The NCAA Tournament begins in earnest today, and Northwestern Mutual will have a "significant advertising presence" online and on TV during the competition. The company said its featured TV spot, "No One Wins Alone," celebrates "the people who inspire others to reach their full potential and achieve their goals in life." The theme "will carry over to Northwestern Mutual's social media presence, leveraging the '#NoOneWinsAlone' hashtag throughout March Madness" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 3/17).

Another NCAA sponsor, AT&T, has launched a new round of "Legends" spots around the tournament. The spots feature former college basketball stars Clyde Drexler, Julius Erving, Christian Laettner and Shaquille O'Neal (AT&T).

Jacksonville Memorial Arena is hosting early-round NCAA Tournament games, and Host Committee officials said that "only a 'limited number' of tickets are available for the first two-game sessions" today and "may be sold out before the first game is played." The night session today and Saturday's doubleheader are "likely to be sold out" this morning. North Carolina fans "have been the most enthusiastic ticket-buyers" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 3/19).

There will be "plenty of blue" at Louisville's KFC Yum! Center for Kentucky's early-round games. SeatGeek.com reports that of the available seats on the secondary market, 62% so far "have been purchased by Kentuckians." Tickets to today's early session featuring Iowa State-UAB and SMU-UCLA are selling for $88 on average. For the late session with Cincinnati-Purdue and Kentucky-Hampton, the average is $158 (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 3/19).

The average ticket price for today's session one at Portland's Moda Center is $113.23, "with a get-in price of $54," according to data from SeatSmart.com. Round three on Saturday has an "average price of $165.47 with a walk-in price of $65" (SEATTLEPI.com, 3/18).

As of yesterday, "about 1,500 tickets remained" for early-round games at Pittsburgh's Consol Energy Center (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 3/19). VisitPittsburgh Exec VP Jason Fulvi "expects 18,000 visitors." He said his organization estimates the economic impact "conservatively" at about $7M "for about a three-day stay" (PITTSBURGH.CBSLOCAL.com, 3/18).

The Rapids and Transamerica have signed a sponsorship agreement that places the financial services company's logo on the team's uniforms for the '15 and '16 MLS seasons. The Rapids will debut the logos for Saturday's home opener against NYC FC. The deal was brokered by Denver-based Impression Sports & Entertainment (Rapids). Financial terms were not disclosed. Team President Tim Hinchey said that Transamerica "has the option of extending." He added that the "infusion of cash" could help the club toward "breaking even or possibly turning a profit" for the first time (DENVER POST, 3/19).

The NFL kicks off its annual Career Development Symposium today in Arizona, with 68 assistant coaches and front office execs scheduled to take part in the three-day event. The program is directed by NFL Exec VP/Football Operations Troy Vincent and Exec VP and Chief Human Resources Officer Robert Gulliver. Speakers/presenters will include Cardinals President Michael Bidwill, Giants President & CEO John Mara, Vikings GM Rick Spielman, Chargers GM Tom Telesco and former GMs Charley Casserly, Bill Polian and Ron Wolf (NFL).

Citi today is announcing the launch of the Citi Community Home Runs Program for the Mets' '15 season. For the second consecutive year, each time a Mets player hits a home run at Citi Field during the regular season, Citi will donate $2,000 to one of four community partners: City Harvest, United Neighborhood Houses, USO and the YMCA. Each organization also will receive a $5,000 initial donation. Citi and Mets RF Curtis Granderson tomorrow will take a United Neighborhood Houses youth member on a trip to Spring Training (THE DAILY).

Upper Deck announced a new long-term renewal with Michael Jordan. Under the new agreement, the company will continue to be the sole producer of authenticated collectibles, trading cards and memorabilia featuring the Basketball HOFer's image and autograph. The deal also will limit the number of Jordan autographs, raising the value of his signature (Upper Deck).

The LPGA starting today returns to the U.S. for the JTBC Founders Cup in Phoenix, starting a "run of 14 North American tournaments" after an international swing. Three of the tour's "Big Four" stars are "off to a fast start," with Lydia Ko, Stacy Lewis and Inbee Park finishing 1-2-3 in the "final threesome" at the HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore. Michelle Wie is "missing so far" from the leaderboards, with T-24 as her best finish to date (GOLF WORLD MONDAY, 3/16).

Bell Media’s TSN and RDS have extended their partnership with the French Tennis Federation, announcing a long-term media rights agreement for the French Open through ’24 (Bell Media).

“Hockey Night in Canada” commentator Don Cherry today is launching the Don Cherry Pet Rescue Foundation, “a sanctuary to help animals” (TORONTO SUN, 3/19).

Nike today will report Q3 earnings and “odds are low that the company will miss analysts’ expectations” (WSJ.com, 3/18).

“Agents are supposed to say things like that. Why would that surprise anybody? ... That is what you’re supposed to do. Scorpions bite” – Cubs manager Joe Maddon, on agent Scott Boras criticizing the team over their handling of prospect Kris Bryant (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/19).

“It’s an odd topic. You have to stay with the integrity of the league. I think we have the best game in the world right now and (don’t want) to make too many big changes” – Panthers D Erik Gudbranson, on the NHL proposing three rule changes in an effort to reduce the number of shootouts (ESPN.com, 3/18).

“It remains my goal to get under that $189 million (luxury-tax threshold), but it’s not going to happen for at least two more years when these big contracts we have expire” – Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner, on some fans criticizing the team for not spending money this offseason (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/19).

“The paranoia – that’s the thing I miss the least” – Former NFL exec Joe Banner, on not having any interest in joining an NFL front office in the near future (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 3/19).

Last night’s 1:00am ET edition of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” was led by the conclusion of the Hawks-Warriors telecast, followed by Thunder-Celtics, Blazers-Heat and Nets-Cavaliers. A report on DE Greg Hardy signing a one-year deal with the Cowboys was presented 10 minutes into the broadcast. Last night’s 1:00am ET edition of FS1’s “Fox Sports Live” led with Hawks-Warriors, followed by Nets-Cavaliers and T’Wolves-Raptors. A report on Hardy came 26 minutes into the telecast.

ESPN’s Keith Olbermann called out his “world’s worst” persons in sports: Steelers neurosurgeon and NFL medical consultant Dr. Joseph Maroon for stating the total of 63 cases of CTE he has studied are “being over-exaggerated and being extrapolated to youth football.” Olbermann also criticized Hampton men’s basketball coach Edward Joyner Jr. for talking to Jesus through the back of a cell phone during the Hampton-Manhattan postgame press conference, and Liverpool F Mario Balotelli for posting a video to Instagram telling critics to “Shut up” after receiving backlash for his recent performances via social media.

CBSSPORTS.com goes with the header, "Notre Dame AD Has A Vision Of Two College Athletic Associations." In Jack Swarbrick's vision, "a players union may not be the worst thing in the world. In it, Congress may have a hand in governing college sports."

The L.A. TIMES notes Inglewood Mayor James Butts Jr. is "focused on luring the NFL" to the city, and his "forceful style might give him an edge."

The Biloxi SUN HERALD on Mike Slive's upcoming retirement: "In 2002, Slive was named commissioner of the Southeastern Conference. The college sports world, as we knew it, would never be the same."

More On March Madness:

• President Obama picks Kentucky in his annual bracket for ESPN.
• NCAA hoops again caught in the middle of NBA draft-age debate.
• Warriors GM Bob Myers on the periphery of NCAA Tourney history.
• Verne Lundquist discusses his 30 years calling March Madness games.
• Northeastern AD Peter Roby deserves credit for school's tourney bid.

• Coca-Cola CEO Muhtar Kent's "risky" strategy: sell more soda.
• NFL players talk concussions, future of football in roundtable.
• Veteran NFL exec Joe Banner enjoying time away from football.

.@NASCAR needs a line of retro shirts/hats. Remakes of stuff from the 70s, 80s, 90s. What are you waiting for NASCAR? No seriously. What?

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) March 19, 2015

Finally it's here: that special day every year when I turn on the TV at noon and think, "What is truTV and where do I find it?"

— Brian Costa (@BrianCostaWSJ) March 19, 2015

ABC is filming a scene for a new TV pilot on Warriors' bench at halftime of April 2 game versus the Suns about a new player from the Congo.

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) March 19, 2015

Seeing complaints about the musical offerings at Honda Center. I know bad arena music. I've heard bad arena music.This isn't that bad.

— lisa dillman (@reallisa) March 19, 2015

20 years ago today, MJ sent what may have been the most famous fax in history: "I'm back". If that happened today, he'd no doubt tweet it.

— Tim McGhee (@tpmcghee) March 19, 2015

A post from the official Twitter account of Canada Prime Minister Stephen Harper last night “showed a picture of him with Canadian basketball stars” and T’Wolves Fs Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett. Unfortunately, the tweet mislabeled Bennett as Raptors G Kyle Lowry, who is “an American” (CBC.ca, 3/18).

The ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION editorial cartoonist Mike Luckovich turns his focus to "NFL concussion safety":

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

“Two of the world’s greatest Baroque composers, they were born within a month of each other in Germany in 1685 but never met.”

Cowboys QB Tony Romo appeared on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and discussed the team’s offseason. ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel asked, “Is there a higher profile position in all of team sports … than quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys?” Romo replied, “Other than an ABC talk show, I wouldn’t say there’s anything more high profile.” Kimmel then listed Romo’s on-field accomplishments, but wondered why every time he sees a commercial on TV, it’s of Peyton Manning. Kimmel: “Why doesn't Papa John love you as much?” Romo replied, “You haven’t watched much TV because I just did a Pizza Hut commercial. I feel like I’m rising up slowly” ("Jimmy Kimmel Live," ABC, 3/18). 

NBC’s Jimmy Fallon: “March Madness, who are you guys picking? Everyone's picking Kentucky. … There’s too many colleges; I don't even know what I'm doing. I fill it out, I just hand it in. Jeb Bush filled one out. You can tell he's running for president because his picks for the Final Four are Iowa, Iowa, Iowa and Iowa. … I saw President Obama. He did the bracket too. He sat down with ESPN and he said that he thinks the NCAA should reduce the shot clock for basketball games. Then he said, ‘And while they're at it, any way they can reduce the being president clock?’ … According to a professor at DePaul University, if a person randomly fills out their March Madness bracket, they have a a 1 in 9.2 quintillion chance of getting it perfect. Or as gamblers put it, ‘So you're saying I got a chance?’” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 3/18).

CBS’ David Letterman: “There’s a new baseball commissioner. Do you know what that means? I bet you know what that means. Pete Rose said, ‘Aha! I’m going to shoot the guy a note and see if I can’t get my lifetime baseball ban overturned.’ We have a copy of the note right here.” A copy of the faux note was shown on screen, which was written on the back of a betting slip (“Late Show,” CBS, 3/18).

Last night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Vladimir Putin Excuses.” Letterman said, “Here’s the guy who runs the evil empire of Russia and he’s formerly with the KGB and he kills people. That’s what he does and that’s why people love him over there” (“Late Show,” CBS, 3/18).

10) “Wanted to see if people would miss me.”
9) “Getting all my tax refund stuff together.”
8) “Putting the finishing touches on my ‘Rootin Tootin Putin’ cookbook.”
7) “Training to fight Mitt Romney.”
6) “Visited Fidel Castro, traded sweatshirts.”
5) “You know, Russia pretty much runs itself.”
4) “Why don’t you ask your mom where I was?”
3) “Karaoke bender.”
2) “Appointments with urologist following a ‘missile crisis.’”
10 “I was checking out property in hell.”

“Who are Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel?”