North Carolina lawmakers today "could repeal" the HB2 law under a deal struck late last night by Gov. Roy Cooper and legislative leaders. The movement on HB2 comes ahead of the NCAA's reported deadline today to "make changes to the controversial law or lose the ability to hosts sports championships" through '22. The announcement of a deal "capped days of marathon, often contentious negotiations" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 3/30). It was not "immediately known if proposed changes would be enough to sway the NCAA as LGBTQ activists blasted the compromise proposal" (USA TODAY, 3/30).

NCAA President Mark Emmert this afternoon "plans to conduct an annual news conference" (NYTIMES.com, 3/30).

For more on the new creative, see today’s issue of THE DAILY.

Boston College has hired Parker Search to "vet a list of candidates" for its AD position, and sources said that Parker "has begun contacting people who are not on a list of finalists." That list is "expected to be no longer than four names." The time frame "could be spread over the next several weeks, but is more likely to be completed by the middle of April." The "most likely list of candidates" includes VCU AD Ed McLaughlin, Villanova AD Mark Jackson and Army AD Boo Corrigan, though BC could "pick someone from the private sector." Sources said that Jim Paquette, who is stepping down as Loyola (Md.) AD, "did not make the finalist list" (TMGCOLLEGESPORTS.com, 3/29).

The NHL today formally launched its push into the Chinese market with the announcement of the league’s first-ever preseason games in the country. As part of a multiyear deal with China-based commercial sports company Bloomage Int’l Group, the Kings and Canucks will play two preseason games in Beijing and Shanghai in September. O.R.G. Packaging will serve as the presenting sponsor for the set of games, and will work with the league to further promote the sport in the country. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was in China today to make the announcement.

See more on the NHL’s plans for China in today’s issue of THE DAILY.

Greg Norman Co. and Verizon today announced a strategic partnership that includes plans to expand outside of golf as the companies collaborate across multiple industries. Greg Norman's suite of companies will leverage Verizon's solutions to provide technology innovation and efficiencies across all of its enterprises. This includes opportunities around Greg Norman Golf Course Design and Greg Norman Estates Wine through Verizon's IoT AgTech solutions. Norman's company is also working with Verizon Ventures to invest in new sport technology (Greg Norman Co.).

This comes after GN's recent joint venture with Authentic Brands Group to own and manage the iconic Shark brand.

Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin yesterday launched the Ovi-Moji custom app, a "collaboration with the same Moji outfit" that launched Warriors G Steph Curry's emoji collection before last year's NBA Finals. Moji also has collaborated with UFC fighter Conor McGregor and Basketball HOFer Allen Iverson. Curry’s Stephmoji keyboard "became the best-selling paid app in the Apple store before last year’s Finals." Ovechkin will "mark the company’s first foray into ice hockey." Ovechkin’s emoji "range from headshots to hockey poses to images of him with his wife to pieces of his equipment" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 3/29).

Free agent WR Anquan Boldin, Eagles S Malcolm Jenkins, Lions CB Johnson Bademosi and former NFLer Donte' Stallworth are visiting Capitol Hill today to "try and build support for their work on criminal justice reform and improving police and community relations." They are "slated to meet with several lawmakers" including Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Mike Lee (R-Utah), as well as U.S. Reps. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) and Scott Peters (D-Calif.) (POLITICO.com, 3/30).

Tickets to the Final Four in Phoenix have an average price of $451 for Saturday's semifinals and $838.47 for Monday's title game, according to data from TicketCity. Only the '15 Final Four in Indianapolis, with its "blueblood power lineup of Kentucky, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Duke was a pricier get-in" since '12. The most "expensive sale on TicketCity so far" for the semifinals – Gonzaga-South Carolina or North Carolina-Oregon – has been two tickets for $4,875 each, and the "most expensive sale" for the championship game was four tickets at $11,500 each (CBSSPORTS.com, 3/29).

Are you or someone you know in sports business going to the Final Four this weekend in Phoenix? If so, SBJ/SBD wants to hear about your experience. Sign up here and we’ll connect with you after the nets are cut down.

Falcons officials "expect to have an update within seven to 10 days on the construction timeline for Mercedes-Benz Stadium." The update "should shed light on whether the retractable roof will be completed in time" for the venue's scheduled opening on July 30 (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 3/30).

The Florida state House today is scheduled to vote on a bill that would "curtail expansion and renovation projects at EverBank Field" because the Jaguars' stadium is "owned by the city" of Jacksonville. House Bill 77 "prohibits sports teams from from building or improving facilities located on publicly owned land" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 3/30).

NBC Sports Bay Area announced the launch of "The Happy Hour," a new live hour-long conversational show featuring Greg Papa, Ray Ratto and Kelli Johnson. It will debut April 10 at 5:30pm PT after the D-backs-Giants game, then will air weekdays from 5:00-6:00pm (NBC Sports).

CBS Sports and Turner Sports have added Villanova men's basketball coach Jay Wright as a guest analyst for upcoming Final Four coverage (CBS Sports).

S&E Sponsorship Group formally announced its rebranding to MKTG, following its acquisition by Dentsu Aegis Network in December. The announcement marks the Canadian HQ launch of MKTG as a global agency network (MKTG).

EPL club Manchester United is "already negotiating with a number of big-money brands" about becoming its official sleeve sponsor. ManU expected the deal to be worth around US$19M per season (THESUN.co.uk, 3/28).

"This case has done nothing but show lawyers at their worst" – Attorney Jason Luckasevic, on representing players in concussion-related litigation against the NFL (ESPN.com, 3/29).

"It's a day game. I'll probably have things to do. I might catch a piece of it" – Former Dodgers play-by-play announcer Vin Scully, on how he plans to spend his first Opening Day since retiring at the end of last season (AP, 3/29).

"It’s a huge game for us, probably the most important game in this club’s history, I would think, because we need to get a win at home" – Minnesota United coach Adrian Heath, on the MLS expansion team's game this weekend against Real Salt Lake (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 3/29).

"I would not say we're optimistic at this point. There are too many roadblocks and I don't think it will be an easy event to do based on those roadblocks" – AHL Syracuse Crunch Owner Howard Dolgon, on whether the team will be able to strike a deal to play outdoors at NBT Bank Stadium in December (Syracuse POST-STANDARD, 3/30).

The ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH's Tod Robberson encourages residents to "just say no" at the polls next week, where SC STL is seeking $60M for a soccer stadium. The investors want taxpayers to "foot an inordinate chunk of the bill so they can turn an easier profit at the expense of this city’s credit rating." Meanwhile, the TAMPA BAY TIMES runs an editorial under the header, "Vote Yes On St. Petersburg Soccer Referendum."

ESPN.com writes while the process for the relocation of an NFL team is "drastically different" today, it is still "about the allure of a new stadium." The Hoosier Dome "sealed the Colts' move" from Baltimore to Indianapolis and, when the Browns left their longtime home of Cleveland to fill the void in Baltimore, it was for a "sparkling new, publicly financed" downtown stadium. Meanwhile, SPORTS ON EARTH goes with, "The Raiders Will Always Belong In Oakland."

Also:

• Legendary crooner Wayne Newton weighs in on the Raiders' move to Sin City.
• The search for a successor at Disney is a "rare stain" on Bob Iger's "stellar career."
• The NCAA's revenue distribution policy "is not helping" promote gender equality.
• The revamp of Fenway Park "had a far-reaching effect" on the whole neighborhood.
• Top amateur golfer chooses the college experience over starting a pro career.
• The departure of Pat Riley is the "one loss from which the Knicks haven't recovered."
• MLB Giants' sports scientist "gives team chemistry a whole new meaning."

Sometimes I wonder whether we all wouldn't be better off if the NHL totally abandoned video review and left calls to on-ice officials.

— Ken Campbell (@THNKenCampbell) March 30, 2017

Off to Dallas. This flight should take me over 65,000 miles on @AmericanAir since Jan. 1st. Those who think travel is fun....it's not! 😂

— Graham Rahal (@GrahamRahal) March 30, 2017

Big thanks to Herrick Law for hosting us tonight!@JimMiller, you are a great storyteller and oral historian@Thuzio https://t.co/bCUlj3gomk

— Tiki Barber (@TikiBarber) March 30, 2017

IndyCar yesterday unveiled images of its new car with a "uniform body kit" that will debut in the '18 Verizon IndyCar Series. IndyCar "plans to begin testing the car by mid-summer" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 3/30).

Get your exclusive 2018 #INDYCAR designs here: pic.twitter.com/TQNrprhPkv

— IndyCar Series (@IndyCar) March 29, 2017

NASCAR's Analytics & Insights team will host approximately 25 data and research partners at its Charlotte office for a session led by NASCAR VP/Analytics & Insights Norris Scott on topics such as consumption, fan narrative, brand marketing and social/digital initiatives.

A 3-minute hit on the stories you need to know ... Subscribe on iTunes ... Check out our podcast home.

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Words in the News 2016.”

“NASA wished John Glenn this eight-letter word when he made the first U.S. manned orbital flight in 1962 and again upon his passing in 2016.”

Last night’s edition of “Jeopardy!” featured the category “What’s Their Sport?”

$200: “The Indiana Fever, whose star Tamika Catchings retired in 2016.”
$400: “The New York Empire, coached by Patrick McEnroe.”
$600: “The Durham Bulls.”
$800: “The Portland Timbers.”
$1000: “Hoosier Team Pineapple, 2016 champs of the PVL, the ‘Premier’ this ‘League.’”

CBS’ Stephen Colbert: “Today we learned that Trump is violating another norm because he won’t throw out the first pitch at the Washington Nationals' Opening Day. I don’t know why. Maybe he’s worried his hands are too small to palm a baseball. … He’ll have to chest-pass it. … Since Taft, every president other than Jimmy Carter has thrown out the first pitch of the season opener. For God’s sake, that means FDR did it. Let that sink in. Not only did FDR beat Hitler in World War II, he also struck him out.” Colbert: “I’m surprised that Trump won’t throw out the first pitch because he’s clearly a huge baseball fan.” The broadcast then aired a clip of Trump singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh inning of a Cubs game, with Colbert noting, “Are we sure that’s not the tape Putin is blackmailing him with? Because, I don’t know about you, but I would rather have somebody pee on me than hear that again” (“Late Show,” CBS, 3/29).

TBS’ Conan O’Brien: “President Trump turned down a chance to throw out the Opening Day pitch for the Washington Nationals. For some reason Trump doesn’t want to be surrounded by a bunch of large Hispanic men holding baseball bats.” O’Brien noted actress Kristin Cavallari, wife of Bears QB Jay Cutler, “posted a nude photo of him on Instagram. The last thing Bears’ fans need to see is another Jay Cutler sack” (“Conan,” TBS, 3/29).

During last night's “Tonight Show Screengrabs” segment, host Jimmy Fallon displayed a screengrab from CNN’s website: “The top one says, ‘North Korea fires projectiles, Serena Williams fires back.’ My money’s on Serena” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 3/29).

“What is godspeed?”

Correct responses to the “What’s Their Sport?” category:

$200: “What is basketball?”
$400: “What is tennis?”
$600: “What is baseball?”
$800: “What is soccer?”
$1000: “What is volleyball?”