Comcast this morning formally announced that it has "abandoned" its proposed $45B merger with Time Warner Cable, saying that the "deal had been structured in a way that if the U.S. government didn't agree, the companies could walk away." The deal had faced "vocal criticism from some politicians, media company executives and diverse consumer and industry groups" (REUTERS, 4/24).

Sources said that Red Sox President & CEO Larry Lucchino is "engaged in discussions with people connected to Boston's Olympic effort to potentially take a senior role" with the bid committee. Lucchino "already has spoken directly" with Mayor Martin Walsh and Boston 2024 Chair John Fish. Any "possible move, though, would still need to be vetted with prominent backers of the effort," as well as with the USOC. Lucchino said that it is "too soon to say what, if anything, will come of the talks" (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/24).

The Oilers today are expected to announce that they have hired former Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli, and "it is believed" that his title will be President of Hockey Operations. The team is "in the midst of reshuffling its hockey operations department, appointing Bob Nicholson to CEO earlier this month." What remains to be seen is if the Bruins "will receive a draft pick as compensation." The Bruins fired Chiarelli this month (SPORTSNET.ca, 4/23).

Nicholson "knows that Chiarelli is a smart, capable guy" who can "come in and offer new ideas and help push the operation back on track" (GLOBE & MAIL, 4/24).

A source said that the NFLPA will not only appeal the NFL's 10-game suspension of Cowboys DE Greg Hardy, but is "also considering filing suit against the league." At issue for the union is that the NFL "didn’t mention domestic violence at all in its reprimand of Hardy nor seemingly apply the penalties already in" the CBA. It also "cited Hardy for multiple incidents rather than one incident." If the appeal "doesn’t work," the NFLPA "feels good about taking legal action as it did" with Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 4/24).

The Angels had their "smallest crowd in 12 years," with 24,304 tickets sold for yesterday's 2-0 win over the A's. The last time the club had a "smaller gathering" was in May '03, when the crowd was 24,000. Yesterday's game, which started at 4:00pm PT, was the last of a four-game series. The other three games, all starting at 7:00pm, each had "at least 30,000 tickets sold" (L.A. TIMES, 4/24).

Meanwhile, the Phillies drew the "smallest crowd in Citizens Bank Park's 12-year history," with an announced attendance of 17,097 for yesterday's loss to the Marlins. That is the "lowest for a Phillies home game" since June '03 at Veterans Stadium. This marked the "second time this month that the ballpark drew a record low" after a crowd of 19,047 attended the April 10 win against the Nationals (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 4/24).

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn threw the first pitch at last night's Red Sox-Rays game, "using the opportunity to discuss his willingness to work with the Rays," team President Brian Auld and "other officials" on a new ballpark. Buckhorn: "We just want the Rays to be able to stay in this area. Until the city of St. Petersburg and the Rays come to an agreement, we truly are in the dugout." Though Lightning Owner Jeff Vinik's "plan for the Channelside area doesn't include" a ballpark, Buckhorn "insisted that there are good options in downtown Tampa" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 4/24).

Tickets go on sale today at 3:00pm ET for the May 1 weigh-in prior to the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao fight. They are priced at $10, "with all of the money generated earmarked for charity" (ESPN.com, 4/23).

It took "less than a minute" for fans to claim "all the available tickets on public sale" for the May 2 bout after they were released yesterday afternoon. The "swiftness of the public sale spoke to the impatience over the delay in available tickets and also to the excitement surrounding the fight," as well as the "lack of tickets that were available" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/24). Secondary ticket sites were posting seats "within minutes" after the sale began. StubHub listed seats from $5,270.25 in Section 202 to $141,575.25 for a "floor seat in Section E" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 4/24).

The Falcons have collected at least $9M in down payments on PSLs "for their new stadium." Down payments range from 10-33% of the full PSL amount (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 4/24).

The family of the late Dave Duerson will “appeal this week’s NFL concussion settlement amid concerns it doesn’t include future awards for the brain decay diagnosed” after his '11 suicide. An appeal “could hold up the settlement approved Wednesday” (AP, 4/23).

Churchill Downs yesterday formally introduced track announcer Travis Stone. He succeeds Larry Collmus, who “left after a year calling races under the Twin Spires” for a NYRA position. Stone previously worked at Monmouth Park (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 4/24).

EA Sports is scheduled to release its "Rory McIlroy PGA Tour" video game on July 14, the week of the British Open (GOLFWEEK.com, 4/23).

The Magic announced that they will be among the first pro sports teams to offer their exclusive mobile team app for Apple Watch, which is available at retail starting today (Magic).

Yesterday’s Closing Bell should have stated that Barclays Center as part of its Brooklyn Hockey initiative will host its first-ever college hockey games on Nov. 1. THE DAILY regrets the error.

“You can rest assured he will be allowed to participate” – MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, on Pete Rose being part of the All-Star festivities at Great American Ball Park this season (Mult., 4/23).

“We most definitely had a lot of conversations about that, and it wasn’t just shooting for the moon type of stuff. It’s been one of his long-term goals and obviously, he’s made tremendous progress getting there” – Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe, on Floyd Mayweather Jr. having a goal of earning $1B (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 4/23).

“There was no drinking. Maybe the President was wasted – that deflate joke. We’re still wondering as an organization about that” – Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski, on the team’s visit to the White House (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 4/24).

“We want to make it clear, do not do this stuff, ever. And for goodness sake don’t do it in our name because that’s not our culture, that’s not our organization” – Flames President & CEO Ken King, on fans sexually harassing and intimidating women along the Red Mile during playoff games (CALGARY HERALD, 4/25).

“Any event that can draw 8,000 or 10,000 downtown is great for the city. We need all those we can get” – Indiana AD Fred Glass, on IU-Notre Dame baseball playing at Victory Field in Indianapolis. The matchup on Tuesday drew 8,728 and is believed to be record attendance for a college baseball game in the state of Indiana (IBJ.com, 4/23).

Last night’s 11:00pm ET edition of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” led with Bulls-Bucks, followed by Cavaliers-Celtics, Lightning-Red Wings and Yankees-Tigers. Last night’s 11:00pm ET edition of FS1’s “Fox Sports Live” led with Cavaliers-Celtics, followed by Bulls-Bucks, Warriors-Pelicans, Lightning-Red Wings, Islanders-Capitals and Cardinals-Nationals.

Actor/director Michael Rapaport filled in for ESPN’s Keith Olbermann last night and did not air a “world’s worst” persons in sports segment.

The Bergen RECORD on James Dolan's ownership of the Knicks and NHL Rangers: His "relentless meddling has caused years of basketball futility," while his "trust in the management he hired has built a hockey powerhouse."

The Baltimore SUN's Susan Reimer: "My husband, Gary Mihoces, is retiring after 46 years in the news business. ... He calls himself the Swiss Army knife of sportswriters."

Also:

• An overview of the evolution of protective headgear in MLB.
• Advice to Philadelphia sports fans of '15: "Embrace the Suck."
• Deflategate jokes abound during Patriots' trip to White House.
• Las Vegas security beefed up for Mayweather-Pacquiao weekend.

Marv Albert is 73 years old. He's lost NOTHING. Still as good as ever & still the best in the business.

— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) April 24, 2015

Listening to Hawk Harrelson during a benches clearing situation is spectacular entertainment.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) April 24, 2015

Kym Hougham, @WellsFargoGolf executive director, on ticket prices going up: 'We have @NCLeg to thank for that' because of sales tax changes

— Erik Spanberg (@CBJspanberg) April 23, 2015

I don't know how South Carolina became the official team of opening night, but it gets a little old. Nice to have alternatives.

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) April 23, 2015

I'm going to try to confirm with Elias, but my research indicates that #Mets and #Yankees have never met while both in 1st place.

— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) April 24, 2015

Canada Prime Minister Stephen Harper Wednesday made an appearance at an NHL Jets playoff game, which featured a whiteout promotion, while he was wearing a red Team Canada jersey. Harper, who claimed that he did not own a Jets jersey and did not realize his apparel would be a hot topic, said, “How can you go wrong wearing a Team Canada jersey in any case?” (WINNIPEG SUN, 4/24)

The Univ. of Pittsburgh will hold a news conference at 3:00pm ET to formally announce the hiring of Utah State AD Scott Barnes to fill the school’s vacant AD position.

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Art in the City.”

“German city where you’ll find the statue seen here.”

SiriusXM Radio’s Chris Russo appeared on CBS’ “Late Show” last night and told host David Letterman he has appeared on the broadcast “over 30 times.” He said Leterman helped him “promote all these books, all these radio shows, all these TV things and just been great to me and as a little radio guy, I appreciate it.” Letterman: “Usually, I have many things in sports that aggravate me. I really only have one concern now: the future of baseball and how are we doing with the time of the length of the games?” Russo said, “No matter what they try to do to make baseball quicker and make it sort of 21st century, they are never going to do it, because baseball is a slow, evolving game and games take a long time” (“Late Show,” CBS, 4/23).

CBS’ David Letterman said, “Barry Bonds cleared of all charges now. Remember he was involved in the performance enhancing drugs and steroids and so forth. This guy tested positive for more things than a pint of Blue Bell ice cream” ("Late Show,” CBS, 4/23).

NBC’s Jimmy Fallon said, “I’ve read that many minor league baseball players have been caught using steroids over the past few years. Apparently, not enough steroids” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 4/23).

“What is Hamelin?”

The “Jeopardy” broadcast also featured the category “The Last Time The Cubs Won The World Series,” which featured non-sports answers to things that have occurred since the last Cubs World Series victory in 1908. Host Alex Trebek said, “No one is alive to remember that, I think” (THE DAILY).