NFL owners convene today in Irving, Texas, where the "main focus will be on the stadium situations" in San Diego, Oakland, L.A. and Las Vegas involving the Chargers and Raiders (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/11). No decisions in the "two-team, four-city puzzle are expected until next month." But today's meeting "could lay the groundwork for a solution, which could include further incentivizing the Chargers to continue working on an answer in San Diego." The league is "grappling with sharply declining TV viewership and is mindful of the resentment involved when a team abandons a market" (L.A. TIMES, 12/14). Raiders President Marc Badain said that team execs "do not plan to make an extensive presentation about Las Vegas" at today's meeting "because they've already done so" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 12/14).

There is a "strong belief within the league that the Chargers plan to exercise their option to join the Rams" in L.A. beginning next season (WASHINGTON POST, 12/14). Two items related to the Chargers will be addressed today. First, the owners "will ratify the Chargers' and Rams' Inglewood Stadium agreement they  negotiated last January." Also, owners "will give the Chargers an option to finance one half" of the $650M relocation fee required to move to L.A. (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 12/14).

Oakland and Alameda County officials yesterday "gave the go-ahead to negotiate" with Pro Football HOFer Ronnie Lott, whose $1.3B stadium proposal is "probably Oakland's last shot at keeping" the Raiders in town. A series of "star-studded hearings Tuesday morning and evening featured prominent NFL and NBA players and drew impassioned support for the plan from Oakland fans." The Alameda County Board of Supervisors approved the plan 3-1. The City Council later voted 7-0, with one abstention, to "approve a term sheet with Lott’s investment group and enter into deeper negotiations over the details of the stadium plan during the next 60 days" (EAST BAY TIMES, 12/14).

Fox Sports is pushing a Nielsen report that shows the importance of RSNs to pay-TV providers. The report, which was commissioned by Fox Sports and will be released later today, asked 1,500 pay-TV subscribers who identify as sports fans to list the TV channels they consider most essential. On average, RSNs finished fifth behind the four biggest broadcast networks but ahead of national sports channels like ESPN, FS1 and NBCSN. FS Midwest was deemed the most essential network in St. Louis, while FS Detroit finished second in that market.

Fox Sports Regional Networks President Jeff Krolik pointed to MLB ratings in particular and said, “We think this is a story that hasn't been reported anywhere. It is overlooked because it is a local story, not a national story.” The message is that RSNs should have a place on distributors’ lower cost “skinny bundles” even though they are among the most expensive channels on cable systems. “The aggregated power of our RSN network has a really powerful reach,” said Fox Sports Senior VP/Strategy & Consumer Insights Ben Valenta.

The Magic today will announce that they have chosen Lakeland, Fla., as the home of their new NBA D-League affiliate, with the team to "play its games at The Lakeland Center." The Magic are in the "final year of a three-year affiliation agreement with the Erie BayHawks." Having their new affiliate nearby "will make it easier for the Magic to send their youngsters to the D-League" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 12/14).

The Lakers, "citing security concerns," changed plans and "decided not to stay at a Donald Trump-branded hotel" in N.Y. for tonight's game against the Nets. A source said that the "decision to switch hotels was not politically motivated." The "threat of protests caused concern that the players' schedules might be disrupted by a stay at the Trump SoHo in Lower Manhattan" (L.A. TIMES, 12/14).

The Cubs today will begin selling eight-game and 14-game ticket packages, ahead of the start of single-game ticket sales in February. The "eight-game packs include four different pre-selected, eight-game plans," including the "Friday Pack," "Coast Pack," "Rivals Pack" and "Summer Pack." Prices start at $175 "before service fees and city and county amusement taxes." The 14-game flex plans allow fans to "select from two 'marquee' games" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/13).

UEFA yesterday began the process of selling three-year sponsorship and TV rights to the '18-21 Champions League and the second-tier Europa League. UEFA Marketing Dir Guy-Laurent Epstein said that the latest packages of Champions League rights are "expected to contribute to a record" $3.4B per season in media and marketing income. That would mark a 28% increase over the last deal, which brought in $2.7B per year, "making it one of the more valuable sports properties in the world" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 12/12).

Kimmel: “People make the crazy signs and try to get on camera. ... I think we have one of them I was going to ask you about. It says, ‘Sam Ponder pet my mullet.’ Is that a euphemism?” Ponder: “We were at North Dakota State. Whenever we go to one of the more obscure college football schools, the whole town comes out and everything else shuts down. ... I get in my ear from the producer, ‘Hey, Sam, I need you to go pet this guy's mullet.’ So I did that on live TV. ... Then over the next couple of weeks, I kept getting mullet signs. It's like, I don't want this to be a thing” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 12/13).

The 10th Anniversary of the Sports Business Awards will be held on Wednesday, May 24, at the N.Y. Marriott Marquis at Times Square. Entries are now being accepted in 17 categories. Visit the event page to make your bid to share the stage with the best in sports business at the SBAs.

DEADLINE: Friday, Jan. 13.

The USOC BOD yesterday re-elected Chair Larry Probst to another four-year term at its quarterly meeting (Ben Fischer, Staff Writer).

Richard Schneider has been named COO of Delaware North Sportservice, company officials announced this morning. Schneider has served as COO of Delaware North’s travel business group since '14. He also spent three years as VP/Hospitality Services for the firm’s gaming business. Schneider previously worked for Caesars Entertainment and MGM Grand Detroit (Don Muret, Staff Writer).

Wix.com today announced that it will return to the Super Bowl marketing lineup with its third ad (Wix).

The Astros and Fayetteville, N.C., yesterday signed a 30-year lease agreement, which will move the club's Class A Advanced affiliate to Fayetteville for the '19 season and beyond (Astros).

"Poopfest. It's terrible" – Seahawks CB Richard Sherman, on "Thursday Night Football" (ESPN.com, 12/13).

"I certainly imagined a parade someday and bringing the community together in this way. I wasn’t sure how long it would take. I’m obviously very excited to march back to our roots and Memorial Stadium and reward this amazing fan base" – Sounders Principal Owner Adrian Hanauer, on the team's MLS Cup parade yesterday (SEATTLE TIMES, 12/14).

"All this talk about Japan is just speculation as far as I’m concerned, but it’s an honor to even be in the conversation" – Former MLB manager Bobby Valentine, on rumors that President-elect Trump could name him U.S. ambassador to Japan (NESN.com, 12/13).

"I fell in love with him because he really talks about helping African-American, black people and that’s why I’m here. When he goes through what he went through to become the president, he got my admiration. No one gave him a chance" – Pro Football HOFer Jim Brown, on meeting with Trump yesterday (Mult., 12/13).

"It's something we want to do. I think there's a great demand in this market for another outdoor game. I hear it all the time, 'When are you going outdoors again?'" – AHL Syracuse Crunch Owner Howard Dolgon, on the team's plans to play a second outdoor game next December (Syracuse POST-STANDARD, 12/14).

USA TODAY's Nancy Armour notes three Washington state legislators are "pushing a bill that would force arenas and stadiums to allow fans to bring in weapons if they have concealed carry permits." This is "grandstanding, pure and simple," as the politicians "saw an opportunity to pander to the gun lobby and stoke fear in those who see a Second Amendment-repealing Boogeyman around every corner."

The ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION: "Like any messy divorce, the Braves/Atlanta split is going down to the wire." Both sides are "past the stages of screaming, blaming and battling over possessions." Now they are "'agreeing to disagree' over $400,000 in disputed parking fees."

Also: 

• What can the Bears do to "spark a return to relevance?"
• UNLV students learn on the job calling Rebels games.
• Couching carousel reveals college football's two-tiered nature.
• What can Houston expect long-term from hosting Super Bowl LI?
• Why the Patriots should give up the Deflategate fight for good.
• Some NFL coaches want to ban thrilling field goal block attempts.
• MMA fighter Paige VanZant adapts to new role as UFC headliner.

Raiders stadium news is being reported really weirdly. No matter what measures either city passes, it’s nowhere close to done!

— Ty Schalter (@tyschalter) December 14, 2016

Kroenke Sports Enterprises: Rams 4-9. Nuggets 9-16. Avalanche 14th out of 14 teams in NHL Western. You are what your record says you are.

— Mike Lupica (@MikeLupica) December 14, 2016

Throughout my career Lamar and the Hunt family supported and encouraged me - Lamar was, as Clark and Hunts are, sensational owners. @chiefs https://t.co/LdY2Hs54UH

— Amy Trask (@AmyTrask) December 14, 2016

I will be stunned if Jim Harbaugh is in the NFL in 2017. But 2019 wouldn't surprise me. https://t.co/jdHFQG4CAO

— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) December 14, 2016

RIP Alan Thicke...Gut wrenching sadness.We had laughs and played tennis only two weeks ago.A fine and classy gentleman...

— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) December 14, 2016

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

“Cuba’s second-most populous city and a South American capital share this name that refers to St. James.”

“What is Santiago?”