Joseph Meyer, the brother-in-law of N.Y-based venture capitalist Joshua Kushner, said his group "will not pursue" the Marlins after a N.Y. Post report suggested team Owner Jeffrey Loria will "soon be nominated" by President Trump to be U.S. Ambassador to France. Meyer in a statement said his group does “not want this unrelated transaction to complicate” Loria’s potential appointment. Kushner’s brother, Jared, is Trump’s son-in-law (TWITTER.com, 2/15). This marks the "first time anyone from the Kushners or the Marlins has publicly acknowledged the negotiations." Loria "contributed a reported $125,000 to Trump's campaign" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 2/16).

Red Wings players and coaches yesterday said "good-bye to their beloved team owner," Mike Ilitch. Last night's home game against the Blues "began with a moment of silence for Ilitch, then segued into a video tribute that highlighted the championships, interspersed with clips from players past and current." At the end of the tribute, fans "stood and applauded and players for both teams tapped their sticks" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 2/16).

Ilitch "lay in repose" from noon to 8:00pm ET in the Fox Theatre's Grand Lobby. His widow, Marian Ilitch, visited yesterday, "leaving the theater shortly before" 1:00pm. Several other members of Ilitch's family "remained inside the Grand Lobby," acknowledging "each visitor with handshakes and greetings" (DETROIT NEWS, 2/16).

The #RedWings and Blues pay their respects to Mike Ilitch with a moment of silence before puck drop. #STLvsDET pic.twitter.com/g4764QSovO

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 16, 2017

FIFA President Gianni Infantino today said that he "intends to encourage co-hosting" for the '26 World Cup, which "could divide the tournament up between as many as four countries." Infantino said, "We will encourage co-hosting for the World Cup because we need FIFA to show we are reasonable and we have to think about sustainability long-term." Concern "has been raised about the financial burden placed on a single tournament host, and the bad publicity generated by stadiums built and then abandoned after use" (REUTERS, 2/16).

Infantino also said that he "did not fear hooligan troubles" at next year's World Cup in Russia and that he "has not asked Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko to resign as chief organiser." The comments came ahead of the broadcast of a TV documentary in the U.K. in which "Russian hardline fans are said to threaten trouble against English fans who go to the World Cup" (AFP, 2/16).

ESPN has signed a deal with Vivid Seats designating the Chicago-based secondary ticket marketplace as its new official ticket provider, in turn ending a relationship with StubHub that had been in place for a decade. ESPN was in the midst of a contract with StubHub slated to last through this calendar year after a three-year extension was signed in '14. But sources said ESPN exercised an opt-out provision. Financial terms were not disclosed, but Vivid's rights are similar to ones held before by StubHub. The ticket seller will be integrated across ESPN’s digital platforms, particularly on schedule and game preview pages, and the two parties will look to co-develop content based on ticket resale trends.

The deal extends a recent run of activity for Vivid Seats that includes a partnership signed last fall with Notre Dame to create a school-branded resale platform. Given ESPN’s status as by far the most-trafficked U.S. digital sports destination, this represents a sizable increase in Vivid's exposure. “We think there’s a lot that can be done here, particularly around data and analytics,” said Vivid Seats Senior VP/Sponsorships A.J. Machosky.

FedEx Express has renewed for three more years as an ATP World Tour top sponsor. The deal, like the previous one, gives the delivery service rights at 17 tournaments. The only two North American events included in the agreement are Montreal and Miami. FedEx Express has been an ATP sponsor since '10.

Univ. of Miami Athletics and WQAM-AM today announced a multiyear extension for the station to remain the flagship radio home for Miami football and men's basketball. The station will carry all regular-season and postseason football games, all men's basketball games and weekly coaches' shows for both sports. WQAM, a UM broadcast partner since '99, also has non-exclusive streaming rights on its website. Learfield's Hurricane Sports Properties manages UM's multimedia rights (WQAM).

Yahoo is reportedly "close to renegotiating its original deal" to be acquired by Verizon, choosing to take close to $300M off the price to "preserve the sale." The new deal is "expected to be announced within days," according to a source (N.Y. TIMES, 2/16).

UConn AD David Benedict denied a FanRag Sports report that claimed school administrators "had contacted" the Big East about rejoining the conference. Benedict in a statement said, "We are committed to the long-term success of the American Athletic Conference" (HARTFORD COURANT, 2/16).

The Pacers announced that Billy Joel will play Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Nov. 3 (Pacers).

Patriots Owner Robert Kraft was seated next to Celtics Managing Partner & CEO Wyc Grousbeck courtside for last night's 76ers-Celtics game at TD Garden (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/16).

"Our chances can be hurt if we don't do something by the end of February" – North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, on the state potentially losing more NCAA championship events if the controversial HB2 law is not repealed (ESPN.com, 2/16).

"There are a lot of new stadiums coming down the line, some attractive cities who have hosted Super Bowls in the past that haven’t had one in a while, so it will be a competitive environment, but I wouldn’t rule it out" – Lions President Rod Wood, on the possibility of Ford Field hosting an upcoming Super Bowl (DETROIT NEWS, 2/16).

"Whether it's something I'll do when I get out, I've got to start thinking about that. ... But I'd love to do something like that as part of what I do in the next phase of my career" – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, on a possible career in sports broadcasting (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 2/16).

USA TODAY notes the Grand Canyon Univ. is "home to possibly the best student section in college basketball." In fact, Louisville coach Rick Pitino earlier this season called it the "toughest crowd I've ever faced." The atmosphere at the arena "caters almost entirely to students," and before tipoff, the stands are an "avalanche of streamers, EDM and dubstep."

DIGIDAY.com's Max Willens wrote, "In the developing race among publishers to build audiences of logged-in readers, ESPN has come out of the blocks fast." Log-ins "make it a lot easier to track a user across devices, which has become progressively more important to advertisers." With this in mind, ESPN has "begun experimenting with new products."

Also: 

• Daytona President Chip Wile preps for his "first time at the helm" of Speedweeks.
• Pirates Owner Bob Nutting addresses payroll criticism, team's direction in Q&A.
• Contrasting the late Mike Ilitch with Knicks and Rangers Owner James Dolan.
• Tigers fans enjoy an "almost supernatural relationship" with Lakeland, Fla.
• Ex-NFLer Shawn Springs is using "baby car seat technology" to make safer helmets
• Too much snow is the "biggest concern" for World Cup skiing at Squaw Valley.
• All-Star weekend in New Orleans will be "special time" for ESPN's Michael Smith.
• A look at Phoenix as a possible MLS expansion market.

#VinceYoung Welcome new client @VinceYoung10 who has dream of playing more football,being role model @Longhorn_FB @LonghornNetwork

— Leigh Steinberg (@leighsteinberg) February 15, 2017

Dick Vitale calling NBA games. Matt Damon in samurai movies. Nothing makes sense any more.

— Adam Best (@adamcbest) February 16, 2017

Even if the NHL commits to sending players to the 2018 Olympics, there’s still a chance Russia will be banned. https://t.co/r2ZIo4i3nZ

— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) February 15, 2017

And so it begins.... #roadtrip #DAYTONA500 On the road again....Sun starting to come up ..well underway!

— Claire B Lang (@ClaireBLang) February 16, 2017

Tennis player Genie Bouchard last night "went on a date" with a Patriots fan after the two "agreed to a bet over Twitter" during Super Bowl LI. The pair attended a Bucks-Nets game at Barclays Center (CP, 2/15).

Just met my 'Super Bowl Twitter Date' John 😊 On our way to the @BrooklynNets game! @punslayintwoods pic.twitter.com/DHRgY46smd

— Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) February 16, 2017

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Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “U.S. Political Parties.”

“Shortly before its demise, it had split into ‘conscience’ and ‘cotton’ factions.”

“What is the Whig Party?”