• The NBA suspended Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant for eight games without pay for conduct detrimental to the league. Morant, who has already missed six games and is eligible to play on Monday, met with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to discuss his handling of a gun in a Denver nightclub earlier this month, with Silver calling Morant’s actions, which were briefly livestreamed on Instagram, “irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous.” (ESPN)
• Aaron Rodgers said on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he intends to play for the New York Jets and is waiting to be traded by the Green Bay Packers. The four-time MVP, who has played for the Packers for 18 seasons, said the NFL franchise wants to move on and name Jordan Love, a 2020 first-round pick, as the team’s new starting quarterback. (The Associated Press) 
• Sports media personality Pat McAfee could reportedly walk away from his four-year, $120 million-plus endorsement deal with sports betting company FanDuel Group, whose logo no longer appears on “The Pat McAfee Show,” though the former NFL punter said there is no rift with the organization. McAfee, who is in the second year of the pact, has had talks with other media companies such as Amazon.com Inc., sources said, while other possible destinations could include YouTube. (New York Post)
• Gianni Infantino was re-elected as FIFA president after running unopposed following seven years in office, which included record income levels for the soccer governing body during the prior World Cup cycle from 2019 to 2022. (Reuters)

Worth keeping an eye on today 

• The first round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament begins today with 16 games. Here’s the full schedule.

ACC Men’s Basketball Hit A New Low This Year. Can The NCAA Tournament Save It?

FiveThirtyEight

Who is Dov Kleiman? Solving sports media’s biggest mystery

Ryan Glasspiegel, New York Post

A years-long mystery hit a fever pitch during the 2023 NFL free agency frenzy: Who the heck is Dov Kleiman? 

NBA Wants Billions More in Sports Deals: Media and Tech Firms Are Resistant

Sahil Patel, The Information

The NBA is one of the most popular sports leagues in the world. It also has high hopes for squeezing far more money out of media outlets in negotiations for future TV broadcast rights, in part because tech giants including Amazon and Google have told the league of their interest in streaming the games. 

Greg Gumbel’s re-signing with CBS marks the end of an era

John Ourand, Sports Business Journal

CBS has signed Greg Gumbel to a contract extension that will see the long-time announcer continue in his role as host of the network’s college basketball coverage while stepping down from play-by-play duties on NFL games, reports SBJ’s Ourand.

Long March Madness run coming to a close for Jim Nantz

Joe Reedy, The Associated Press 

Jim Nantz has seen his share of magical moments and sendoffs during a career that has spanned nearly 40 years. He could get one of his own as he prepares to call his final NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

ESPN, Pizza Hut engage second screens in a play for younger audiences during March Madness

Julian Cannon, Digiday

Brands like ESPN, Pizza Hut, Great Clips and Continental Tire, among others, are focusing on March Madness to boost awareness and connect with college basketball fans wherever they are spending time — either watching the game or on social media following players. 

NWSL announces media coverage plans for 2023 season, including six games on CBS

Joe Lucia, Awful Announcing

The entire 176 game schedule will be available on CBS platforms, with most of those games streaming on Paramount+. Notably, six games will air on the CBS broadcast network (also streaming on Paramount+), including the championship game on Saturday, November 11th.

Cowboys officially release RB Ezekiel Elliott after 7 seasons

Todd Archer, ESPN

The Dallas Cowboys released Ezekiel Elliott, making the running back a free agent, the team announced Wednesday. Elliott, 27, was set to count $16.7 million against the salary cap with a $10.9 million non-guaranteed base salary.

Window opens for Ravens’ Lamar Jackson to contact other teams

Jamison Hensley, ESPN

The nonexclusive tag allows Jackson to negotiate with other teams, but without an agent, the process might be challenging.

Top N.B.A. Prospects Skip College, but Not Stardom

David Gardner, The New York Times

The N.B.A.’s biggest stars often make their names during the N.C.A.A. tournament. But this year’s top draft picks may be players who found the spotlight elsewhere.

Ex-NBA Player Telfair Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud Scheme

Chris Dolmetsch, Bloomberg

Former National Basketball Association player Sebastian Telfair pleaded guilty Wednesday to participating in a plan to defraud the league’s health care plan. Telfair, 37, who played for teams including the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns, joins a growing list of ex-NBA players who’ve admitted their role in a sprawling scheme to submit false claims for medical and dental expenses.

Inside the Future of MLB’s Marketing With New Creative AOR Wieden+Kennedy

Jameson Fleming, Adweek

The Portland office will develop the league’s new brand platform.

Rangers notify Diamond Sports they may cut ties with the broadcasting group

Daniel Kaplan, The Athletic

The Texas Rangers notified Diamond Sports last week it would terminate its media rights deal with the parent of the Bally Sports Regional Networks in the event of its insolvency, which the company’s bankruptcy filing may trigger.

World Baseball Classic: Mets closer Edwin Díaz injures knee while celebrating with Puerto Rico, exits in wheelchair

Jack Baer, Yahoo Sports

Puerto Rico’s elimination win over the Dominican Republic came with emotional whiplash immediately after the game Wednesday. New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz, who closed out the game to send Puerto Rico to the quarterfinals of the WBC, had to be taken off the field in a wheelchair after he sustained a knee injury while celebrating the victory with his teammates.

A Baseball Icon Soaks Up a Lot of Lasts

James Wagner, The New York Times

Miguel Cabrera’s fifth and final World Baseball Classic is being played ahead of his 21st and final major league season. He and Venezuela remain undefeated so far.

Bettman Says NHL ‘Not In Expansion Mode’ Despite Rumors

Abigail Gentrup, Front Office Sports

Despite commissioner Gary Bettman’s denials, rumors are surfacing once again that the NHL is planning to expand.

A Fourth Alabama Player Was at a Deadly Shooting, in a Car Hit by Bullets

Billy Witz, The New York Times

The presence of a fourth Crimson Tide player at the deadly shooting in January has come to light as the team begins its run as the top overall seed in the N.C.A.A. men’s tournament.

Alabama’s Brandon Miller has security guard due to threats

Paul Newberry, The Associated Press

Alabama star Brandon Miller was accompanied by an armed security guard to the NCAA Tournament on Wednesday because of threats directed his way, Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats said.

Saint Peters’ run paid off for Doug Edert. Who will cash in this year?

Eddie Pells, The Associated Press

While almost everyone in March Madness wants to be this year’s version of reigning national champion Kansas, almost anyone playing over the next three weeks would also love to be this year’s version of Doug Edert.

A 16 seed got its 15 minutes. Here’s how the next decade played out.

Mark Selig, The Washington Post

It’s easy to remember the buzzer-beaters, big-name performances and post-victory glee. It’s easier to lose track of rosters such as JMU’s in 2013, when the Dukes qualified as a No. 16 seed.

How much has NIL impacted women’s college basketball recruiting?

Chantel Jennings et al., The Athletic 

Ninety-one percent of coaches in our anonymous poll said NIL has had at least some impact on recruiting.

Manchester United to tour U.S in the summer

Tommy Lund, Reuters

Manchester United will visit the United States this summer to play pre-season matches and prepare the squad for the next campaign, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.

Limiting ball distances ‘bad’ for the game, says Thomas

Aadi Nair, Reuters

Proposals that would limit how far players can drive the ball at elite tournaments are “bad for the game of golf”, two-times major winner Justin Thomas said.

Sources: Rickie Fowler to join Tiger Woods-backed tech league

Mark Schlabach, ESPN

Rickie Fowler is set to become the latest golfer to join TGL, the tech-infused golf league being fronted by Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.

Once an Inspiration to People at Home, a Former Star Now Faces Trial

Jeré Longman, The New York Times

Shoni Schimmel was the pride of Native Americans when she played for Louisville and then starred briefly in the W.N.B.A. Now she is accused of violence against her romantic partner.

Sportradar Revenue Rises 30% In 2022, With Upbeat Outlook For This Year

Brendan Coffey, Sportico 

Sportradar Group revenue rose 30% in 2022 to €730.2 million ($781.3 million), benefitting from gains in U.S. sports betting and World Cup-assisted strength throughout the rest of the world. The results, announced Wednesday morning, slightly exceeded a raised forecast by the company given after the third quarter.

Vegas Formula One VIP Packages Rev Past The Million-Dollar Mark

Asli Pelit, Sportico 

The inaugural Formula One Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix is still nine months away, but it’s already promising to be a high-roller event based on its VIP packages—some of which are going for well over $1 million for the three-day November event.