Chargers GM Tom Telesco said that he would be "willing to do" HBO's "Hard Knocks" next season if asked. Telesco: "We have a really good relationship with NFL Films and [Senior Exec] Ross Ketover and his staff, they do really excellent work." Telesco added, "Am I comfortable asking our players and coaches to work every day with microphones and cameras on them? Not entirely; I just think that people work differently when you're under the microscope like that being filmed. But that all being said, there's some benefits beyond football to being on that show, and we're pretty adaptable people here. If it so happens that we do it, then we'll make it work and we'll adapt to it. We shall see" (ESPN.com, 1/4).
LINING THEM UP: Top Rank Chair Bob Arum on Thursday said that a "busy stretch of negotiating is expected to lead to three pivotal boxing matches during an eight-week stretch in March and April." In L.A., Lance Pugmire notes the "first of those is expected" for March 10 between Oscar Valdez and Scott Quigg. ESPN will "televise the bout." A bout between Joseph Parker and Anthony Joshua is "planned" for March 31. The undone matters "include striking a television deal with Showtime for the bout and nailing down the start time" (L.A. TIMES, 1/5).
THE ART OF A DEAL: UFC President Dana White said in regards to determining the UFC's new television deal, with its past seven-year, $100M contract with Fox expiring this year, "We're out there talking and very confident we're going to get a great TV deal." The TIMES' Pugmire noted one of the "possible bidders could be Turner Sports." White said Turner "was in the talks when we were looking for a buyer. I love Turner. I love (Turner President David) Levy. That would be awesome, too" (L.A. TIMES, 12/31).
