UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta and President Dana White today will hold a news conference to "address the spate" of recent failed drug tests, but it is not known whether they will "lay out concrete steps to combat illicit drug usage" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 2/18). The press conference in Las Vegas is "closed to the public but will be streamed live at ufc.com." Nevada Athletic Commission Exec Dir Bob Bennett said that he "thinks the organization is serious about cleaning up the sport" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 2/18).

The fact that news of fighters' positive tests has been released "soon after their lucrative fights" has created a "public relations problem" for the UFC (L.A. TIMES, 2/18).

Bruin Sports Capital, the sports, media and marketing company started by George Pyne, today will formally announce that Tony Crispino will be its COO. Crispino worked with Pyne when both were at IMG. SportsBusiness Daily reported in December that Crispino would leave IMG to go to work for Bruin. Today's announcement officially makes Crispino the first major hire at Bruin by Pyne. Crispino had worked at IMG since '05 when he was recruited to the company by late Chair Ted Forstmann to help run the business. Crispino, who worked to establish a financial and operational framework across all of IMG's divisions, had previously worked for Forstmann at Gulfstream.

At Bruin, Crispino will be responsible for the overall business and its operations, from business development to financial management. Pyne announced last month that Bruin had secured an initial investment of $250M, mostly from WPP. Bruin intends to acquire, build and operate businesses with a focus on sports and entertainment, media, marketing and branded lifestyle, Pyne said.

The Browns next week will unveil a new primary logo. The team in an e-mail to Browns Backers presidents said that the logo will be “launched” on Tuesday. It "will replace the orange helmet currently in use by the team." Sources said that the new logo "will not incorporate the iconic ‘Brownie’ elf logo that was used by the franchise in the 1950’s and 1960’s in any way." Also, the logo "will not adorn the helmet." The Browns are "rolling out an entire new brand this year" including script word markings and a modified helmet/uniform (CLEVELAND.CBSLOCAL.com, 2/17).

Texas Tech announced a six-year contract extension with Under Armour to continue as its exclusive apparel provider for men's and women's athletics. The agreement "extends the partnership through June 30, 2020." Terms were not disclosed, other than the length of the deal. Tech and UA began working together in '09. UA also supplies apparel to Auburn, Maryland, Navy, Notre Dame and South Carolina (LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL, 2/18).

Fanatics today will announce the hiring of Nick Eshkenazi as CIO, rounding out the executive team under new CEO Doug Mack. Eshkenazi will be based in Jacksonville, where the company has its enterprise solutions and operations centers. He comes to Fanatics from Seattle-based supplier/distributor SanMar Corp., which worked with such brands as Nike Golf and New Era. Eshkenazi also had senior technology stints at USAA and JPMorgan Chase.

A hearing is scheduled for this morning in federal court in Chicago on a restraining order from two rooftop businesses to "temporarily stop construction at Wrigley Field." The Cubs in court papers said that Lakeview Baseball Club and Skybox on Sheffield "haven't provided evidence they will 'suffer any harm over the next few days or weeks' to justify an emergency restraining order." The team is "trying to quash the legal challenge before it disrupts" renovations (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/18).

The Utah DMV has begun offering Jazz license plates to the public, “with the sale proceeds benefiting programs for women and children through Larry H. Miller Charities” (DESERET NEWS, 2/18).

IndyCar drivers Sage Karem and Josef Newgarden today will be “put through the skills test” at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 2/18).

Double-A Eastern League New Britain Rock Cats Owner Josh Solomon yesterday presided over a groundbreaking ceremony for a $56M ballpark in downtown Hartford, slated to be ready for the '16 season (HARTFORD COURANT, 2/18).

The Lightning are teaming up with Valspar Corp. and the PGA Tour Valspar Championship for a series of community-driven programs in the Tampa Bay region (Lightning).

NASCAR drivers German Quiroga and Daniel Suarez will join Fox Deportes for its third season of Sprint Cup Series coverage (Fox Deportes).

“Even though I only have 15 minutes, I want to figure out through that speed date, ‘Can I trust this guy? Do I like his character?’” – ESPN’s Mark Dominik, who previously was Buccaneers GM, on the importance of face-to-face meetings with prospects at the NFL Combine (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/18).

“Hell, no” – Former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, a civil rights leader, on whether Hawks GM Danny Ferry should lose his job over racially insensitive comments about African player Luol Deng this offseason (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 2/18).

“I know nothing” – Top Rank Chair Bob Arum, who promotes Manny Pacquiao, on whether there was any news regarding a potential megabout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 2/18).

Last night’s 1:00am ET editions of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” and FS1’s “Fox Sports Live” both led with Kentucky-Tennessee. ESPN followed with Capitals-Penguins, Sharks-Predators and Texas-Oklahoma. FS1 followed with Seton Hall G Sterling Gibbs being suspended two games for his “cheap shot” against a Villanova player and Wake Forest-Notre Dame. FS1 aired a report on Capitals-Penguins eight minutes into the broadcast.

ESPN’s Keith Olbermann called out his “world’s worst” persons in sports: A female Islanders fan being interviewed on MSG for hijacking the microphone talking about her 40 years of fanhood. Olbermann also blasted NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer for being involved in a crash during Daytona 500 qualifying and posting a weird, funny video talking about the wreck, and a Turkish soccer fan for trying to sneak 24 beers into a game.

PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS on NBPA Exec Dir Michele Roberts' stance on the current CBA: "If the tenor of some of Roberts' comments during an NBPA media session at All-Star weekend is an indication, an opt-out is all but guaranteed."

ESPNW.com on late golf journalist Rhonda Glenn: "It's fair to say no one contributed more to the compilation and preservation of women's golf history than Rhonda did."

Also:

• Broadcasters Carillo, Frei prepare meticulously for Dog Show.
• How can Hartford's XL Center become a state-of-the-art arena?
• APBPA can be a lifesaver for down-and-out baseball players.
• Swimmer Amy Van Dyken embraces challenge of being paraplegic.

And in other news, Cannon sign as a local sponsor of @Tokyo2020. Interesting, given Panasonic is TOP sponsor!

— Danielle Rossingh (@DRossingh) February 18, 2015

Dez Bryant switched over to Roc Nation in search of a long-term contract. Doesn't look like one is forthcoming. Switch looks silly.

— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) February 18, 2015

@AschNBA if a dog that looks like James Dolan and is owned by Patty Hearst can't win at MSG ...

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) February 18, 2015

I've been duped! Thought this plane was headed to Viera for spring training. NOPE. Indy for the Combine. Only a 60-degree difference. NBD.

— Brian McNally (@bmcnally14) February 18, 2015

Daytona Int’l Speedway will host an open house from 1:00-6:00pm ET to show off new seating areas and amenities that are part of the Daytona Rising overhaul.

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

“A park, elementary school and medical pavilion named for Herbert Hoover are found in this two-word California city.”

Last night’s edition of “Jeopardy!” featured the category “NFL Team Mascots.”

For $200: “Gumbo the dog.”

For $400: “Staley Da Mascot.”

For $600: “A big bird named Big Red.”

For $800: “Sir Purr, who vacations at Kitty Hawk.”

For $1000: “Captain Fear.”

CBS’ David Letterman said, “I was talking to some people and they had attended the Westminster Kennel Club dog show down there in Madison Square Garden. What a tremendous event … If I want to see rolling over and playing dead at Madison Square Garden, I’ll go to a Knicks game. … Good news for New York Yankees’ fans. You know who is back? Alex Rodriguez is back. He was suspended for one entire season when they found out he was lying about the Tour de France” ("Late Show,” CBS, 2/17).

Last night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Surprising Facts About Landmarks.” CBS’ David Letterman said, “Surveyors determined the Washington Monument is ten inches shorter than known for 130 years” (“Late Show,” CBS, 2/17).

10) “It took 1,500 men three years to dig the Grand Canyon.”
9) “Niagara Falls was a gift from France.”
8) “The most popular souvenir at the Taj Mahal gift shop is the ‘Taj Mahat.’”
7) “Madison Square Garden was the home to a professional basketball team from 1968-2010.”
6) “The Rockefeller Center ice skating rink does not admit people from St. Louis.”
5) “During the mid-80's, Grant's Tomb was briefly renamed ‘Trump Grant's Tomb.’”
4) “Two-thirds of the way up the Eiffel Tower is a Cinnabon.”
3) “The spire atop Big Ben is a snooze button.”
2) “The Vatican has a ‘man cave.’”
1) “Statue of Liberty? Lesbian.”

“What is Palo Alto?”

Hoover attended Stanford Univ. which is located in Palo Alto.

Correct responses to the “NFL Team Mascots” category:

For $200: “What are the Saints?”

For $400: “What are the Bears?”

For $600: “What are the Cardinals?”

For $800: “What are the Panthers?”

For $1000: “What are the Buccaneers?”