• Dewar: NASCAR Gives Monster More Time To Consider Renewing Deal
• Baltimore Officials To OK Deal To Host Potential World Cup Games
• Waterhouse Hayes Signs Baker Mayfield For Off-Field Representation
• Tom Brady Grants Sweeping Access For Facebook Watch Series

NASCAR President Brent Dewar said that the sanctioning body has given Monster Energy an "extension to go through evaluation" of its Cup Series sponsorship. Appearing on Motor Racing Network's "NASCAR Live," Dewar noted Monster originally "had to Dec. 31" to determine if it would renew its deal. Dewar: "There's no question it was a great season with them and any kind of metric that we run we hit the ball out the park with them. ... We’d love for them to stay for many years, but if they choose not to, we’ve got a great product, we’ll continue on in that regards" (NBCSPORTS.com, 1/9).

Baltimore officials today are slated to approve an agreement to host FIFA World Cup soccer matches in '26 if "North America is selected as the host continent." The city’s Board of Estimates is "expected to approve an agreement" among FIFA, U.S. Soccer and the city to "host the games." FIFA is deciding between Morocco and a joint bid by the U.S., Canada and Mexico to host in '26. The three countries have "submitted a list of 32 cities that could host games if the joint bid wins," and that list is "expected to be narrowed to about a dozen" (BALTIMORE SUN, 1/9).

NFL Draft prospect QB Baker Mayfield selected L.A.-based Waterhouse Hayes to represent him in all off-the-field endeavors, but was still trying to decide whether or not he will hire an NFL agent to represent him on the field. Waterhouse Hayes will rep the Oklahoma star and Heisman trophy winner in PR and endorsements. Agency co-Founder Lindsey Waterhouse said she has been in talks with shoe, memorabilia and trading card companies companies about deals for Mayfield. Additionally, Mayfield will appear in a digital series about his life and his journey to the NFL Draft that will debut on his social media channels.

Time for a takeover. Happy to be a part of this wonderful family. MMO.

— Baker Mayfield (@baker_mayfield6) January 9, 2018

Patriots QB Tom Brady is the subject of a new Facebook Watch series launching “later this month” entitled “'Tom vs. Time." Filmmaker Gotham Chopra was "granted sweeping access to Brady in an array of intimate settings" for the six-episode series, including "extensive footage of Brady” at home with his family. He is “barely seen" at Gillette Stadium or other Patriots facilities, and it is “unclear if Brady has even told" coach Bill Belichick about the project (N.Y. TIMES, 1/10).

The full Rhode Island state Senate today is scheduled to vote on a financing plan for a new Pawtucket Red Sox ballpark after the measure "drew opposition" last night but "ultimately won approval" from the Finance Committee. However, the legislation "still faces an uphill battle in the House of Representatives" (PROVIDENCE JOURNAL, 1/10). The Finance Committee last night "voted with only one 'nay' to send along to the full Senate a pair of bills relating to financing construction" of a new venue for the Triple-A Int'l League club (Worcester TELEGRAM & GAZETTE, 1/10).

Esports organization SoloMid Corp. has "agreed to terms of a pending contractual agreement" that will see it receive $25M in investment from Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm Bessemer Venture Partners, according to sources. SoloMid's assets include Team SoloMid and a "number of popular gaming websites like ProBuilds." SoloMid and Bessemer "will now recruit additional investors for the round, which are likely to include other esports-interested firms or wealthy entrepreneurs, as well as the possibility of professional sports teams" (ESPN.com, 1/9).

For more coverage of the business of esports, visit our partners, esportsobserver.com.

Major late-night talk shows last night all made reference to the Alabama-Georgia CFP title game on Monday, as President Trump made an appearance at the event. CBS’ Stephen Colbert said Trump was on "everyone's mind before the game, including the players.” The broadcast then aired video of Alabama players walking inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where it appears RB Bo Scarbrough yells, ‘F*** Trump!’” Colbert: “I know that seems inappropriate, but in that player’s defense, he was just quoting Rex Tillerson” (“The Late Show,” CBS, 1/9). ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel said of Trump singing along to the national anthem, "The only part of the song he remembers is ‘red glare’ because that's also the shade of fake tanner he uses” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 1/9).

NBC’s Jimmy Fallon said, “I want to say congratulations to Alabama who overcame a 13-point deficit to win the college football national championship. I'm just happy to say the words ‘Alabama’ and ‘13’ and not be talking about Roy Moore. ... Trump actually went to the game and a lot of people were saying it kind of looked like he forgot the words to the national anthem. ... Trump denied that he forgot the words. He said that he never knew the words to begin with” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 1/9).

Amway, sponsor of the AFCA Coaches Poll and national championship Coaches' Trophy, runs an ad in USA Today congratulating Alabama: "We are proud to present you with the symbol of supremacy in college football."

The PGA Tour and Hawaii Tourism Authority announced a four-year extension of their official marketing partnership through '22 (PGA Tour).

Northeastern Univ. today is expected to introduce Jeff Konya its new AD. Konya "joins Northeastern after 3 1/2 years" as AD at Oakland Univ. in Michigan (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/10).

The English FA has "adopted its version of the Rooney Rule," which will now require the country's soccer teams to "interview a diverse pool of candidates for coaching and management positions" (AP, 1/9).

Great Clips has agreed to sponsor U.S. freeskier Bobby Brown headed into the Pyeongchang Games (Great Clips).

"SEC Network was supposed to be really cool three or four years ago. Now, it's all about they're trying to get the coach fired every other day you turn it on" -- Auburn football coach Gus Malzahn, in a speech at the American Football Coaches Association convention in Charlotte (AL.com, 1/9).

"I hope these players are ready. ... Chucky's going to come out" -- Pro Football HOFer Jerry Rice, on Jon Gruden's coaching style as he rejoins the Raiders (ESPN.com, 1/9).

The N.Y. TIMES notes the Pyeongchang Games are being "promoted as a chance to ease political and nuclear tensions on the divided Korean Peninsula after North Korea announced Tuesday that it would participate in the Games." The Olympic ideal "has long been tarnished by scandal and prohibitive costs," but the IOC since its founding "has prided itself on the Olympics serving as essentially a peace movement."

MASSLIVE.com goes with the header, "Patriots Won't Say What Sean Harrington Does; Meet 'Genius' Who Rejected Google For New England's Scouting Department." In other NFL and tech-related news, ESPN.com goes with, "How More Than 2,500 Virtual reality Reps Helped Transform Case Keenum's Game."

Also:

• What does Ted Thompson's new role mean for the Packers?
• Why LSU football could be entering a new Dark Age.
• Michigan's new sports facility has underwater bikes, hydraulic track.

NASL has announced it will postpone season start to August, to conclude in June. Approx 6 NPSL teams waiting to join, as of now. Indy Eleven expected to announce departure to USL tomorrow. Jax Armada (and maybe Miami FC?) likely to play NPSL sched. They'd rejoin NASL in Aug.

— Brian Straus (@BrianStraus) January 9, 2018

The golf business will remain challenged in 2018 as Millennials are not picking up the game and Boomers age out. Golf is a share game now, where winners will win by taking from losers.

— Matt Powell (@NPDMattPowell) January 10, 2018

Clearly a buyer’s market for free agents & the reason is simple - @MiLB & @TripleABaseball players are more prepared than ever before and & making an immediate impact. Free agents have become too pricey & depreciating compared to inexpensive, appreciating MLB ready youngsters.

— Gary Green (@ChasersOwner) January 9, 2018

Gallup has asked Americans their favorite sport since 1937. Football has been on top for half a century but has declined a bit recently. Baseball has gone from the clear No. 1 to No. 3 and is in danger of falling to No. 4 behind soccer. https://t.co/n02efP9V5K pic.twitter.com/eZvXpcNS3v

— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) January 10, 2018

Cable giant Altice, which in the U.S. owns the "former Cablevision Systems and a controlling stake in Suddenlink," is "planning to spin off its U.S. unit" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 1/8). 

Super Bowl LII at 11:00am ET will reopen the reservation presale for the zipline ride near U.S. Bank Stadium. Walk-up riding will no longer be an option.

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Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “The First Century A.D.”

“Letters written by this Roman recount the events of a natural disaster, like the death of his uncle, a famous scholar.”

“Who was Pliny the Younger?”