• MLB and its players’ union are no closer to a new collective bargaining agreement with the current deal set to expire tonight at 11:59 p.m. ET, according to sources familiar with the talks. The two sides have tweaked their proposals but remain at an impasse on core economic issues following negotiations in Irving, Texas, yesterday, with players seeking free agency after five years or 29.5 years of age, whichever comes first, while beginning the arbitration process after two seasons instead of three. (ESPN)
• A study of preseason antibody test results of 2,300 players and staff conducted by the NBA, infectious disease specialists and testing manufacturers reportedly provided the league with further evidence that its personnel need booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines. The study found that the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines created higher levels of antibodies than the one produced by Johnson & Johnson and detailed the decline of antibodies over time. (ESPN)
• Comcast Corp. will begin carrying the ACC Network on its Xfinity cable systems for the first time since the channel’s launch in 2019 under a new affiliate deal with the Walt Disney Co. that also includes a renewal of the SEC Network. It is believed that ACC Network and SEC Network are now in approximately 50 million homes, slightly fewer than the Big Ten Network’s 54 million. (Sports Business Journal)

European Soccer Fans Dismiss Idea of a World Cup Every Two Years, but Americans Love it

Morning Consult

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MLS scores 17-year high in post-NFL Thanksgiving slot

Sports Media Watch

Airing immediately after an NFL game, a Major League Soccer playoff match (Colorado-Portland) averaged 1.85 million viewers on FOX Thanksgiving Day — the largest MLS audience on a single network since 2004 (DC-San Jose: 1.97M). Keep in mind MLS has attracted larger combined audiences across multiple networks, including 2.01 million for the 2016 MLS Cup.

NASCAR’s Clash moving to Fox broadcast this year for more exposure

Adam Stern, Sports Business Journal

Fox Sports will air NASCAR’s ’22 season-opening Busch Light Clash at the L.A. Coliseum on the Fox broadcast channel, giving the event more exposure than usual as it shifts from its past location at Daytona. FS1 usually airs the Clash, sponsored by Busch Beer, but Fox will air it in ’22 as part of a six-hour window.

U.S. Polo looks to grow business with ESPN deal

Terry Lefton, Sports Business Journal

Can polo be the next breakthrough action property? The sport is the latest to join ESPN’s extensive portfolio, with both live and taped shows headed to various platforms that will bring the finals of the top polo events streamed live on ESPN3 in 2022 and via tape delay to ESPN2 and ESPNU.

Raiders-Cowboys shy of CBS projection, but still hits 28-year high

Sports Media Watch

Falling shy of the 31-year high CBS initially reported, the Raiders-Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game had to settle for being the most-watched NFL game in 28 years. Raiders-Cowboys averaged a 13.1 rating and 37.84 million viewers on CBS Thanksgiving Day, marking the largest NFL regular season audience since Dolphins-Cowboys on NBC Thanksgiving 1993 (38.4M).

Top NFL coaches are moving toward $25 million

Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk

Per a source with direct knowledge of the dynamics of the compensation paid to NFL coaches, within the next two years the top NFL coaches will indeed be making $25 million per year. Currently, at least three coaches are making more than $15 million per year, with Patriots coach Bill Belichick already believed to be north of $20 million.

As interviews begin in Phoenix Suns investigation, uncertainty remains over whether employees who signed NDAs can participate freely

Baxter Holmes, ESPN

The New York-based law firm leading the NBA’s investigation into the workplace culture of the Phoenix Suns under owner Robert Sarver has begun scheduling and conducting in-person interviews of current and former team employees, but it’s unclear whether those who have signed non-disclosure agreements will be able to speak freely to investigators.

LeBron James in NBA’s virus protocols, ruled out Tuesday

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press

LeBron James has been placed in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, and was ruled out for the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night. Such a move almost certainly means one of two things: that James, who said earlier this season that he is vaccinated, either tested positive for COVID-19 or had an inconclusive result.

Ex-NBA Stars Join Finance Giant to Back Asian Basketball League

Bloomberg News

Raine Group and several former NBA stars are backing a Hong Kong startup that’s piecing together Asia’s first major basketball club competition with FIBA’s blessing. Asia League Holdings Ltd. has raised $13 million to date from investors including retired players Metta Sandiford-Artest, Baron Davis and Shane Battier, boosting its valuation to $100 million, the firm said Wednesday.

Braves exercise manager Brian Snitker’s option for 2024

Gabriel Burns, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Braves announced Tuesday they exercised the option in manager Brian Snitker’s contract for 2024. Snitker, 66, has managed the Braves since taking over as an interim in May 2016. He’s since posted a 441-390 record, overseeing four consecutive division titles.

32 Thoughts: Canadiens commit to foundational change, Olympic optimism dims

Elliotte Friedman, Sportsnet

Concerns about the Chinese government’s COVID-19 protocols have NHL teams pulling their hair out, although some players have said they remain unfazed and still want to go to the Games. As the COVID cases grow, it’s harder and harder to be optimistic about Beijing.

Stephen Curry, UConn star Azzi Fudd team up on SC30 brand

Janie McCauley, The Associated Press

Curry is bringing the star UConn freshman basketball player into his SC30 Inc. brand in a unique, wide-ranging partnership that will support her successes both on and off the court as the nation’s top recruit builds her collegiate career — a multidimensional name, image and likeness contract.

Michigan romps its way to College Football Playoff top four, joining Georgia, Alabama and Cincinnati

Mark Schlabach, ESPN

After upsetting the Buckeyes 42-27 at the Big House on Saturday, the Wolverines are No. 2 in the selection committee’s latest rankings, released Tuesday night. Unbeaten Georgia remained No. 1 for the fifth consecutive week, followed by Michigan, Alabama, Cincinnati and Oklahoma State.

Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick not surprised by Brian Kelly’s departure, won’t put timetable on search for new head football coach

Adam Rittenberg, ESPN

Brian Kelly informed Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick on Monday night that he would be leaving to become LSU’s coach, but Swarbrick had been sensing that Kelly was ready to make a move. Swarbrick, on Tuesday, said he was “not surprised” by Kelly’s decision to depart Notre Dame after 12 seasons as coach.

Virginia Tech announces Penn State DC Brent Pry as new football coach

Mike Niziolek, The Roanoke Times

Virginia Tech has finalized a deal with Penn State defensive coordinator Brent Pry to be its next head coach. According to multiple sources, Tech athletic director Whit Babcock spent the morning putting the finishing touches on the deal with Pry and the athletic department put out an official statement confirming the news at noon.

INFLCR Expands NIL Menu as Oklahoma, Florida Sign Up for Athlete Deals

Emily Caron and Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico

Software company INFLCR is introducing a product it says will double its revenue coming from schools that sign on. The new INFLCR+ Local Exchange will create a school-specific NIL marketplace, where approved businesses can identify, connect with and compensate athletes for endorsement deals.

Wisconsin men’s basketball team unveils new player-designed uniforms

Kelly Cohen, ESPN

The new alternate uniforms, fittingly called “By the Players,” were designed by Johnny Davis, Jordan Davis, Lorne Bowman II, Ben Carlson and Tyler Wahl, in collaboration with Under Armour. Perhaps the most eye-catching part of the new fit is the white-filled, red-outlined “UW” across the chest, the first time that has been branded on a jersey.

Orlando City Soccer, Orlando Pride name exec to new position

Richard Bilbao, Orlando Business Journal

The region’s Major League Soccer and National Women’s Soccer League franchises have named Jarrod Dillon to the newly-created position of president of business operations. Dillon will oversee business operations strategy for the Orlando City Soccer Club and the Orlando Pride, as well as the Orlando City Academy, the Orlando City Youth Soccer Network, Exploria Stadium and any future endeavors, the sports franchise announced on Nov. 30.

Mexican National Team unveils new crest, which will debut ahead of 2022 World Cup

Felipe Cardenas,The Athletic

The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) unveiled a redesigned badge that will debut in 2022 ahead of the World Cup in Qatar. Mexico is expected to release a new green home kit and a new white away kit in late May or early June.

Almost every Trackhouse Racing employee comes from Ganassi’s former NASCAR team

Alex Andrejev, The Charlotte Observer

Trackhouse Racing has absorbed most former Chip Ganassi Racing employees. The NASCAR team estimated that 115 of its 130 employees formerly worked at CGR, which closed its NASCAR operations after a sale to Trackhouse owner Justin Marks.

Front Row adds Gilliland to ’22 Cup lineup, returns McDowell

Kelly Crandall, RACER

Front Row Motorsports is moving Todd Gilliland into the NASCAR Cup Series beginning in 2022 as the new driver of the No. 38 Ford Mustang. Gilliland replaces Anthony Alfredo, who ran for Rookie of the Year honors for the team last season.

Nashville Mayor agrees to proposal to revitalize Fairgrounds

Kelly Crandall, RACER

Bristol Motor Speedway and Nashville Mayor John Cooper have agreed to a proposal to revitalize Nashville Fairgrounds and bring NASCAR back to the racetrack. The deal was announced Tuesday as NASCAR gets ready to celebrate its awards banquet this week with a series of activities around Nashville.

Tiger Woods supports PGA Tour moving forward: ‘That’s where my legacy is’

Ryan Lavner, Golf Channel

Even if he doesn’t plan to play a full-time schedule anymore, Tiger Woods firmly planted his flag with the PGA Tour. With rumors swirling about rival leagues to the PGA Tour, Woods said Tuesday that players will have to make personal decisions but that he will continue to support the PGA Tour.

Greg Norman equates Saudi and U.S. cultures: ‘Just look at America with racism … it’s just ugly’

Tim Schmitt, Golfweek

The former World No. 1 insisted he’s not being used by the group to clean up its image. “No, I have not been used for sportswashing because I’ve been to Saudi Arabia, and I’ve seen the changes that have taken place,” Norman told the Financial Times.

Christian Bishop appointed Director of Twitch Properties

Ivan Šimić, Esports Insider

Christian Bishop has left UK-based esports organisation Method to join Amazon as the company’s new Director of Twitch Properties. On Twitter, Bishop announced that as part of his role he will be responsible for the monetisation of Twitch’s brands, such as Twitch Rivals and TwitchCon, as well as helping build relationships with clients.

Complexity Gaming Unveils Athlete & Celebrity Gaming Group “Complexity Stars”

Randall Williams, Boardroom

Athletes participating in the project include retired NBA champion guard JR Smith, Dallas Wings shooting guard Allisha Gray, MMA fighters Max Holloway, Sean O’Malley, and Megan Anderson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette, Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, and Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Edwin Ríos.

Sports Betting Correction Sees Investors Shift as Market Matures

John Wall Street, Sportico

Jed Kelly (executive director for equity research, Oppenheimer & Co.) does not believe the market correction is indicative of an investor pool that has soured on the sports betting opportunity. Instead, he points to several short-term headwinds contributing to the snapback in valuations.

MMA Groups Battle in Court as Squared Circle Gives Way to Triangle

Michael McCann, Sportico

BYB Extreme Fighting Series, a Miami-based provider of bare-knuckle fighting events, charges that rival Triller Fight Club has unlawfully infringed BYB’s triangular-shaped ring design. The complaint, filed in Florida on Nov. 18, also names streaming service FITE TV as a defendant.