The Univ. of Washington and Alaska Airlines "have again partnered on a naming-rights deal" for Husky Stadium, "now to be dubbed Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium." UW said that the deal is worth $41M over 10 years, "making it the largest deal of its kind in college athletics." More than half of Alaska Airlines’ investment "is earmarked directly for student-athlete scholarships and welfare." As part of the deal, UW "has also created an Athletic Village presented by Alaska Airlines, which incorporates all of the athletic facilities located around the football stadium." The deal "is pending approval by the UW Board of Regents, which meets next on Sept. 10" (SEATTLE TIMES, 9/3).

NeuLion today announced that it has renewed a multiyear deal with the UFC to operate the UFC.TV digital destination, including complete access to PPV events. NeuLion also is leading the re-build and re-launch of the UFC Fight Pass OTT offering. As part of the renewal, the two entities are broadening their relationship with new initiatives in international localization, expanded device support, customer service and UFC Rewards (NeuLion).

Jessica McCloughan, wife of Redskins GM Scot McCloughan, yesterday issued a statement "apologizing for disparaging remarks she made to an ESPN reporter and aired via Twitter." The statement was released on her behalf by a Redskins official "after a screen grab and accounts of her disparaging tweets spread rapidly on social media" yesterday afternoon. In the tweet, dated Aug. 30, McCloughan "implied that ESPN’s Dianna Russini had exchanged sexual favors for news tips." Redskins Senior VP/Communications Tony Wyllie initially said that the post "had come from a 'fake' account." Within hours, Wyllie provided the statement (WASHINGTON POST, 9/3).

The Pac-12 and Big Ten have partnered with Silicon Valley-based EverSport.tv for over-the-top distribution of games. The Pac-12’s two-year deal includes 850 games for '15-16 across all seven of its TV outlets, while the Big Ten’s one-year agreement allows EverSport to stream more than 1,000 live events. Both conference’s OTT broadcasts will be blacked out in the U.S., but the Pac-12 feeds will available in every other country except China. EverSport Media co-Founder & CEO Wayne Sieve said the Big Ten global exposure includes “well over 90 percent of the countries in the world.” The content distribution launches today with several college football games.

Although the broadcasts will initially be free, Sieve said EverSport will begin offering monthly and yearly subscription packages after this weekend with yet-to-be-determined price points. EverSport.tv will serve as the primary access point, but other online platforms will be able to embed video as well. Sieve: “For publishers it’s great because they can have it embedded onto their site, and we get to tap into that reach, so it’s a win for everybody.” Pac-12 Networks VP/Programming & Development Dustin Rocke added that the arrangement enables the conference to fulfill their “top priority from Day One – expanding distribution.” Both deals were brokered directly with EverSport. Financial terms were not disclosed for either agreement.

The Raiders have renewed their deal with Hawaiian Airlines as the team's official charter "after a brief, yearlong hiatus." Starting with tonight's preseason game against the Seahawks, a Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330 featuring the Raiders logo "will carry the team's players, coaches and trainers to eight games through December" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/2). The Raiders used United Airlines in the interim (THE DAILY).

MLS players will wear special Soccer Kicks Cancer T-shirts before each game throughout the month of September, as the league will help to raise awareness and funds during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The league’s community outreach initiative, MLS WORKS, has partnered with Children’s Oncology Group to further focus the league’s efforts. MLS will have Soccer Kicks Cancer apparel exclusively available in its online store, with all proceeds benefiting that group, the largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research.

Players also will wear commemorative patches on their jerseys, with select ones being put up for auction with proceeds also benefiting the group. In local markets, MLS clubs will honor and recognize children battling cancer, as well as the organizations working towards a cure.

The Boston City Council has unanimously voted to "ban smokeless tobacco and other tobacco products at all professional and amateur sports venues – including Fenway Park," effective April 1, 2016. The ban, proposed by Mayor Martin Walsh, "will end the longstanding practice by baseball players with wads of chewing tobacco in their cheeks." Boston is the "second city to institute such a prohibition," after S.F. The L.A. City Council is considering a ban (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/3).

Virginia Tech, James Madison and Liberty football players during their respective season openers will wear helmet decals "in memory of the two journalists who were killed during a live television broadcast" near Roanoke, Va., last Wednesday. VT hosts Ohio State Monday night on ESPN. JMU opens its season Saturday against Morehead State, while Liberty will play Delaware State on Saturday night (FOXSPORTS.com, 9/3).

Yesterday's early-round Rafael Nadal-Diego Schwartzman U.S. Open match filled Louis Armstrong Stadium at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Early in the match, there was an announcement that the venue "was filled to capacity." Headed into the third set, there was "still no entry or re-entry allowed" (NEWSDAY, 9/3).

Michigan interim AD Jim Hackett "has seen early mock-ups of the Wolverines' new Nike football uniforms, and he's pleased with the design" (DETROIT NEWS, 9/3).

The AHL Stockton Heat and Bakersfield Condors will play an outdoor game at Raley Field in Sacramento on Dec. 18 as part of a six-week winter event called the "Biggest Show on Snow" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 9/3).

“We have already started, we will meet again in early September with the hope to announce within the end of the season that the union and the league have solved their problems” – NBPA Exec Dir Michele Roberts, on what the league and union are doing to avoid a possible lockout in ’17 (SPORTANDO.com, 9/2).

“This was one that we looked at over the last few years, and the reality is the performer and composer of the song is in a maximum security prison for crimes against children, and we just didn’t want to be associated with that song in any way” – Chiefs President Mark Donovan, on the team’s decision to stop playing Gary Glitter’s “Rock ‘N’ Roll Part 2” after touchdowns (KCSTAR.com, 9/3).

“Obviously, all ADs and all coaches want this to happen sooner rather than later, but the commissioner will let us know when the time is right” – NC State AD Debbie Yow, on an ACC-specific TV network (AP, 9/2).

“No one’s forcing anyone to watch. If you want to watch, watch. If you don’t want to watch, don’t watch” – Floyd Mayweather Jr., on criticism of fighting Andre Berto for his alleged final bout on Sept. 12 (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 9/3).

Last night’s 1:00am ET editions of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” and FS1’s “Fox Sports Live” led with Giants-Dodgers. ESPN followed with Phillies-Mets, Nationals-Cardinals and Indians-Blue Jays, with the first non-MLB report on ESPN being U.S. Open highlights 10 minutes into the broadcast. FS1 followed with Indians-Blue Jays, Yankees-Red-Sox and Rays-Orioles. The first non-MLB report on FS1 was Redskins QB Robert Griffin III being honored for his off-field work with the military community.

The L.A. TIMES on L.A.'s bid for the '24 Games: "A financially reasonable plan might nudge Los Angeles past the likes of Budapest and Hamburg, which would require an array of new venues." Meanwhile, The TORONTO STAR on how Toronto's chances of landing the Games stack up against L.A.

FORBES.com notes, "Despite the fact that college athletics has long positioned itself as an advocate for equal opportunity when it comes to gender, more than 40 years after the implementation of Title IX, the opportunities available for female administrators at top leadership positions are profoundly lacking."

On College Football:

• How changing TV landscape affects college football fans.
• Fresno State stadium renovation plan hinges on team's success.
• Syracuse AD Mark Coyle talks recruiting in wide-ranging Q&A.
• Sarah Porder is Dayton's first-ever Dir of Football Operations.

• Benjamin Hochman pens his first column for his hometown paper.
• Flames execs show how to sell need for a new stadium in six easy steps.
• Postcard look at the game of musical chairs in MLB’s exec branch.

Women in our profession are often accused of sleeping with sources for content. So what McCloughan's wife did was completely classless.

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 3, 2015

What bugs me most about latest @Redskins debacle is how a relentless, hard-working reporter @diannaESPN has to deal with this crap. Awful

— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) September 3, 2015

One of great days of the year, opening day for college football. Did you guys hear Jim Harbaugh is coaching at Michigan?

— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) September 3, 2015

Sources: Former #RedSox GM Cherington unlikely to pursue GM openings this fall. Teams have contacted him; he is simply in listening mode.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 3, 2015

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

“It is mentioned in the motto on Minnesota’s flag and is depicted on Alaska’s.”

NBC’s Jimmy Fallon said of UFC fighter Ronda Rousey accepting a Marine’s invitation to the Marine Corps Ball, “When they heard Ronda Rousey was teaming up with the Marines, ISIS was like, ‘We surrender!’” ("The Tonight Show," NBC, 9/2).

“What is the North Star?”