A source said that Charter Communications is "nearing agreement to acquire" Time Warner Cable for a "cash and stock deal" valued at $55.1B. The prospective merger would create a "newly strengthened rival for traditional pay-TV providers, such as Comcast and DirecTV" (USA TODAY, 5/26). Sources said that as part of the deal, Charter also would merge with Bright House Networks. The "combined cable giant would  have 23 million total subscribers, second only to Comcast's 27 million among cable operators" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 5/26).

Patriots QB Tom Brady's appeal hearing over his Deflategate suspension reportedly "won't happen before this week's 10-day deadline." Sources said that "no date for Brady's appeal has been set" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/26). The NFL and NFLPA "do not have to conduct the hearing" by tomorrow, according to sources. They "merely have to set the hearing date by that Wednesday deadline" (BOSTON HERALD, 5/26).

SMI and Coca-Cola on Sunday jointly announced that the beverage giant has extended its deal with the track promoter through '20. The deal, which will now extend into its 35th year, gives Coke pouring rights as the official soft drink, sparkling beverage, water, sports drink and enhanced water at four of SMI's eight major tracks (Sonoma; Kentucky; Las Vegas; and Texas), and rights for non-alcoholic beverages at three others (Atlanta; Charlotte; and New Hampshire). SMI's eighth major track, Bristol Motor Speedway, has an independent deal with Pepsi. The deal also includes standard assets like signage and hospitality, plus title sponsorship of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600.

For more on the deal, see today's issue of THE DAILY.

The SEC today opens its annual spring meetings in Destin, Fla. The session will last through Friday, drawing "presidents, chancellors, athletic directors, football coaches, men's and women's basketball coaches and other officials from the 14 member schools." Topics expected to be on the agenda include cost of attendance, satellite football camps, graduate transfers, SEC Network financials and the coming transition at commissioner (MYAJC.com, 5/25).

Univ. of Texas football season-ticket holders beginning this morning have the "opportunity to log on to a website, see what seats remain open" at Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium and "weigh the cost of upgrading" for the '15 season. Under the Ticket Relocation and Upgrade Experience, or TRUE system, top-tier donors "get first crack at seeing what seats are open in their section." Fans can "see computer-generated sight lines from almost every seat in the house and the full price breakdowns" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 5/24).

About 350 fans and Rockets C Dwight Howard remained at Toyota Center after last night's NBA Western Conference Finals Game 4 against the Warriors "as rain continued to fall" into early today. Arena officials "posted an advisory on the stadium scoreboard advising fans to wait out the storm" as the game ended at about 11:00pm CT. Most left, but "a few opted for discretion over venturing onto flooded downtown streets and freeways" (CHRON.com, 5/26).

Honda Indy Toronto organizers announced a sponsorship deal with Molson Coors Canada that includes designation as the official beer and cider of the IndyCar race through '17. Molson Coors returns to the event after serving as title sponsor from '86-'06 (Honda Indy Toronto).

The Texans this week "could be announced" as the chosen team for the '15 version of HBO's "Hard Knocks" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/26). 

A crowd of 24,215 attended yesterday's NCAA D-I men's lacrosse national championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Denver defeated Maryland 10-5, bringing the title "west of the Mississippi" for the first time (INSIDELACROSSE.com, 5/25).

"I think we ended five years of drought in five weeks. Everything’s wet, everything’s water-logged, everybody’s a little bit frustrated. That’s just part of it; we make our living outdoors" – Golfer Harrison Frazar, on weather complications for this week's PGA Tour AT&T Byron Nelson Championship (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 5/26).

"The game is never going to be safe. It's a violent game" – Pro Football HOFer John Madden (L.A. TIMES, 5/24).

"We like putting races in unexpected locations with stunning backdrops, and racing on the waterfront at the Bahia Mar is no exception" – Red Bull Global Rallycross CEO Colin Dyne, on this weekend's motorsports event in Ft. Lauderdale (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 5/25).

"Against pretty long odds, the place has not only withstood the test of time, but flourished, actually. (The 500) is more than a sporting event. But, boy, when it goes right, it's a hell of a sporting event" – David Letterman, on the Indy 500 and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 5/25).

"It is not about dressing up our ball clubs in camo caps that are different from the camo caps they wore last month because that way we can sell you two different camo caps. This is about our war dead" – ESPN’s Keith Olbermann, on Memorial Day and sports (“Olbermann,” ESPN, 5/25).

Last night’s 1:00am ET edition of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” led with Blackhawks-Ducks highlights, followed by Warriors-Rockets, more Blackhawks-Ducks analysis and Nationals-Cubs. Last night’s 1:00am ET edition of FS1’s “Fox Sports Live” led with Warriors-Rockets, followed by Blackhawks-Ducks and Rangers-Indians.

ESPN’s Keith Olbermann did not air his “world’s worst” persons in sports segment.

The L.A. TIMES notes legalized sports gambling "would open new revenue streams by way of sponsorship and advertising deals with the gaming industry." It "might also help build a more loyal customer base."

The N.Y. TIMES goes with the header, "Nerves Fray Over New French Open Stadium Plans." Construction permits for the expansion project "remain on hold as the local and national authorities squabble among themselves." Also, a look at how clay court-specific sneakers are created.

Also:

• Why Bostonians should consider '24 Games a dream worth chasing.
• What happens to St. Louis riverfront if stadium proposal fails?
• Goldman Sachs is the dominant player in stadium financing game.
• Counterfeit Ducks merchandise springs up around postseason run.
• Writer pleads with Dean Spanos not to move Chargers to L.A.
• If anyone can fix Maple Leafs, it is new coach Mike Babcock.
• Can golfing phenom Jordan Spieth live up to lofty expectations?

Maybe Brady's appeal was delayed so he could spend some time with the puppy.

— Eric Wilbur (@GlobeEricWilbur) May 26, 2015

How teams don’t have a zero tolerance policy for domestic abusers is beyond me

— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) May 26, 2015

Ah yes, the nightly Disneyland fireworks are going off. Still gives you the "what the ..." at first inside Honda Center. Every time.

— Cörey Masisak (@cmasisak22) May 26, 2015

Dwight Howard returned to the court to visit with fans still stuck in Toyota Center because of the flooding.

— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) May 26, 2015

Terrible storms in Houston- fans asked to stay in arena. But @RayRotto & I made a run for it w/ our handmade ponchos. pic.twitter.com/Zk08bUoyMz

— Rosalyn Gold-Onwude (@ROSGO21) May 26, 2015

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

“A Christian hymn and a Jewish holiday hymn are both titled this, also the name of a 2009 Tony-nominated musical.”

“What is ‘Rock of Ages?’”