Talk Of The Town

The NFLPA’s scheduled news conference this afternoon in South Florida should contain plenty of fireworks pertaining to current CBA talks with the league. DeMaurice Smith Wednesday ups the rhetoric between the sides, saying of NFL owners, "They have engaged in a concerted course of conduct where anybody looking at it will see that they have done more to prepare themselves to not play football than to play football." The union boss says NFL players have "seen no evidence that anybody is losing money" under the current CBA. However, Ravens Owner Steve Bisciotti claims if owners do not take on a greater percent of revenues, there will be a "long-term problem for the league." Meanwhile, NFLPA President Kevin Mawae indicates a union proposal would cut league costs, including three-year maximum length on rookie deals that would save as much as $200M. However, he claims the league insists players take at least a 20% pay cut without explaining the financial rationale.

Timber Land
Portland Council approves $31M PGE Park renovation, which should clear the way for MLS to arrive in city in '11. 

'N Sync
MLS schedule matches European model of home-and-away series for each team. 

Lotto Options 
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty says lottery funds could help publicly finance new Vikings stadium.

King 'Kong
Nike signs projected No. 1 NFL draft pick Ndamukong Suh to endorsement deal.

Bayou Buzz
Saints converting fans throughout Louisiana on strength of this season's Super Bowl run.

Entertainment Tonight 
Rival networks plan steady diet of reality TV in effort to compete against Olympics on NBC.

On Top Of The Mountain
Lindsey Vonn enters Vancouver Games as the "boldest name" among U.S. Olympians.

Coming Attractions 
Details continue to emerge about this year's Super Bowl ads: fewer studios will promote films, while automakers emphasize practicality.