Smith Reportedly Has Deal To Buy NHIS

Bruton Smith, who is making front-page headlines almost daily in Charlotte for his threat to move Lowe's Motor Speedway out of the city of Concord, is now making news about 900 miles north, as the BOSTON GLOBE reports he has a deal to buy New Hampshire Int'l Speedway from Bob Bahre.  Meanwhile, Smith tells WBT-AM in Charlotte that he's interested in acquiring the station, along with other broadcast properties being shopped by Lincoln Financial.

The Mouse Is A Champ
Disney signs apparel brand Champion for naming rights at Wide World of Sports ballpark; deal includes retail presence at Disney resorts, ESPN Zones.

Eye Wide Open
CBS' Jim Nantz predicts 20-plus rating for Patriots-Colts as hype builds around Sunday's game.

Asleep At The Wheel?
Max Mosley calls Lewis Hamilton's impact on F1  "exaggerated" and potentially negative.

Tuesday's Gone
NBA openers on TNT down 25% from '06.

FA-ntastic
English soccer organization to receive $300M for int'l TV rights to FA Cup, national team games, quadrupling value of current deal. 

Stern Suspends Jerry Buss
Lakers Owner misses home opener as part of two-game NBA suspension for drunk driving conviction. 

Husky Voice 
UConn AD Jeff Hathaway chides ESPN, claims net is using school in carriage dispute with Comcast over ESPNU.