Cleveland — LeBron James is about to hit the free-agency market and stay right at home.

James declined his player option for next season with the NBA champion Cavaliers, but the finals MVP has made it clear he has no intention of leaving Cleveland anytime soon. He had until midnight Wednesday to pick up the option, which would have paid him $24 million next season.

The 31-year-old superstar has been a free agent the past three summers, electing each time to sign two-year contracts with a player option for the second season. It’s not yet clear if he’ll sign another short-term deal or a multiyear package.

His agent, Rich Paul, told The Associated Press there is no timetable on when James will re-sign or what type of contract he’ll pursue.

With the league’s salary cap poised to swell dramatically in 2017-18 thanks to a $24 billion TV deal, James may opt for another short-term deal and seek a maximum contract next summer.

James’ decision to go year to year has allowed him to maintain flexibility while keeping pressure on Cavs ownership to continue to add quality players. The Cavs, who won their first title — and ended Cleveland’s 52-year championship drought — by becoming the first team to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the finals, have Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love under contract for three more seasons. Also, forward Tristan Thompson has four years remaining on his contract.

Before a massive celebration parade last week, James told reporters he’s coming back to try for a repeat title. Later, he told the crowd at a rally honoring the Cavs, “Let’s get ready for next year.”

NFL Football Steelers LB Wants Evidence Before Talking PEDs

Washington — Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison wants the NFL to provide “credible evidence” before he agrees to an interview with league officials regarding a media report that linked him and other players to the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

The NFL Players Association sent a letter on Harrison’s behalf to NFL executive Adolpho Birch on Tuesday asking for more information.

“We have repeatedly requested that the NFL inform him and the NFLPA whether the NFL possesses any credible evidence (e.g., verified documents or verified testimony of witnesses) that warrants an interview of Mr. Harrison regarding a potential violation,” union attorney Heather M. McPhee wrote.

The other active players implicated by the Al-Jazeera report are Green Bay linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers, and free-agent linebacker Mike Neal, who played the past six seasons with the Packers. Peyton Manning, who is now retired, also was cited in Al-Jazeera’s doping report in December. He wasn’t mentioned in the NFL’s investigation, but USA Today, citing an unnamed source, reported last week that an investigation into Manning’s possible involvement also is progressing.

The NFL first notified Matthews, Peppers, Harrison and Neal about its investigation into the report on Jan. 11.

Colts Extend Luck’s Contract

Indianapolis — Andrew Luck has signed a new contract with the Indianapolis Colts that covers the next six seasons through 2021.

The $140 million deal was completed Wednesday with Luck, the No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft. Owner Jim Irsay revealed the maximum value on Twitter, calling it the biggest contract in NFL history.

Luck has been one of the most productive quarterbacks the NFL has ever had over a player’s first four years as a pro. He was the third-fastest to 13,000 career passing yards, in 49 games.

Before last season, the Colts exercised the fifth-year option on Luck’s contract to guarantee him more than $16.1 million for the 2016 season.

College Football NCAA Tweaks Bowl Rules

Indianapolis — The NCAA cleared up its bowl-selection process, assuring that no eligible teams with .500 records are passed over for postseason play in favor of more well-known schools with fewer than six wins.

The new rule, which was implemented by the NCAA’s Division I Council on Wednesday, will be put in place for the upcoming season and says bowl-eligible teams with 6-6 records must be selected for bowl games before any 5-7 teams are considered.

The NCAA’s football oversight committee first made the recommendation for the new rule to the council, following a season that saw only 77 teams eligible for the 80 bowl slots. The three remaining slots were filled by 5-7 teams — Nebraska, Minnesota and San Jose State.

Misc.No Charges vs. Minnesota Wrestlers

Minneapolis — Prosecutors say no criminal charges will be filed in an investigation of University of Minnesota wrestlers allegedly involved in the sale and use of the anti-anxiety drug Xanax.

University police investigators said Hennepin County prosecutors declined to pursue the case due to “lack of evidence.”

“We have declined to press charges at this time,” a spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office told The Associated Press on Wednesday. She would not elaborate.

Also, Minneapolis City Attorney Susan Segal told the Star Tribune that there was not enough evidence to support misdemeanor charges against wrestling coach J Robinson.

Campus police had been conducting an investigation into a team member’s disputed allegation that Robinson attempted to cover up the widespread sale and use of Xanax by his wrestlers.