By Ben Fischer Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Greenhead Lobster and the Maine Office of Tourism are secured as sponsors, while CBS Sports Network will air the events.

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Closing-Bell/2017/12/08/Skiing.aspx

Japanese P/OF Shohei Ohtani “has agreed to a deal with the Angels,” according to a statement from his agent, CAA’s Nez Balelo . The Angels beat out six other teams that were finalists for Ohtani — the Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, Mariners, Padres and Rangers ( MLB.com, 12/8 ). Ohtani&…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Closing-Bell/2017/12/08/Ohtani.aspx

Maple Leafs C Auston Matthews has agreed to endorse Scotiabank ( Scotiabank ).

The City of Calgary is paying for two legislators to attend the Pyeongchang Games alongside three city staffers and “potentially Mayor Naheed Nenshi , as part of efforts to evaluate” a potential ’26 Games …

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/08/Speed-Reads.aspx

The Spokane SPOKESMAN-REVIEW goes with the header, ” Gonzaga Playing In The Big East: Far-Fetched Or The Future? ” Gonzaga “just faced Villanova and Creighton in a five-day stretch,” and they “could be a fit in the Big East as far as being a private Jesuit school with a strong basketball t…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/08/DHR.aspx

“There’s always drama. In Brazil, it was Zika, and Russia was all the laws against homosexuality and all the other things. Italy was after 9/11, and people were kind of tripping out. Canada was pretty mellow, though. And now it’s North Korea. I’ve always felt safe” — Sno…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/08/QH.aspx

Kobe Bryant appeared on CBS’ “The Late Late Show” last night and said that since his retirement from the NBA, he is “basically an Uber driver for my children.” Bryant said he coaches his daughter’s basketball team, but host James Corden s…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/08/Laugh-Track.aspx

UNLV AD Desiree Reed-Francois , who has been on the job just six months, talked with SBD/SBJ Exec Editor Abe Madkour about the challenges of her first days on the job. “I’ve got it all figured out,” she said, with a laugh. Reed-Francois has gained notice in the industr…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/08/IAF-video.aspx

The AP goes with the header, ” Could Regional Flavor Of CFP Cause Fans To Tune Out? ” Hardcore college football fans across the country “undoubtedly will be tuned in,” but “what about casual fans outside SEC, ACC and Big 12 country?” With the Pac-12 and Big Ten not represented, “…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/07/DHR.aspx

The NHL BOG begins two days of meetings in Palm Beach, with the league’s Exec Committee meeting this morning. Topics of discussion will likely include the salary cap for next season, progress of a Hurricanes sale and updates on the recent news out of Houston and Seattle regarding pot…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/07/events.aspx

“I woke up today and some guys in Russia said we should boycott. But I never said that. I support our decision, our hockey team. I’m pretty sure they’re going and I’m going to cheer for them” — Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin , on suggestions that Russian Oly…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/07/QH.aspx

UCF sold out its ticket allotment of 12,500 for its Jan. 1 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl appearance against Auburn, “setting a record as the first Group of 5 program to sell out its tickets” in the CFP era ( ORLANDO SENTINEL, 12/7 ).

NASCAR and Whelen Engineering today will announce multiyea…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/07/Speed-Reads.aspx

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley last night said there is an “open question” as to whether the U.S. Olympic team would definitely travel to and compete in the Pyeongchang Games amid the uncertainty in North Korea. She…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/07/haley.aspx

NBC’s Jimmy Fallon noted the IOC has “banned Russia from competing in the 2018 Winter Olympics because of doping violations, or as Putin put it, ‘Hello Donald , it’s time to return favor.’ Russia was banned from the Olympics, but Russia doesn’t mind. They said …

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/06/Laugh-Track.aspx

The WASHINGTON POST reports on an initiative conceived by a group of NFL and NBA cheerleaders who are “also scientists and engineers.” It involved ” swabbing down dozens of professional sports stadiums, identifying the microbes in the samples, and sending those species ” to the Int’l …

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/06/DHR.aspx

“I can’t tell you the NFL decline isn’t a challenge” — 21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch , at the UBS Global Media & Communications Conference in N.Y. Murdoch noted ratings are down year-over year, but the NFL “remains tremendously powerful” due in part to the “scarcity of valu…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/06/QH.aspx

Aaron Boone will be formally introduced as the Yankees’ new manager after agreeing to a three-year deal with a team option for ’21.

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/06/Events.aspx

Yesterday’s NBA G League Rio Grande Valley Vipers-Raptors 905 game drew a crowd of 18,900 to Air Canada Centre in Toronto, setting a “new @nbagleague attendance record.” The Vipers won 117-109 ( TWITTER.com, 12/5 ).

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan today is planning to “green-light” …

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/06/Speed-Reads.aspx

ESPN.com goes with the header, “ How The NBA Is Planning To Cash In On Legalized Sports Betting .” The NBA is “looking to be a leader in the space, entering into strategic partnerships, opening the door to major casino sponsorships and seeing a number of owners invest dir…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/05/DHR.aspx

Last night’s edition of NBC’s “The Tonight Show” included the unveiling of Texans DE J.J. Watt and Astros 2B Jose Altuve as the the recipients of the ’17 SI Sportsperson of the Year. Watt appeared on-stage with NBC’s Jimmy Fallon and…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/05/SI.aspx

“When we come to Philly, it’s easy and convenient because we know exactly what we’re getting. There are no surprises. Philadelphia has it all figured out because they have done it so many times” — Navy AD Chet Gladchuck , on Lincoln Financial Field hosting four of the next fi…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/05/QH.aspx

Actor Chris Pratt was the guest host for ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” last night and he said of hosting, “There have been some other guest hosts and the way they prepare, they like to do something like staying up all night working on the monologue, they do a bunch of…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/05/Laugh-Track.aspx

Miami-Dade County votes on whether the ATP/WTA Miami Open moves from Crandon Park to Hard Rock Stadium.

Tickets go on sale for the Super Bowl Experience in Minneapolis.

The two-disc DVD/Blu-Ray set chronicling the Astros’ World Series victory is released.

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/05/Events.aspx

By Bill King New Jersey’s five-year push to bring sports wagering to its casinos takes center stage this morning when the Supreme Court hears arguments in Christie v. NCAA, a case that could have far-reaching implications for an industry that has warmed to the idea of allowing Las Vegas-style bet…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/04/Betting-1.aspx

The Las Vegas Bowl is “pursuing an insurance company to become a last-minute title sponsor” for Boise State-Oregon at Sam Boyd Stadium on Dec. 16. Las Vegas Bowl Exec Dir John Saccenti said that “there’s a chance there could be a title sponsorship deal as early as” today. Moto…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/04/Las-Vegas-Bowl.aspx

College football’s bowl season will soon be upon us, which means participating student-athletes will get more than just a certificate of appreciation. The NCAA allows each bowl committee to provide gift packages worth up to $550 apiece to 125 participants per school. Check out this week’…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/04/gifts.aspx

Colin Kaepernick was honored yesterday at the ACLU of Southern California’s annual Bill of Rights Dinner in Beverly Hills, receiving the Eason Monroe Courageous Advocate Award in a “surprise to event guests.” His name was “not on the st…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/04/Kaep.aspx

News outlets around the country are examining the potential impact of the sports gambling case before the Supreme Court. If the court strikes down the current law (PASPA), “giving sports betting the go-ahead, dozens of states could quickly make it legal.” Monmouth Park Racetrack is “gambli…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/04/Betting-2.aspx

College football’s bowl season will soon be upon us, which means participating student-athletes will get more than just a certificate of appreciation. The NCAA allows each bowl committee to provide gift packages worth up to $550 apiece to 125 participants per school. Check out next week’s …

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Closing-Bell/2017/12/01/Bowl-gifts.aspx

Sources said that Tulsa AD Derrick Gragg is a “top candidate” for the same position at Arkansas ( ARKANSASONLINE.com, 11/30 ).

Lagardere Sports’ Tim Mickelson will “no longer be representing” golfer Jon Rahm . Lagardere Golf Division President Steve Loy now “will…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Closing-Bell/2017/12/01/Speed-Reads.aspx

MLB owners “voted unanimously Friday to approve a new posting agreement” with Nippon Professional Baseball that “allowed bidding to start” for coveted P/OF Shohei Ohtani . Following the deal, Ohtani was “put up for bid” by his Pacific League team for the maximum $20M posting fee. That “op…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Closing-Bell/2017/12/01/Ohtani.aspx

N.Y.-based tart cherry beverage brand Cheribundi has struck a deal with ESPN Events to title sponsor the annual Boca Raton Bowl through the ’19 season. The bowl will now be known as the Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl. The four-year-old bowl game was previously sponsored by clothin…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Closing-Bell/2017/12/01/Boca-Bowl.aspx

Former Univ. of Tennessee football coach Philip Fulmer “will be named” the school’s next AD at a 4:00pm ET press conference in Knoxville, though it is not clear if the role is “full time or interim” ( TWITTER.com, 12/1 ). Fulmer “was not involved” in the effort to hire Greg Schiano a…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Closing-Bell/2017/12/01/Tennessee.aspx

The BOSTON GLOBE writes under the header, ” With Layoffs, ESPN Loses Quality Depth In Behind-The-Scenes Talent .” ESPN still “remains a singular giant in sports media, but one inarguably smaller in resources, personnel, and scope than it was just a couple of years ago.” The network is…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/01/DHR.aspx

Rogers Communications has fired Blue Jays analyst Gregg Zaun “after multiple women at Sportsnet complained about his ‘inappropriate behaviour and comments’ in the workplace.” The “exact nature of the allegations” against the former MLBer “weren’t detailed by the company, but were n…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/01/Gregg-Zaun.aspx

Kristaps Porzingis appeared on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” last night, with host Jimmy Fallon calling him the “face of the New York Knicks.” Fallon said, “I’ve never seen you on a talk show before, so this is exciting for me.” Porzingis: &ld…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/01/Porzingis.aspx

Grizzlies’ Ownership Structure In Flux; Sources Cite Partner “Tension”
Traffic Issues Lead To Empty Seats For Redskins-Cowboys “TNF” Kickoff

Sportsnet Fires Blue Jays Analyst Zaun Over “Inappropriate Behaviour”

MLS Cup Gets Rematch From ’16, As S…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/01/Uptop.aspx

A “buy-sell provision” exercised last week means the Grizzlies’ Robert Pera will have to decide whether to buy out Steve Kaplan and/or Daniel Straus to “keep control of the team.”

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/12/01/Grizz.aspx

Several commissioners from smaller conferences wrote editorials today regarding the notion of paying college athletes. The MAC’s Jon Steinbrecher and A-10’s Bernadette McGlade write, “College Athletes Are Students, Not Employees.” There is equal opportunity for men and w…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/11/30/College-Pay-Debate.aspx

NBC’s Jimmy Fallon said, “The Giants announced that they are benching Eli Manning this weekend. Eli’s not sure what’s worse: not getting to play for the Giants or having to watch the Giants. It feels like it’s a catch-22. Instead of Eli, the Giants will st…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/11/30/Laugh-Track.aspx

The SEATTLE TIMES writes under the header, ” Taking A Stand Didn’t Start With Colin Kaepernick .” The former 49ers QB, along with Seahawks DE Michael Bennett and other NFLers, have simply “revived a long tradition of using the level playing fields of sports to fight imbala…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/11/30/DHR.aspx

Chuck Greenberg Still In Talks With Hurricanes Over Sale
ELeague Signs Boost Mobile As First Wireless Sponsor
Toronto FC Advances To MLS Final Before Sellout Crowd
Churchill Downs Inc. Set To Sell Big Fish Games For Nearly $1B

Start your morning …

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/11/30/Uptop.aspx

A 3-minute hit on the stories you need to know … Subscribe on iTunes … Check out our podcast home .

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/11/30/Buzzcast.aspx

By John Ourand The long-rumored ESPN layoffs are taking place this morning, as the company is eliminating around 150 jobs. An ESPN source said the job cuts are mainly coming from the studio production, digital content and tech groups. In a memo sent to employees this morning, ESPN President John Skipper…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/11/29/ESPN.aspx

Astros P Justin Verlander appeared on TBS’ “Conan” last night where he talked with host Conan O’Brien about his marriage to model Kate Upton , being traded from the Tigers and winning the World Series. O’Brien said, “You have had one of the mo…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/11/29/Laugh-Track.aspx

SBJ/SBD today hosts the inaugural Dealmakers In Sports conference at the W New York, exploring the big money that continues to pour into sports at an unprecedented rate and on a global scale. Along with our partners at J.P. Morgan, Proskauer and Inner Circle Sports, we are bringing toget…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/11/29/dealmakers.aspx

Excited to unveil my custom-designed lupus awareness cleats that I’ll wear this Sunday to support @lupusorg and to pay tribute to my sister Pam. Read about #MyCauseMyCleats story and check out more pics here: https://t.co/czSkNVMURY pic.twitter.com/ceGruMrap1 — Antonio Gate…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/11/29/tweet-pic.aspx

ESPN Eliminates About 150 Jobs In Latest Round Of Layoffs
76ers Parent Company To Build Team-Branded Facility In Delaware
Amazon Web Services Partners With NFL For Player Tracking Stats
Giants Brass Heavily Criticized For Handling Of Eli Manning Decision
…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/11/29/Uptop.aspx

A 3-minute hit on the stories you need to know … Subscribe on iTunes … Check out our podcast home .

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/11/28/Buzzcast.aspx

Dale Jr. Event Among Opening Affairs Of NASCAR Champion’s Week
Bulls Opening New All-Inclusive Courtside Club At United Center
Judge’s Order Could End Roadblock To Scottrade Center Renovation
U.S. Soccer Presidential Candidates Head To Forum In Chicago
…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/11/28/Uptop.aspx

NASCAR Champion’s Week begins today in Las Vegas , as the governing body this year “switches to a Tuesday through Thursday format instead of the traditional Wednesday through Friday of years past.” The schedule of events also will “be more hectic” this year, culminating with Thursday’s NA…

Source:: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/11/28/NASCAR.aspx