Kings ownership and Comcast-Spectacor officials "are expected to be in Virginia Beach Tuesday to propose moving the team to the resort city and for Comcast to help build and lease a new pro sports arena." Sources said that Comcast "will guarantee a 25-year lease on a new arena, supposedly for naming rights and for broadcasting the games." Virginia Beach-based Meridian Group is "expected to handle" PR for the announcement. Sources added that Live Nation is "associated with the deal" (INSIDEBIZ.com, 8/23).

Kings co-Owner Joe Maloof denied having discussions with the city. He said “We haven’t talked to Virginia Beach” (SACRAMENTO.CBSLOCAL.com, 8/23). Comcast-Spectacor VP/PR Ike Richman in a statement said, "We will refrain from making any comments until we are in Virginia Beach on Tuesday. At our presentation on Tuesday we will elaborate our collective plans for a new arena. Despite preliminary reports, no specific professional sports team from any league has been identified as the potential tenant for this building" (THE DAILY).

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson wrote on his Twitter feed, "I spoke w/h the NBA, neither they nor my office has been contacted by the Kings. At this point there is nothing new to report." The Sacramento Bee's Jason Jones tweeted, "FWIW source says Kings are not moving to Virginia." ESPN's Bill Simmons: "That Kings/Virginia Beach rumor has been floating around for a solid month. Being floated from Va. Beach's side. It's just not true. ... Something like 7 cities (including Sac) think they have a real chance at the Kings right now. That should tell you something."

UFC today announced the cancellation of the "entire UFC 151 card," which had been scheduled for Sept. 1 at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The move was "forced" after Dan Henderson suffered an MCL tear. UFC President Dana White said that Jon Jones, Henderson's scheduled opponent in the main event, "declined to fight Chael Sonnen" as a replacement. White said that this is the "first time in more than 11 years owning the UFC" he has had to cancel a show this close to the event. The promotion canceled a planned March show in Montreal, "but that was before matches were officially announced" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 8/23).

London is "one step closer to getting its own NFL franchise," as NFL U.K. Managing Dir Alistair Kirkwood today said that the sport's "global expansion plans are slowly ticking all the right boxes." Kirkwood said, "I think the first chapter has been considered a success with the owners voting on a renewal going forward. Jacksonville returning is also a sign of maturity of the concept. What this now does is allow us to test if we can bring in more new fans and boost a single team recognition. Once that period has come up we will then have learnt an awful lot about it and know what the viability for us going forward is" (REUTERS, 8/23).

Straight talk followed a brief meeting between the NHL and NHLPA this morning. The sides agreed to meet Tuesday in N.Y., but that is about all they agreed on. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was atypically open with reporters in Toronto, explaining his frustration with negotiations in stark detail. “We are focusing on making a deal,” Bettman said. “The NHLPA wants to keep things the way they are, and that is slowing the process.” Bettman said the parties are far apart on contract issues and summed up what he would like to see changed. He said, “We believe that we are paying the players more than we should be.”

NHLPA Exec Dir Donald Fehr provided his take on the conceptual gulf with the league, saying, “We want more flexibility and the league doesn’t want that.” Still, Fehr tried to profess optimism heading into next week’s rounds of talks, with the CBA set to expire Sept. 15. “I believe there is still time,” he said.

The USA Pro Challenge cycling event has "signed its most lucrative sponsorship deal" to date with a three-year tie-in with renewable energy company Exergy. USA Pro Challenge CEO Shawn Hunter "wouldn't release figures but said it greatly enhances the future profitability of the 2-year-old race." Hunter: "It's another major step toward securing this race long term in Colorado. To have the financial support from Exergy, Nissan, United Healthcare, Coca-Cola, people are believing in this event" (DENVER POST, 8/23).

Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott was scheduled to arrive in Beijing today to "join up with" the UCLA men's basketball team for its series of exhibition games. Scott, who has been "working with the Federation of University Sports of China to lay the groundwork for the Bruins' trip through Beijing and Shanghai," also "planned to meet with government officials and broadcasters." Scott: "Our schools look at the West Coast as a gateway to the Pacific Rim. We do have a very natural connection" (LATIMES.com, 8/23).

U.S. women's soccer D Christie Rampone rang the Opening Bell at the N.Y. Stock Exchange today and subsequently appeared on several cable shows to discuss business issues in soccer. Rampone said she is “fortunate enough to have five sponsors” in Jersey Mike’s Subs, FRS, adidas and Citibank, in addition to working with K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital. When asked about her long-term sponsorship aspirations, Rampone said she is “trying to have the angle of being a mom and having that balance of playing at the highest level … and just be a great role model” (“Varney & Company,” Fox Business, 8/23).

Dial Global and NBC Sports Radio today announced that former NFLer Rodney Harrison will host "Safety Blitz with Rodney Harrison," a two-hour weekend NFL talk show slated to debut Sept. 8. Harrison also will be featured as a live guest on other NBC Sports Radio talk shows (NBC Sports Radio).

Talks between Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam's administration and SMI "haven't led to a green flag for new state assistance" at Bristol Motor Speedway (KNOXNEWS.com, 8/23).

WFAN-AM and the NFL Giants today announced a multiyear agreement with Giants QB Eli Manning for him to join the station for an exclusive weekly interview with host Mike Francesa (Giants).

Sun Products’ laundry brands all and Snuggle today announced a multiyear category-exclusive sponsorship of Little League Baseball and Softball beginning in '13 (Sun Products).

Swedish fashion brand Bjorn Borg will open its own shop-in-shop at a Shanghai Sogo department store, offering items such as underwear and sportswear (Bjorn Borg).

International sports TV outlet beIN Sport today announced that it will be carried on Comcast's Xfinity TV service. It will be available in Spanish on the Xfinity MultiLatino Package and in English on the Xfinity Sports Entertainment Package. This comes after beIN acquired media rights for U.S. men's soccer team World Cup Qualifier away matches (THE DAILY).

CONCACAF today announced that Futbol de Primera will be the exclusive Spanish-language radio broadcaster in the U.S. for the ’13 and ’15 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Additionally, the sides announced Andres Cantor will serve as lead play-by-play announcer for the tournaments (CONCACAF).

ESPN Int’l and the FA today announced a six-year multimedia rights deal in South America for the FA Cup, the England men’s national and U-21 men’s team matches and the FA Community Shield match (ESPN Int’l).

"The difference in intensity from the preseason, when players are trying not to get hurt, to playing in a stadium full of 85,000 fans is astronomical. Those seven refs that are going to work Giants-Cowboys (in the Sept. 5 season opener) will be scared to death" – Locked-out NFL side judge Keith Parham (SI, 8/27 issue).

"At night from our booth, we can see the Capitol all lit up. That's kind of a unique thing. ... Probably the last place I expected to be working, but it's been very interesting" – Nationals TV play-by-play announcer Bob Carpenter, on his vantage point from the broadcast booth at Nationals Park (OKLAHOMAN, 8/23).

USA Today Sports Media Group Properties Dir Tyler Kupper: "What an AWFUL new 'no baggage policy' rule by @nyrr for the @INGNYCMarathon. #poordecision"

N.Y. Times' Bill Carter: "1st week back from Olympics, GMA tops Today again, ending NBC hopes for reversal of ratings momentum."

Timbers Dir of Digital Media Brian Costello: "Now we're talking. But will they stream online? RT @GrantWahl: BeIN Sport has worked out deal with Comcast, nation's largest cable provider."

ESPN college football reporter Brett McMurphy: "Kansas State has sold out first 2 games, 1st time KSU sold out multiple games before season began since 1999."

If you see a tweet we will not want to miss, send it to us at editorial@sportsbusinessdaily.com. 

NHL Dir of Entertainment Publicity Nirva Milord posted this image of Canadiens D P.K. Subban posing with young snowboarder Coulton Conway as part of a shoot for "Disney XD Drops In." In the series, Conway visits fellow athletes in Canada to learn something about their sport.

See a short preview clip of tonight's episode of NBC Sports Network's "Caught Looking" featuring the Rays.

Golfer Rory McIlroy will appear on PBS' "Charlie Rose."

23 – Number of the world's 25 highest-ranked golfers who are playing in this week's PGA Tour The Barclays. The lone exceptions are No. 9-ranked Jason Dufner and No. 24-ranked Martin Kaymer (GOLFWEEK.com, 8/23).