• NFL owners are expected to finalize a multiyear contract extension for Commissioner Roger Goodell, who last extended his contract in 2017, at next week’s owners meetings in Phoenix, sources said, with the 64-year-old’s potential new deal expected to be the most lucrative ever for any sports commissioner. The NFL compensation committee is reportedly scheduled to present the proposed extension to owners in a special privileged session on Tuesday. (ESPN)
• NBA legend Magic Johnson has reportedly joined the Washington Commanders bidding group led by Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils co-owner Josh Harris, who remains in talks to buy the franchise from owner Daniel Snyder. Johnson, who also joined Harris’ unsuccessful bid for the Denver Broncos last year, is said to be providing money and expertise to the prospective ownership group, said people familiar with the negotiations. (Sportico)
• Fanatics Inc. is replacing Adidas AG as the NHL’s official uniform supplier beginning with the 2024-25 season. Financial details weren’t disclosed for the 10-year deal, which will feature Fanatics branding on players’ uniforms, marking the first time its logo will appear on jerseys in professional sports. (CNBC)
• ESPN is reportedly expected to finalize a round of layoffs in the next four to six weeks, as chairman Jimmy Pitaro is said to have told department heads to make their divisions as efficient as possible. ESPN — which laid off 300 behind-the-scenes staffers in 2015, 250 people in 2017 and 300 more in 2020 — doesn’t have a target number for how many employees must be laid off, sources said. (New York Post)

The Big Winners From A Mad First Week Of The Men’s NCAA Tournament

FiveThirtyEight

John Skipper: NBA will see ‘between 200 and 350% more money’ in next media rights deal

Sean Keeley, Awful Announcing

The NBA’s current TV deals expire after the 2024-25 season and, by all accounts, they expect a significant rise in annual payouts from broadcasting partners, with a 2021 report saying that they are looking to triple their rights fees from $2.6 billion annually to between $7 and $8 billion annually.

Steve Rosenberg out as president of Diamond Sports Group

John Ourand, Sports Business Journal 

Steve Rosenberg is out as president of Diamond Sports after a nearly three-year stint with the company. In an email sent to the company’s staff this morning, Diamond CEO David Preschlack wrote that Rosenberg’s last day with the company was Sunday. 

Adam Schein signs contract extension with SiriusXM to remain on Mad Dog Sports Radio

Brandon Contes, Awful Announcing

Mad Dog Sports Radio host Adam Schein has signed a four-year contract extension with SiriusXM, the company announced Monday morning.

LIV’s reported ratings are so laughably bad

Charles Curtis, For The Win

You might remember all those jokes made earlier this year when the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour found a broadcast home with the CW Network. But it turns out LIV’s viewership numbers are no laughing matter, per reports.

NFL hires NBC’s Christine Dorfler as new CFO

Ben Fischer, Sports Business Journal

The NFL has hired NBC Sports Group CFO Christine Dorfler to the same position, according to sources who have seen a memo sent by Commissioner Roger Goodell last week.

Ja Morant ready to rejoin Grizzlies, NBA suspension over

Teresa M. Walker, The Associated Press

Ja Morant’s eight-game NBA suspension is over, and the two-time All-Star has rejoined the Memphis Grizzlies. The dynamic guard was on the bench for Monday night’s game against Dallas, though it’s unclear exactly when he’ll play, with the earliest being Wednesday. 

Nike, Powerade Found Their Gen-Z Ambassador in Ja Morant. Will They Keep Him?

Kim Bhasin and Ella Ceron, Bloomberg

Basketball star Ja Morant will be eligible to return to the court on Monday after being suspended for posting video of himself holding a firearm in a Denver nightclub. The brands that have put big money behind him, including Coca-Cola Co.’s Powerade and Nike Inc., will be watching closely to decide whether to continue their partnerships. 

Why the NBA’s Best Players Keep Sitting

Robert O’Connell, The Wall Street Journal 

As fans wring their hands over star players missing games, the league’s coaches, owners and commissioner agree on one thing: it seems to work.

Shaq hip surgery confirmed after hospital photo post

Amy Tennery, Reuters

Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal has had hip surgery, broadcaster TNT said on Monday, after the four-time NBA champion gave fans a fright by posting a photo of himself lying in a hospital bed.

A Behind-the-Mask Tour of a Generation of Pitchers

Tyler Kepner, The New York Times

Stephen Vogt, Seattle’s new bullpen coach, caught 6,000 innings in pro ball and came away with keen insights on the colorful pitchers he worked with along the way.

NHL’s Pride Night problems: A timeline of why some teams, players have scrapped plans to wear Pride jerseys

Chris Bengel, CBS Sports

Several NHL players and teams have elected not to wear Pride jerseys this season after originally deciding to do so.

Sources: Rick Pitino agrees to 6-year deal with St. John’s

Adrian Wojnarowski and Pete Thamel, ESPN

Sources told ESPN that Pitino, who led Iona to the NCAA tournament this season, agreed to a six-year contract. He will be introduced at a news conference Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.

Georgetown hires Ed Cooley: Providence coach leaving Friars after 12 seasons to take over Hoyas program

Matt Norlander, CBS Sports

Cooley has won 242 games with the Friars over the course of his dozen seasons spent with the team.

March Madness arrives in Vegas after years of avoiding it

Mark Anderson, The Associated Press

With legal sports betting spreading across the country, the NCAA now has no qualms about crowning its champions in Las Vegas. The Sweet 16 games scheduled here Thursday are among several championship events the NCAA has awarded to the city.

The Four Habits of Highly Effective March Madness Teams

Laine Higgins, The Wall Street Journal

Heading into the Sweet 16, top seeds and massive underdogs alike have a few key traits in common that have helped them survive.

Arsenal and Wayne Rooney will meet again in the MLS All-Star Game

Steven Goff, The Washington Post

The famed north London club has signed a contract to participate in the July 19 exhibition at Audi Field, MLS officials said. Rooney — the D.C. United coach, who as a player faced the Gunners in many epic clashes over 16 years with Everton and Manchester United — will guide the MLS squad.

Federer-Backed Shoemaker Expects Fast Growth as Tennis Booms

Tim Loh, Bloomberg

Swiss sneaker maker On Holding predicted that sales will grow almost 40% this year, helped by the expansion of its tennis and running footwear lines.

Nadal out of top 10 for first time since 2005

Shrivathsa Sridhar, Reuters

Rafa Nadal’s absence from Indian Wells saw the 22-times Grand Slam champion slip out of the top 10 for the first time since 2005 on Monday but the Spaniard will still be the “man to beat” at the French Open if he can get back to full fitness.

Japan rallies for thrilling walk-off win over Mexico in World Baseball Classic semifinal to reach final

Bob Nightengale, USA Today

Well, the dream matchup is now set: Japan vs. the USA in the finals on Tuesday night (7 p.m. ET on FS1). Japan, trailing the entire game, knocked off Mexico on Munetaka Murakami’s two-run walk-off double, winning 6-5, in front of a delirious sellout crowd at loanDepot Park.

Eastbay was more than just a magazine for basketball players

Ohm Youngmisuk and Nick DePaula, ESPN

For the NBA’s sneaker king, to even “The King” himself, Eastbay was more than the Amazon marketplace of its time for the newest in athletic wear and sports jerseys. Its pages were a part of the fabric of sports culture for a generation.

Foot Locker Expects Sales, Profit to Fall in Coming Year

Dia Gill, The Wall Street Journal

Sneaker retailer to close stores and boost pay as new CEO Mary Dillon aims to jump-start growth.

Why Applebee’s Is Investing in Social Video Stories Starring Professional Athletes

Jason Notte, Adweek

Team Whistle is behind the spots, which deliver a more personal message.

Finance: Lessons for sports startups in wake of Silicon Valley Bank collapse

Chris Smith, Sports Business Journal

Brendan Bilko, the founder and creative director of sports brand marketing and design firm Robin, was in Argentina on a client project on March 9 when a friend texted him that the stock of Silicon Valley Bank — Robin’s sole banking partner — had fallen by over 50%.