Morgantown, W.Va. ? A spokesman for the Big 12 says West Virginia’s membership in the conference isn’t conditional on the university getting an early release from the Big East after all.

Interim Big 12 Commissioner Chuck Neinas had said at a welcome reception Tuesday in Morgantown that a 10th member was needed for next season to fulfill the conference’s television commitments.

On Wednesday, Big 12 spokesman Bob Burda released a statement saying the Mountaineers’ membership “is not contingent upon (them) joining the Conference for the 2012-13 season.” He did not elaborate.

The Big East has said it plans to keep West Virginia from leaving for 27 months under the league’s bylaws. West Virginia filed a lawsuit against the Big East on Monday, seeking to declare the bylaws invalid.

Federer advances; Murray out

Basel, Switzerland — Roger Federer advanced to the quarterfinals, and Andy Murray withdrew because of an injury just before his first-round match at the Swiss Indoors on Wednesday.

Andy Roddick also advanced, using his serve to beat Tommy Haas of Germany 6-3, 6-4 in the late match. The seventh-seeded American had 12 aces and never allowed Haas a break point chance.

Cubs fire manager Quade

Chicago — Chicago Cubs manager Mike Quade was fired Wednesday in the first major move by Theo Epstein since becoming the team’s president of baseball operations.

Epstein, who was introduced in his new position last week, said Quade would not return after traveling to Florida to tell him in person. He called Quade an “outstanding baseball guy” but it was time for a change.

The Cubs went out in 2011 and stumbled through another disappointing year, finishing fifth in the NL Central with a 71-91 record that extended their infamous World Series championship drought to 103 years.

Dodgers for sale… for a price

New York — Maybe a “For Sale” sign should be erected outside Dodger Stadium.

Team, ballpark, land and television rights available. Price: $1 billion and up.

The process of finding a new owner for the Los Angeles Dodgers began early Wednesday when current boss Frank McCourt and Major League Baseball released a joint statement saying they had agreed to a court-supervised sale of the once-glamorous and now bankrupt franchise.

In the long-term, the deal will allow the Dodgers to move ahead and try to get back to baseball’s elite. But the club’s fans may well have to endure another season adrift as the sale works itself out.

While the sides hope for a quick deal, giving McCourt the money to pay his divorce settlement by April, MLB sales sometimes drag on for six months to 11/2 years. Once bidders are identified, the court is likely to conduct an auction.

BoSox interview for manager

Boston — The Boston Red Sox have interviewed Milwaukee Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum for their open managerial job.

Sveum, a third-base coach with the Red Sox in 2004 and 2005, was the second person interviewed this week. The club brought in Philadelphia Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin on Monday.

Both hope to take the job vacated when Terry Francona left following a record September collapse.

‘Housh’ back with Palmer

Alameda, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders got their first look at new receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh on the practice field and it looked like old times with him catching passes from Carson Palmer.

Houshmandzadeh practiced with his new team Wednesday, a day after signing a contract with Oakland. His addition gives Palmer a receiver he knows well as the two played six seasons together in Cincinnati.