Toyota today signed on as a worldwide Olympic sponsor in a "long-term deal" reportedly worth nearly $1B. The deal with the IOC starts in '17 and runs through the '24 Games. It includes the '20 Games in Tokyo. Toyota becomes the "first car company ever signed up" by the IOC for its TOP sponsorship program. It joins as a sponsor in the "mobility category." Financial terms were not announced, but Japanese media reported Toyota will pay $835M (AP, 3/13).

The NCAA last night unveiled a "monstrous NCAA tournament bracket" hanging off the east side of the JW Marriott hotel in Indianapolis, site of this year's Final Four. The "gigantic creation" was designed and built by Sport Graphics. It is 44,000 square feet in area, "the size of nine basketball courts." It was scheduled to be unveiled Sunday with the full tournament field, but a "burst of great weather allowed builders to finish things up" early (INDYSTAR.com, 3/12).

The three-day SXSW Sports event, now in its second year, kicks off today in Austin featuring "more than 50 panels" and "nine sports-themed films." A change for this year is that "each day will start with a 'problem solver' session, with topics ranging from how best to compensate college athletes for their likeness to tech and youth sports to crowdfunding competitive athletes." Nine sports-related apps will be featured at a reception tomorrow (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 3/13).

CONCACAF announced the schedule for this summer’s Gold Cup and selected Lincoln Financial Field to host the tournament final on July 26. PPL Park will host the third-place game July 25. The Georgia Dome will host semifinal matches July 22, while M&T Bank Stadium and MetLife Stadium will host the quarterfinals July 18-19. Below is a schedule for the rest of the tournament (CONCACAF).

Vail Resorts reported strong Q2 growth "across its skiing and lodging operations," and it announced an "ambitious capital improvement plan for both winter and summer operations." CEO Rob Katz said that the company "has repaid all the money borrowed used to finance" the $182.5M acquisition of Park City Mountain Resort last year. Vail Resorts intends to spend about $50M this year on projects such as linking the Park City and Canyons resorts to create the "largest ski area in North America" (VAIL DAILY, 3/13).

Comedy Central’s “The Nightly Show” featured a boxing theme last night, with host Larry Wilmore commenting on the May 2 Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao bout and NBC's "Premier Boxing Champions" telecasts. Wilmore referred to the sport as one which fans “enjoyed 88 years ago.” He said, "I thought boxing was dead, so is boxing back?" NBC is "making an effort to rejuvenate a sport that’s kind of gotten choked out by MMA. Over the years, boxing has suffered from corruption at the top, lack of big stars, apathy from fans. Actually, it's a lot like NBC, when you think about it."

The show also included a panel discussion featuring ESPN’s LZ Granderson, comedian Keith Robinson, boxing manager Jackie Kallen and Mike Tyson. Wilmore said to Tyson, “I think boxing is past its heydays.” Kellen said in the '80s and '90s "fighters would fight anybody, the best needed to fight the best," but today’s fighters "don’t want to do that." Robinson descibed MMA as a “guy lying on the ground getting tea-bagged.” Tyson said of corruption in boxing, “There will always be people like [Don King]. ... There’s people like him now” (“The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore,” Comedy Central, 3/12).

Watch a video clip from the show.

A crowd of 10,039 on Wednesday attended the first session of the SEC men’s basketball tournament at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, “the best for the SEC Tournament since the league expanded to 14 teams” in '12 (KENTUCKY.com, 3/12).

Auto Club Speedway “plans to add more SAFER barriers, but not until after” the March 22 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 (AP, 3/12).

Lucic (l) and Bourque (r) will endorse Berkshire Bank's financial services and products

"Premier Boxing Champions" is running a full-page ad in USA Today promoting tonight’s card on Spike TV, which is headlined by Andre Berto-Josesito Lopez and Shawn Porter-Roberto Garcia bouts (THE DAILY).

Bristol Motor Speedway is running a full-page ad in USA Today touting ticket sales for the April 19 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Food City 500: “It’s Not Just A Race #ItsBristolBaby” (THE DAILY).

“They’re using my girl’s character, her style, her look and she’s not getting anything for it. They didn’t even change her name” – Cavaliers G Iman Shumpert, whose girlfriend is singer Teyana Taylor, contending that Fox’ “Empire” series based characters on him and his girlfriend (CLEVELAND.com, 3/12).

“It is time to let the next generation take over and step aside, and that’s where I just feel like I am at in my life” – Former Eagles and Browns exec Joe Banner, on whether he has plans to rejoin another NFL front office (MMQB.SI.com, 3/13).

“I hate it. That’s a lack of respect, that’s a lack of respect for the game” – Pro Football HOFer John Madden, on Will Ferrell’s stunt yesterday in which he played every position during several Cactus League games (KCBS-AM, 3/12).

“I thought you need to put your money where your mouth is, so to speak. I really appreciate them doing it and I want to support it” – Former UAB football coach Bill Clark, who remains under contract at the school, on fans putting down deposits on ’16 season tickets to demonstrate the sport should be reinstated (CBSSPORTS.com, 3/12).

“Definitely, Russia poses a huge challenge for FIFA and the World Cup from a racism standpoint” – FIFA VP Jeffrey Webb, saying the World Cup cannot be held in Russia with the current level of racism that exists in the country (ESPNFC.com, 3/12).

Last night’s 1:30am ET edition of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” led with Cavaliers-Spurs, followed by men’s college basketball Texas-Iowa State, South Carolina-Ole Miss and the Eagles signing RB DeMarco Murray. Last night’s 1:00am ET edition of FS1’s “Fox Sports Live” led with Cavaliers-Spurs, followed by South Carolina-Ole Miss, Texas-Iowa State and Oklahoma State-Oklahoma. FS1 reported on the Eagles signing Murray at 12 minutes into the broadcast.

ESPN’s “Olbermann” did not air last night.

GRANTLAND.com goes with the header, "Null And Void: Roger Goodell's Ridiculous Free-Agency Blunder." Only Goodell’s NFL "could plan a Tuesday showcase for TV and expect teams with real money on the line to respect the league’s commitment to ratings."

HARTFORD COURANT: "As American Athletic Conference teams gather in Hartford for the league tournament this week, there are concerns about the future in all corners of UConn's immense fan base. ... Will its affiliation with the AAC turn back the clock and eventually relegate UConn to second-tier status?"

Also:

• Boston College prof.: Boxing on NBC offers "aura of nostalgia."
• Drumline is key part of gameday experience for FC Dallas fans.
• New Missouri AD Mack Rhoades known for inspiring staff, donors.
• Paul Carey on calling Tigers games with the legendary Ernie Harwell.
• Fellow media members applaud choice of Bill Raftery to call Final Four.
• Univ. of Portland AD Scott Leykam makes significant fundraising gains.

Phil now sitting with Jeanie, who has already given him a working title for his next book: "Honey, I Destroyed The Knicks."

— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) March 13, 2015

Watching this Stanford-Utah game, all I can think about is we've gotta get the Big 12 tourney moved to Vegas.

— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) March 13, 2015

Now, I wouldn't spend my money on him. But the NFL has dragged its feet on Hardy's status long enough to depress his value, unless Raiders.

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) March 13, 2015

Of the 12 text links on the FP of http://t.co/VVLTbBqiss, 7 are about Will Ferrell. And another 9 video links. And a photo gallery.

— Dan Levy (@DanLevyThinks) March 13, 2015

The Big East will host its second annual Men's Basketball Roundtable from 1:00-3:00pm ET at the Westin Grand Central in N.Y. ahead of the conference tournament semifinals at MSG. Speakers and panelists will include Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman, Fox Media Group COO Larry Jones, NBA President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn and NBPA Exec VP/Strategy & Development Chrysa Chin.

Incoming SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey will be formally introduced at a press conference in Nashville.

Charter Communications reportedly is in talks to “acquire billionaire Si Newhouse Jr.’s Bright House Networks.” Bright House, with about 2.5 million cable subscribers in states including Florida, California and Michigan, could be valued at about $12B (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 3/12).

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “The U.S. Government.”

“On August 15, 1994, 59 years and one day after FDR signed the original act, Bill Clinton made this an independent agency.”

Last night’s edition of “Jeopardy!” featured the category “Team of the World Series MVP.”

For $200: “1999: We open with a closer, Mariano Rivera.”

For $400: “1988: Orel Hershiser, though one swing could’ve done it for Kirk Gibson too.”

For $600: “2001: Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, southwestern brothers in arms.”

Last night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Signs Your Apple Watch Is Fake.” CBS’ David Letterman said, “The Apple Corporation has finally produced the Apple Watch but it’s more than a watch. It’s a computer. It fits on the wrist … and already counterfeit watches” (“Late Show,” CBS, 3/12).

10) “Takes two D batteries.”
9) “Turns brown in the open air.”
8) “You know how they say even a broken watch is right twice a day? Not this one.”
7) “Powered by a crank.”
6) “Siri has a bad cough.”
5) “Some of its parts weren’t manufactured in China.”
4) “Made of stained steel.”
3) “Emits thick, black exhaust.”
2) “Guy who sold it to you never got off his motorcycle.”
1) “You ask it the time, it replies, ‘Ask another watch.’”

“What is the Social Security Administration?”

Correct responses to the “Team of the World Series MVP” category:

For $200: “Who are the Yankees?”

For $400: “Who are the Dodgers?”

For $600: “Who are the Diamondbacks?”

The $800 and $1000 answers were not revealed.