Tennessee men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl has acknowledged providing misleading and incorrect information to the NCAA during a 17-month investigation into possible recruiting violations.

And Tennessee is making him pay for his actions.

Vols athletic director Mike Hamilton is reducing Pearl’s pay by $1.5 million over five years and prohibiting him from participating in off-campus recruiting for a year beginning Sept 24.

“I’ve made some serious mistakes, and for that I’m truly sorry,” a tearful Pearl said during a Friday news conference. “I provided incorrect and misleading information to the NCAA. I’ve learned some invaluable lessons. After I provided the false and misleading information, subsequently I went back and corrected the record.

“I learned that it’s not OK to tell the truth most of the time, but you’ve got to tell the truth all of the time,” he said.

Tennessee was one of the schools that recruited KU freshman Josh Selby, who has yet to be ruled eligible by the NCAA.

MLB

Royals sign ex-QB White

Chicago — Pat White is going to give baseball another chance.

The former West Virginia and Miami Dolphins quarterback signed a minor-league contract with the Kansas City Royals on Friday. White played his rookie season in the NFL last year but was cut last weekend by the Dolphins.

White was a pitcher and played outfield in high school, but he never played baseball in college.

Mets’ Santana to have surgery

New York — Johan Santana is headed for shoulder surgery, making this the third straight year the high-priced New York Mets’ ace will spend the offseason recovering from an operation.

NFL

NFLPA president retires

Nashville, Tenn. — The president of the NFL Players Association said he got one offer from a team this year. It came too late, and Kevin Mawae said Friday he decided being with family was more important than his passion to keep playing in the league. The veteran offensive lineman announced his retirement from the NFL after 16 seasons and eight Pro Bowls.

Bills place LB Mitchell on IR

Orchard Park, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills placed linebacker Kawika Mitchell on injured reserve Friday, ending the seven-year veteran’s season two days after he hurt his foot.

NBA

Nets sign veteran Joe Smith

East Rutherford, N.J. — The New Jersey Nets signed veteran free agent forward Joe Smith to a one-year contract and hired Milton Lee as director of basketball operations on Friday.

Auto racing

IRL drops Kansas race

Kansas City, Kan. — A second NASCAR Sprint Cup race next year at Kansas Speedway has squeezed out the IndyCar Series, which won’t be racing in Kansas for the first time since the track opened in 2001.

Speedway officials last month announced the addition of a June 2011 NASCAR weekend, in addition to the October race.

Edwards wins pole

Richmond, Va. — Carl Edwards will start from the pole position in the final race of NASCAR’s “regular season” tonight at Richmond International Raceway.

The Roush-Fenway Racing driver turned a fast lap at 127.762 mph in qualifying Friday night. He edged Juan Pablo Montoya, whose lap came at 127.455 mph.

Harvick wins Nationwide race

Richmond, Va. — Kevin Harvick passed Brad Keselowski for the lead with just over 50 laps to go Friday night and won the NASCAR Nationwide Series race for his third victory of the season and 37th overall. Keselowski fell just short in an otherwise remarkable performance.

Golf

Kuchar, Wi tied at BMW

Lemont, Ill. — Matt Kuchar was feeling terrible and playing even worse. He managed to keep it together Friday in the BMW Championship to tie for the lead with Charlie Wi.

Kuchar made four bogeys through eight holes as he battled an infection that made it difficult to stand up. He rallied with four birdies on the back nine for a 1-over 72.

Pressel takes one-stroke lead

Rogers, Ark. — Morgan Pressel shot a 5-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the NW Arkansas Championship.

Funk, Allen, Blake on top

Incheon, South Korea — Fred Funk, Michael Allen and Jay Don Blake shot 3-under 69s to share the first-round lead in the Songdo Championship, the Champions Tour’s first tournament in Asia.

Boxing

Mayweather Jr. jailed briefly

Las Vegas — Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. was jailed briefly Friday on a felony charge after his ex-girlfriend alleged he beat her and stole her cell phone during an argument in front of their three children.

Mayweather, 33, said nothing as he was released from the Clark County jail on $3,000 bail after being booked on a grand larceny charge. He could face up to five years in state prison if he is convicted of taking items valued at less than $2,500.