MLB owners today in K.C. are slated to vote on a five-year contract for Commissioner-elect Rob Manfred, according to industry sources. Owners in August approved Manfred to succeed Bud Selig, but a contract had not been worked out then. The minimum term for a commissioner in the MLB Constitution is three years, but the five-year deal could be seen as a sign of faith in Manfred to lead the league well into the next CBA with the MLBPA. The current labor deal expires after the '16 season.

There was no immediate word on Manfred’s contract terms. Selig is believed to be earning as much as $30M annually, but public documents have not been available since '08 when the Office of the Commissioner changed its tax filing status. Manfred will formally take the reins Jan. 25.

Groups from Las Vegas, Sacramento and two from Minnesota will make presentations to MLS today in N.Y. as they seek to land an expansion franchise. Vikings Owner Zygi Wilf's reps will argue that the "soccer team should play" in the Vikings' new $1B stadium. NASL club Minnesota United FC Owner Bill McGuire has been "privately advocating for a new, but smaller, soccer-only stadium." Both bids have "significant financial muscle" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 11/20).

The meetings come as the league "intensifies its scrutiny of the cities competing to join the league." It is "possible the competing cities could make formal presentations to all of the league's owners Dec. 6, when they meet in the host city of the MLS Cup championship game" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 11/20).

Last night's scheduled Kent State-Buffalo football game was postponed due to the snow and cold, and "final details were being worked out on when that game would be played." All parties will have a conference call today to "see if the game can be played later Thursday" or if it "has to be moved to another date" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 11/20). Kent State's equipment truck "could not get to UB Stadium" last night, but if it can "make it to the stadium, the game could be played this evening" (BUFFALO NEWS, 11/20).

Meanwhile, the Sabres announced that the First Niagara Center box office and the Sabres Store are closed today. The team "also postponed its annual Alumni Wine Festival," scheduled for today, and "will hold it at a later date" (BUFFALONEWS.com, 11/19).

Volkswagen today confirmed it will be “sitting out” Super Bowl XLIX after running an ad during the game every year since '10. A VW spokesperson said the automaker will “consider rejoining when it is right for our brand.” VW is the “latest automaker to say it will not appear in the Super Bowl,” joining fellow '14 advertisers Jaguar and Lincoln (ADAGE.com, 11/20).

U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp today will hear arguments on "allowing sports betting in New Jersey." The hearing comes after Shipp last month issued a temporary restraining order to "block the opening of sports betting systems at Monmouth Park racetrack just two days before it had planned to accept its first wagers." He is "considering not just whether to lift" that order, but "also to decide the entire case." Any ruling he makes "likely would be appealed" (AP, 11/20).

Univ. of Michigan Regents today at a regularly scheduled meeting are expected to discuss interim AD Jim Hackett and a proposed upgrade for Yost Ice Arena. School President Mark Schlissel is "seeking Regents approval of Hackett's appointment." Hackett "has kept a low profile" since taking over for the ousted Dave Brandon on Oct. 31, but in an e-mail sent Tuesday, he "wrote of his commitment to identifying" a permanent AD. The athletic department also seeks approval of a $5.8M upgrade to the Yost ice rink floor and refrigeration system (DETROIT NEWS, 11/19).

Fresno State reportedly “is close to hiring” its next AD and a decision “could be made by the middle of next week if not sooner.” Candidates for the position include Oregon Exec Senior Associate AD/Development Jim Bartko, Ole Miss Senior Exec Associate AD/External Relations Stephen Ponder, UC-Davis AD Terry Tumey and Louisiana-Monroe AD Brian Wickstrom. The candidate pool was "assembled with the aid" of Chicago-based search firm DHR Int'l (FRESNOBEE.com, 11/19).

The Univ. of Maryland Board of Regents' finance committee today will discuss converting Cole Field House into a $155M football practice facility. Regent Tom McMillen, who played his college basketball home games at Cole, said, "I'm supportive of the new plans. It's just part of this keeping-up-with-the-Joneses in college sports. The move to the Big Ten was a big bet on football, and we have to make that bet work" (WASHINGTON POST, 11/20).

Today's Must Read is a front-page piece from the COLUMBUS DISPATCH on Blue Jackets D Jack Johnson, who recently filed for bankruptcy amid reports that his own parents "are among the 'wrong people' who led him astray financially" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 11/20).

Marisa Martin, a Univ. of Alabama student who serves as an ESPNU campus reporter, tweeted “a Jameis Winston-related joke about the shooting” at FSU. Martin was “quickly criticized by hundreds of people for her initial tweet” and “soon offered a non-apology.” Martin later deleted her Twitter account and said that it “had been hacked” (AL.com, 11/20).

USL Pro expansion club Louisville City FC is “nearing 2,000 season ticket deposits sold.” The team yesterday “welcomed its fans to tour Louisville Slugger Field ahead of seat selection for the inaugural season” (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 11/20).

The Raptors aired “a video tribute” to Vince Carter, who was visiting as a member of the Grizzlies, before last night’s game. Carter, who “broke down and cried” after watching the video, played for the Raptors from ’99-’04 (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 11/19).

“It really helped me to see what type of people I was dealing with” – Bucks coach Jason Kidd, who last night returned to Barclays Center after leaving the Nets after only one season, on starting to look for other jobs after hearing reports he might be fired last December after the Nets got off to a slow start (Mult., 11/20).

“He’s management. My relationship with Billy was to figure out how to get things right when he was around. There was really no relationship” – Jason Kidd, on his relationship with Nets GM Billy King (N.Y. TIMES, 11/20).

“The reality is competition is stiff, cities are raising a lot of money to underpin their bids and those funds are usually guaranteed when they go into the bidding process. … We don’t have the same amount of money” – SMG VP Doug Thornton, on New Orleans being overlooked to host the next several men’s Final Fours (NOLA.com, 11/19).

“Not only with our team, but also with our fans. Everyone and everybody is welcome in the Montreal Canadiens organization” – Canadiens co-Owner Geoff Molson, saying the team would welcome an openly gay player on its roster (Montreal GAZETTE, 11/20).

“I knew what I was signing up for. If (I) didn’t want attention I would have been a librarian, so I think it’s all good” – Tennis player Eugenie Bouchard, on her on-court success this year leading to increased fame (CP, 11/19).

Last night’s 1:00am ET editions of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” and FS1’s “Fox Sports Live” both led with Spurs-Cavaliers, Bucks-Nets and Hornets-Pacers. ESPN followed with a report on the severe weather in Buffalo affecting sporting events in the region, while FS1 reported on the Buffalo weather 23 minutes into its broadcast.

ESPN’s Keith Olbermann called out his “world’s worst” persons in sports: Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly for claiming he played on an undefeated football team in college while his alma mater, Marist College, did not play varsity football until after O’Reilly graduated. Olbermann was also irked by Tiger Woods because he “freaked out over a satirical, imaginary, made-up interview” in Golf Digest, and The Players’ Tribune Founder & Publisher Derek Jeter because the site published Woods’ reaction to the Golf Digest piece.

Press seating not very good during close games. Folks standing. Watching on the Jumbotron.#Pistons

— Vincent Ellis (@Vincent_Ellis56) November 20, 2014

Pablo Sandoval is NOT a $20M player. Really not even that close. But when you're the Red Sox, you really don't have a choice, either.

— Tony Massarotti (@TonyMassarotti) November 20, 2014

So sorry, @Rachel__Nichols, about the death of your father-in-law. Everyone who loved his work feels the loss, which is so personal for you.

— Cindy Boren (@CindyBoren) November 20, 2014

I'm assuming James Dolan won't be taking a victory tour with his select /co-opted "friends" in the media any time soon.

— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) November 20, 2014

ProShop powered by Reebok, the official team store of the Celtics and Bruins at TD Garden, will host a ceremonial ribbon cutting celebrating its opening. Delaware North Principal and Bruins Exec VP Charlie Jacobs, Bruins President Cam Neely, Celtics President Rich Gotham and Reebok CFO & GM of the Sports Licensed Division John Warren will participate.

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

“Set in the Great Depression, this 2006 novel has an epigraph from ‘Horton Hatches the Egg.’”

Broadcaster Al Michaels appeared on NBC’s “Late Night With Seth Meyers” last night to promote his new book, “You Can’t Make This Up.” Host Seth Meyers noted he sat next to Michaels at the Vancouver Games Opening Ceremony. Meyers: “Never in my life had a better seating partner. Every dinner party wherever I sit, I sit next to the loser, I always think there was that one time I got to sit next to Al Michaels at the Olympics.” Michaels replied, “And I probably did commentary for you, right? … I don't know how to watch, I have to call it” (“Late Night With Seth Meyers,” NBC, 11/19).

Actress Keira Knightley appeared on NBC’s “Late Night With Seth Meyers” last night and Meyers noted he and Knightley, who was born in England, are fans of EPL club West Ham. Meyers: “I was in London one time and I had always wanted to see a Premier League game. So I went to a ticket agent and I said, ‘Who's playing in London?’ They gave me a choice. I had Arsenal, Charlton Athletic and West Ham. ... So I went and I kind of fell for it.” Knightley said “not a lot of people will know West Ham. They're not a team that wins very often.” Meyers said, “Looking back, I picked the wrong (team), if you like winning” (“Late Night With Seth Meyers,” NBC, 11/19).

Regis Philbin appeared on CBS “Late Show” last night where he talked about his love of Notre Dame football. Philbin said, “I thought they got robbed in the Florida State game where they in the last minute caught a pass, but no. Somebody was blocking somebody and then to lose on a field goal. You can’t make a field goal, and they’ve got a great field goal kicker there.” Letterman asked, “What’s his name?” Philbin replied, “I can’t think of it right now. It’s a long name. Long and Polish name. … Yeah, it was Bob” (“Late Show,” CBS, 11/19).

Last night’s Top Ten List was “Top Ten Questions People Have About The Arctic Blast” (“Late Show,” CBS, 11/19).

10) “Is it too late to drain the pool?”
9) “Is God telling me I shouldn't marry Charles Manson?”
8) “Weren't the Republicans going to stop this?”
7) “To stay warm, how about we all get even fatter?”
6) “Is an arctic blast worse than being married to a German?”
5) “Didn't we already melt the Arctic?”
4) “Can I look directly at the arctic blast?”
3) “Who exactly is having a blast?”
2) “Will Kim Kardashian finally put on some clothes?”
1) “Too soon to cancel Thanksgiving with the family?”

“What is ‘Water for Elephants?’”