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A group led by Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils co-owner David Blitzer that also includes Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith and Arctos Sports Partners agreed to acquire MLS club Real Salt Lake - along with the USL's Real Monarchs, Rio Tinto Stadium and a nearby training complex - for nearly $400 million, according to people familiar with the talks. Blitzer, who also owns a minority interest in the Pittsburgh Steelers, is now on the verge of becoming an investor in all five major North American team sports, pending the completion of a recently reported deal to acquire a minority stake in the Cleveland Guardians. (Sportico) The Australian government canceled top-ranked tennis player Novak Djokovic's visa upon his arrival in the country after health panels set up by Tennis Australia and the state of Victoria granted him a medical exemption allowing him to play in the Australian Open despite not being vaccinated against COVID-19. Lawyers for Djokovic, who is being held in immigration detention in a Melbourne-area hotel, secured an interim injunction that prevents the government from deporting him until a hearing about the visa dispute is held Monday. (The Melbourne Age) The NFL has engaged in preliminary discussions with the Dallas Cowboys about the possibility of playing Super Bowl LVI at AT&T Stadium in the event that COVID-19 restrictions in California create problems with holding the event at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, according to a team source. NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy downplayed the possibility of the game being moved, saying the league looks into backup venues for the Super Bowl every year and has contacted several teams about stadium availability. (WFAA)

MEDIA

Alex Rodriguez could get his own 'Manning-cast' in possible ESPN shakeup Andrew Marchand, New York Post ESPN is considering a broadcast for Alex Rodriguez similar to its "Monday Night Football" Manning-cast as it reshuffles its "Sunday Night Baseball" coverage. If this were to happen, Rodriguez would be out of the regular Sunday night booth. Fox Sports nabs Belmont Stakes rights from NBC John Ourand, Sports Business Journal Fox Sports has picked up the rights to one of the Triple Crown races from NBC starting in '23. The eight-year deal to bring the Belmont Stakes over to Fox runs through '30. What makes this deal particularly interesting is the vast array of betting components that will be part of Fox' coverage. Peacock Will Stream All of NBCU's 2022 Winter Olympics Coverage Todd Spangler, Variety NBCUniversal will pack every single second of its coverage from the 2022 Winter Olympics into Peacock's premium tiers, as it looks to use the Beijing games as a new streaming signup lure. In the U.S., Peacock will be the comprehensive streaming home of the XXIV Olympic Winter Games from Beijing, China, available on the service's premium tier, from Feb. 2-20, 2022. Broadcasting agency Montag Group bought by Wasserman Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times Wasserman announced the acquisition of the Montag Group, whose client list includes such broadcasters as Bob Costas, Jim Nantz, Dan Shulman and Dick Vitale. By merging forces, the agencies hope to provide lifelong representation for athletes who transition into broadcasting or coaching. Mars Wrigley Skips Super Bowl After A 12-Year Streak Jessica Wohl, Ad Age Mars Wrigley is the latest longtime Super Bowl advertiser planning to sit on the sidelines for the 2022 game. The candy marketer does not plan to advertise brands such as M&M's, Skittles or Snickers during next month's game, the company confirmed. Quickbooks To Air First Super Bowl Spot For Its Own Brand Adrianne Pasquarelli, Ad Age Intuit is going to have a busy Super Bowl—after confirming last year that it will again have a spot for its TurboTax brand, the company announced today it will also be advertising its QuickBooks brand in the game. This is the first time QuickBooks will have its own branded commercial in the game, though it does have Super Bowl experience.

COLLEGE SPORTS

In New COVID-19 Guidance, NCAA Updates Definition of Fully Vaccinated to Include Booster Ross Dellenger, Sports Illustrated The NCAA medical advisory group is changing its definition of a fully vaccinated individual as someone who has received the COVID-19 booster shot if they are eligible, sources said, a significant move that will trigger a rush from universities to get their players and staff boosted. The new protocols are only recommendations or "considerations," NCAA documents say. The NCAA changed its Final Four logos. It's another step for women's basketball equality. Matthew VanTryon, Indianapolis Star The men's and women's Final Four each have their own logo now, as well as their own Twitter handle. Getting both tournaments equal branding has long been a goal of advocates for women's athletics. Ohio State closing concession stands for home athletic events Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch Ohio State is closing all concession stands at all university-related athletic events starting with Thursday's home women's basketball game against Illinois. The move comes after multiple Big Ten schools have announced they will require either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within the last 72 hours. Showdown looms on use of student fees to fund UC Davis athletics Caleb Hampton, Davis Enterprise The financial burden of UC Davis' athletics program has largely been borne by the student body through a series of agreements made with past administrations and inadvertently brought into the spotlight by the current one. Now, students are leading an effort to scrap the fees undergraduates contribute to campus sports programs, putting about half of the school's athletics budget at stake. Cost of "Buy" Games for Group of Five Schools CollegeAD According to documents obtained by CollegeAD, Wyoming is set to shell out more than $800,000 to host a pair of FCS opponents in the coming years. For its visit to Laramie, Cal Poly will collect a $425,000 payday, while Idaho State is set to earn $415,000 for making the trip.

---Morning Consult
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