Wichita State within the next week will announce an "all-encompassing apparel contract for its athletic department" with sources naming Under Armour as the apparel partner. WSU AD Darron Boatwright said that in addition to the financial benefits, a "consistent appearance in all sports is an important factor in the decision." WSU sports "currently use different providers," with Nike for men’s basketball, Adidas for volleyball and UA for baseball. The school’s recent move to the AAC "may change the specifics (money, types of apparel) of the contract, but won’t change the provider" (WICHITA EAGLE, 4/13).

Meanwhile, the Univ. of New Orleans and Under Armour announced a multiyear agreement for UA to become the school's sports outfitter, effective July 1. The deal encompasses all 14 of UNO's D-I programs (UNO).

The WNBA is debuting the initial TV spot of its '17 "Watch Me Work" campaign around today's WNBA Draft coverage on ESPN platforms. The 30-second ad will showcase Lynx F Maya Moore, Mystics F Elena Delle Donne and Storm F Breanna Stewart and G Sue Bird. It will air once on ESPN2 in the first round and again on ESPNU in the second and third rounds. Additional spots will air throughout the season on TV and digital platforms. The "Watch Me Work" effort is now in its second year (THE DAILY).  See today's issue of THE DAILY for a chat with WNBA President Lisa Borders on tonight's Draft.

A Wednesday deadline in the carriage dispute between Fox and Charter's Spectrum cable systems was "extended for 24 hours," so tonight's MLB games on various RSNs "could be the first affected by the disagreement." One impacted market is K.C., where "about 17 percent" of the Royals' geographic footprint watches the team on FS K.C. (K.C. STAR, 4/13). Tigers fans who watch the team on FS Detroit "could soon find themselves in the dark," as well. There are "more than 700,000 Charter customers in Michigan" (DETROIT NEWS, 4/13).

USL club Louisville City FC yesterday unveiled plans and renderings of its "much-hyped" future stadium and adjoining developments. The full project, estimated at $200M, "will cover 40 acres of land and will include a 10,000-seat soccer stadium with office, retail and hotel space." The team will seek $30-35M million in "tax-increment financing assistance from the state." It hopes to break ground by spring '18 and open the venue by '20, USL's deadline for "teams to move into a soccer-specific stadium." Architecture firm HOK's design allows for expansion to 20,000 seats to "accomodate a potential jump" to MLS (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 4/13).

Meanwhile, former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard pens a special to the INDIANAPOLIS STAR with the header, "Build A Soccer Stadium For Indy Eleven." Ballard: "If I were to have any doubt that Major League Soccer could succeed here, I would only have to go to a game."

The Minnesota Ballpark Authority today will vote on whether to "bar friends and family from using a publicly owned suite at Target Field, a policy change in reaction to the outcry over luxury suite use" at the Vikings' U.S. Bank Stadium. The MBA is "expected to vote to set aside the suite almost exclusively for charities." The body also "will keep records of who uses the suite." MBA Chair Margaret Anderson Kelliher said, "It's a policy that needs to be updated, and we're doing it" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/13).

Last night's Wizards game marked Phil Chenier's "final regular-season appearance as the team's in-game TV analyst" before he moves to a new role with Monumental Sports. Play-by-play announcer Steve Buckhantz got "emotional while paying tribute to his on-air partner of 20 years." Following the Wizards' 110-102 loss at the Heat, Buckhantz told Chenier, “Buddy, I gotta tell you something: I love you like a brother. You are a best friend, and I’m going to miss you, like a lot of people, on the game broadcasts.” Buckhantz "had to swallow, before adding, 'You’ll be right here,' while tapping his heart" (WASHINGTON POST, 4/13).

Steve Buckhantz getting choked up while saying goodbye to Phil Chenier pic.twitter.com/6qaX9qx4SK

— Danny (@recordsANDradio) April 13, 2017

USF yesterday said that as of March 31, a total of 8,734 football season tickets had been sold for '17, an "increase of nearly 1,300 from the same time last year (7,444)." Additionally, ticket holders who "have renewed for two or more years are renewing" at a rate of 86%. USF appears "well on pace to eclipse the 12,151 total season tickets sold last year." Sales may have been "buoyed by last fall's unprecedented 11-win season or Charlie Strong's arrival" as coach (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 4/13).

The Double-A Southern League Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp last night hosted their home opener against the Chattanooga Lookouts before a sellout crowd of 10,477, the largest opening crowd at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville since the ballpark's record-setting opening in '03 (Jumbo Shrimp). Fans "waited to get into the gift shop to buy anything" with the team's new logo (JACKSONVILLE.com, 4/12).

The souvenir shop is packed. Actually have to wait outside for the store to clear. 🤑🤑🤑 for @JaxShrimp #ASJax pic.twitter.com/aSMHHYLQ98

— Brent Martineau (@BrentASJax) April 12, 2017

Attendance was "strong" for the Senators' Stanley Cup Playoffs opener last night at Canadian Tire Centre, with a sellout crowd of 18,702 on hand for the Game 1 loss to the Bruins. But "scalpers were heard lamenting the lack of a spillover crowd," and a "few seats were left unsold" (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 4/13).

The Golden Knights today will formally name Gerard Gallant as the team's head coach. The former Panthers coach will "lead the city's first major league sports franchise next fall in its debut season" (LAS VEGAS SUN, 4/13).

The NCAA Council either today or tomorrow in Indianapolis will take up a "bundled package of wide-ranging changes" to football, including the "contentious early signing period" (CBSSPORTS.com, 4/11).

Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain "will take on" Serie A's AS Roma as part of the Int'l Champions Cup on July 19 in Detroit, but "no venue has been announced" (DETROIT NEWS, 4/13).

Savannah State announced its "intentions to move Tiger athletics" from D-I to D-II in fall '19 "due to a financial strain on the University" (WJCL.com, 4/13).

“There’ll be no more history of the Oakland Raiders. That really bothers me” – Pro Football HOFer John Madden, on the Raiders relocating to Las Vegas (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 4/13).

“He's got a knowledge of the game that few do, and he's going to recognize everything on the field faster than anybody and be able to be a lot more insightful. I think he'll do a great job" – Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban, on former NFLer Tony Romo’s transition to broadcasting (DALLASNEWS.com, 4/13).

“A guy told me one time that if you got a little knowledge, it turns you into an idiot, but no knowledge, you’re a double idiot. That’s about the way I look at that thing" – North Carolina men’s basketball coach Roy Williams, on SiriusXM, responding to Maryland President Wallace Loh saying UNC should get the “death penalty” for its academic scandal (Mult., 4/13).

“A very family-oriented vibe. You drive around, and you see so many people riding around on their bicycles. And it’s just a very good family spot” – Golfer Luke Donald, on the atmosphere on Hilton Head Island for the PGA Tour RBC Heritage (USATODAY.com, 4/12).

The Nashville TENNESSEAN writes, "Like many divorces, the separation for the Titans and Philadelphia-based Aramark ... turned bitter ahead of the final split. Letters included in a complaint that Aramark filed against the Titans on March 31 show each side pointing the finger at the other to explain issues and mishaps with Nissan Stadium's concession services."

The VANCOUVER SUN goes with the header, "Can The NHL Finally Deliver A Memorable Stanley Cup Final?" The GLOBE & MAIL runs an editorial under, "The Agony, Ecstasy And Agony Of Supporting Canada's NHL Teams."

Also:

• Bucks say they have plenty of suite customers for new arena.
• Braves' new SunTrust Park will give marketers a lot of opportunities.
• DC shaping up as center of the sports world this weekend.
• Writer gives Tom Brady's TB12 subscription meal kit a try.
• In GM search, other NFL teams give Redskins blueprint for success.
• Thunder players, fans put their trust in Exec VP & GM Sam Presti.
• How Ohio State got Bill Belichick to speak at coaches clinic.
• Hartford Yard Goats groundskeeper finally gets to show off new field.

Amazing that The Air Jordan was just another shoe in the Nike line - also a testament to how you can go from part of the pack to the leader https://t.co/O9FdtNbTe8

— Patrick Ryan (@PRyanTexas) April 13, 2017

Rest In Peace to Jane Yin Bolander, who broke barriers as 1 of the 1st Asian women to enter sports PR. Worked with Yao, Nash, Melo, Marshawn pic.twitter.com/9B5r2uQwkr

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) April 13, 2017

OK, so do NOT try to watch at 8pm NBA game, playoff hockey and still get up at your regular time.#zombieDan

— Dan Levy (@DanLevyThinks) April 13, 2017

No weird start times? TOR-MIL TV markets so irrelevant, they said 'ah let them play whenever. Put them on ESPN7 and Turner Classic Movies.'

— Guy Spurrier (@grspur) April 13, 2017

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

CNBC's Suzy Welch will interview Patriots coach Bill Belichick on the net's "Power Lunch" program at 1:00pm ET. Topics of the conversation will include Belichick's reputation as the "chief economist of football."

“A remake of this scary movie was released on 6/6/2006, 30 years to the day after the release of the original.”

“What is 'The Omen'?”