The NFL tomorrow morning will announce the four matchups for next season's U.K. games, and sources said that the Browns "will play one of their regular-season games in London." The Browns "haven't played in London" since the '89 preseason. Sources said that a Browns contingent "observed the proceedings while the Bengals played there this season." It is "unknown yet if the Browns would be giving up a home game." One game will be Dolphins-Saints. Another will feature the Jaguars, and sources said that they "might be playing the Ravens" (CLEVELAND.com, 12/11).

Meanwhile, the Patriots are "viewed as a strong candidate to play an international game" during the '17 season, whether in London or Mexico City. The team has played twice in London and are "again interested in playing overseas," though they "almost certainly wouldn’t give up a home game" in '17 (BOSTON HERALD, 12/11).

MLS expansion club Minnesota United today will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its new stadium, setting up "initial prep work" for the privately financed $150M venue. The club during today's event "plans to provide further construction timeline details on the 20,000-seat structure," but it "remains on track to be open sometime" during the '18 season. MLS Commissioner Don Garber and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman plan to attend the 2:00pm CT event (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 12/7).

The NFL yesterday "quickly put the kibosh" on a report that the Giants had told the NFL that the Steelers "used footballs that were not inflated to the rulebook's specifications last week." Following the report by Fox' Jay Glazer, the league said that the Giants "had done no such thing and that the footballs used by the Steelers were in compliance with league rules" (WASHINGTON POST, 12/12).

Given all the "plot twists, chase scenes and laugh-out-loud comedy that the original 'Deflategate' gave us, it was hoped that this long-deflated, er, awaited sequel would be solid gold." A "little transparency – and consideration – from the NFL would have been appreciated." Instead, the league "issues its nothing-to-see-here tweet, and does so with such haste, it’s possible a lot of fans saw it before they’d even been exposed to Glazer’s initial report" (BOSTON HERALD, 12/12). The N.Y. POST goes with the header, "Deflategate II Would've Been A Juicy NFL Blood Feud For The Ages."

Bloomberg Media today will formally announce that the N.Y.  Times' Joe Nocera is "taking a senior position" at the outlet. A source said that Nocera's gig is "wide-ranging and will touch a variety of products within Bloomberg." Nocera said that his new role will give him the opportunity to "write magazine stories and to write columns." One of his "best-known achievements at the Times was a series of columns about the way the NCAA exploits college athletes for financial gain" (OBSERVER.com, 12/11).

NBC Sports Group signed a media rights deal with Cricket Australia for Big Bash League Cricket. NBCSN has committed to carry 10 Big Bash League matches starting with next week’s Sydney Thunder-Sydney Sixers contest (Dec. 20, 3:30am ET). NBCSN will re-air the matches at noon ET on the days following the live events. NBCSN’s schedule includes the league semifinals and finals at the end of January. Deal terms were not announced.

The CAA World Congress of Sports will be held April 19-20 at the Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, Calif. Register today and take advantage of the early registration offer. Go to www.WorldCongressofSports.com.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was "on the sideline" prior to last night's Cowboys-Giants game, "hanging out" with Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones (NJ.com, 12/11).

A source said that Stanford and Rice will open the '17 college football season in Sydney. The game was "originally scheduled for Sept. 2, 2017, at Rice, but it will be played in late August in Australia" (ESPN.com, 12/11).

Saturday's Dota 2 Boston Major e-sports event at the Wang Theatre drew a "rabid crowd of 3,600" (BOSTON HERALD, 12/11).

“Take a look at a Russian doping scandal so big you wonder how they even had time to hack our presidential election” – N.Y. Daily News’ Mike Lupica (“The Sports Reporters,” ESPN, 12/11).

"Anything we can do to get people in the door to see our product in the arena – we're going to do it" – Aquilini Developments & Construction Project Manager Jim Johnston, on the new SportsBar feature at Rogers Arena (VANCOUVER SUN, 12/12).

FieldTurf parent company Tarkett Sports President Eric Daliere pens a guest column in response to the Newark STAR-LEDGER's investigation of FieldTurf. The paper last week reported that the company sold defective fields and covered it up, but Daliere writes he knows those claims "to be inaccurate." He added, "Once all of the facts are heard and understood, it will be clear that we have been committed to doing right by our customers."

The L.A. DAILY NEWS wrote Fox Sports' virtual reality coverage made Saturday's MLS Cup "an event that demanded attention." Still, finding VR's role in sports consumption is "a process that needs to be tested by as many entry points as possible for those willing to adapt and survive."

Also: 

• Conferences' shares of CFP revenue allow other bowl games to "remain afloat."
• Baseball HOF voting for steroid-era players "remains an exercise of subjectivity."
• Student journalists share "whether they have been threatened with credential pulling."

.@TBNSully says he's hearing #RexRyan is out after #Bills season ends. Whaley and Brandon are likely staying front office. #Continuity https://t.co/1rJz99efkg

— 97Rock (@97RockBuffalo) December 12, 2016

Why people care if Lamar Jackson got his suit from Macy's? It looked good and you're really gonna price shame an unpaid athlete?

— Robin Lundberg (@robinlundberg) December 11, 2016

Game over and the Lakers let Phil watch the game without putting him on the big screen. No song this year. No wave.

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) December 12, 2016

Hey brother @realDonaldTrump give me control of the Fed and we will make the economy great again. Dow at 40k in 4 Years. #Yeswecanseco

— Jose Canseco (@JoseCanseco) December 12, 2016

Friday’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “World Capitals.”

“Ruled at times by Persians, Mongols and Russians, Baku is the only capital that borders this body of water.”

NBC’s “The Tonight Show” on Friday featured the recurring segment, “Thank You Notes.” Host Jimmy Fallon said, “Thank you, picture of Shaq being sworn in as sheriff's deputy in Georgia, for looking like it was taken on ‘Take Your Son to Work Day’” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 12/9).

“What is the Caspian Sea?”