5 million, four-year contract.

n The Chicago White Sox agreed to a $1.75-million, one-year contract with 11-time Gold Glove winner Omar Vizquel on Tuesday, solidifying their bench.

Ratings equal record low

New York — Television ratings for this year’s World Series equaled the lowest ever.

The San Francisco Giants’ five-game victory over the Texas Rangers averaged an 8.4 rating and 14 share. That matches the record low of the 2008 Phillies-Rays World Series, which also went five games, with the decisive game suspended and completed two days later because of rain.

The average rating was down 28 percent from the 11.7/19 for last year’s Yankees-Phillies series.