The U.S. won the World Baseball Classic for the first time last night by routing Puerto Rico 8-0 before 51,568 "zealous fans" at Dodger Stadium, and it did so "playing its own style of baseball, and expressing itself in its own fashion." U.S. and Rangers C Jonathan Lucroy said, "It was amazing. ... I can't see anyone turning this down again, not after seeing what we did. I think we've changed how everyone will look at the WBC" (USA TODAY, 3/23). Fans "wore flags of both countries as capes and decorated their faces in team colors." Puerto Rico supporters "pounded cowbells, tooted horns and blew whistles" (AP, 3/23). The evening was "incredibly suspenseful." USA Baseball Exec Dir Paul Seiler "would not touch the question of whether the team might visit the White House" (L.A. TIMES, 3/23).

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said that he "could not offer 'a really firm answer' as to whether another WBC will be played" in '21, a year after baseball returns to the Olympics at the '20 Tokyo Games (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 3/23).

The NFL is "working with broadcasters on a scheme to restructure the ad pods in all future televised contests." In an email to fans yesterday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said that the league is "looking to cut down on some of the more egregious instances of 'dead time.'" The league also is "looking into reducing the number of commercial breaks from the standard five per quarter to four, while retaining the usual spot load." Under the new format, the net loss of ad inventory, if any, "would be negligible." A parallel proposal is in the works that would "allow the networks to go to commercial during official replay reviews" (ADAGE.com, 3/22).

Next month's NFL Draft in Philadelphia has received its "most fan interest since the event moved" from N.Y. after '14. Through yesterday, 156,000 fans registered for the NFL Draft Experience, the "most fans who have signed up in the first 16 days since the league moved to the fan festival format in Chicago two years ago." During the same time frame last year in Chicago, 48,000 signed up, so this marks a 225% increase. Ticket registrations have come from "all 50 states, with Pennsylvania and New Jersey the top two" (PHILLY.com, 3/22).

UNLV's hunt for a new AD "will heat up" today, when national search firm Collegiate Sports Associates is "set to meet with the school's selection committee to present potential candidates." CSA has spent the past two months vetting candidates, and sources said that the firm "will detail the results of that search today." The 13-person selection committee "will consider" those results and then "vote to narrow those names down to a handful of final candidates." The committee will then "formally recommend those finalists" to UNLV President Len Jessup for the interview stage (LAS VEGAS SUN, 3/23).

USA Hockey has "postponed the start" of the women's national team's training camp for the upcoming IIHF World Championships "amid an ongoing wage dispute." The NGB said that camp, originally scheduled to begin yesterday in Traverse City, Mich., "won't happen." The organization said it "anticipates" a camp in Plymouth, Mich., site of the World Championships that begin March 31 (AP, 3/23).

Andrews said that fans ask her more about co-hosting ABC’s “DWTS” than her work on Fox’ NFL coverage. Andrews: “Everybody wants to know about the spray tan, if the guys are that hot, where the dancers put their microphones when they’re dancing” (“Conan,” TBS, 3/22).

CLC has reached an agreement with the Univ. of Richmond to manage the school's domestic trademark licensing program, effective in July (CLC).

The National Association of Basketball Coaches and multimedia rights partner IMG today announced a partnership with Twitter to live stream the '17 AT&T NABC Guardians of the Game Awards Show on April 2 (NABC).

"We realize some of these kids have had off-the-field trouble, but in no certain terms are we the moral police. We thought, hey look let's give him a second maybe third chance if you will, and let's let the NFL clubs decide what they want to do" – Spring League Founder & CEO Brian Woods, on the development league accepting players with prior issues, including former NFLer Greg Hardy (USA TODAY, 3/23).

"History tells me the NFL is going to do something to screw me. My attorneys are hopeful, but I don’t have a lot of faith in the NFL" – Former NFLer Brent Boyd, on whether he will receive the $2.02M reward his attorneys believe he is entitled to under the league's recent concussion settlment (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/23).

"When I was playing, it was whatever role I wanted. Now it’s whatever they ask me to do, which I kind of like better" – Former MLBer Barry Bonds, on his role as a an adviser for the Giants (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 3/23).

"I don't think it was designed for this. I don't think it was intended for this to happen" – Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen, on NHL teams from the same division having to face each other in the first round of the playoffs despite having some of the best records in the league (AP, 3/22).

The L.A. TIMES notes the IOC is "considering an unprecedented move by locking" both Paris and L.A. down as Olympic hosts for '24 and '28 at September's vote. Now "comes the intrigue." Neither city "can afford to hint at accepting the later bid," as it would give IOC members "an easy out." The L.A. Times also writes under the header, "It's Time For The [IOC] To Step Up And Pay Its Fair Share."

YAHOO SPORTS writes longtime Bulls GM Jerry Krause before his death would "ask the question often: Do you think I’ll get into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame?" At 77, "his body crumbling because of an excruciating bone disease, Krause could see the end." Krause "never made it to Springfield, but his imprint, his genius, lives there forever."

Tournament Picks:

• Most college coaches have "fixed terms" for bonuses, but not Purdue's Matt Painter.
• NCAA Tourney players still "don't see a dime of the revenue they help generate."
• What does it cost to own the actual court from this year's Final Four?

• Former Auto Club Speedway heads share their favorite memories of the track.
• The ball boy who got MJ's "Flu Game" shoes had no idea they'd be worth $104,000.
• The Red Sox' "long-awaited transition" to a new analytics database is under way.
• Why caddies are "excited about the new commissioner" of the PGA Tour.
• The Golden Knights "went in a drastically different direction" in hiring a head trainer.
• Roundtable: A return to the Winter Games is "inevitable" for the NHL, NHLPA.

Rob Manfred and Tony Clark should be drinking the good stuff right now and planning the next WBC. An absolutely smashing success.

— Maury Brown (@BizballMaury) March 23, 2017

Let's figure out what's a catch first before we get into legislating 'fun'

— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) March 23, 2017

Team USA will now be displayed in Cooperstown with Jim Leyland's pullover, Adam Jones' cap, Marcus Stroman's cap, Brandon Crawford's helmet

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 23, 2017

Happy birthday to @Sixers CEO @ScottONeil! A leader and innovator. Fortunate to get to work on his team every day. Truly. 👊🏻👍🏻🎉

— Dave Sholler (@DaveSholler) March 23, 2017

ESPN's Max Kellerman and Stephen A. Smith will receive a proclamation from L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti's office "thanking them for their contribution" to the city and sports in general. The two will also "host a meet-and-greet with fans outside their L.A. Live studios" following tomorrow's "First Take" (LATIMES.com, 3/22).

The Univ. of Miami hosts its two-day Sport Industry Conference beginning at 9:00am ET. Keynote speakers are Alex Rodriguez today and Greg Norman tomorrow.

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

“This company founded in 1945 offers a special deal on the last day of January, March, May, July, August, October and December.”

Last night’s edition of NBC’s “The Tonight Show” featured a video from a fictitious version of Shaquille O’Neal helping fans “understand all the big match-ups” in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16. NBC's Jimmy Fallon: “O’Neal has actually put together a video to explain his bracket and show us who he thinks will win this week’s games.” For the West Virginia-Gonzaga game, "O’Neal" said Gonzaga “sounds like one of those words that pops up and punches a dude. Bam! Ka-pow! Gonzaga! Gonzaga wins” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 3/22).

Last night’s edition of TBS’ “Conan” also featured an NCAA Tournament-themed segment. Host Conan O’Brien said, “The very best part of the games are during halftime when the mascots slam dunk. ... So we thought we would invite some mascots to the show for a little fun. Sounds like a good idea, right? Here’s the problem: Unfortunately, only several of the very worst mascots showed up.” The segment was called the “NCAA Mascots That Should Never Dunk Contest” (“Conan,” TBS, 3/22). 

Comedy Central’s Trevor Noah: “Let's just say you won a big soccer game in South Africa. What's the one thing you should definitely not say in your postgame interview? This.” The broadcast then aired footage of Free State Stars F Mohammed Anas saying how thankful he was to be named player of the game, and then thanking his wife and girlfriend. Noah: “Gooooooooooooooooo sleep on the couch tonight! … African Sean Spicer over here. The guy just thanked his wife and his girlfriend on live TV. I bet he's going to go home and find an empty apartment with the red card on the bed” (“The Daily Show,” Comedy Central, 3/22).

“What is Baskin-Robbins?”