Packers Sign Linebacker Joyner

Free-agent linebacker Seth Joyner agreed to a $4-million, four year contract with the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers Wednesday, filling a void left by the loss of George Koonce with a knee injury.

Joyner, who was scheduled to make $2.75 million with the Arizona Cardinals this season, was released by the Cardinals last month in a cost-saving measure.

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Shannon Sharpe signed a $7.2-million, three-year contract with the Denver Broncos that will make him one of the highest-paid tight ends in the NFL.

Sharpe’s base salary in 1996 was $1.35 million.

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The Cardinals signed cornerback Tom Knight, their No. 1 draft pick, to an $8.22-million, five-year contract.

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Cornerback Michael Booker of Nebraska, the Atlanta Falcons’ top draft pick, agreed to a five-year contract. Booker, the 11th player chosen in the NFL draft, will reportedly receive a $2.2-million signing bonus and a guaranteed base salary of $800,000 this year, $1 million next year and $1.2 million in 1999.

Tennis

Thomas Muster, playing for the first time in a month, failed to shake his clay-court slump, losing to Albert Portas, 6-4, 7-5, in the second round of the Mercedes Cup at Stuttgart, Germany.

No. 7 seed Boris Becker, who has never won a tournament on clay, edged Karim Alami of Morocco, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-5).

Becker, who is dropping Grand Slam tournaments from his schedule next year, said he will play Davis Cup for Germany in 1998.

Basketball

The Boston Celtics waived swingman Dino Radja, who played 25 games last season before undergoing knee surgery on Jan. 8. Published reports said Radja is was expected to sign a contract with Panathinaikos AC in Greece.

Former Clipper guard Doc Rivers announced his retirement after 13 seasons to become a pro basketball commentator for Turner Broadcasting. Rivers, most recently was with the San Antonio Spurs, said back problems prompted his decision to retire.

The Denver Nuggets signed first-round draft picks Danny Fortson and Bobby Jackson. Fortson, the 10th overall pick from Cincinnati, will earn $6.7 million for three years. Jackson, the 23rd pick from Minnesota, signed a $2.4-million, three-year deal.

Paul Westhead, former coach of the Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Denver Nuggets, was hired as an assistant by the Golden State Warriors.

Doug Christie has signed a $22-million, seven-year contract with the Toronto Raptors. . . . J.R. Reid signed a two-year contract with the Charlotte Hornets. . . . Forward Bryon Russell, who made $350,000 last season, signed a $20-million, five-year contract with the Utah Jazz. . . . Bob Weinhauer, who joined the Milwaukee Bucks as an assistant to Coach Chris Ford last August, was appointed general manager.