The IAAF early this morning awarded the '21 World Championships in track & field to Eugene, Ore., marking the "first time the event will be held" in the U.S. The decision "bypassed the usual bidding process." The IAAF said that "financial support offered" by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and the USOC, as well as NBC's "commitment to produce and broadcast the event, led to the decision." Eugene's bid last November to host the '19 World Championships was not successful, but the city "renewed its lobbying" for '21 (AP, 4/16).

The NBA this morning launched a fan appreciation digital media campaign that includes 20 current and former players conducting at least 20 chats on Facebook, Twitter and Weibo. It is the first time the league has used social media chats as part of its annual fan-appreciation efforts. The chats, which began at 8:30am ET and will run through 10:00pm, will be conducted in nine languages. The initiative also aims to promote the start of the playoffs, which begin on Saturday. NBA Senior VP/Digital Media Melissa Brenner said, “It is geared at thanking fans and engaging them before the playoffs.”

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

The annual spring NBA BOG meeting begins today and runs through tomorrow at the St. Regis in N.Y. The agenda includes reports on team and league business, revenue sharing and CBA matters, as well as youth basketball expansion efforts. Owners also will be briefed on the potential sale of the Hawks and will receive updates on Bucks, Warriors and Kings arena projects. In addition, they will hear from Martin Lau, President of Chinese media company Tencent Holdings, which has a deal with the NBA.

A sellout crowd of 64,369 was on hand for last night's Mexico-U.S. men's soccer friendly at the Alamodome, and the "atmosphere between the rival fans ... was electric." However, the match was "hindered by the state of the turf," as the patchy surface was an "embarrassment to an otherwise well-run event." Mexico had "complained ahead of the game and even threatened to cancel," but "gave the green light on Tuesday" (ESPNFC.com, 4/15).

The Dodgers tonight will host the inaugural Blue Diamond Gala at Dodger Stadium, which will raise money for the team’s charitable foundation and "honor the Jackie Robinson Foundation." The event will include a "fashion show by Ted Baker London" featuring Dodgers players. Team dignitaries including Vin Scully, Tommy Lasorda, Don Newcombe and Jamie Jarrin will be on hand (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 4/15).

Meanwhile, the Dodgers announced the launch of a "statues program," starting with a representation of Jackie Robinson outside the ballpark. The plan was unveiled by team President Stan Kasten and Robinson's widow Rachel Robinson prior to yesterday's annual Civil Rights game. Kasten said the statue "will be done in a respectful way." Robinson: "I've been waiting years for this. It's the fulfillment of a dream" (DAILYNEWS.com, 4/15).

The iconic Michael Jordan statue in Chicago today will be "temporarily located" from the east side of United Center to the "southeast corner near Gate 5, a move of approximately 150 feet to the south." The move is "in preparation for construction of a new office building adjacent" to the arena. Only the "body of the statue will be moved," with the "pedestal base to be covered and kept in place." The statue will be "mounted onto a temporary base at its new location" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 4/16).

This year's "Time 100" includes NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in the "Leaders" category, Disney Chair & CEO Bob Iger on the "Titans" list and U.S. women's national soccer team F Abby Wambach and pro surfer Gabriel Medina in the "Icons" category (Time).

The Single-A Carolina League Salem Red Sox today in conjunction with their home opener will "sign a 10-year extension of the lease at Salem Memorial Ballpark" (ROANOKE TIMES, 4/16).

Cleveland State Univ. has "saved its wrestling team" by announcing it will restore and fund the program, "reversing an earlier decision to defund." The school still plans to add men's lacrosse in '16. CSU will raise student fees $1 per credit hour (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 4/16).

"As you see in our society, racism is still there – obviously in bigger scales than the sport of baseball. But baseball is something that unites anyone" – Orioles CF Adam Jones, on players  yesterday wearing late Baseball HOFer Jackie Robinson's No. 42 (Baltimore SUN, 4/16).

"My view of the season is that we've made progress against our long-term goal, which is to be an elite team in the NBA that is consistently competing to go deep into the playoffs and ultimately the NBA championship" – 76ers Majority Owner Josh Harris, assessing the team's performance during the '14-15 season (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 4/16).

"I agree that if it got much larger, I don't think you would have that momentum coming out of the regular season, so it's the best possible scenario" – CFP selection committee member Condoleezza Rice, on the playoff having four teams (ESPN.com, 4/15).

"It’s definitely much quieter out there. You can usually hear the fans in the bleachers yelling stuff at you non-stop. I only heard one guy (from the left field stands) yell 'You’re fat' to me” – Reds LF Marlon Byrd, on the absence of "Bleacher Bums" at Wrigley Field during the venue's ongoing construction (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 4/15).

Last night’s 1:00am ET editions of both ESPN’s “SportsCenter” and FS1’s “Fox Sports Live” led with Thunder-T’Wolves and Spurs-Pelicans. ESPN followed with Stanley Cup Playoff highlights of Blackhawks-Predators, Senators-Canadiens, and a report on former NFLer Aaron Hernandez’ murder conviction. FS1 followed with Jazz-Rockets, Magic-Nets, Pacers-Grizzlies, and Stanley Cup Playoff highlights of Blackhawks-Predators and Flames-Canucks.

ESPN’s Keith Olbermann called out his “world’s worst” persons in sports: Angels Owner Arte Moreno for recently saying there is specific language in LF Josh Hamilton’s contract on drug and alcohol abuse, contradicting a quote in '12 of Moreno saying there is no such language. Olbermann also criticized the Lakers for sloppily altering G Wayne Ellington’s No. 2 uniform to No. 12 for call-up G Vander Blue. He also went in on parking garages in the China Basin neighborhood of S.F. for price-gouging during the MLB Giants’ home opener.

HOUSTON CHRONICLE on the NFL Draft: "Now, because of the climate that exists in the NFL, teams have to be more careful than ever when deciding to select a player who's had off-the-field issues." The L.A. TIMES notes Aaron Hernandez is a "worst-case scenario" in this regard.

SPORTSONEARTH.com on the Hawks' revival: "Philips Arena is where the party's at right now. ... The contrast from Philips Arena before this season and during this season is profound. It's like you're on two different planets."

Also:

• Rangers and Knicks, though both MSG tenants, are a study in contrast.
• Lightning VP & GM Steve Yzerman motivated by competitive drive.
• Golf course architect Pete Dye juggles multiple projects at age 89.

Jeopardy has a category devoted to the New England Patriots today... The day Aaron Hernandez is found guilty

— Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) April 15, 2015

Free Food at Knicks game last night. For fans who paid zillions to see just 17 home wins..... "Well now we're even." #yeahright

— Len Berman (@LenBermanSports) April 16, 2015

Congratulations to all 16 NBA playoff teams. Wishing our broadcasting fraternity safe travels and great calls!

— chuck swirsky (@swirsk054) April 16, 2015

As I drift away from baseball fandom, Yasiel Puig is among the few players who interests me. Of course the baseball establishment hates him.

— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) April 16, 2015

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson #JackieRobinsonDay #Jackie42 pic.twitter.com/yc3QfdWIHh

— OYO Sports (@OyoSports) April 15, 2015

The fourth annual Cynopsis Sports Media Awards breakfast takes place at the N.Y. Athletic Club.

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “The Greek Alphabet.”

“When spelled out as words in English, 2 of the 3 longest Greek letters.”

Last night’s edition of “Jeopardy!” featured the category “The New England Patriots.”

For $200: “A sixth-round pick in the 2000 draft, this QB told owner Robert Kraft, ‘I’m the best decision’ the team ‘ever made.’”

For $400: “'The Daily Show' dealt with ‘PSI: New England’ after the Pats won the AFC title game in 2015 against this ‘Luck’y team.”

For $600: “Two Patriot losses in the Super Bowl came against this team and both times near-miracle catches were involved.”

For $800: “Not to be confused with ‘I am Groot,’ this exuberant tight end could declare, ‘I am Gronk.’”

For $1000: “This Hall of Fame head coach led the Pats to the 1997 Super Bowl, then left to go fly with the Jets.”

ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel: “Jon Gruden, the former NFL coach does a thing called ‘Quarterback Camp’ on ESPN. He sits down to chat with the quarterbacks. It’s interesting if you like football so this week he sat down with one of the top prospects in the upcoming draft, Heisman winner Marcus Mariota from the University of Oregon. Pay special attention and see if you detect any incongruity here from Jon incon-Gruden.” The show then aired a clip of Gruden making fun of Oregon’s all-yellow uniforms while wearing a bright yellow shirt himself. Gruden said, “That might have been the worst ensemble in the history of Oregon. … I started rooting against you just because you wore these uniforms. They deserved to lose wearing that fluorescent yellow.” Kimmel: “Says the man who looks like he was bitten by a radioactive highlighter pen.” More Kimmel: “Shelly Sterling, the wife of former Clippers Owner Donald Sterling, just won her lawsuit against her husband’s former mistress, V. Stiviano. … He bought her 2.6 million dollars worth of gifts over the course of two and a half years and now she has to pay that money back to the wife. I will tell you something, the opportunity to make sweet, sweet love to an 80-year-old racist, that no court can ever take away” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 4/15).

Last night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Things You Don’t Want To Hear From Your Accountant” and was read on-set by 10 accountants (“Late Show,” CBS, 4/15).

10) "I reviewed your bank statements, and they're hilarious."
9) "I lost your W-2, so I submitted two W-1s."
8) "I spent all night caressing your receipts."
7) "I thought YOU were doing MY taxes."
6) "I'm having a liquidity problem, if you know what I mean."
5) "Calculator? You mean my 'Magic 8-Ball'?"
4) "Is it pronounced I-R-S or 'IRS?’"
3) "Sign and date next to the mustard stain."
2) "Don't worry, it's not loaded."
1) "Can I have your boat when you go to prison?"

“What are epsilon and omicron?”

Correct responses to the “The New England Patriots” category:

For $200: “Who is Tom Brady?”
For $400: “Who are the Colts?”
For $600: “Who are the Giants?”
For $800: “Who is Rob Gronkowski?”
For $1000: “Who is Bill Parcells?”