HAMPTON, VA. ? Michael Vick is out of prison and headed home, broke and reviled for running a vicious dogfighting ring, but hopeful for a second chance at his once-charmed life as a star NFL quarterback.

The suspended quarterback served 19 months in prison on the dogfighting conviction that capped one of the most astonishing falls in sports history — one that stole his wealth and popularity.

“Football is on the back-burner for now,” said agent Joel Segal, who negotiated Vick’s 10-year, $130 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons but will be asking for substantially less if his tarnished client’s suspension is lifted by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Vick deserves a second chance, but it won’t be with Atlanta, which has severed ties with its former star.

Vick, who turns 29 in June, left the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan., by car early Wednesday, undetected by hordes of reporters who had staked out the prison.

He was accompanied on the 1,200-mile ride by his fiancee, Kijafa Frink, a videographer and several members of a security team assembled by Vick’s lawyers and advisers, a person familiar with the plans told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to comment on the matter. The person did not know the reason for the videographer.

Avoiding the media will be tougher in Hampton, where he will serve two months in home confinement. His five-bedroom brick house is at the end of a cul-de-sac, where at least a half-dozen satellite trucks and several reporters and camera crews awaited his return. Out back, between the house and a pond, maintenance workers got the swimming pool ready.

Vick was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison for financing a dogfighting conspiracy. He won’t be released from federal custody until July 20, but his departure from Leavenworth begins a new chapter.

First up for Vick is a $10-an-hour job as a laborer for a construction company. That job is part of his probation.

GOLF

Mickelson’s wife has cancer

Phil Mickelson’s wife, Amy, has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and the three-time major champion said Wednesday he would suspend his PGA Tour schedule indefinitely.

According to a release from Mickelson’s management company, his wife was to have more tests but begin treatment with major surgery as early as the next two weeks.

Mickelson, the No. 2 player in the world with 36 career PGA Tour victories, was to play the Byron Nelson Championship this week before defending his title next week at Colonial.

It was not certain if Mickelson would return in time for the U.S. Open on June 18-21 at Bethpage Black in New York, where he was a runner-up in 2002 and is beloved by golf fans in the New York area.

BASEBALL

Pitcher’s wife found dead

Fountain Hills, Ariz. — The wife of Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Scott Schoeneweis was found dead at her home Wednesday. Police said the cause of death hasn’t been determined. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said deputies found the body of 39-year-old Gabrielle Dawn Schoeneweis on the floor in the family’s suburban home shortly after noon.

NBA

WWE moving show to L.A.

World Wrestling Entertainment says it is moving its Monday night event to Los Angeles because of a conflict with the Pepsi Center in Denver. The Nuggets are scheduled to host the Lakers on Monday in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals, but WWE had previously booked the arena for an episode of Monday Night Raw.

WWE chairman Vince McMahon said Staples Center called and offered use of its building and that his organization would return to Denver for an event at the Coliseum on Aug. 7.

Bulls tap general manager

Chicago — Gar Forman has been promoted to general manager of the Chicago Bulls, replacing John Paxson, who will remain with the team as executive vice president of basketball operations. Forman has been director of player personnel the past five years.

AUTO RACING

Driver Long suspended

Charlotte, N.C. — NASCAR has suspended driver Carl Long for the next 12 Sprint Cup races and fined crew chief Charles Swing $200,000, the largest penalty in the sport’s history.

Swing also was suspended until Aug. 18 for using an engine that was too big for NASCAR’s specifications last weekend at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Long was docked a NASCAR-record 200 points. Additionally, Swing and Long were placed on probation until Dec. 31.

Car owner Danielle Long, Carl’s wife, also was suspended 12 races, docked 200 owner points and placed on probation until Dec. 31.

CYCLING

Cavendish wins stage

Arenzano, Italy — Mark Cavendish won the 11th stage of the Giro d’Italia on Wednesday, Danilo Di Luca retained the overall leader’s pink jersey, and Lance Armstrong moved up two spots to 16th overall.

Cavendish, the British standout of Team Columbia-High Road, clocked 4 hours, 51 minutes, 17 seconds over the mostly flat 133-mile leg from Turin to Arenzano. Tyler Farrar of the United States was second, and Alessandro Petacchi of Italy was third, both with the same time as Cavendish in the mass sprint finish.

Di Luca, an Italian with the LPR squad, maintained a 1:20 lead on Russia’s Denis Menchov in the overall standings.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

BYU forward returning

Provo, Utah — BYU forward Jonathan Tavernari has withdrawn his name from consideration for the NBA Draft. Tavernari did not hire an agent after declaring for the draft on April 22, so he can still return to BYU for his senior season. He averaged 15.7 points last season and led the Cougars with 85 three-pointers.

Big Sky cutting costs

Salt Lake City — Big Sky Conference men’s and women’s basketball teams will play league games on Fridays and Saturdays next season as members try to trim costs for the 2009-10 school year. The conference also will not allow air travel for road trips of under 450 miles.