A MetLife Stadium spokesperson said that the venue "received a request for proposal" from CFP officials earlier this month to host a future National Championship game. While "unable to confirm whether they will actually submit a bid," the spokesperson said that "officials are reviewing the RFP and that they are always open to new opportunities." CFP officials in the past have said that the group "has not ruled out any cold-weather sites" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 2/26).

Meanwhile, a source said that the 49ers "will seek to host" either the '18, '19 or '20 CFP title game "when they come up for bid later this year" (AP, 2/25).

Kevin Garnett last night played his first home game back in a T'Wolves uniform, and the game against the Wizards "became such a hot ticket that the team checked with the fire marshal before releasing 500 standing-room tickets." The crush of fans "forced the team to open doors early." By 5:45pm, the line outside Target Center stretched past the gift shop and "through the skyway that crosses First Avenue." The T'Wolves honored their "weekly promotion for college students, setting aside 300 $5 seats." The box office opened to students at 10:00am CT, "igniting a mad dash" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 2/26).

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell last night "pledged his support" to Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam III at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner. Goodell said, "I'm a big fan of Jimmy Haslam. There are few quick fixes in this business and the league is so competitive. You really have to build a foundation. ... He's learned a great deal. He's making very smart decisions for the long term. I think this community ... they're fortunate to have Jimmy Haslam as an owner" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 2/26).

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver last night participated in the Magic’s annual “Activation Summit,” a "best-practices event for team sponsors." He said that "it's 'probably unlikely' for Orlando to host the 2017 NBA All-Star Game because the city hosted the exhibition" in '12 (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 2/26). The summit featured panels on partnership activation and sponsorship. Magic Partners such as FanDuel, Pepsi, J.P. Morgan Chase and Disney were represented. Follow more from the partnership summit at #magicsummit (THE DAILY).

The Pac-12 Conference and Delta Air Lines announced a deal making Delta the official airline sponsor of the conference's women's basketball tournament in Seattle. Delta will receive in-arena branding at KeyArena, hospitality and tickets for the Pac-12 men's basketball tournament in Las Vegas. Media activation will include TV and digital assets. Seattle-Tacoma Int'l Airport is the airline's newest hub (Pac-12).

A leaking roof at Philips Arena "caused a short delay in the first quarter" of last night's Mavericks-Hawks game. The status of the game "had been in doubt much of the day due to a winter storm that brought snow to North Georgia." There was "only rain in Atlanta leading up to the game, and the water caused the leak with 3:21 remaining in the first quarter." Play resumed following a delay of about five minutes (AJC.com, 2/25).

Officials today will announce that a traveling show called "Gridiron Glory: The Best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame" will be the summer exhibit at Union Station in K.C. The station is partnering with the Chiefs to "bring the exhibit" from May 23-Sept. 6. The 10,000-square-foot traveling show "will be augmented by a 4,000-square-foot section dedicated to the Chiefs." The exhibit will include video from NFL Films, and it will "explore the early days of football and the rise of black athletes" (K.C. STAR, 2/26).

Fox Sports named NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer an on-air analyst for FS1's coverage of Xfinity Series races at Fontana on March 21 and Charlotte on May 23 (Fox Sports).

Manhattan Capital Sports Acquisition formally announced that it has acquired the Triple-A Int’l League Louisville Bats. Manhattan Capital also owns the Single-A Midwest League Bowling Green Hot Rods and the Triple-A PCL Reno Aces (Manhattan Capital Sports Acquisition).

The Clippers have launched a Clippers DeskSite HD video app, becoming DeskSite’s first NBA partner. The California-based media company has long supplied the majority of NFL teams with its specialized HD video distribution platform (DeskSite).

“The family is not selling the team. We have no intentions of selling the team. You can quote me on that. I am not sure why everyone continues to ask that” – Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner (N.Y. POST, 2/26).

“The moral position of leadership in these sports has got to be increased. Instead, we have the commissioner of the NBA saying ‘I think we ought to legalize betting on basketball.’ It’s all about money again” – Former MLB Commissioner Fay Vincent, criticizing NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's position on legalized gambling (“Offside,” TSN, 2/25).

“He’s already got some offers from colleges. It’s pretty crazy. It should be a violation. You shouldn’t be recruiting 10-year-old kids” – Cavaliers F LeBron James, during a radio interview, on colleges already recruiting his 10-year-old son (CBS DETROIT, 2/25).

“I know U.S. Soccer took a lot of heat but I am very grateful that they let due process play itself out” – U.S. women’s national soccer team G Hope Solo, on the organization not suspending her during her domestic violence trial (“GMA,” ABC, 2/25).

Last night’s 1:00am ET edition of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” led with Duke-Virginia Tech men's basketball, followed by Kentucky-Mississippi State and Mavericks G Rajon Rondo being benched for his conduct. ESPN reported on MLB rule changes at 19 minutes into the broadcast. Last night’s 1:00am ET edition of FS1’s “Fox Sports Live” led with Kentucky-Mississippi State, followed Duke-Virginia Tech and Virginia-Wake Forest. The only MLB report on FS1 was Angels LF Josh Hamilton meeting with league officials about a disciplinary hearing.

ESPN’s Adnan Virk filled in for the suspended Keith Olbermann last night and did not air a "world’s worst persons in sports" segment. Olbermann has been removed from the air for the remainder of the week for some critical tweets directed at Penn State.

The CHICAGO TRIBUNE goes with the header, "How The NFL Exploits Young Men." In hosting the '15 NFL Draft, Chicago is "essentially complicit by aiding and abetting a scheme in which largely – and large – young African-American males continue to be exploited. We shouldn't be celebrating this three-day event but instead denouncing and protesting it."

THENATION.com on the MLS labor dispute: "Free agency has certainly, as MLS owners fear, triggered dramatic salary hikes in the other sports leagues. But it has also been a factor in exponentially growing other major sports, adding to fan interest and excitement. Why would MLS owners be against it?"

Also:

• A look at the modern hype machine around high school basketball stars.
• Despite being off the field, Michael Sam stays in public consciousness.
• Utah gymnastics draws best average crowds in women's college sports.
• Nothing should be off the table in MLB's efforts to speed up the game.

It's official!! Sr just got cleared to return to work & will be back in action Thursday, March 5 for Thunder-Bulls!!! pic.twitter.com/dnUi2Wy7Ax

— Craig Sager II (@CraigSagerJr) February 25, 2015

Adidas is at a "structural disadvantage" to Nike in currency pressures b/c Adidas buys products in USD, sells in local currency, per SFG.

— Sara Germano (@germanotes) February 25, 2015

The WWE has surpassed the NBA as the most viewed sports channel on YouTube https://t.co/6ZcfsoZdzD

— Dan Shuftan (@StateStSports) February 26, 2015

I'd enjoy @CSNPhilly site more if each time I called up a story by one of their fine writers, screaming ads didn't drown out my I-tunes.

— Glen Macnow (@RealGlenMacnow) February 26, 2015

.@DunkinDonuts in trouble with Liverpool fans after 'insulting' tweet | http://t.co/0642cgIRPD (DOD) pic.twitter.com/Sji6LafU7W

— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) February 26, 2015

MLL will host a media day in Houston ahead of the league's June 13 All-Star Game at BBVA Compass Stadium. A 2:30pm CT press conference will include MLL Commissioner Dave Gross, Houston Mayor Annise Parker and Sports Authority CEO Janis Burke.

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

“They’re the two states with the highest percentage of people who speak French at home.”

Last night’s edition of “Jeopardy” featured the category “Tennis ‘E.’”

For $400: “In tennis lingo, it’s a bad shot; there are ‘forced’ and ‘unforced’ types.”

For $800: “It’s no backhand compliment – ‘America’s Tennis Sweetheart,’ she won Grand Slam titles every year from 1974 to 1984.”

For $1200: “The common grip used by beginners is this directional style.”

For $1600: “’Emmo’ was the nickname of this Aussie legend who won 12 Grand Slam singles titles in the 1960s.”

For $2000: “A world No. 1 and winner of six Grand Slam singles titles in the ‘80s and ‘90s, this Swede was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2004.”

ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel said, “On May 2nd in Las Vegas the fight of the decade, Floyd Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao, a long time coming. If you want to be there to see it live it's going to cost a lot. They say the fight, which takes place at the MGM Grand, will break all pay-per-view and attendance records. Tickets are expected to start at $1,000 for the worst seat. It's estimated that a child would have to lose around 230 baby teeth to afford a ticket to this fight. Some ticket brokers are pricing floor seats at over $22,000, which is a lot of money to pay to watch the fight through the iPhone the person recording it in front of you will be holding up. Manny Pacquiao has been here many times and I'm just glad to see him and Floyd finally putting aside their differences to fight. It’s a beautiful thing, isn't it?” ("Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 2/25).

CBS’ David Letterman said, “Baseball just around the corner, spring training. Alex Rodriguez reported two or three days early to the Yankees training camp. You know, he was suspended from baseball last year, didn't play at all last year, and now he's back with the Yankees. He's down there working hard. He wants to turn it around. He says he wants to get back to doing what he does best: Failing to advance runners. … CC Sabathia is back down in spring training (at) 305 pounds. Look at this it this way: You get two players for the price of one. He says he feels better at 305 than he does at 290. Yeah, try that on your doctor” (“Late Show,” CBS, 2/25).

Last night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Things Kim Jong-Un Said To His Barber.” Letterman said Jong-Un got a haircut recently and “I don’t mind” the haircut. Letterman: “That’s the ‘Un’ they’re calling it” (“Late Show,” CBS, 2/25).

10) “Trim Jong-Un!.”
9) “Make it a shape that will deflect enemy radar.”
8) “Do a nice job or my wild dogs will eat you.”
7) “You'll need scissors and a level.”
6) “You know, I'm also the King of Prussia.”
5) “When you have ears like this, you gotta show 'em off.”
4) “What do you think, frost my tips?”
3) “Make it look like an accident.”
2) “You're sure this is the cut that Macklemore gets?”
1) “I gotta look pretty, I'm seeing Dennis Rodman tonight.”

“What are Maine and Louisiana?”

The correct responses to the “Tennis ‘E’” category:

For $400: “What are errors?”

For $800: “Who is Chris Evert?”

For $1200: “What is the eastern forehand style?”

For $1600: “Who is Roy Emerson?”

For $2000: “Who is Stefan Edberg?”