Tennessee AD John Currie is "defending the process of his coaching search and vouching for the character of Greg Schiano one day after negotiations between the two parties broke down amid public backlash." Currie in a statement today acknowledged that the Ohio State defensive coordinator was a "leading candidate for the Volunteers' coaching vacancy without explaining why the two sides parted ways." UT Chancellor Beverly Davenport also "issued a statement offering her support to Currie while acknowledging her regret over the handling of the Schiano situation" (AP, 11/27). Penn State Trustee Anthony Lubrano in a statement said Schiano "had nothing to do with the Sandusky scandal" at PSU (TWITTER.com, 11/27).

Currie today "won't make a scheduled appearance" at the Knoxville Quarterback Club (KNOXNEWS.com, 11/27). ESPN’s Bob Ley said, “Here’s hoping Schiano’s lawyers wring every single last farthing out of a Tennessee administration which clearly is on training wheels” (“OTL,” ESPN, 11/27).

The NHL has hired Kim Davis as Exec VP/Social Impact, Growth Initiatives & Legislative Affairs, a new position for the league. Davis was a Senior Managing Dir at Teneo, where she built and ran the firm’s corporate responsibility and inclusive leadership practice. Previously, she spent more than 20 years at JPMorgan Chase. Davis will be based in the league’s N.Y. HQ and will report directly to Commissioner Gary Bettman. Her first day will be Dec. 4.

Former WFAN-AM personality Craig Carton today unveiled a "website and interview podcast that will be released weekly" beginning Dec. 4. "Hello, My Name is Craig" went live at 10:00am ET with an "eight-minute teaser episode." In a brief audio segment, Carton "does not speak explicitly" about his alleged involvement in a ticketing scheme that resulted in his being fired from WFAN. But he "did mention his precipitous fall." Carton faces a "maximum 45 years in prison" (NYPOST.com, 11/27).

The Borg-Warner Trophy will leave the U.S. for the "first time in its 82-year history this week when it travels to Japan for a series of events" with '17 Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato. Sato tomorrow will "begin a 15-day trip that will include visits to Tokyo, Motegi and Nabari, home of the BorgWarner plant." Honda Performance Development President Art St. Cyr said that Honda's "record of success at the Brickyard made Japan a natural destination for the trophy's first overseas trip" (RACER.com, 11/27).

Navy football will wear Under Armour Blue Angels uniforms for the Dec. 9 Army-Navy game at Lincoln Financial Field. The look, inspired by the U.S. Navy's iconic flight demonstration team, features hand-painted helmets depicting a Delta Formation, plus a chrome facemask to mimic the visor of the Blue Angels pilots. The UA design team incorporated design elements that pay tribute to the skill, precision and history of the aviator squadron (Navy).

OFFICIAL: #NavyFootball will be wearing Blue Angels-inspired uniforms for the 118th Army-Navy Game! #GoNavyBeatArmy #RaiseTheSail pic.twitter.com/12RmkDUHsM

— Navy Football (@NavyFB) November 27, 2017

The Univ. of South Alabama has agreed to make Adidas its "official athletic apparel and accessories brand for all sports." The seven-year deal runs from June '18 to May '25, and it will "outfit all 17 of USA's varsity sports programs." The school had been affiliated with Nike in "every sport except baseball, which was already under contract" with Adidas (AL.com, 11/27). The contract “includes an annual allowance for complimentary gear for Jag Athletics as well as potential incentives -- in cash and complimentary allotment -- based on competitive performance” (FOX10TV.com, 11/27).

FC Cincinnati's bid for a new stadium and a spot in MLS "cleared a big hurdle" today when a City Council majority "approved a plan to help build a home for the team." The deal calls for $36M in public funds (CINCINNATI.com, 11/27). 

Fanatics recorded its “best ever Black Friday and is expected to crush sales” today on Cyber Monday. Some of the best-selling jerseys since Friday belong to Eagles QB Carson Wentz, Patriots QB Tom Brady and Warriors G Stephen Curry (“Squawk Box,” CNBC, 11/27).

New Florida coach Dan Mullen will receive a contract worth $6M a year for six years, "putting him among the highest paid coaches in college football." UF also only has to "pay $500,000" on Mullen's buyout from Mississippi State (GATORSPORTS.com, 11/27).

Bedgear will now be the official sleep partner of the Celtics and Mavericks. The Celtics are first-year Bedgear partners, while the Mavericks are in their second year with the brand (Bedgear).

Web developer Wix.com will "eschew the upcoming Super Bowl in favor of digital advertising." The company had "advertised in the Super Bowl" since '15 (ADAGE.com, 11/27).

"If the situation were right and we thought it was the best time for us, in terms of the health of the league and all of our franchises to expand, right situation, right owner, right market, right building, then you take a look at it. We don't view it immediately as our manifest destiny to go to 32 teams" -- NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, on possible expansion ("Squawk Box," CNBC, 11/27).

"Frankly, you don’t play games in Wembley Stadium, where most of the people in the stands are betting on their phones during the game, without an understanding that things are changing" American Gaming Association CEO Geoff Freeman, on sports leagues including the NFL taking a closer look at gambling (AP, 11/27).

“From a business standpoint, this is going to be a big corporate gathering. … What would change would be the increased excitement of the local fan base. It would put everything on steroids, in terms of the local reaction. It would be so much more than a game now” -- Minneapolis Downtown Council President & CEO Steve Cramer, on the possibility of the 9-2 Vikings playing in Super Bowl LII, which is being held at U.S. Bank Stadium (STARTRIBUNE.com, 11/27).

I have the solution to the Tennessee problem. Hire agent Jimmy Sexton as athletic director and tell him, "We'll pay any of your clients whatever they want to be the football coach."

— Jeff Schultz (@JeffSchultzAJC) November 27, 2017

Am told there's increasing pressure now from big-money #Vols boosters to force #Tennessee AD John Currie out in the wake of Sunday's news. UT source told me: "This is such a hot mess. Just when you think they’ve gotten out of the ditch. They’ve fallen into a much bigger one.”

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) November 27, 2017

Sources: Some teams pursuing Giancarlo Stanton believe #Dodgers are his first choice, and that he will be reluctant to approve other destinations until there is clarity with LA. @MLBNetwork @MLB

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 27, 2017

There is an awful smell in Halas Hall. Not figuratively, literally. It's bad. #Bears coach John Fox said he thinks it's leftover sushi.

— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) November 27, 2017

Mickey Mouse and CEO of the Walt Disney Company Bob Iger are preparing to ring the opening bell at the NYSE to mark the company's 60th anniversary as a listed company on the NYSE. (VCG/Drew Angerer) pic.twitter.com/600SoPueBd

— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) November 27, 2017

See how Trey Wingo, Mike Golic and Mike Golic Jr. opened the new "Golic & Wingo" show this morning.

$60M -- Low-end estimate for how much the 12 FBS football programs that have made head coaching changes so far this season will spend in buyouts. An examination of the ousted coaches' contracts shows that the 12 schools are "facing a combined tab that should easily surpass" the $60M figure (USATODAY.com, 11/26).