Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation Chair John Wooten said that he is "ecstatic with the process" by several NFL teams that have "requested to interview multiple candidates of color, rather than just one to comply with the Rooney Rule." USA TODAY's Tom Pelissero notes Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles will "interview with four teams this week," including the Jets today, the Falcons tomorrow, the 49ers on Friday and the Bears on Saturday. The Raiders "have requested permission to speak with Bowles as well." Interview requests have also been made for Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson (USA TODAY, 1/7).
STAR TREK: SPORTSNET.ca's Chris Johnston reported the NHL is "preparing to take a glimpse into the future by using player-tracking technology" at the upcoming All-Star Game. Sources said that officials from the league and NHLPA will be in Columbus for testing early next week with the "goal of employing the Sportvision system" during the Jan. 24 skills competition and Jan. 25 game at Nationwide Arena. Computer chips would be "placed in the sweaters of each player, plus the puck, to chart what is happening on the ice." Everything from how fast and far a player skates to how hard he shoots and positions himself "would be measured in real time." The NHL is "still hoping to introduce the chip technology league-wide next season, although it has yet to receive approval from the NHLPA to do so" (SPORTSNET.ca, 1/6).
STOP SIGN: In California, Louis Brewster reported the Qatar Racing Club will "'terminate funding for all motorsports activities in North America,' primarily the two Top Fuel dragsters of Al-Anabi Racing Team that was run" by NHRA team Alan Johnson Racing. While there had been "unconfirmed reports dating back two years, the move by Qatar Racing Club was totally unexpected" (Inland Valley DAILY BULLETIN, 1/6).
