Tag Heuer is the new official timekeeper of the TCS N.Y. Marathon in a deal through '16. The Marathon and watchmaker are scheduled to announce the sponsorship later today. Tag Heuer replaces Timex, which sponsored the race from '08-13. As part of the deal, Tag will sponsor a promotion for the race’s more than 40,000 runners. The winners of the contest will be featured on a billboard in Times Square the weekend of the race. Tag is dubbing the contest the “Get Your New York On” challenge. This year's race is scheduled for Nov. 2.

Runners can submit essays explaining why they are running 26.2 miles. A celebrity panel, including Tag endorser Maria Sharapova, will choose the winners. Tag will also present a watch to the male and female winners of the race, as well as the winner of the wheelchair competition. Tag's sponsorship portfolio also includes auto and sailing races.

The NHL Rangers during today's MSG earnings call will announce a season-ticket renewal rate of 93%, while the Knicks will announce a 91% rate. The Knicks' hiring of Phil Jackson "appears to have created a sense of optimism among their fan base." The renewal rate for the Rangers, coming off a Stanley Cup Final appearance, was the "highest in seven years" and comes amid a 3% average ticket-price hike. MSG also will reveal that both teams "have sold out of season tickets," the Knicks for the fifth straight year and the Rangers for the eighth (N.Y. POST, 8/20).

Bud Selig in his "last scheduled visit" to Oakland as MLB Commissioner "lamented Tuesday that the A's quest for a new stadium will remain an unfinished item on his to-do list." Selig said, "Do I wish it would have been solved? Of course I do. I wish it had. And I understand people's frustration. But is there anything I could have done differently? I don't think so." He also said, "This team needs a new ballpark. (The Coliseum) reminds me of County Stadium in its final days, and of Shea Stadium. And that's not a compliment" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 8/20).

The Glazer family has "no plans to sell Manchester United in the near future" and is "determined to be in place for at least the next five years." Sources said that with the EPL club "currently experiencing exponential growth commercially the Glazers are content with the direction of the club," with the "aim to continue marrying the on-field success of recent years with the expansion of its global profile." The Glazers believe the increase in ManU's number of sponsors, currently at 35 globally, "plus recent lucrative blue-chip deals will continue" (GUARDIAN, 8/20).

The Yankees installed metal detectors prior to last night's game against the Astros "as a trial run" to familiarize security staff and fans "with how the procedure will work next season." Only the Gate 2 entrance featured the detectors yesterday, "with all entry points set to be outfitted with detectors by next season." A "backup of about 150 people shortly after the gates opened was a byproduct" of the new measures, which were taken ahead of MLB's plans to standardize security procedures at all ballparks in '15 (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/20).

VMI has signed a multiyear athletic apparel deal with Under Armour, becoming the first D-I school in the state of Virginia to reach an "exclusive agreement" with the brand. The deal, which takes effect this fall, gives UA the right to provide "game and training gear to the Keydets' 18 varsity teams while also outfitting coaches and members of the athletic department staff." VMI's "first such agreement" also includes "marketing and promotional opportunities along with access to partner-only designs" (AUGUSTA FREE PRESS, 8/20).

The city of Columbia, S.C., yesterday opted to hire K.C.-based Populous to "design and oversee construction" of a minor-league ballpark in the Bull Street neighborhood. The firm will be paid about $2M. Assistant City Manager Missy Gentry has said that "part of the architects' duties will be to keep the project on budget." Out of the $35M project, $6M worth of construction of the 8,500-seat facility will be paid by Atlanta-based Hardball Capital. The ballpark is to be "substantially complete" by March '16 (Columbia STATE, 8/20).

MLB Commissioner-elect Rob Manfred, “the first former Little Leaguer to ascend to the preeminent position in the game," will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at tonight’s Nevada-Philadelphia LLWS game (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/20).

Three lawsuits filed by retired NHL players “over concussion-related injuries have been consolidated and will be heard” by U.S. District Court Judge Susan Nelson (AP, 8/19).

Falcons Owner Arthur Blank this morning discussed “progress on the New Atlanta Stadium and information regarding the MLS team coming” to the city in '17 during a breakfast event put on by Atlanta magazine (ATLANTAFALCONS.com, 8/20).

The Meadowlands (N.J.) Chamber of Commerce unveiled “a ‘vision plan’ for the Sports Complex that includes casino gambling, as well as a convention center and two hotels” (NORTHJERSEY.com, 8/19).

The Univ. of Tennessee extended its partnership with IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions through ’19 (IMG/Learfield).

"This guy is in a different gear. He is really high powered, aggressive, energetic, and some say, nuts" – CBS' David Letterman, on new Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer (“Late Show,” CBS, 8/19). Read more of late-night TV's take on Ballmer in Laugh Track and Top Ten.

“He said he was throwing from the dirt. I said, ‘This is St. Louis.’ He has to throw from the rubber. It’s Bob Costas, for goodness sake” – Cardinals manager Mike Matheny, on Costas throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to last night’s game with the Reds (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 8/20).

“Pace of game is my No. 1 issue. Commissioner-elect Manfred has stated, unequivocally, that he understands and supports the fact we must make changes in the pace of game” – Marlins President David Samson (MLB.com, 8/19).

“The story lines have been great. The cooperation from the team has been unparalleled. The ratings are really, really strong. They are up double-digits compared to last season” – HBO Sports President Ken Hershman, on this season’s “Hard Knocks” featuring the Falcons (AJC.com, 8/19).

“Being anybody’s No. 1 fan is earned, not given. But it doesn’t even bother me, man. If Shelly wants to be the No. 1 fan, I’ve got 40 (Clippers) suits, so I’ll give her one and let’s have a party. I’m willing to share” – Clippers fan Darrell Bailey, who is known as Clipper Darrell, on Shelly Sterling ascribing to herself the No. 1 distinction (L.A. TIMES, 8/20).

The 11:00pm ET edition of ESPN's "SportsCenter" led with seven MLB game reports, followed by the Browns QB battle and Rangers-Marlins. ESPN reported on the season-ending injury to Ohio St. QB Braxton Miller 21 minutes into the broadcast, but did not air a report on NASCAR driver Carl Edwards joining Joe Gibbs Racing. The 11:00pm ET edition of FS1's "Fox Sports Live" led with four MLB game reports, followed by a reports on Miller and Edwards.

ESPN's Keith Olbermann called out his "world's worst" persons in sports: The NFL asking perspective Super Bowl halftime acts for "payment" to perform at the game. Olbermann said, "In my neighborhood, we called these kickbacks." Also annoying Olbermann were LLWS Pearland (TX) East CF Clayton Broeder, who is "trolling us" because his on-screen bio read he "would like to meet Kate Upton," and the CFL Ottawa RedBlacks unveiling new uniforms because "seven games into the season is just the right time to do that."

IndyCar driver Juan Pablo Montoya: “So I'm in a brand new aircraft from @AmericanAir and has tv in front of the seat and guess what the only seat that doesn't work it's mine...”

S.F. Chronicle’s Ann Killion: “There is weird symmetry on my TV with Selig sputtering nonsense while the Cubs win because their tarp broke.”

The Troy Record's Laura Amato: "This just in. @UAlbanySports to announce new Director of Intercollegiate Athletics [this] morning with presser at 10 a.m."

Washington Post’s Mike Wise: “Mike Ditka is so stupid it's appalling.”

Buffalo-based WGR-AM’s Jeremy White: “The NFL is considering Rihanna, Katy Perry, and Coldplay for the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Let’s get a 4th option. Who ya got?”

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

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

“Twice as long as Hadrian’s Wall, Offa’s Dyke was the traditional border between these two lands.”

Tennis player Novak Djokovic appeared on CBS' "Late Show" last night, with host David Letterman asking, “Are you in the top physical condition of your life?” Djokovic replied, “Are you asking me to take off my shirt?” Letterman replied, "If you'd be more comfortable, go ahead." Djokovic said of today's tennis racquets compared to older wooden racquets, “With the racquets, more speed, strength, control, power (and) accuracy. So it’s easier nowadays to produce different rotations on the ball than it used to be maybe 20, 30 years ago. … Tennis 30 years ago was more serve and volley. Today is more based on the baseline rallies and what you wear, of course, it also has an effect. The game became more physical.” Letterman said, "You got to look good." Djokovic: "The best dressed tennis player title (goes to) Roger Federer, no question about it." Letterman asked, "Have you ever played with your shirt off? It seems like that may be the way this is going.” Djokovic: “In my practice sessions, yes. I don't think it would go well if I came shirtless in the match” (“Late Show,” CBS, 8/19).

NBC’s Jimmy Fallon: “The Clippers' new owner, former Microsoft executive Steve Ballmer, promised fans that the team will win an NBA Championship. He says he has a great strategy for rebuilding the team: Control-alt-delete. Actually, Steve Ballmer spoke to fans at the Clippers' rally yesterday. It's hard to tell, but I think that he was pretty excited about his new team.” A video clip of Ballmer addressing fans at a team rally was shown. Fallon added, “Then the Clippers fans were like, ‘Well, at least the racist guy was quiet.’" More Fallon: “Yankee Stadium says it will start adding metal detectors as a way to beef up security. And then, they went back to selling beer and baseball bats to New Yorkers” ("The Tonight Show,” NBC, 8/19).

CBS’ Letterman: “Anybody see Johnny Manziel for the Browns? I don't know, did they decide whether Johnny Manziel is going to be the starting quarterback? He's ‘Johnny Football,’ you know. I got nothing against the kid, but I saw him play last night. I think they ought to change his name to ‘Johnny Bench.’ Then toward the end of the game, he gave Washington the finger. Coincidentally, that's Barack Obama’s exit strategy from Washington” (“Late Show,” CBS, 8/19).

Last night's Top Ten list was “Top Ten Signs Your Team Owner Is Nuts.” Letterman said, “Steve Ballmer, the new owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, was introduced to thousands of fans yesterday at the L.A. Staples Center" (“Late Show,” CBS, 8/19).

10) “Insists on showering with the players.”
9) “Halftime show: Burning Tires.”
8) “To provide arena security, hired Ferguson, Missouri, Police Department.”
7) “Hints to the press that he’s dating A-Rod.”
6) “Favorite president: James K. Polk.”
5) “Parks his car on the court.”
4) “Traded star player for three million loose cigarettes.”
3) “Promises team will defeat ISIS.”
2) “Attending post-game parties, wearing ‘Nothing But Net.’”
1) “Is penalized for holding himself.”

"What are England and Wales?”