The sale of IMG moves into its final phase today when Forstmann Little collects binding bids from the three remaining bidders. The three finalists include: CVC Capital and Peter Chernin’s Chernin Group; Silver Lake Capital and William Morris Endeavor; Carlyle Group and ICM Partners. Binding offers are due by the end of the day. Silver Lake and WME, which has former ESPN exec Mark Shapiro working with it, and CVC, which has former ESPN Chair and NFL Network CEO Steve Bornstein working with it, are expected to put forward the most serious offers, according to sources familiar with the process. Carlyle Group, which raised a $23B fund this year, remained in the auction process this week but their interest in IMG is unclear.

Bids will be evaluated by the trustees, who are being led by Akin Gump attorney Mark MacDougall, and the banks working on the deal, Evercore and Morgan Stanley. A buyer could be selected within days if there is a big difference between the offers, or the sales process could drag on for as long as two or three weeks. IMG is expected to attract an all-cash offer of more than $2B, and reportedly has received an offer of $2.7B.

The NFL is pushing back on reports that the league is close to renewing its DirecTV deal for NFL Sunday Ticket. The NFL says the two longtime partners still are negotiating, but have not agreed to the framework of any deal. "We do not have an agreement. Any speculation or reports to the contrary are not accurate," said NFL Media Group VP/Communications Alex Riethmiller (John Ourand, Staff Writer).

The reports had cited sources as saying that the NFL and DirecTV are in "advanced discussions to renew" the Sunday Ticket package in a multiyear deal. The satellite company has held the league's exclusive out-of-market package, estimated to be worth $1B annually, for the past 20 years. The current contract, worth a total of $4B, expires at the end of '14 (VARIETY.com, 12/12).

The MLB Cardinals and developer Cordish Cos. today will announce that beginning next year, FS Midwest telecasts "will originate at a new studio" in St. Louis' Ballpark Village, near Busch Stadium. Officials said that the studio, on the second floor of Ballpark Village's first building, "will provide viewers a shot of the stadium's interior behind the anchor desk." FS Midwest Media Relations Dir Geoff Goldman said that "in addition to pre- and post-game telecasts for Cardinals games, the new studio will be used for pre- and postgame shows for Blues road games" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 12/13).

The Detroit Downtown Development Authority today will meet in a special session and "could finalize a deal with the Ilitch family" for a new Red Wings arena. The Detroit City Council "won’t vote on legislation" for the $650M project "until it sees details of a concessions-management agreement that spells out how the project will benefit Detroit." The project’s financing could include up to $45M in city dollars. The council will take up the issue Tuesday (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 12/13).

The Minneapolis City Council today is "on track" to give final approval to the $400M downtown development next to the new Vikings stadium. The proposal by Ryan Cos. involves more than 1 million feet of office space for occupant Wells Fargo. This comes after Hennepin County Judge Mel Dickstein yesterday heard a "last-minute legal challenge" to the project, with the plaintiffs claiming the city is "violating spending limits on the Vikings stadium legislation." Dickstein is expected to reach a decision next week (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 12/13).

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson yesterday announced the launch of a political campaign "aimed at defeating a June ballot measure that would require voter approval of subsidies to sports arenas." Johnson said that the new group, dubbed The4000, "would work to protect the planned Downtown Plaza arena project." The NBA Kings are "expected to play a role in the campaign," but Kings President Chris Granger said that "that role has not been decided" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 12/13).

English soccer club Queens Park Rangers has "unveiled plans for a new stadium" in Northwest London. The proposed 40,000-seat venue in Old Oak "will replace the club's current Loftus Road ground, in Shepherds Bush." The stadium "will be part of a regeneration of the area, which is provisionally called New Queens Park." Plans for the development include a "residential area with 24,000 new homes and a commercial space which will include a 350-room luxury hotel, studios, offices, cinemas and restaurants" (BBC.co.uk, 12/12).

Four people last night were “stabbed in the parking lot of Sports Authority Field at Mile High following the Broncos’ loss to the Chargers.” One person was in critical condition (DENVER POST, 12/13).

The Cubs today are expected to announce that former MLBer Ron Coomer will succeed Keith Moreland as color analyst in the team’s radio booth. Coomer, who agreed to a two-year contract, “most recently worked” on the Twins’ pre- and postgame shows for FS North (ROBERTFEDER.com, 12/12).

The Houston Archaeological & Historical Commission yesterday voted 9-1 at its final meeting of the year to "initiate the process" for designating the Astrodome as a city landmark (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 12/13).

Yankees CF Jacoby Ellsbury has placed a full-page ad in today’s Boston Globe in “appreciation of his seven years” with the Red Sox. The ad shows Ellsbury holding this past season’s World Series trophy (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/13).

USAA is running a full-page ad in this morning’s USA Today touting Saturday’s Army-Navy game on CBS. USAA is a presenting sponsor of the game. Chevrolet is also running a full-page ad in USA Today highlighting its designation as the official vehicle of the game (THE DAILY).

“I have a positive outlook on the feasibility study, but at the same time I think it’s a bit premature to talk about public finances” – Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre, on the city’s efforts to build a ballpark to land an MLB team (Montreal GAZETTE, 12/13).

“He’s a handsome guy, good looking, a guy who’s in great shape. Look at his frame. We think he’s gonna be a superstar for a long period of time” – Mariners Exec VP & GM of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik, during the press conference formally introducing 2B Robinson Cano (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 12/13).

“The TV deal is great news, but it doesn’t really change my approach or my outlook on things” – Blackhawks VP & GM Stan Bowman, on the NHL’s recent Canadian TV rights deal possibly increasing the salary cap to $71M next season (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 12/13).

“It sucked” – UConn AD Warde Manuel, on the misinformation disseminated on Twitter during his search for a new football coach. UConn yesterday formally introduced Bob Diaco as head coach (HARTFORD COURANT, 12/13).

“History Channel, Discovery Channel. I tried to stay away from SportsCenter or NFL Network. It’s not looking too good for us on those channels” – Redskins LB Perry Riley, when asked what he watched on TV at home this week (WASHINGTON TIMES, 12/13).

NBA TV’s Ahmad Rashad: “Espn Stan and Neal I love you guys!! U make my mornings !!!”

AP’s Rob Harris: “Stan Kroenke spends £199,000 on 13 new Arsenal shares ... owns 66.85% of club.”

SI.com’s Grant Wahl: “Like most of the new ESPN score app, but they need to list home soccer teams first.”

NFL Network’s Albert Breer: “Philip Rivers is gonna be really good on TV when he's done playing.”

If you see a tweet we will not want to miss, send it to us at editorial@sportsbusinessdaily.com.

The Connecticut State Bond Commission will vote on $1.8M in improvements to the XL Center in Hartford, part of a $35M allotment approved by state legislators earlier this year.

Former Univ. of North Carolina men's lacrosse coach Willie Scroggs will receive the IMLCA Creators Award presented by Nike at the '13 IMLCA Nike Awards Luncheon in Baltimore.

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “21st Century Novels.”

“In a letter to the author, President Obama called this ‘a lovely book -- an elegant proof of God, and the power of storytelling.’”

Last night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Lies Of The Year.” CBS’ David Letterman said, “Politifact is a fact-checking website. It has come up with top ten lies of the year. They have checked everything anybody has said during the year” (“Late Show,” CBS, 12/12).

10) “Pleasure to have you back, Mr. Trump.”
9) “I am a Congressman, of course I’ve read the Constitution.”
8) “Vladimir, people love it when you take your shirt off.”
7) “Larry King looks great for 80.”
6) “You want to go to New York? I may propose.”
5) “HEALTHCARE.gov is up and running!”
4) “I am a proud Knicks fan.”
3) “Yes, I am a trained sign language interpreter.”
2) “Welcome to the ‘Late Show,’ finest television entertainment show ever.”
1) “If you like your crack-smoking mayor, you can keep your crack-smoking mayor.”

“What is ‘Life of Pi?'”