NFLPA Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith was re-elected to a three-year term on the first ballot in Maui late last night. Smith’s re-election came after 81 NFLPA player leaders, including team player reps, alternates and Exec Committee members, spent two full days considering eight challengers for the job. The challengers gave presentations on Saturday and met with player leaders and gave closing statements Sunday. With so many challengers, there was speculation that there could be a run-off or run-off elections for the position. But player reps emerged from the voting room about 15 minutes after they began voting.

For more, see today’s issue of THE DAILY.

NHL GMs convene today in Boca Raton, Fla., for three days of meetings, where items on the agenda include a "glimpse from the league on where the salary cap may be headed next year." The "biggest debates will be held for coaches' challenge, goaltender interference and the possibility of 3-on-3 overtime" (OTTAWA SUN, 3/16). Senators GM Bryan Murray will be recognized by his fellow GMs tonight. He will be accompanied by his wife, Geri, and his nephew, Sabres GM Tim Murray, will be "in the room" (OTTAWA SUN, 3/16).

Meanwhile, the AHL has been experimenting with three-on-three overtime, and it "appears to be a blockbuster hit." Total shootouts are down 12% from last year, and of games that reach OT, shootouts are down more than 40% (CP, 3/13).

NYC FC "enjoyed an unqualified success" in the club's MLS home debut yesterday, beating the Revolution 2-0 at Yankee Stadium. However, the "bigger victory happened in the stands, where most of the 43,507 fans punctuated the first win in franchise history with a standing ovation, like a concert audience calling for an encore." Yankee Stadium "became a more exuberant and raucous place than baseball fans may be accustomed to" (WSJ.com, 3/15). The game "had a familiar and fresh-out-of-the-box feel" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/16).

MSG today announced that Tad Smith has resigned as President & CEO, while Sotheby's named him its new President & CEO, effective March 31. Smith joined MSG in March of last year. In his role, he oversaw all aspects of the company, including overall strategy and day-to-day operations of MSG Sports, MSG Media and MSG Entertainment. Prior to MSG, he spent five years at Cablevision in various roles (THE DAILY).

Google Head of Global Sports Claude Ruibal has parted ways with the company, according to several sources. His last day was Friday, and he told staff of his impending departure late last week. No replacement has been announced. Ruibal’s exit opens questions about Google’s stomach for bidding on sports rights. Hired in January '11, Ruibal was one of Google's biggest internal advocates for buying a package of live sports rights. He is believed to be leaving the company on good terms.

The NHL today will announce a new North American licensing partnership with U-Vend, a consumer products company that develops, distributes and markets self-serve electronic kiosks. Terms of the multi-year deal were not disclosed. U-Vend’s “Puck Premium Ice Cream” will become the official ice cream of the NHL. The puck-shaped ice cream bars will sport NHL-branded hockey stick-shaped popsicle sticks. The product will be available this summer in Canada, and will roll out in the US in summer '16.

ESPN's Linda Cohn is one of 60 invitees who will take part today in tryouts for the chance to be the NHL Panthers' "backup practice goalie for a day." The team "launched the unusual promotion" after Gs Roberto Luongo and Al Montoya were "both injured in the same game" March 3 against the Maple Leafs. Cohn played for the women's team in college for SUNY At Oswego. The "Goal of a Lifetime" contest has "received widespread attention and generated 1,500 applicants" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 3/16).

Sources said that "The Man Cave," a new morning drivetime show co-hosted by Jason Reid and comedian Chris Paul, "will not make its planned debut" today on ESPN Radio 980 DC. It "remained unclear when or if the show would air." A Redskins source said that there was a "widespread perception" that top team officials were "miffed by the hiring of Reid, a sometimes harsh critic of the team in recent years." Redskins Owner Daniel Snyder also owns the radio station (WASHINGTON POST, 3/16).

SportsBusiness Journal/Daily today unveiled the 78 nominees in 15 categories for the eighth annual Sports Business Awards, which will be presented on May 20 at the New York Marriott Marquis at Times Square. ESPN leads the field with four nominations. The NBA, NBC Sports Group, NFL and Wasserman Media Group each have three nominations, and eight others are up for two awards. All nominees will be highlighted in a May 18 Sports Business Awards preview issue.

See the full list of nominees.

Li Ning is teaming up with Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi to “produce a new generation of ‘smart’ running shoes this year, in the sports brand’s latest effort to revive its waning fortunes” (REUTERS, 3/16).

St. Louis’ KXFN-AM today will begin “airing programming that appears on the talkstl.com website,” with Kevin Slaten’s sports show as “its centerpiece.” Talkstl is leasing the station and carries Yahoo Sports Radio programming with Slaten “having the only local show” (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 3/16).

The Timbers Army during yesterday’s Galaxy-Timbers game “released hundreds of white streamers and unveiled a ‘We Stand with ACB’ banner" in support of the Galaxy supporters group, the Angel City Brigade. The L.A. group reportedly has “lost its supporters privileges for the first eight games" of the MLS season (OREGONLIVE.com, 3/15).

An estimated crowd of 70,000 attended last night’s Red Bull Crashed Ice Cross Downhill World Championship in Edmonton, making it the largest crowd ever to attend a single-day public sporting event in downtown Edmonton (Red Bull).

“Everybody wants to be where the cool kids are. I felt like when Blake did that and it was so successful … people could see that this was a place where you could come and do comedy as an athlete” – Funny Or Die’s Alex Richanbach, on Clippers F Blake Griffin’s internship video (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 3/16).

“I blame the system that has allowed it to happen. The NBA players union is really guilty. … If a kid like a LeBron James or a Kobe (Bryant) wants to go right to the NBA, they should be allowed to go. Once you step on a college campus, just like baseball, you should have to be there for three years” – ESPN’s Dick Vitale, on being upset with the current state of college basketball (OKLAHOMAN, 3/15).

“We’ll continue to defend and protect his rights the way we would any player. He’s a part of the fraternity, indifferent to any of the challenges that may have taken place over the last few years” – MLBPA Exec Dir Tony Clark, addressing a group of Yankees, on Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez (NEWSDAY, 3/15).

“I’ve learned from other people that have gotten in trouble in the past – like Michael Phelps, and other people, football players. … I read all about that stuff, so I’m like, ‘Alright, this is what not to do’” – U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 3/15).

“I hope 10 years from now, 20 years from now the smell of exhaust will be as much a thing of the past as the smell of cigarettes at a restaurant. That’s where we have to get to” – Virgin Founder Richard Branson, who sees Formula E as a driving force behind a goal of making the world carbon neutral by ’50 (THE DAILY).

“The first time people heard me on an NBA game in the color analyst chair, it was like ‘Oh, what is she doing there.’ Then slowly but surely, the more you do it, the more comfortable people become. That’s the cultural shift” – ESPN’s Doris Burke, on women making inroads in sports broadcasting (SHREVEPORT TIMES, 3/15).

“If it goes well, I expect it to have the potential to be an annual event where every year there will be a Pac-12 China tip-off game” – Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott, on plans for Washington and Texas to play a regular-season basketball game in China in November (DESERET NEWS, 3/14).

Headline for a special to the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE: "NBA Needs True Developmental League." It is "time for the NBA to take cold, hard look at what the college game is producing and take a more proactive role in developing players."

The TAMPA BAY TIMES notes the golf industry "is in deep rough." The current economy, "coupled with a glut of golf courses, have produced losses for the industry for much of the past decade."

Also:

• SXSW Sports panel discussion examines the future of doping.
• Somehow, top women's hockey players owe their team money.
• For NFL team owners, stadiums are always worth the high costs.
• Nostalgia aside, what are the shortcomings of Nassau Coliseum?
• ESPN's Dick Vitale on his upbringing, career as a coach/AD.

Give props to @KurtBusch. Falsely accused, as it turned out, finishes 5th first race after suspension. He’s a wheel man. @TxMotorSpeedway

— Eddie Gossage (@eddiegossage) March 15, 2015

Many thanks for the congratulatory messages! Think I've answered every email & text. The @SEC is filled with wonderful people & great fans!

— Greg Sankey (@gscantweet) March 16, 2015

Guests on the #FirstTeam w/ @TaylorZRadio and @GVMcElroy soon to be @SEC commish @gscantweet and @dandakich.

— SXM College Sports (@SiriusXMCollege) March 16, 2015

IOC appoints IMG for consultancy services for European broadcast rights tender for 2018-2020 #Olympics. Tender to be launched in May .

— Karolos Grohmann (@karolosgrohmann) March 16, 2015

Alex Trebek has “reupped his contract” to continue hosting “Jeopardy!” through the ’17-18 season. Trebek, who “dropped hints in recent years about retiring,” reportedly made $10M a year with his last contract (VARIETY.com, 3/15).

Friday’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Historical U.S. Geography.”

“It became a border territory in 1864 after being part of the Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nebraska and Dakota territories.”

CBS’ David Letterman: “The Iditarod dog sled race is under way up in Alaska. I know, it’s not the same without Derek Jeter. Is it, really? Alex Rodriguez hit a home run in a Spring Training game. You know what that means, ladies and gentlemen? I know what it means; he’s back on the juice. … Here at CBS, we have a fantastic, wonderful, kind of landmark cultural activity … the NCAA men's basketball tournament selection TV program. Here I saw a promotion for this. It's going to be great. Take a look.” Faux announcer: “This Sunday on CBS, March Madness finally arrives with the NCAA Selection Show. Who will make it to the Big Dance? Whose bubble will burst? Will anyone beat Kentucky? Who has the momentum? Can Mike Krzyzewski win his fifth title? Who will earn one seeds? Do any mid-majors have a shot? Who will be this year's Cinderella? Why didn’t some teams get picked? Did the committee take strength of schedule into account? Does your team have a chance? Which teams are primed for an upset? Who should you avoid picking in your bracket? Will travel distance play a key role? Should you avoid teams led by freshmen? Who started hot and ended cold? Who started cold and ended hot? How much does experience matter? Will depth be a factor? Who can make it to the Final Four? How is Jim Nantz? What networks are these games on? Which of your favorite shows will be preempted? NCAA Selection Show, only on CBS” (“Late Show,” CBS, 3/13).

Friday’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Things You Don’t Want To Hear On Spring Break.” Letterman said, “We’re in the middle of spring break season. Two million students will go away for spring break spending nearly $2 billion” (“Late Show,” CBS, 3/13).

10) "Hey, your mom won the wet T-shirt contest!"
9) "Daytona? I booked flights to Dayton."
8) "There's great swimming near the wiper fluid plant."
7) "Welcome to Syria."
6) "$7.95 for the 'Shaffer'?!"
5) "Floater in the pool!"
4) "Slow down, friend, that ain't guacamole."
3) "The hot tub's unplugged; why is it still bubbling?"
2) "Don’t worry, the whale won't explode." (A clip was then shown of a whale carcass exploding)
1) "Why do they call this Measles Beach?"

“What is Montana?”