NBC's coverage of the first two NFL Wildcard games yesterday saw increased overnight ratings compared to last season. The Colts' 45-44 come-from-behind victory over the Chiefs earned a 17.2 overnight rating in the 4:30-8:00pm ET window. That figure is up 6% from Bengals-Texans last season. The primetime game, featuring the Saints' last-second, 26-24 win over the Eagles, earned a 20.5 overnight rating. That is up 12% from Packers-Vikings in the same time slot. The net earned a combined overnight rating of 18.7, the second-best showing since the current TV format was implemented for the '01 season. The '10 season Wildcard Saturday games earned a 19.6 overnight (THE DAILY).

Pepsico yesterday started promoting its sponsorship of the Super Bowl XLVIII halftime show in an ad titled, "There Since The First Halftime." The spot, which debuted during the Colts-Chiefs Wildcard game, envisions the creation of halftime, which occurs when a '20s football game is interrupted by a car full of women offering the players Pepsi. The players decide to take a 15-minute break, and thus halftime is born. A voiceover states, "Even the first halftime wasn't halftime without Pepsi." It closes by plugging the Feb. 2 event featuring singer Bruno Mars (THE DAILY).

Pepsi also yesterday shot footage of country singer Lee Brice performing for 2,000 people in Milligan, Neb. for use in "an online video promoting the halftime show." The spot, titled "Halftime America," will "be released this week" (OMAHA.com, 1/5).

Super Bowl XLVIII officials said that with 27 days to go before the game, final preparations "have begun at the Meadowlands Sports Complex." Tonight's "Disney on Ice" show at Izod Center will be the last event held there before the Feb. 2 Super Bowl in order to "allow preparations for NFL On Location," one of the official NFL parties scheduled for game day. New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority President & CEO Wayne Hasenbalg said, "[The] NFL is in town now. They’re on the ground, making decisions" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 1/5).

Meanwhile, Jets Owner Woody Johnson said of the game being held in N.Y., "You can argue about what the financial ramifications are but I suspect that having a Super Bowl, which will be the largest event ever held in New York I would take a guess at, is going to be beneficial to the hotels and cab drivers and Broadway and everyone else when you have that many people coming in" (ESPNNY.com, 1/4).

The temperature for today's 49ers-Packers NFC Wild Card game at Lambeau Field is expected to be five degrees at kickoff, with a wind chill that will make it feel like it is -15 degrees. As a result, concession stands at the stadium "will do their part to keep fans warm, offering two free coffees and hot chocolates during the game" (CBSSPORTS.com, 1/4). ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Packers also will be "giving out 70,000 hand warmers" on top of the hot drinks. Schefter: "We're going to have another one of those cold games that is great theater to watch" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 1/5).

The Warriors on Friday "confirmed their interest in operating a WNBA franchise," a day after the league announced that the Sparks ownership group has "ceased operations of the team." The Warriors also confirmed that they have "been in contact with the WNBA about the possibility of taking over the Sparks" (ESPN.com, 1/3).

Univ. of Texas announced today it has hired Louisville football coach Charlie Strong to the same position (UT). Strong wanted "to have a face-to-face meeting" with UL AD Tom Jurich before accepting the position, and UT will introduce Strong tomorrow. A source said that UT offered Strong a five-year contract worth approximately $5M annually. UT Men's AD Steve Patterson "conducted the entire search almost by himself" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 1/5).

Russia President Vladimir Putin yesterday "eased a sweeping ban on public protests" in Sochi starting Tuesday and continuing through the Olympic and Paralympic Games. However, any demonstrations will "require approval in advance from the authorities." The ban had "prompted criticism from rights groups and concern" from the IOC, and the softening of restrictions "seemed to be an effort to burnish Russia’s reputation before the Olympics." The new policy will "allow approved protests at a park in the Khosta district, about halfway between" central Sochi and the main Olympic Village (N.Y. TIMES, 1/5).

A space heater on Friday "used by a work crew sparked a massive fire that destroyed much" of Fifth Third Ballpark, home of the Single-A Midwest League West Michigan Whitecaps (BATTLE CREEK ENQUIRER, 1/4). No injuries were reported. However, the fire "appeared to have destroyed close to 40 percent of the stadium, including the clubhouse on the first-base side and approximately 11 suites" (MILB.com, 1/3). Team co-Owner Dennis Baxter said that he was "confident" the organization would rebuild "in time for Opening Day" (DETROIT NEWS, 1/4).

Redskins Owner Daniel Snyder's ownership is examined in a front-page piece in today's WASHINGTON POST. The story is based on interviews with 19 former employees, and nearly all of them "described Snyder as a man whose passion for the team is both an asset and a flaw and whose personality and leadership style touch every corner" of the organization. While some suggest that he "receives unfair blame for some of the team’s missteps, many say his strong personality has fostered a culture within the organization that makes it hard for any employee to thrive." One tid-bit: Multiple employees said that during the recent recession, they received "bags of apples one year in lieu of holiday bonuses" (WASHINGTON POST, 1/5).

SMU held its first men's basketball game at the newly renovated Moody Coliseum yesterday in a 74-65 win over UConn, and an "overflow crowd" of 7,166 marked the facility's first sellout since November '01. The renovations cost $47M (AP, 1/4).

The opening race of AMA Supercross last night drew a sellout crowd of 45,050 at Angel Stadium (OCREGISTER.com, 1/4).

The Lions have "decided to include" QB Matthew Stafford in interviews for their next head coach (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 1/5).

The Buccaneers "appear to be zeroing in" on Chiefs Dir of Player Personnel Chris Ballard to be their next GM (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 1/4).

Frozen Fenway, which featured both the Notre Dame-Boston College and Merrimack-Providence college hockey games, drew a combined attendance of 31,569 (BOSTON HERALD, 1/5).

"They spent a billion dollars at the Meadowlands, and I'll speak as somebody who goes there maybe two or three times a year to watch a football game: If you don't sit in a premium seat, it is a quantum step back in value for your dollar and ease as a fan. They whiffed with that stadium, in my opinion" – ESPN's Bob Ley on the fan experience at MetLife Stadium ("OTL," ESPN2, 1/3).

"I never met with anybody. No one has called. I'm flattered when that happens, but I have no intention on coaching. I really like the job I have" – CBS' Bill Cowher, on speculation that he is a candidate for an NFL coaching vacancy ("The NFL Today," CBS, 1/5).

"The relationship is treated with reverence. We are very respectful of them and we honor them because they, frankly, allow us to use their name" – Florida State Univ. VP/University Relations Liz Maryanski, on the school's relationship with the Seminole Tribe of Florida (AP, 1/5).

"This isn’t just our game anymore" – Team Canada coach Brent Sutter, on the country's five-year gold medal drought at the world junior hockey championship (TORONTO STAR, 1/5).

"One of my buddies said, ‘You’re going to be playing for free here by the time you’re done paying for tickets.' It’s something I want my friends and family to enjoy too" – Sabres C Zenon Konopka, on being claimed off of waivers by his hometown team (BUFFALO NEWS, 1/5).

The TOLEDO BLADE's Dave Hackenberg pens a column on the culture that can be formed from team owners, writing, "Freedom of choice means you can pick your team, but not your team's owner." In a perfect world, "would you rather have Steve Bisciotti or Daniel Snyder as the owner of your favorite NFL team?"

The MIAMI HERALD's Dan Le Batard questions the moves, or lack thereof, that Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross has made since this season's conclusion. How "is it possible" that team GM Jeff Ireland still has his job? And "where is the leadership here?" These are the "angry questions the raging customers are asking today, but there is an answer as to how all this is is possible."

THE ATLANTIC's David Berri wrote under the header, "The Brooklyn Nets: How To Build A Disappointing NBA Team, Exhibit A." With more than 35% of the season "now in the books, the Nets are not even in playoff contention, despite playing in the Eastern Conference, which is woefully bad."

Elsewhere:

• "Why Should Sexual Orientation Matter In Our Culture?"
• i9 Sports has become the "biggest, fast-growing youth-sports league" in the U.S.
• For motorsports exec Chip Ganassi, "A Season Of Tragedy, Triumph."
• The NFL "Should Be Worried About the Jovan Belcher suit."
• Electing MLBers to the Baseball HOF remains a "difficult duty" for voters.
• HOF voting is an "example of the higher standard baseball must meet with the public."
• Cooperstown is "well and truly busted for a variety of reasons."

Twitter Media Head of Global Operations Ben Grossman: "Love when @SHOsports chief @StephenEspinoza takes boxing fans questions, as he's doing now. (And blame him for no Pac-Floyd, he loves that!)"

Multichannel News' Mike Reynolds: "Al Michaels' another perfect call: Graham's kick is right down Broad Street. #NFLPlayoffsonNBC"

SB Nation's Dan Levy: "Michele Tafoya, one of the only people in the sideline reporter industry who adds to her respective telecast."

The MMQB's Peter King: "There must never be an 18-game season."

CBSSN's Jon Rothstein: "One of the most impressive things I've seen today? The renovation of Moody Coliseum. Looks fantastic. Great home court for SMU."

 If you see a tweet we will not want to miss, send it to us at editorial@sportsbusinessdaily.com.