MLB "informed multiple Braves international signings today that they will become free agents" as a result of the league's investigation into the team's alleged rules violations under former GM John Coppolella, according to sources. Among the players becoming free agents are four who "received the Braves’ top four signing bonuses" in their '16 class, including SS Kevin Maitan, the "No. 1 ranked prospect" in the '16 international class. Those players will now have "restrictions on their free agency" (BASEBALLAMERICA.com, 11/21). Sources said that in total, the Braves will lose 12 players in their minor league system as "part of sweeping penalties against the organization" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 11/21).

The Grand Slam Board today announced that next year's Australian Open "will feature shot clocks for the first time." Grand Slam tournaments have "previously allowed players 20 seconds between points but the time permitted will be increased to 25 seconds, bringing them into line with the ATP Tour." An electronic shot clock will "tick down in the corner of the court, as was the case at this month's Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan." Also, the length of pre-match warmups will be "strictly controlled at the Jan. 15-28 Australian Open, limiting them to five minutes" (REUTERS, 11/21).

Under Armour Senior VP/Footwear Peter Ruppe is leaving, marking the "latest in a series of senior executive departures as the sportswear company struggles with slowing sales of its apparel and sneakers." A UA spokesperson confirmed that Ruppe, who has been in his post for the past two years, is "leaving the company." He "will be succeeded" by Ryan Drew, who previously served as GM of Under Armour’s basketball division. Ruppe, who "spent two decades at Nike" before joining UA, "declined to comment" (WSJ.com, 11/21).

USL club FC Cincinnati's owners have "signed an option to buy a site" in Cincinnati's Oakley neighborhood for a new stadium, "filling one of the key remaining criteria needed to win" an MLS expansion franchise. Neither FC Cincinnati President & GM Jeff Berding nor Colliers Int'l, the real estate firm that listed the property, "said how much FC Cincinnati would pay if it proceeds with the purchase." The club now has "control of a workable stadium site, which is one of the two key criteria MLS has for prospective expansion candidates." It also "wants financing in place and the needed government approvals." Hamilton County commissioners "had been pushing for the use of Paul Brown Stadium" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 11/21).

ESPN today announced coverage plans for the start of the '18 MLB season, with its 10-game season-opening slate including an Opening Day quadruple-header on Thursday, March 29. ESPN on that day will televise 13 consecutive hours of MLB gameplay. The 29th season of "Sunday Night Baseball" opens April 1, when the Dodgers host the Giants (ESPN).

Cavaliers F LeBron James today announced via Twitter that he will "voice the character of Gwangi, a yeti, in the animated film 'Smallfoot.'" The movie is set to be released in September '18. An IMDB entry states the film will detail a yeti who is "convinced that the elusive creatures known as 'humans' really do exist." The Warner Bros. production "will feature a star-studded cast including Channing Tatum, James Corden, Zendaya, Gina Rodriguez and Danny DeVito" (SI.com, 11/21).

#SMALLFOOT LET’S GOOOO❄️❄️❄️❄️⛄️⛰💪🏾👊🏾☃️
!!! Vannah says he could be my brother – 🤦🏾‍♂️ . #MyHairThooo #Frosty #YetiOrNot pic.twitter.com/mySAAJHR4I

— LeBron James (@KingJames) November 21, 2017

The Knicks today named Dan Sabreen VP/Public Relations, effective Nov. 27. Sabreen joins the Knicks after more than a decade at CBS Sports, most recently as VP/Communications (Knicks).

Notre Dame today announced it will primarily equip its football team with the VICIS Zero1 helmet next season. The school becomes the first college program to outfit the majority of its roster with the new safety helmet designed to reduce impact forces (Notre Dame).

Team Penske has extended its partnership with DXC Technology for the '18 Verizon IndyCar Series season. The company will serve as the primary sponsor for driver Simon Pagenaud's car for six races, starting with the Grand Prix of Long Bean on April 15 (Penske).

Jeep brand named Jordy Smith, Malia Manuel and Tyler Wright its official World Surf League athletes. They will act as brand ambassadors, supporting Jeep's WSL sponsorship for the '17-18 season (WSL).

The Grey Cup Festival kicked off in Ottawa this afternoon with the "arrival of the Grey Cup trophy at Parliament Hill" ahead of Sunday's Argonauts-Stampeders championship game (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 11/21).

What a pleasure to receive the #GreyCup from @RandyAmbrosie @RideauHall. A week of festivities in #Ottawa leading up to the championship game. @CFL pic.twitter.com/biVKsgAeQP

— GGJuliePayette (@GGJuliePayette) November 21, 2017

"The commissioner is very powerful. Maybe the most powerful, relative to his constituency, of any person in the world. All owners should be holding the commissioner accountable" -- Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones, appearing on Dallas-based KRLD-FM, on his rift with fellow NFL owners over Roger Goodell's upcoming contract extension (USATODAY.com, 11/21).

"I don’t regret playing football. (Do I have) some brain damage? I don’t know! ... A bunch of hits as an offensive linemen isn’t good for the brain" -- Former NFLer John Urschel, on retiring at age 26 earlier this year to pursue an academic career in mathematics (SI.com, 11/21).

Hey all. Since it’s out there… I will be leaving NBC Sports Chicago late next week to become a regional writer for the NHL. And to clarify, I will be based in Chicago for the new gig, too.

— Tracey Myers (@TramyersNBCS) November 21, 2017

In remembrance of the 10-year anniversary of his passing, @nflnetwork will be re-airing 'Sean Taylor: A Football Life' this Friday at 10p ET & Saturday at 8p ET

— Andrew Howard (@AHow17) November 21, 2017

Jazzman @rickyrubio9 supports #lungCancerAwarenessMonth in loving memory of his mother. He has donated 500 tickets on Saturday for #MILatUTA to @huntsmancancer and @specolyutah. Each guest will receive a gold T-shirt and popcorn voucher @vivintarena. @nbacares #ThisIsWhyWePlay pic.twitter.com/UNpEKOCbr0

— Utah Jazz Doing Good (@JazzDoingGood) November 21, 2017

So what will happen this year? Will the Skins wear Color Rush jerseys during one of the Thursday games? Both? Neither? I've asked both the team and league, and have yet to hear an answer. STAY TUNED

— Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) November 21, 2017

Original Oklahoma State logo. Princeton played a key role in the establishment of the University & you can see the impact in both the logo and the color scheme pic.twitter.com/RW13trsrpS

— Bill Sutton (@Sutton_ImpactU) November 21, 2017

Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones spoke to reporters today about why he has no interest in diminishing his role with the team.

HBO's "Real Sports" will profile Northwestern Univ. basketball coach Chris Collins along with his father, longtime NBA coach Doug Collins, at 9:00pm ET.

275-300 -- Servings of free beer doled out to about 200 patrons at Bavarian Bierhaus in suburban Milwaukee during Sunday's Ravens-Packers game. The bar runs a "game-day special" during the NFL season in which "no one pays for beer until the Packers score." The Ravens shut out the Packers 23-0 (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 11/21).