Turner Broadcasting President David Levy said the new contract extensions for the TNT "Inside The NBA" studio show are for eight to 10 years each and are designed in part to line up with Turner's NBA rights that were extended last fall through the '24-25 season. Charles Barkley, in his 16th year with the show, had previously suggested at numerous points he was looking to end his tenure sooner rather than later. But Levy and other Turner execs aggressively courted him with an extension offer, fueled in part by a recent dinner at Barkley's home.

Levy said retaining the chemistry of "Inside The NBA" talent Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson was paramount. "We didn't want to break up the magic. It's evolved far beyond a studio show. I've got other network executives, who I won't name, tell me they regularly tape their show. That's a rare thing. They tackle serious issues and people want to hear what they have to say. And it's still a great basketball show." Levy also said Barkley has an open door to address non-sports issues on sister property CNN, but there is no specific obligation in terms of a show or time slot on that network.

Meanwhile, Levy declined to say whether Turner will make an offer for Bill Simmons following his impending departure from ESPN. "I don't want to really discuss somebody at another network. But Bill Simmons is going to land something big. He's got a large following and a loyal fan base. He will have lots of opportunities. I'm not worried about Bill Simmons."

World Rugby today announced that the U.S. has won the bid for the '18 Rugby World Cup Sevens. The matches will be played at AT&T Park in S.F. and Avaya Stadium in San Jose. World Rugby tomorrow will hold two separate press conferences in both venues (World Rugby). The Bay Area won the bid over Wales. Rugby "makes its debut in Avaya Stadium" this year on July 18 with the Pacific Nations Cup (MERCURYNEWS.com, 5/13).

Fox Sports today unveiled the announcing teams for coverage of the '15 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada. In addition to the on-air talent groups listed below, former U.S. women's national team player Angela Hucles also will serve as an analyst. The tournament begins June 6 (Fox Sports).

UNI WATCH today revealed leaked NBA uniforms for this year's Christmas Day games, citing a source. Details include "no sleeves," a contrast with some of the sleeved designs adidas has introduced in past years. It is not yet known "which teams will be playing on Dec. 25, or even how many games there will be." But the "designs were developed months ago, so they did one for every team." The "script chest insignia are meant to evoke the feel of the fancy script on a Christmas card," and the NBA logo "will be shown in a splotch of sealing wax" (UNI-WATCH.com, 5/13).

The NFL Jets tonight are holding their third annual town hall meeting on the Hofstra Univ. campus. GM Mike Maccagnan "will break down video for fans, coach Todd Bowles will share his thoughts on his new team" and radio announcer Bob Wischusen and former NFLer Marty Lyons will host a "hot topics" segment. Team Owner Woody Johnson also will be in attendance. Jets President Neil Glat will discuss "future Jets fan-engagement events, but he stressed the focus will primarily be on football" (NEWSDAY, 5/10).

The Broncos today announced that Owner Pat Bowlen has been elected into the team's Ring of Fame as its 28th member. The addition will be made official at halftime of the Broncos' Nov. 1 home game against the Packers (Broncos).

Louisville-based merchandiser All Pro Championships has entered into a licensing deal with American Pharoah owners Zayat Stables to distribute American Pharoah T-shirts and caps at Pimlico Race Course around Saturday's Preakness Stakes (All Pro Championships).

Moda Center has received LEED Gold recertification for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (Rip City Management).

Country group Thomson Square will be the "featured band at the concert" near Omaha's TD Ameritrade Park "the night before the start of the College World Series." The event is titled the Road to Omaha Jam (AP, 5/13).

UFC fighter Ronda Rousey appears on the cover of this week’s SI: “Ronda Rousey Is The World’s Most Dominant Athlete” (THE DAILY).

“If the right sponsor came along, then anything is possible” – NASCAR team co-owner Gene Haas, when asked about the possibility of Danica Patrick racing for his F1 team next year (REUTERS, 5/13).

“The synergies are unspoken and un-promoted but they are there” – Cranfield Univ. business strategy professor Mark Jenkins, who wrote a case study about the Ferrari F1 team, on Philip Morris extending its sponsorship with the team despite not being able to advertise its Marlboro brand on the cars (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 5/13).

There is NOBODY more deserving to be in the Broncos Ring of Fame than Pat Bowlen. Congrats, Mr. B!!!

— John Elway (@johnelway) May 13, 2015

The more I think about the deflategate punishment, the more the 2017 4th round pick makes me laugh.

— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) May 13, 2015

"Does the NFL have integrity?’ The answer is no." - ESPN's Dan Le Batard. I don't agree. The NFL has integrity. They make mistakes sometimes

— Dan Leberfeld (@jetswhispers) May 13, 2015

The new Gatorade ad reminds me of the new adidas ad. These multi-sport commercials start to look the same after a while

— J.A. Adande (@jadande) May 13, 2015

ESPN Mrktg created some cool WatchESPN slates featuring our anchors. @KNegandhiESPN's homage to @BoJackson. pic.twitter.com/L4TwYxazuN

— bill hofheimer (@bhofheimer_espn) May 13, 2015

The WTA had some of its star players take the "Emoji Challenge" by imitating the expressions of the face symbols used in electronic messages.

The cover athlete of EA Sports' "Madden NFL 16" will be revealed during the 6:00pm ET episode of ESPN's "SportsCenter." Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. and Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski are the two finalists in the fan vote contest.

4 – Number of N.Y. Post headlines out of 10 total that appear in SI.com's "Deflategate Headline Power Rankings," including the No. 1-ranked entry, "NFL Squeezes Patriots' Balls" from Jan. 20. The N.Y. Daily News also occupies four spots on the list, with one each occupied by the Boston Herald and Boston Globe (SI.com, 5/13).