Nationals LF Bryce Harper "was a no-show Saturday at the team’s annual NatsFest," and team President of Baseball Operations & GM Mike Rizzo "did not hide his displeasure." Harper and the Nationals on Tuesday will take part in a grievance hearing over his arbitration eligibility. Rizzo: "We’re disappointed he’s not here, but he chose not to be here because of the grievance." However, Harper in a statement said, "[I] was unable to attend this year’s event due to matters out of my control" (WASHINGTON POST, 12/14).

Meanwhile, Rizzo last night in a statement "shot down" a report linking him as a possible successor to Blue Jays President & CEO Paul Beeston. Rizzo: "I have not been contacted by the Toronto Blue Jays" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 12/13). The original report cited sources as saying that the Blue Jays "have expressed interest" in Rizzo (ESPN.com, 12/13).

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson, whose suspension until at least April '15 was on Friday upheld by arbitrator Harold Henderson, said that he "plans to file a lawsuit against the league, adding he wasn't sure if he could trust the NFL's process for reinstatement." If a lawsuit would eventually put his chance for reinstatement at risk, Peterson said that he "would consider walking away from the game altogether." A source said that as soon as tomorrow, a lawsuit "will be filed against the NFL on Peterson's behalf in federal court in Minnesota" (ESPN.com, 12/12).

The Orioles "are the leading contender to get" the '16 All-Star Game, while the '17 contest will go to the Marlins or Padres, according to USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale (TWITTER.com, 12/12). The '16 campaign will mark the 25th season of the Orioles' Camden Yards, which last hosted the All-Star Game in '93 (CBSSPORTS.com, 12/13).

All 13 Hornets on the active roster last night warmed up for their home game against the Nets while "wearing black T-shirts with white lettering that read, 'I Can’t Breathe'" in the latest on-court reference by athletes to the Eric Garner case (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 12/14). Elsewhere, Notre Dame women's basketball players last night before their game vs. Michigan also wore the shirts, and did so "with the blessings of university administration and the coaching staff" (SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE, 12/14).

None of the Knicks "have been seen wearing the shirt that draws awareness" to the Garner incident, which occured in N.Y. However, team F Amar'e Stoudemire said, "I would’ve loved to do that, but we were never approached to do that." Stoudemire when asked if the team might wear the shirts before today's game vs. the Raptors added, "It might be a little late to do something now" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/14).

Meanwhile, Redskins WR DeSean Jackson today in the team's game against the Giants was planning to wear "custom cleats" with the "I Can't Breathe" phrase (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 12/11).

A group of legislators and proponents of NCAA reform on Tuesday in DC "pushed the idea" for a presidential commission in a "closed-door meeting" with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) led the group of approximately 20 people in discussing the "issues facing college sports." Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, "at least one" White House rep, Northeastern AD Peter Roby and "several members of the Drake Group, which advocates academic reform in college athletics," were in attendance (N.Y. TIMES, 12/14).

Oregon QB Marcus Mariota's Heisman Trophy victory yesterday comes with "lucrative marketing possibilities." Warsaw Sports Marketing Center Managing Dir Paul Swangard said, "All the value Mariota receives from the Heisman in the short term is really locked into the decision of whether he turns pro now." St. Louis-based Sportsimpacts Founder & CEO Patrick Rishe said, "I think his winning the Heisman will reinforce -- to potential corporate sponsors -- that this kid is a good kid with a clean image. ... From a financial sense, winning the Heisman has the largest potential impact on his commercial attractiveness" (HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER, 12/14).

Mariota's won the trophy with one of the largest margins of victory in the award's history, and the school has subsequently launched a website dedicated to him. The school’s MaholaMarcus.com features an image of Mariota walking across the Brooklyn Bridge in N.Y. and details “how 5 star intangibles turned a 3 star recruit into a Heisman winner.” The site shares Mariota’s journey in chronological order from his early years to his legacy at Oregon. OU also has a half-page ad in the N.Y. Times congratulating Mariota (THE DAILY).

ESPN following the Heisman Trophy presentation last night debuted "The U Part 2," its latest "30 for 30" installment, and the documentary drew positive reviews on Twitter. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Omar Kelly wrote, "The U Part Two was an amazing documentary. Made me nostalgic. Congrats to @BillyCorben. Balanced. Covered it all. Fair and accurate." Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman: "The U sequel was better than the first one." Georgia Tech Assistant AD/Communications Chris Yandle: "#TheUPart2 was good. When I was working at Miami, I thought it was going to be bad. Pleasantly surprised."

Meanwhile, SI.com's Ted Keith interviews SI Senior Writer Alexander Wolff, who in '95 penned "one of SI's most pointed editorial takes" with a cover story under the header, "Why The University Of Miami Should Drop Football" (SI.com, 12/12).

Cal Expo on Friday "approved the expansion of Bonney Field, the makeshift soccer stadium run by" USL Pro club Sacramento Republic FC. The 8,000-seat soccer stadium, "built in a rush last spring" for $3M, "hosted consistent sellout crowds in Republic FC’s inaugural season." The Cal Expo BOD "voted unanimously" to let Republic FC and its stadium partner, Ovations Fanfare, "add up to 4,200 seats for next season, for a total capacity of 12,200." The new seats "will go on the north and west sides of the stadium" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 12/13).

A's 3B Brett Lawrie, who was recently traded by the Blue Jays, surprised a six-year-old fan who is upset over his departure. In this video, the fan, Amelia Lyttle, voices her displeasure with the trade (TORONTO STAR, 12/13).

Washington Post columnist Mike Wise today wrote his last piece for the newspaper, as he is joining Jason Whitlock's new ESPN site (WASHINGTON POST, 12/14).

The Citrus Bowl today from 12:00-4:00pm ET "is holding an open house for the community" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 12/14).

DC Mayor-elect Muriel Bowser "is traveling to California for a meeting Tuesday to help make the city's final pitch" to the USOC for the '24 Games (WASHINGTON POST, 12/14).

Yesterday's Army-Navy game was played in front of an "announced crowd" of 70,935 at M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore SUN, 12/14).

Bears WR Brandon Marshall yesterday attended the "soft-opening" of a new training facility he co-owns in Northbrook, Ill. (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/14).

The Red Bulls are targeting MF Steven Gerrard as their "star signing should he fail to agree to a new deal" to stay at EPL club Liverpool (London TELEGRAPH, 12/14).

Browns QB Johnny Manziel's business partners and agents Erik Burkhardt and Maverick Carter share a suite at FirstEnergy Stadium, and Cavaliers F LeBron James "is expected to be with them watching the debut of his buddy" (NFL.com, 12/14).

"To have LeBron, Derrick Rose and others who wore those ‘I Can’t Breathe’ shirts, that shows a level of involvement. It shows a depth to them beyond just being great ballplayers" – Outgoing U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, on athletes being vocal on social issues (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 12/14).

"We didn't succeed, so I don't give us a very good grade. We were trying, sincerely, to get him signed, and wanted him to come back here" – Red Sox President & CEO Larry Lucchino, speaking at the team's Christmas at Fenway event, on failing to sign Cubs P Jon Lester (BOSTON HERALD, 12/14).

“This isn’t about money; FIFA’s worth billions, it’s about control. No one tells FIFA what to do. Funny how the biggest organizations are always the most insecure” – ESPN’s Kate Fagan, on FIFA playing the '15 Women's World Cup on turf (“The Sports Reporters,” ESPN2, 12/14).

“Prince William and Kate Middleton visited New York City this week. While they were here, they saw the Brooklyn Nets play against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron finished with 18 points and one steal" – "SNL" cast member Colin Jost, during last night's “Weekend Update," on James putting his arm around Middleton while posing for a photo (“SNL,” NBC, 12/13).

The N.Y. DAILY NEWS' Bill Madden scores a sit-down chat with MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, who gave the wide-ranging interview last month "as he prepares to leave office in January, after what many consider to be the most impactful commissionership in the history of the game."
 
The N.Y. TIMES' Victor Mather wrote if NBA teams, like soccer teams around the world, were "relegated to a lower league" following poor seasons, the benefits "would be tangible, and immediate." The specter of tanking "would cease to haunt the NBA," as teams "would have to fight tooth and nail to stay where they were, instead of finding themselves, heaven forbid, in the D League the next season."

Elsewhere:

• Book examines why many NFLers "wind up in dire straits after their time on the field."
• After more than a decade of trying, DC United finally on cusp of securing new stadium.
• Taking stock of the lessons learned at last week's frenzied MLB Winter Meetings.
• Tennis players are increasingly enlisting former champions to be their coaches.
• George Halas "was his own press agent" when the NFL "begged for media attention."
• The Sounders provide a model that the fledgling LAFC "is trying to follow."
• USSA CEO Tiger Shaw "has concerns about the future" of skiing, snowboarding.
• Bill Simmons: Redskins fans should boycott if they want to "dump" Dan Snyder.

Jets-Titans might be the cheapest game day ticket of the season at $4.25 ... but Titans-Jaguars close behind #TNF

— Michele Steele (@ESPNMichele) December 14, 2014

Remarkable what Rick Hahn has done in transforming #WhiteSox. Now it all has to pan out. Looking forward to opening day.

— Ed Sherman (@Sherman_Report) December 14, 2014

Every time I try to get into college soccer, I see that clock counting down and multiple substitutions.

— Jonah Freedman (@jonahfreedman) December 14, 2014

If Johnny Manziel can play, I'll take him "flouting the NFL's headphone policy" every single Sunday.

— Ty Schalter (@tyschalter) December 14, 2014

Moose Johnston and Tony Siragusa aren't even pretending to care about what's happening on the field. Just talking about nicknames.

— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) December 14, 2014