ESPN this morning announced the death of longtime "SportsCenter" anchor Stuart Scott, who lost his battle with cancer at the age of 49. The net first reported Scott's passing at 9:47am ET, with Hannah Storm making the announcement during a live "SportsCenter" telecast. Storm fought back tears as she said, "Since 1993, those of us here at ESPN fortunate enough to work with Stuart saw how he lived. And in the past seven years as he fought cancer, we saw why he lived -- for his daughters, Taelor and Sydni." ESPN then aired a pre-taped, 15-minute tribute to Scott, which is linked here. The net's 10:00am "Postseason NFL Countdown" began five minutes late due to the tribute. "Countdown" then opened with the panelists paying their respects to Scott for 13 minutes (THE DAILY).

NFL Network's Rich Eisen interrupted pregame analysis on “NFL GameDay Morning” to pay an emotional tribute to his former ESPN colleague. Eisen: "One of the most joyful, full-of-life individuals I have ever come across. Lived his life the way his parents wanted him to live it. The way he felt he should live it. He broadcast the same way" (NFL Network, 1/4). CBS' James Brown spoke of Scott's passing during the net's NFL pregame, saying, "As extraordinary a talent as he was on air, that which impressed me the most was how valiantly he fought his battle against cancer" (“The NFL Today,” CBS, 1/4). A moment of silence to honor Scott was held at Lucas Oil Stadium prior to today's Bengals-Colts AFC Wild Card game, and the same will occur at AT&T Stadium prior to the NFC Wild Card matchup between the Lions and Cowboys (THE DAILY).

Scott's death also stirred emotions in the Oval Office, as President Obama released a statement this afternoon that read in part, "Twenty years ago, Stu helped usher in a new way to talk about our favorite teams and the day’s best plays. ... Over the years, he entertained us, and in the end, he inspired us -- with courage and love. Michelle and I offer our thoughts and prayers to his family, friends, and colleagues" (The White House). Scott was given the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the '14 ESPYs, and gave a memorable and moving acceptance speech. Watch the speech below:

Many in sports and media took to Twitter today to pay their respects, with the Charlotte Observer's Jonathan Jones writing, "Stuart Scott made nearly every kid in my generation stop saying they wanted to be a lawyer or doctor and changed that to SportsCenter anchor." ESPN L.A.'s Arash Markazi: "Stuart Scott was such a pro. Talked to him about going through cancer when I came to ESPN. Realized then I'd joined a family, not a company." NBC Sports Group VP/Original Programming Ron Wechsler wrote, "Stu was always a pro's pro, good to his crew, a good family man, and was adored by all. And what a fighter. What a damn fighter." SI's Richard Deitsch tweeted, "That was really a beautiful tribute by SportsCenter for Stuart Scott. A lot of love and care by his colleagues there. Much respect." USAToday.com's Mike Foss: "Hannah Storm was given an impossible task this morning. Her one-minute eulogy for Stuart Scott was flawless." NFL.com's Ian Rapoport: "Difficult to watch @richeisen, tearing up, discuss the tragic passing of Stuart Scott. So unbelievably sad."

The Coyotes on Friday introduced new Majority Owner Andrew Barroway, who will "take over the title of chairman and governor from George Gosbee and will have the final say on all decisions." Coyotes President & CEO Anthony LeBlanc "will remain in his current position," and the rest of the nine-member IceArizona ownership group that bought the team 18 months ago "will remain in place." The sale of a 51% stake in the team to Barroway "was finalized Dec. 31 and had been in the works for about two months." That stake "reportedly cost Barroway" $152.5M (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 1/3).

The Hawks "will be officially on the market" this week, with "100 percent of the franchise" to be sold. A source said that agreements "have been reached" between each of the three groups that comprise the Hawks' Atlanta Spirit ownership consortium to "sell their complete stakes in the team." Those agreements "have been approved by the NBA." Part of the sale "includes the remaining" $124M debt on Philips Arena (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 1/3).

The Eagles on Friday announced a structural change allowing coach Chip Kelly to oversee the player personnel department and lead efforts to hire a new personnel exec. GM Howie Roseman was elevated to the role of Exec VP/Football Operations and will continue leading contract negotiations, salary cap management, and NFL strategic matters. Eagles Owner Jeffrey Lurie offered his rationale for the moves on the team's website (Eagles).

Earlier last week, the Eagles said VP/Player Personnel Tom Gamble and the team "agreed to part ways." Gamble was the club's "most powerful personnel executive" outside of Roseman, and his exit was "abrupt." Gamble "was believed to be a close ally" of Kelly. Sources said that there "was tension between Kelly and Roseman" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 1/1).

The Bills "have begun the process of finding their next coach," with GM Doug Whaley "organizing the search." Bills Owner Terry Pegula "will handle the interviews along with co-owner Kim Pegula, team President Russ Brandon and Whaley" (BUFFALO NEWS, 1/3). Former coach Doug Marrone on Wednesday "exercised an exit clause in his contract" on the final day of his "three-day window to opt out." Marrone "still will pocket" his $4M salary for '15 (BUFFALO NEWS, 1/1).

Meanwhile, the Jets' coaching search "sped up Saturday with the team interviewing" Marrone. The team is conducting its search for a new GM "at the same time as the coaching search," though its preference "remains to hire a GM first" (N.Y. POST, 1/4).

UFC President Dana White said that last night's UFC 182 at MGM Grand Garden Arena, featuring a Jon Jones-Daniel Cormier main event, "did not sell out." However, the event "drew a respectable crowd of 11,575" for a gate of $3.7M. Before the event, White expected that the PPV buy rate would be "in the area of 750,000 buys" (MMAWEEKLY.com, 1/4).

Meanwhile, UFC "is headed back to Montreal in April." A source said that the show "is expected to be UFC 186 on April 25." The March date that had been expected for Montreal now "appears to be going to Dallas, which is expected to host UFC 185" (CP, 1/1).

EPL club Tottenham denied having talks with the NFL to share its new $613M stadium "as a potential venue" for a London-based NFL franchise. Tottenham Chair Daniel Levy reportedly "has held discussions with numerous companies and potential sponsors over financing for the stadium," and the NFL is "interested in the development." But a team spokesperson said, "We are not in discussions with the NFL regarding the use of the stadium for an NFL franchise" (London TELEGRAPH, 1/3).

NFL VP/Officiating Dean Blandino last night in a tweet indicated that referee Ed Hochuli was “referring to replay official Tom Sifferman” when he was caught on an open mic during the Panthers-Cardinals NFC Wild Card game talking about someone named “jungle boy.” Hochuli following a penalty was heard saying, "I got the word from ‘jungle boy’ that was a good call." The comment drew the attention of several observers on Twitter, questioning who Hochuli was referring to (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 1/4).

CapGeek.com Founder & Dir Matthew Wuest, whose website features the "most reliable database for NHL player salaries and team salary cap tables," last night "suddenly announced that the website would be permanently ceasing operations." A statement said the site was closing "due to the personal health" of Wuest. The site "was often a daily stop and an important reference guide for anyone looking to get a better understanding of the many complications that came" with the league's CBA and salary-cap structure (CBSSPORTS.com, 1/3).

Nike "has received a patent on a recyclable golf ball," whose cover "can be separated so that the rest can be reused or recycled" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 1/2).

Redskins coach Jay Gruden today "is expected to meet" with team Owner Daniel Snyder and President & GM Bruce Allen to "map out the direction of the franchise" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 1/3).

Jim Harbaugh on Friday "launched his Twitter account" after formally accepting the position as Univ. of Michigan football coach. His first tweet came at 4:01pm ET, and by 5:00pm, he "had more than 52,000 followers" (DETROITNEWS.com, 1/3).

Tonight's episode of NBC's "Dateline" will air a segment, entitled "Starting Over," that features U.S. Olympians Lindsey Vonn and Amy Van Dyken-Rouen (NBCSPORTS.com, 1/2).

The last bowl game of the college football season -- the Toledo-Arkansas State GoDaddy Bowl in Mobile, Ala. -- is tonight at 9:00pm ET and will air on ESPN (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 1/4).

"I really enjoy my job with CBS. It’s good. I’m in a good place. You’re not going to see me on the sidelines" – CBS' Bill Cowher, on why he is currently not interested in returning to coaching an NFL team ("Movin' The Chains," SiriusXM NFL Radio, 1/2).

"I've been offered to go back. I'll have to see how my health is and make that decision" – Archie Manning, on whether he plans to return to the College Football Playoff selection committee in '15 after taking a health-related leave of absence this year (NOLA.com, 12/31).

"This has been the most successful college football season in history even before the championship game is played" – N.Y. Daily News' Mike Lupica, on the impact of the CFP in its first year (“The Sports Reporters,” ESPN2, 1/4).

"If you've got cap space and guys want to play here, I don't think an African-American would not come to Boston" – Kings assistant coach Dee Brown, on whether black players might be reluctant to sign with the Celtics based on his encounter with the Wellesley, Mass., police in '90 (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/4).

The DALLAS MORNING NEWS' Brad Townsend writes under the header, "How North Texas Became The Epicenter Of College Football." Also in Dallas, Jeff Mosier wrote Sundance Square in downtown Ft. Worth "has become a regular stop for ESPN when a national sporting event is played in North Texas." Their relationship "is now so close that Sundance Square officials consulted with ESPN about some design issues of the plaza."

The N.Y. TIMES' Ken Belson wrote under the subheader, "Arizona Cardinals And Their President, Michael Bidwill, Continue Ascent." Since Bidwill "took over day-to-day operations of the club from his father" in '07, the Cardinals "have grown into a consistent contender." They have "sold out every game" at Univ. of Phoenix Stadium since it opened in '06.

Elsewhere: 

• How Doug Marrone's "ornery disposition" turned off Bills execs.
• A look at the two execs who now "have Woody Johnson’s ear."
• Jim Harbaugh one of many coaches going from NFL to college in recent years.
• Meanwhile, "there are limits" to the economic windfall Harbaugh can bring UM.
• NFL Panthers becoming the "go-to team" for the Make-A-Wish foundation.
• Despite UAB, the "stampede has been colleges rushing to add football."
• Colleges are selling "fan experiences" and "glimpses behind" locker room doors.
• BOSTON GLOBE's Nick Cafardo: Top 10 Possible MLB Story Lines For '15.

Wow, impressed with Matt Ryan on TV on ESPN. Exceptionally polished. Similar to Greg McElroy on SEC Network.

— Kevin Brockway (@gatorhoops) January 4, 2015

Doors are open at Schembechler Hall. Look forward to getting knee-to-knee with the current team. Players, stop by and say hi!

— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) January 2, 2015

The NHL should buy @capgeek and maintain it. It's a valuable service for everyone in and around the game.

— steve simmons (@simmonssteve) January 4, 2015

NHL player fines are made public, but the league won't tell us how much it fined the Flyers for a CBA violation. It's good to be an owner.

— Adam Proteau (@Proteautype) January 4, 2015