The Packers, Bengals and Colts all were granted ticket-sales deadline extensions by the NFL yesterday in order to avoid TV blackouts of their home playoff games. The Packers "came up about 3,000 tickets short" of selling out 80,750-seat Lambeau Field. They now have until 5:00pm ET today to sell out. The Bengals have until 4:00pm today. The team's Twitter account yesterday afternoon "accidentally floated the number 3,500 before being quickly deleted." The Colts, whose game is tomorrow, now have until 4:30pm to "sell their remaining 3,000 tickets" (ESPN.com, 1/2).

Bengals QB Andy Dalton said, "We need to sell out this game." Coach Marvin Lewis: "I can't say what I really think, so I'll just move on" (DAYTON DAILY NEWS, 1/3).

The potential blackouts were discussed on NBC’s “Today” show this morning, and NBC’s Peter Alexander said, “It seems the at-home, flat-screen TV experience is taking a toll on ticket sales.” NBC’s Al Roker: “I think the flat-screen experience and the fact that the weather is going to be brutal in those three cities, that has something to do with it.” NBC’s Erica Hill added, “It may be more enjoyable inside” (“Today,” NBC, 1/3).

American Express, an official sponsor of the PGA of America and the PGA Championship since '07, did not renew its deal with the association after it expired in '13. AmEx was categorized as an official patron sponsor, the PGA's highest level of sponsorship. Deals at that level cost in the mid-seven figures as well as incremental media spending with the PGA’s media partners. AmEx had rights to the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup on U.S. soil and other PGA of America events.

The PGA's patron level is not expected to remain at just two sponsors (currently Mercedes-Benz and Omega). Industry sources indicate that the PGA is closing in on a deal to sign a new patron to replace AmEx, albeit from a different category.

The Phillies and CSN Philadelphia have agreed to a new TV rights agreement, and sources said that it is a 25-year deal. CSN "will broadcast the majority of Phillies games," but WCAU-NBC "is expected to get its share of Sunday broadcasts." WPHL-MYT "will no longer carry games." A 25-year term "falls in line with contracts signed in recent years" between RSNs and other MLB clubs. The Phillies' current deal with CSN expires following the '15 season (MLB.com, 1/2).

The Univ. of Maryland athletic department has agreed to a 10-year extension with Under Armour, which will continue to outfit the school's sports teams. The relationship stems from a five-year, $17.5M contract signed in '08, which was previously renewed in '09 and expired Dec. 31. It is "unclear whether any terms of the deal have changed." Under the previous deal, UA every year provided UM with at least $1.9M in products, plus a $1.48M rights payment (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/3).

Tim Hortons today will break a new ad campaign with a spot starring Penguins C Sidney Crosby, with whom the restaurant chain has a multiyear endorsement deal. The ad is set to "rousing and upbeat" music and shows Crosby taking the ice, accompanied by a "horde of hockey lovers." Tim Hortons Senior Dir of Marketing & National Programs Rob Forbes said, "The whole relationship with hockey and how we've advertised it is really evolving." JWT Canada Chief Creative & Integration Officer Brent Choi said in creating the ad, his firm wanted to be "less quiet in asserting that hockey is something all Canadians own" (GLOBE & MAIL, 1/3). 

Amid snowstorms throughout the region, the Islanders prior to last night's home game against the Blackhawks announced that fans "can redeem tickets" for the contest, "even if they attended." Starting tomorrow, fans "can redeem their tickets at the Nassau Coliseum box office for any future weekday game at the Coliseum." The offer expires Jan. 31 (NEWSDAY, 1/3).

In other weather-related scheduling, the Iona-Quinnipiac and South Dakota State-Buffalo men's basketball games were postponed. NYRA "canceled live racing at Aqueduct Racetrack" for today (ESPN.com, 1/2).

Arbitrator Fredric Horowitz "likely will wait at least a few more days before issuing a ruling" on the appeal by Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez, who faces a potential 211-game suspension by MLB for his alleged involvement with Biogenesis. There was "some thought Horowitz could make his ruling Thursday or Friday, but that now seems unlikely" (NYPOST.com, 1/2).

Rockets G Jeremy Lin has "agreed to a shoe deal with adidas, thus departing Nike," according to a source. An announcment is expected today (CSNNW.com, 1/2).

The U.S. Professional Tennis Association announced a renewal of its deal with Prince Global Sports to endorse Prince racquets, balls, strings, bags and accessories (USPTA).

The Washington State Department of Transportation as of 4:25pm PT yesterday reported that in the first day of sales, 1,810 special Seahawks-themed license plates had sold and 148 MLS Sounders plates had been issued (SEATTLETIMES.com, 1/2).

UFC co-Chair & CEO Lorenzo Fertitta confirmed the MMA outfit is planning to promote a Chris Weidman-Vitor Belfort middleweight title fight in Las Vegas in "May or July" (ESPN.com, 1/2).

The announced attendance for last night's Oklahoma-Alabama Allstate Sugar Bowl was 70,473, the "second-highest total in the past five years but also the fifth-lowest Sugar Bowl crowd of the BCS era." Last year's Louisville-Florida matchup drew 54,178 (Baton Rouge ADVOCATE, 1/3).

The Under Armour All-America High School Football Game last night drew a crowd of 21,031 at Tropicana Field (THE DAILY).

"That's our Super Bowl. I'm sure it's even bigger than the Stanley Cup Finals. It's good for the game, so that's something you're proud about when you watch it" – Islanders RW Colin McDonald, on the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic (NEWSDAY, 1/3).

"It looked miserable at times. ... Hopefully it won't be that kind of weather, but it's not a big deal. But the whole environment of a game like that seemed to be pretty awesome" – Devils G Martin Brodeur, on the Winter Classic and his team's Jan. 26 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series game against the Rangers at Yankee Stadium (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 1/3).

“I don’t know if they’re going to attract the Justin Bieber fans. But, at the same time, they’ve got so many fans around the world that it doesn’t matter. It should be a great show” – Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau, on KISS performing at the Stadium Series game on Jan. 25 featuring Ducks-Kings (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 1/3).

“I gotta get my hands on a few of those. Probably a hot ticket. It’s pretty funny. I had one in Rochester. I’ll have to see which one looks like me the most” – Wild RW Jason Pominville, on the bobblehead in his likeness handed out Thursday night at Xcel Energy Center (BUFFALO NEWS, 12/3).

"I want to be clear that I do not tolerate discrimination of any type and am respectful of all individuals" – Vikings special teams coach Mike Priefer, in a statement, responding to an article by former P Chris Kluwe claiming he was mistreated and later released due to his stance on same-sex marriage (Mult., 1/3).

ESPN’s Bob Ley: “There are no snow days in television.”

ESPN’s Jason Whitlock: “Morning Joe conversation about NFL playoff tickets not selling out is really bad. Really bad.”

Broncos VP/Public Relations Jim Saccomano: “Hannah Storm did a wonderful job hosting telecast of Rosé Parade--what a courageous comeback couple of years after terrible accident.”

Houston Chronicle's Jerome Solomon: “Must we this explain this to you every year? Just because DirecTv guide describes each bowl game as ‘playoff’ doesn't make it so.”

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

The ECHL Stockton Thunder posted this image showing fans in their arena helping paint the ice for tonight's "Painted Classic" game against the S.F. Bulls.

The NBA begins its week-long NBA FIT Live Healthy Week initiative, which includes a new ad starring Warriors G Stephen Curry and other members of the NBA FIT team. The effort also features a partnership with First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! Active Schools.

Professional Bull Riders and Monster Beverage Corp. officials will visit the NASDAQ MarketSite in Times Square to mark the start of the three-day Monster Energy Buck Off event at MSG. PBR Chair & CEO Jim Haworth will ring the Closing Bell.

Texans Owner Bob McNair will introduce new head coach Bill O'Brien at an noon ET press conference at Reliant Stadium.

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Actors.”

“In the 50’s he won a Tony for Best Supporting Actor in a musical and a Best Actor Oscar for playing the same role, a monarch.”

"Who is Yul Brynner?"