Indianapolis city officials consider the NFL Scouting Combine, which begins today, “the event that keeps on giving.” Visit Indy “anticipates the combine attracting 4,000 visitors” Thursday through Tuesday for the on-field workouts. They will “generate” an estimated $6.5M in economic impact. Those visitors include “more than 900 media, which has mushroomed from 628” in ’10 (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 2/17).

NFL Network said that it will “air 45 live hours” from Indianapolis beginning tomorrow at 2:00pm ET with the Scouting Combine press conferences from Lucas Oil Stadium (SI.com, 2/16).

The Chargers yesterday challenged the city of San Diego "to avoid any 'half-baked scheme' to get them a new stadium." Chargers Special Counsel to the President Mark Fabiani told the advisory group that the likely cost of the stadium "could exceed the current estimate" of $1.2-1.5B. Fabiani: "This is a real world fact that simply cannot be ignored when putting together a truly workable plan." Fabiani, who released his statement to the task force in a six-page statement, "did not offer any specifics on size, design, funding or location other than to refer the task force to previous site studies" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 2/17). The Chargers "warned San Diego to either step up or step aside in the pursuit of a new NFL venue, and again raised the specter of a relocation" to L.A. (L.A. TIMES, 2/17).

The Jaguars are “expected to unveil plans” for EverBank Field and the nearby shipyards area today. That comes after the franchise yesterday announced a four-year naming rights deal with commercial insurance company US Assure “for their planned club seating locations" at the stadium (JACKSONVILLE.com, 2/16). No financial details of the deal with US Assure were provided, but additional information "is slated to be released" by Jaguars Owner Shahid Khan, team President Mark Lamping and US Assure CEO Ty Petway today "during the team’s annual 'State of the Franchise' event" (JAXDAILYRECORD.com, 2/16).

After announcing plans to host the MLB All-Star Game in ’17, the Marlins are “hopeful of attracting a round of the World Baseball Classic, which will be held in the spring of the same year.” Marlins President David Samson yesterday said, "We're Miami. If we're not focusing on the globalization of baseball, then we're not doing our job. Miami is the gateway to Latin America. It is a growing city, in terms of importance." He said the organization is open to hosting either the second round or the finals. He also “confirmed the organization is open to moving in the fences” at its park and will spend the next year evaluating a possible move (MLB.com, 2/16).

The PGA of America next week will name Davis Love III captain of the ‘16 U.S. Ryder Cup team. Love previously served as captain of the ’12 team. Fred Couples was considered the “favorite” to be named captain, but the move is “part of a bigger plan” by the PGA of America. Love was “extremely well received by members of the team” in ’12, something that was an issue with ’14 U.S. captain Tom Watson. The European team is expected to announce its captain tomorrow (“Golf Central,” Golf Channel, 2/16).

U.S. Soccer yesterday announced that the April 15 Mexico-U.S. match at the Alamodome “is a sellout.” U.S. Soccer Dir of Communications Neil Buethe in an e-mail wrote, “We’ve reached the capacity of 65,000 tickets sold. While regular seating has sold out, a limited number of suites are still available.” U.S. Soccer said that the size of the crowd will “surpass the previous San Antonio record crowd" of 54,313 for Mexico-Korea Republic on Jan. 29, 2014 (MYSANANTONIO.com, 2/16).

Oakley today is launching a global campaign titled "One Obsession" that "aims to rally people around their passions, athletic or otherwise." The effort will run on the Oakley website, "as well as social and digital channels." The minute-long version of the ad will feature Padres RF Matt Kemp, cyclist Mark Cavendish, skateboarder Eric Koston, surfer Gabriel Medina and cricket player Virat Kohli "as they share their passions, but alongside some non-professional athletes." The spot is "meant to tease a series of vignettes that will roll out over the next year with athletes' personal stories of inspiration" (ADAGE.com, 2/16).

Heineken today will launch this year’s activation around its UEFA Champions League soccer sponsorship in the U.S. with a new campaign it is calling "Champion The Match." Attempting to award U.S. soccer fans that try to follow the mid-day Champions League matches, Heineken will have a number of former players take over their Twitter account during the matchweek, answering questions on the teams and their careers. Heineken will also let fans win prizes for every minute of every match through on and off premise promotions.

The beer brand also will be releasing its latest marketing video, in which it offered unsuspecting fans a chance to go to a Champions League match in Barcelona the next day, but only if they could convince their boss to come with them as well.

Fox Sports analyst Alexi Lalas “makes his UEFA Champions League debut” today as “the knockout stage of what’s widely regarded as the world’s best club tournament kicks off.” Lalas, who joined Fox in December, will “join the network’s team in their Southern California studios for the round of 16” for a match at 2:45pm ET. It is the “first of eight first leg games Fox will show on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through Feb. 25, most on either” FS1 or FS2 (Torrence DAILY BREEZE, 2/17).

Hartford officials “will break ground” today on a $56M ballpark for the Double-A Eastern League New Britain Rock Cats, coming “more than eight months after the city announced it wanted to bring a minor league baseball team to Hartford.” The facility is being developed by DoNo Hartford and owned by the Hartford Stadium Authority, which was created last month. The ballpark will be part of a $350M project to redevelop land north of downtown. Housing, offices, a grocery store, parking and a brewery are also planned. The HARTFORD COURANT lists “seven things to know” about the development (HARTFORD COURANT, 2/17).

The Univ. of Georgia today will “take another step in addressing" a full-fledged indoor practice facility. UGA’s athletic board “holds its quarterly meeting on campus and again the indoor facility coveted for use by the football program will be a key topic.” The board “approved $400,000 in September for architects to design and come up with a place for the indoor facility to go” (ATHENS BANNER-HERALD, 2/17).

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi yesterday said that he "was not interested in selling control" of Serie A club AC Milan (REUTERS, 2/16).

MLS expansion club Orlando City SC "is inviting fans out for a special meet-and-greet with its players." The team "will hold a luncheon" today at the Hilton Orlando Altamonte Springs, "which will be attended by the entire squad" (AP, 2/17).

The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Kirstiano Ang profiles F1 driver and Williams Martini Racing Test Driver Susie Wolff as part of the publication's "What's My Workout" feature (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 2/17).

“I would say it is like being on a high hilltop in Scotland and tough to see too far into the distance” -- ESPN President John Skipper, on the odds of re-signing ESPN’s Bill Simmons (SI.com, 2/16).

“Deception demands real, meaningful sanctions” -- A two-person majority ruling that Lance Armstrong must pay prize-insurer SCA Promotions $10M for lying under oath about doping (Mult., 2/17).

“I cannot lie when a writer asks me what’s my feeling not doing the game. ... I’m a loyal, team player. I will go where my bosses tell me to go. But in my heart I will absolutely miss being a part of North Carolina-Duke” -- ESPN's Dick Vitale, on being taken off tomorrow night's telecast from Cameron Indoor Stadium (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 2/17).

"You have to be (at least partly) a lunatic to believe it, you really do—to believe that this time, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are finally going to fight" -- The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Jason Gay (WSJ.com, 2/16).

Nelson Figueroa is taking over for Bobby Ojeda as analyst on pregame and postgame show. #mets "Booooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!"

— Jerry Seinfeld (@JerrySeinfeld) February 16, 2015

2020 Tokyo Olympics are supposed to be broadcast in UHD-2. New challenges not only for the production, but also for the archive. #TOMpreview

— Reto Kromer (@RetoKromer) February 17, 2015

Russian government decrees to limit the number of foreign athletes in the country. Expect mass exodus of foreign KHLers after the season.

— Gabrielle T-F (@gabrielletf) February 17, 2015

#NBAAllStarWeekend amazing weekend w my son Alec, nba cisco friends. Super Bowl of bball event! Thank you. pic.twitter.com/x2FUHnOOoj

— Chris White (@cnwusa) February 16, 2015

How does the Warriors front office operate? As a “full–time, full-tilt, large-group war room, which is exactly how Joe Lacob wants it.” Each principal “has a unique role.”

ESPN’s J.A. Adande wonders if NBA All-Stars missed a "big shot in New York”

Las Vegas Columnist plays cynic: “Maybe Las Vegas’ NHL Ticket Drive isn’t going as well as we think”

Also:

• Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Coach Job Endowed By Ex-Player
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