A-B today in L.A. will shoot "what could be the only ad for Bud Light in this year's Super Bowl." The spot, "like other recent work from Bud Light," seeks to "position the brand as the beer for spontaneous fun." A bar patron will "unknowingly walk into a surprise-filled ad by buying a custom-labeled beer that triggers a life-size, interactive Pac Man game." In addition to the 60-second spot from BBDO, A-B will run two 60-second ads for Budweiser, leaving 30 seconds of purchased airtime "that the brewer might use to grow the Bud Light ad to 90 seconds" (ADAGE.com, 1/7).

Sources said that the Cubs and WGN TV this week will announce a new multiyear media rights deal that "includes televising the 45 games in 2015 that previously didn't have a home." Whether these games "will be syndicated outside of the Chicago area ... remains unclear." The team last year opted out of its previous deal with WGN. CSN Chicago will televise around 90 games in '15, with WLS-ABC to air 25 (CBSLOCAL.com, 1/6).

UFC fighter Jon Jones has "entered a rehabilitation facility" after a test administered by the Nevada Athletic Commission on Dec. 4 "came back positive for the main metabolite in cocaine." Because he was "considered to be out of competition, Jones was not subject to punishment" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 1/7). Jones is "expected to retain" the UFC title defended Saturday in a headlining bout against Daniel Cormier, but UFC President Dana White "declined to answer if his company will sanction Jones" (LATIMES.com, 1/6).

Reebok is "standing by" Jones. The company in a statement said, "The status of Jon’s relationship with Reebok has not changed" (MMAJUNKIE.com, 1/6). Jones last month signed an endorsement deal with Reebok, coming on the heels of the brand's league-level deal with the UFC (THE DAILY).

The Bucks today are hosting a 90-minute arena focus group with "selected fans." An e-mail sent Friday to the invitees offered the "opportunity to share your thoughts and opinions regarding a new, multipurpose arena in downtown Milwaukee, as well as provide feedback related to potential seating concepts, pricing and amenity packages" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 1/3).

Meanwhile, Bucks President Peter Feigin said that the team will announce two to three more local investors "within the next week and they will play a role in backing a new downtown arena." The investors "will join a list of prominent southeast Wisconsin business leaders who already hold a minority stake in the Bucks." The team has announced 14 minority owners to date (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/6).

The PGA Tour and Hawaii Tourism Authority today announced a four-year extension through '18 of their marketing relationship, which will continue to help the state's golf and tourism industry. In addition to supporting the PGA Tour events held in the state, the HTA uses golf media as a platform to showcase the islands. Players are filmed participating in their favorite off-course activities, with some footage used in Hawaii-themed PSAs. The sponsorship dates back to '01 (PGA Tour).

Funeral arrangements have been set for ESPN's Stuart Scott, who died Sunday after battling cancer. A private visitation will be held Friday in Raleigh from 4:00-8:00pm ET at Providence Baptist Church, with the funeral held at the same church Saturday at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Scott's name to the Jimmy V Foundation (THE DAILY). A larger memorial service will be held at a later date (ESPN).

In today’s Must Read, the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER’s Harrison & Rothacker write the deal for banks to erase $17.6M in NASCAR HOF debt has “left some homeowners angry after they said they struggled to restructure their loans and fight foreclosure” (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 1/7).

New Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh will attend Monday’s CFP title game at AT&T Stadium “as a confirmed guest on ESPN’s coverage of the event.” Harbaugh’s role is “not yet defined on the network” (FREEP.com, 1/6).

Stars Owner Tom Gaglardi is "finalizing the lease agreement" to bring his Moxie's restaurant chain "into a prime restaurant spot" in Dallas' Crescent Court development. The chain is a subsidiary of Gaglardi's Vancouver-based Northland Properties (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/6).

German broadcaster ARD has “agreed to show the Tour de France live this year, ending a three-year hiatus it had blamed on doping scandals.” ARD suspended coverage during the ’07 Tour de France, “when there were five doping cases in three weeks,” and pulled live coverage in ’12 (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 1/7).

SBD/SBJ media reporter John Ourand gave his thoughts on the Dish/ESPN streaming deal on NPR's "Morning Edition." Hear the full conversation.

“Gene Smith is a powerful man in the sport. All due respect to all other ADs, for him to step out on the line like that, that’s good” – Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer, on the school’s AD leading a charge for increased stipends for players’ families to attend CFP games (DAYTON DAILY NEWS, 1/7).

“Absolutely, I’ll lead the parade” – Former Astros Owner Drayton McLane, saying he will not miss Craig Biggio’s induction into the Baseball HOF. Biggio will become the first Astros players enshrined (CHRON.com, 1/6).

“I don’t blame her because her father wouldn’t tolerate it. It bothers her and it should bother her” – Former Bears coach Mike Ditka, on Bears Owner Virginia McCaskey’s ire over the current state of the team (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 1/7).

“I can tell you if I was a Lions fan I’d be pretty aggravated” – President Obama, on the reversed pass interference call in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s Cowboys-Lions playoff game (DETROIT NEWS, 1/7).

Last night’s 11:00pm ET edition of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” led with Pistons-Spurs, followed by Ole Miss-Kentucky and UCF-Houston men's college basketball. The first non-basketball report was Canadiens-Lightning 20 minutes into the broadcast. Last night’s 11:00pm ET edition of FS1’s “Fox Sports Live” led with Villanova-St. John's, which was the lead-in to the broadcast. FS1 followed with Ole Miss-Kentucky and Oklahoma State-Iowa State. The first non-hoops report was on Baseball HOF class of '15 at the 13-minute mark of the telecast.

ESPN’s Keith Olbermann called out his “world’s worst” persons in sports: Swedish Hockey League G Christian Engstrand for scoring an own goal. Olbermann also criticized Serena Williams for ordering an espresso during a match in Australia and her tweet after the match, and Yankees DH Alex Rodriguez for an “elderly player without a starting job” being a “big story” heading into the upcoming MLB season.

Rex Ryan will be meeting with CBS executives today to discuss a possible TV role if he doesn't land a HC job #nyj

— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) January 7, 2015

It's Rivalry Week @NevadaDMV reports 8,676 @NevadaWolfPack license plates in circulation. Only 4,434 @UNLVathletics Pack pride on the road!

— Doug Knuth (@DougKnuth) January 6, 2015

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl just did an interview DURING game on ESPNU from baseline bench at Vandy. Never have seen that before.

— Neil Best (@sportswatch) January 7, 2015

One thing I'm wondering is why Tom Gamble wasn't considered for this new position since he's free. BUT, maybe Tannenbaum really impressed.

— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) January 7, 2015

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

“Meaning ‘waterless place,’ this 500,000-square-mile area lies in what’s called a ‘rain shadow’ of the Himalayas.”

NBCSN’s “Men In Blazers” co-hosts Roger Bennett and Michael Davies appeared on NBC’s “Late Night With Seth Meyers” to discuss Americans' growing fondness for "football" ("Late Night With Seth Meyers," NBC, 1/6).

NBC’s Jimmy Fallon said, “(President Obama) said athletes need to start speaking out more on important issues and it seems like many of them are actually taking his advice. Like for instance, when he was asked about the U.S. renewing relations with Cuba, Angels outfielder Mike Trout said, ‘We’ve got to get out there and give it our best. Gotta give 110 percent and just take it one game at a time.’ When asked about the recent Sony hack involving North Korea, Heat forward Chris Bosh said, ‘We just gotta give 110 percent. All we can do is take it one game at a time and get out there and give it our best.’ And finally when he was asked about the White House imposing sanctions on Russia, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said, ‘We just gotta give 110 percent. All we can do is use 110 percent of each game to give 110 percent to our best 110 percent’” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 1/6).

CBS’ David Letterman said, “The holidays are over and the jolly fat man is gone. I’m talking about Rex Ryan, coach of the Jets. … Any Knicks fans here? They have a wonderful promotion. Any person attending a Knicks game that can sink a shot from half court gets to start. … We have new Baseball Hall of Fame guys going in. The Baseball Hall of Fame, that’s fantastic, one of two great honors if you’re a baseball player. Getting elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, that’s No. 1. Owning a mediocre steakhouse, that’s No. 2” (“Late Show,” CBS, 1/6).

Last night’s Top Ten List was “Top Ten Things Overheard On The First Day Of The 114th Congress” (“Late Show,” CBS, 1/6).

10) "How soon do we shut down the government?"
9) "Delaware? Never heard of it."
8) "The strippers are an hour late."
7) "Show of hands -- who's currently under indictment?"
6) "Say 'hi', honey."
5) "When's our next three-week recess?"
4) "In your orientation packet you'll find a blank check from ExxonMobil."
3) "Senator Ernst, you can't castrate hogs here."
2) "I was bicameral for a while in college."
1) "You may represent Colorado but you can't smoke that here."

“What is the Gobi Desert?”