Sports Illustrated today will begin activation of what executives there are calling its “biggest Swimsuit launch ever.” Both the print edition, featuring model Hannah Davis on the cover, and the companion digital assets formally debut today. SI declined to specify overall revenue or the advertising page count for this year’s Swimsuit edition.

This year’s overall page count is 220, down from 252 last year for the 50th anniversary issue. But Time Inc. Sports Group Publisher Brendan Ripp said the page count drop has been more than compensated for by an exponential increase in live, public events surrounding this year’s Swimsuit launch. SI has planned a two-day fan festival today and tomorrow in N.Y.'s Herald Square, followed by another two-day festival in Nashville Wednesday and Thursday involving 13 live bands.

The Padres continue their offseason makeover, as sources said that the team and free agent P James Shields have agreed to a four-year contract in the $72-76M range that "includes a club option for a fifth season." The deal, pending a physical, is "likely to be announced early in the week" (SBNATION.com, 2/9). If completed, the deal "would be the largest the Padres have ever handed out" and would raise their payroll from under $89M to more than $100M. It also would "truly signal an all-in push for 2015" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 2/9).

The championship round of the Beanpot college hockey tournament has been postponed until Feb. 23 due to the "snowfall over the weekend" in Boston that is "expected to continue into Tuesday." Mayor Martin Walsh proclaimed that "nonessential employees remain home" today, and Beanpot Dir Steve Nazro announced the postponement. The Boston Univ.-Northeastern final and Boston College-Harvard consolation game were to be played today at TD Garden. The "only other time the Beanpot championship had to be postponed was during the Blizzard of 1978" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/9).

Canada-based sporting goods retailer Sport Chek today announced a sponsorship deal with Raptors G Kyle Lowry. As part of the announcement, the chain will host a basketball practice via its grassroots #MyNorth program, which was launched earlier this year in conjunction with the Raptors and MLSE. The program was created to celebrate Toronto's basketball culture (FGL Sports).

Comcast-Spectacor today announced plans to introduce an upgraded Xfinity WiFi network at Wells Fargo Center in partnership with IT provider Cisco. The new network will offer faster upload and download speeds. The Xfinity hot spots at the venue are free for fans to use, whether or not they are Xfinity customers. Announcements encouraging fans to use the technology began at the Feb. 5 Islanders-Flyers game (Comcast-Spectacor).

Tributes and remembrances continue to pour in for former Univ. of North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith, who died over the weekend at age 83. WASHINGTON POST: "Above all, Dean Smith was the ultimate teacher." N.Y. TIMES headline: "A Basketball Mind In Tune With The Social Fabric." USA TODAY: "It is a legacy of selflessness and humility. Eighty-three years of caring and giving."

The Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER notes Smith "left his mark everywhere, and not just on the basketball program" at UNC. FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER: "In Chapel Hill ... what he did on the court wasn't what he was remembered for most." K.C. STAR headline: "Dean Smith Was As Ahead Of His Time Off The Court As On."

The Charlotte Observer, A1, “Legacy Of Greatness” … The Raleigh News & Observer, above the fold, “A Coach For The Ages” … USA Today, A1 above the fold, “’Coach Was Always There For Me’” … The N.Y. Times, A1 bottom left, “A Giant Of College Basketball And A Champion Of Equality” …The Greensboro News & Record, A1, “We’ve Lost More Than A Great Coach” ... The Fayetteville Observer, center A1, “Great Coach, Better Man” … The Asheville Citizen-Times touts its Smith stories above the fold (THE DAILY).

Patriots WR Julian Edelman and CB Malcolm Butler served as Grammy Awards presenters last night, appearing on stage with actor Josh Duhamel to "present the award for best rock album to Beck." After the nominees were listed, Duhamel "opened the envelope to announce the winner, but Butler reached across and 'intercepted' the card before Duhamel could say who won" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/9). Patriots Owner Robert Kraft during the broadcast was shown in the audience sitting next to CBS President & CEO Les Moonves (“The Grammy Awards,” CBS, 2/8).

Meanwhile, Brent Hines, guitarist for metal band Mastodon, appeared at the awards show wearing a Dodgers uniform (Mult., 2/8).

.@mastodonmusic are in the running for most interesting attire at the #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/a34LSNVyVs

— billboard (@billboard) February 8, 2015

A UMass search committee to find a successor to outgoing AD John McCutcheon today will “conduct its first meeting.” The panel is expected to decide on “a search firm that will consult and aid in the process.” The school will “likely hire Parker Executive Search” (DAILY HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE, 2/7).

An estimated crowd of about 90,000 attended the three-day NHRA Mello Yello Series Circle K Winternationals at Auto Race Club at Pomona in California (L.A. TIMES, 2/9).

A crowd of about 15,000 attended Sunday’s A’s FanFest at Oracle Arena “despite the pouring rain mucking up the setting” (MERCURYNEWS.com, 2/8).

About 3,000 cyclists took part in this weekend’s fifth annual Dolphins Cycling Challenge, a two-day bike event and 5k that raises funds for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami (MIAMI HERALD, 2/9).

“My wish is that the domestic league here, the MLS, is going to an 11-month season like the rest of the world. Just extending that season of MLS would solve my issue that I have right now” – U.S. men’s national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who blamed a recent loss to Chile on players’ lack of fitness (MIAMI HERALD, 2/8).

“If the proposed rule changes are a result of wanting to celebrate what guys do well and showcasing that, I’m all for it. But if the rules affecting the kickers are because it’s considered a blank play and there’s not much respect for the play itself, I’m obviously against that” – 49ers K Phil Dawson, on the NFL experimenting with PAT rules (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 2/8).

“The system is a big problem in the sport of mixed martial arts. … It’s something that I believe the UFC and fighters should confront and deal with it. Because if you don’t deal with it right now, it’s going to get worse and worse and worse” – MMA fighter Georges St-Pierre, on the current drug-testing system (CP, 2/7).

The New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE examines Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson, who has "worked tirelessly to support his family and provide a lasting legacy for them." Now, "at the height of his wealth and fame and in the twilight of his years, he has no family members to bequeath it to."

Also:

• Twitter account @nhlties keeps hockey analysts fashion-conscious.
• St. Louis Univ. AD Chris May thinks future is bright for school.
• Richie Incognito's return could spell trouble for Bills, NFL.
• Engaged golf couple makes history by winning Victoria Open.

A lot of people are going to be blown away as they come into town for #Speedweeks! #Daytona Rising!!!

— Daryl Wolfe (@daryl_wolfe) February 9, 2015

Simple facts: in '14, the Padres were arguably the most unwatchable team in the majors. In 2015, the sport will be paying attention to them.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) February 9, 2015

By the way, telling Irving Bierman to root for someone else might have been the most coherent thing in the Dolan email.

— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) February 9, 2015

If Katy Perry sang like that I'm the SB I would have paid a lot more attention.

— Terry Blount (@TerryBlountESPN) February 9, 2015

Friday’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Shakespeare.”

“After England, more Shakespeare plays are set in this present-day country than in any other.”

“What is Italy?”