• The Pac-12 is parting ways with Larry Scott, the collegiate conference’s commissioner since 2009, ahead of a critical round of media rights negotiations and hopes to have a successor in place by the time Scott officially leaves office on June 30. Scott spearheaded the conference’s expansion from 10 teams to 12 and increased annual revenue from $100 million to nearly $500 million during his tenure, but has been widely criticized for the inability of the Pac-12 Networks, which the conference launched in 2011, to produce enough revenue to compete with the other Power Five conferences, as well as the conference’s spending and his $5.3 million annual salary. (Sports Business Journal)

• The NHL handed out its first punishment for a violation of its COVID-19 protocols, fining the Washington Capitals $100,000 for an incident in which a group of players, including captain Alex Ovechkin, gathered together in a single hotel room without face masks. The incident resulted in Ovechkin and three other players being added to the league’s COVID-19 protocol-related absences list, which means they have either tested positive or been exposed to someone who has, and it is unclear whether they will be available for the club’s home opener tomorrow night against the Buffalo Sabres. (The Washington Post)

• The NBA is strengthening its enforcement of its COVID-19 protocols by moving security into the midcourt area on game nights to prevent members of opposing teams from making unnecessary contact, such as handshakes or hugging, after observing some players disregard the league’s recently bolstered rules. The league yesterday postponed the sixth straight Washington Wizards game, which had been scheduled for tomorrow against the Milwaukee Bucks, marking the 17th postponement so far this season. (ESPN)

More declines for NFL playoffs, though league remains dominant
Sports Media Watch

Last Sunday’s Buccaneers-Saints NFL Divisional Round game averaged an 18.1 rating and 35.46 million viewers on FOX, down 10% in ratings and 5% in viewership from Seahawks-Packers last year (20.0, 37.24M), but still the most-watched television program since last year’s Super Bowl. Including additional streaming and Spanish-language viewership on Fox and NFL platforms, it averaged 36.42 million.

Let the Philip Rivers Broadcast Bidding War Begin
Brian Giuffra, The Big Lead

Rivers said he is still planning on being the new head football coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Ala., next season. That’s all well and good, but it won’t stop broadcasters from reaching out to his agent to inquire about a broadcasting role. And it certainly won’t stop Rivers from listening to the lucrative offers they’re sure to make.

Washington working to hire 49ers executive Martin Mayhew to a front-office role
Nicki Jhabvala and Mark Maske, The Washington Post

While working to hire Marty Hurney as its general manager, the team is also trying to add Martin Mayhew to an unspecified front-office role, a person with knowledge of the discussions said. Mayhew, a vice president of player personnel for the San Francisco 49ers, was one of six candidates, along with Hurney, to interview with Washington over the past week.

Bucs can clearly see Super Bowl 55 from here
Rick Stroud, Tampa Bay Times

As the Bucs learned Wednesday, it’s very hard to avert your gaze from Super Bowl 55 when large banners featuring the Lombardi Trophy hang from Raymond James Stadium, which nearly casts a shadow over their practice field. No team has ever played a Super Bowl in its home stadium, so there’s another piece of NFL history Tom Brady can stamp his name on.

Wizards return to practice with just eight eligible players — and have another game postponed
Ava Wallace, The Washington Post

After pausing their season for eight days because of a coronavirus outbreak among players, the Washington Wizards finally returned to the court Wednesday night for practice — but they won’t play a game Friday as planned. The league postponed the team’s sixth straight game late Wednesday night after the Wizards expressed concerns about a heightened risk of injury should they continue with their upcoming schedule, which was to resume with Friday’s game at Milwaukee. 

Celtics Extend TD Garden Lease Into 2036 With Bruins-Affiliated Delaware North
Jacob Feldman, Sportico

The Boston Celtics aren’t going anywhere. The franchise recently extended its lease into the year 2036 at TD Garden, where it has played since the building opened in 1995. The arena is owned by Delaware North, which is led by chairman and Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs.

‘A cautionary tale for unscrupulous agents’: Zion Williamson wins big in lawsuit
Daniel Kaplan, The Athletic

Zion Williamson’s second NBA season just got even better as a North Carolina federal court judge ruled Wednesday that he is not beholden to a Florida marketing firm’s representation agreement. That firm, Prime Sports Marketing, sued Williamson in a different court for $100 million in 2019, contending the star had backed out of a signed marketing deal and signed with Creative Arts Agency.

Kamala Harris receives No. 49 ‘Madame VP’ Warriors jersey ahead of inauguration
Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times

To commemorate the occasion, Warriors star Stephen Curry presented Harris with a customized No. 49 jersey with the name “Madame VP” on the back. The team, which played in Oakland from 1971 until moving to San Francisco last season, was sure to give Harris one of their 2020-21 City Edition jerseys that feature the name of her hometown across the front.

Blue Jays may call Dunedin home to start season
Mark Topkin, Tampa Bay Times

The Blue Jays could join the Raptors as Toronto teams making their temporary regular-season home in the Tampa Bay area. If coronavirus travel restrictions prevent the Jays from returning home for the start of the major-league season in April, their most likely option appears to be playing at their spring training stadium in Dunedin.

Tommy Lasorda memorialized at Dodger Stadium service
The Associated Press

Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda was memorialized during a private service Tuesday at Dodger Stadium before his burial. His casket, covered with a huge assortment of blue and white flowers, was placed on the pitcher’s mound with a blue 2, signifying Lasorda’s jersey number, on the back of the mound.

NHL postpones Hurricanes games through Jan. 23
Matt Teague, TheScore

The NHL has halted the Carolina Hurricanes’ schedule through at least Jan. 23 with five Hurricanes players on the COVID-19 protocol list, the league announced Wednesday. Carolina’s club facilities will be closed until further notice.

As Congressional Power Shifts, NCAA Reform and Athletes’ Rights Are Firmly in the Crosshairs
Ross Dellenger, Sports Illustrated

The NCAA is losing its grip on a year-long fight in the nation’s capital over athlete compensation. Charging in last February to seek a friendly congressional fix to the problem, Emmert’s organization is now facing a stark reality: The very same lawmakers it asked for help are now, having thoroughly examined the issue, proposing sweeping changes to his amateurism system.

Coaches and ADs weigh risks, rewards and NCAA Tournament: ‘It might be a disaster’
Chantel Jennings, The Athletic

The NCAA reiterated that a 64-team women’s tournament will happen in March and April, though no official dates were revealed as they were for the men’s tournament. One source told The Athletic last month that they felt the women’s side was two weeks behind the men’s in terms of tournament planning and announcements.

Will WAC’s return in football lead to revival of glory days?
Pete Thamel, Yahoo Sports

The combination of the WAC’s strong brand, ambitious leadership and betting on fertile markets make the recalibrated conference one of the most intriguing subplots in college athletics in the upcoming years. That includes a hope that in the next decade — perhaps as soon as five years — the league can leap into FBS football.

MLS Extends Sponsorship Opportunities Through 2021
Mark J. Burns, Sports Business Journal

MLS will extend more of the enhanced sponsorship opportunities from the 2020 season through 2021, including goal line carpets and inner bowl branding, according to multiple sources. Both areas are seen as opportunities for new revenue in addition to make-goods, some people said.

USL nearing historic first collective bargaining agreement with players association
Jeff Rueter, The Athletic

Over two years after the USL voluntarily recognized the USL Players Association, the sides appear closer than ever to forging a historic first collective bargaining agreement. In the immediate term, it means that clubs will see the P1 visa acquisition process go back into motion, allowing teams to complete the signing of foreign players.

Sauber set to extend Ferrari F1 deal despite Renault rumours
Luke Smith and Franco Nugnes, Motorsport.com

Sauber is set to extend its Formula 1 partnership with Ferrari through to 2025, ending suggestions of a switch to Renault support, Motorsport.com has learned. Sauber has been a Ferrari customer F1 team since 2010, and forged closer ties with the Italian manufacturer by adopting the name of its sister brand, Alfa Romeo, in 2019.

Cindric to make first Daytona 500 attempt with Penske
Kelly Crandall, RACER

Cindric, the reigning Xfinity Series champion, will have to qualify his way into the race because the team does not have a charter. Should Cindric make the field, it will be his debut in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Two more Australian Open players test positive for COVID-19
Ian Ransom, Reuters

Two more Australian Open players tested positive for COVID-19, an official said on Wednesday, as the government confirmed it would send the quarantine bill for the tournament to Tennis Australia’s desk. A total of 10 people associated with the Grand Slam, including four players, have now tested positive for the virus.

Houston event off as men’s tennis tour makes schedule tweaks
The Associated Press

The U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston was canceled for the second year in a row because of the coronavirus pandemic, part of a series of changes to the men’s tennis calendar announced by the ATP on Wednesday. The Houston tournament was supposed to be played April 3-11.

LPGA with no plans to have fans at events for foreseeable future
Amy Rogers, Golf Channel

An LPGA official told GolfChannel.com on Wednesday that there are no plans for fans to attend tour events for the foreseeable future. The decision to allow fans to attend upcoming events will be evaluated on a tournament-by-tournament and week-by-week basis, depending on local and state regulations in place to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Brooke Henderson re-signs equipment deal with Ping
Jason Lusk, Golfweek

Brooke Henderson, the sixth-ranked female player in the world in the Rolex Rankings and winner of nine LPGA titles, re-signed an equipment contract with Ping, the equipment maker announced on Wednesday. The 23-year-old Canadian, winner of the 2016 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, is in the field of this week’s Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Psyonix, ESPN Team Up For Rocket League Collab at X Games Aspen 2021
Sports Video Group

Psyonix, the San Diego video game developer, and ESPN’s X Games have teamed up to celebrate the upcoming X Games in Aspen with new Rocket League items and a Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) X Regional event. RLCS X will see the introduction of the RLCS X Games: North American Regional that will take place online on January 23-24 and January 30-31.

DreamHack Sports Games appoints Scott Steedman as CCO
Tom Daniels, Esports Insider

DreamHack Sports Games has appointed sports industry veteran Scott Steedman as its new Chief Commercial Officer. According to the release, Steedman will lead all the teams, plus the sales and marketing efforts, of MTG’s sports simulation business unit.

Adidas Just Used WhatsApp to Create the Most Star-Studded Ad of the Socially Distant Era
Sara Spary, Adweek

If you put a bunch of the world’s best soccer players in a WhatsApp group, what would they talk about? They’d be talking about Adidas’ new “Predator Freak” boots—well, according to the brand’s new ad from agency Iris, anyway.

NWHL looks to etch its own history on hallowed Lake Placid ice in condensed season
Jacqueline Doorey, CBC Sports

Between a condensed NWHL season played on ice steeped in hockey lore and an opening match-up lingering with unfinished business, the scene is set for a spellbinding 2021 Isobel Cup. The road to the final starts Jan. 23 when the league’s six teams begin their 5-game season, leading to a playoff round that determines the four semifinal teams, who will battle for the cup from Feb. 4-5.

Why it’s time for NFL-style realignment in the NHL
Ian Mendes, The Athletic

The problem with recent NHL division groupings is that they are simply too big. With Seattle entering the NHL next season and the league going through this one-year temporary alignment, the timing seems ideal for a radical, long-term solution to the divisional format starting this fall.

Annika Sorenstam and much of golf world refuse to break from Donald Trump
Christine Brennan, Golfweek

Annika Sorenstam, the Hall of Fame golfer who flew to Washington, D.C., to stand next to outgoing President Donald Trump less than 24 hours after he incited the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, was given a chance Tuesday to repudiate Trump, to apologize for her actions and to admit she made a mistake. She did none of that.