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I Say Super Bowl, You Say….?
What brand do you most associate with the Super Bowl? If you said Pepsi, you're not alone. In a recent Morning Consult survey, more Americans mentioned Pepsi than any other brand as being associated with the Super Bowl. Whether Pepsi maintains that status, however, likely depends on if the soft drink brand renews its presenting sponsorship of the Super Bowl halftime show, which expires following Sunday's game. Check out our latest research on Super Bowl brand association, as well as which brands Americans say have the best Super Bowl commercials: When Americans Think About the Super Bowl, They Think About Pepsi and Budweiser.

Top Stories​

The NFL told the House Committee on Oversight and Reform in a letter that the Washington Commanders — not the league — are blocking the committee's access to more than 100,000 documents as it investigates the team's workplace. The league said it entered into a "common interest agreement" with the Commanders when it took over the team's investigation of itself to avoid having to restart that effort, and that the team now wants to decide "unilaterally which documents it will provide to the NFL for production to the Committee," an approach the league called "unacceptable." (The Washington Post) MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said the owners are "committed to making an agreement" with the MLB Players Association to avoid the loss of any regular-season games and that they will deliver a "good-faith, positive proposal" tomorrow when the two sides meet for their fifth economic bargaining session amid the lockout. In addition, Manfred said the league agreed to expand the designated hitter to the National League in a concession to the players. (The Associated Press) The Arizona Coyotes said they will play at least the next three seasons at a new multipurpose arena at Arizona State University while the team attempts to facilitate the construction of its own $1.7 billion arena and entertainment district in Tempe. The Coyotes, who received approval from the Arizona Board of Regents yesterday, will spend nearly $20 million for upgrades to the 5,000-seat ASU facility to bring it up to NHL standards. (Arizona Republic)

NFL

NFL is begging the US's richest black man to buy the Denver Broncos, sources say Josh Kosman, New York Post The National Football League is frantically appealing to Robert F. Smith, the nation's richest black man, to buy the Denver Broncos — but thus far he has shown a reluctance to bid, sources said. Aaron Rodgers Wins Fourth N.F.L. M.V.P. Award Ben Shpigel, The New York Times On the same night that the Pro Football Hall of Fame welcomed eight new members, Rodgers further enhanced his credentials for eventual enshrinement while offering little clarity on his future with Green Bay beyond confirming that he intends to make a decision soon. Drumbeat of controversy inescapable at NFL's biggest stage Ben Fischer, Sports Business Journal This was to be the triumphant return of Super Bowl week in all its glory, but it's yet another parade of damaging news coverage for the NFL. Tottenham are considering an audacious bid to host the Super Bowl in 2026 Matt Hughes, The Daily Mail The club want to become the event's first overseas hosts and are exploring a bid to bring American football's showpiece to London in 2026.

COLLEGE SPORTS

SEC to distribute nearly $55M to each member after revenue rose to $777.8M in 2020-21 Alex Scarborough, ESPN The SEC on Thursday said revenue rose to $777.8 million during the 2020-21 fiscal year — an increase of $120.1 million from the previous year. NCAA Won't Follow USA Swimming Transgender Policy For 2022 Championships James Sutherland, SwimSwam The NCAA will not adopt USA Swimming's new transgender policy prior to the women's swimming and diving national championships next month, though there will be a testosterone restriction in place for trans women. UF athletics report $36 million loss, but SEC affiliation offsets pandemic's impact Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel The University of Florida lost $36 million in athletics during the pandemic, but it could have been worse if not for the Gators' long-standing SEC affiliation. UA extends Yurachek contract by 5 years Matt Jones, Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette Yurachek is in line to be paid a base annual salary of $1.25 million under the new agreement, which was released Thursday in response to a Freedom of Information Act request.

====Morning Consult
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