Several NFL owners who were in contact with Chargers ownership at the just-completed NFL meetings said that Chargers Chair Dean Spanos is "resigned to the fact he must move his team" to L.A. during next month's window to do so and "has every intention of doing just that." There are "no viable options seen to staying in San Diego" for the Chargers. A source said Spanos "doesn't have a choice from an economic standpoint, and he knows it." The source: "He's as good as gone. He basically told us that he has no choice." Another source said, "It's over. They're going to Los Angeles. It's just a matter of announcing it. There aren't any miracles here" (CBSSPORTS.com, 12/18).

Sources said that Rex Ryan is "probably approaching his final games as the Bills' head coach." Sources added that Ryan is "aware of what's ahead," which "creates an awkward situation surrounding the Bills until the change is made." While the Bills are "preparing to part ways with Ryan, the organization is expected to retain" GM Doug Whaley (ESPN.com, 12/17). The Bills today host the winless Browns at New Era Field, and in Buffalo, Jerry Sullivan writes, "I would trade the Bills for the Browns straight-up, and that includes the front office, the general manager, coaches and scouts" (BUFFALO NEWS, 12/18).

The Bills and cleaning services company Jani-King were "asking anyone ages 18 and over interested in shoveling snow inside the stadium to come to New Era Field" starting at 10:30am ET yesterday in exchange for a ticket to the game (BUFFALOBILLS.com, 12/17). There could be "between 2.2 and 10 inches" of snow in the next 24 hours in Buffalo (CBSSPORTS.com, 12/17).

The Univ. of Minnesota football team ended its boycott of all activities yesterday after players for the first time "absorbed the painful details of a lengthy report on the sexual assault investigation that led to 10 player suspensions." Details of the 80-page report -- "revealed to most players late Friday -- 'changed the narrative' of the situation." Facing "heavy national criticism," the players "knew they were losing negotiating leverage" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 12/18). The players "sought to have the 10 suspensions lifted before preparing to play" Washington State in the National Funding Holiday Bowl on Dec. 27, but meetings with members of the Board of Regents as well as a conference with UM President Eric Kaler and AD Mark Coyle on Friday "didn’t produce the concessions the players sought" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 12/18). 

Michigan State’s BOT "gave approval on Friday to a planned renovation of the south end zone of Spartan Stadium." The plan "calls for an addition that will be a one-story structure and will include new restrooms and concession stands as well as a pavilion on the south end of the stadium." There is no "specific dollar amount for the project but the university said it will be paid for with athletic department funds." It is "expected to be completed by the time" the '17 season begins (DETROIT NEWS, 12/17). Athletics dollars will also be "spent improving office and meeting spaces with Jenison Field House" (LANSING STATE JOURNAL, 12/17).

The Univ. of Missouri announced "revised plans" for its proposed football facility project on Friday. The school will "demolish the south end zone structure" at Memorial Stadium and "completely rebuild it." That change is "bumping estimates" for the project up from $75M into the $95-100M range. The changed plans will be "up for approval" from the Univ. of Missouri System Board of Curators in Feb. Missouri AD Jim Sterk said that plans "call for 20 to 24 suites plus a field-level club area and private club seating." There also will be a "new concourse, restrooms and concession area, new scoreboard and as many as 5,000 general seats closer to the field" (K.C. STAR, 12/17).

The start of college bowl season began yesterday as an "announced crowd of 29,286 filled Sam Boyd Stadium" for the Las Vegas Bowl between San Diego State and Houston, witnessing SDSU RB Donnel Pumphrey’s "historic day," as he set the FBS all-time rushing record of 6,397 yards in his team's 34-10 win (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 12/18). Meanwhile, Arkansas State defeated UCF 31-13 in front of 27,213 fans at Camping World Stadium in the AutoNation Cure Bowl (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 12/18).

Elsewhere:

• New Mexico took down UT San Antonio 23-20 at the Gildan New Mexico Bowl, which drew an announced attendance of 29,688, "ranking fifth among the 11 New Mexico Bowl games" (ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL, 12/18). 
• A crowd of 35,061 attended the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at the Superdome, a 28-21 Southern Miss victory over Louisiana-Lafayette (Lafayette DAILY ADVERTISER, 12/18). 
• Grambling State defeated North Carolina Central 10-9 in front of 31,096 in the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl at the Georgia Dome, which was "about 5,000 less than a year ago" (GWINNETT DAILY POST, 12/18).

T-Mobile Arena yesterday hosted the CBS Sports Classic featuring UCLA-Ohio State and Kentucky-North Carolina, and a "majority of the 19,298 in attendance were staunch supporters" of UK (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 12/18). Xs and Os of Success Founder & President D.J. Allen, whose firm promoted the event, said, "This weekend is a game changer in terms of how people in and out of college athletics will view Las Vegas. It’s amazing to see what is happening right now and how the city is viewed nationally." The REVIEW-JOURNAL's Ed Graney noted last weekend's UNLV-Duke game at the arena sold out, and the fact that Las Vegas will "come close to selling out college basketball events in consecutive weeks is notable." It all "supports the belief that championship play for the NCAA soon might be approved for Las Vegas" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 12/17). 

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel today will "announce the formation of the Chicago Parks Golf Alliance (CPGA), a nonprofit charged with improving Chicago Park District courses and golf facilities, expanding youth golf programs and ... raising money to make the Jackson Park/South Shore project" headed by Tiger Woods a "reality." Woods has "committed to be the lead designer" for the renovation project, which will try to be recast into a "dazzling course that could host a premium PGA Tour event such as the BMW Championship." The project comes with a price tag of about $30M (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/17). The CPGA will be led by NBC golf analyst Mark Rolfing, a golf-course designer himself. The group "hopes to convince private donors" to "pony up most" of the $30M needed for the project (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 12/17).

The 76ers held a "Hall of Fame Night at the Wells Fargo Center" for recently inducted Basketball HOFer Allen Iverson on Friday. Iverson started the night off by "ringing the Liberty Bell before the Sixers' starting lineup was introduced." Then the Sixers "honored him at halftime of their game" against the Lakers. There was a "video tribute before Iverson was introduced to the crowd," and he walked out to "chants of 'MVP!'" Basketball HOFer Julius Erving "presented Iverson with his Hall of Fame jacket." Iverson: "I don't think you all understand how much I love you. Till death do us part, for real" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 12/17).

Meanwhile, singer Sevyn Streeter performed the National Anthem before the game on Friday after the 76ers had "canceled her previous appearance in late October because she wanted to sing while wearing a 'We Matter' jersey." Streeter sang the anthem to "cheers from the crowd while wearing her 'We Matter' jersey" (ESPN.com, 12/16).

UFC fighter Paige VanZant’s hometown debut last night "was a flop, while Urijah Faber’s hometown finale was a resounding success" as UFC's event drew a "sellout crowd at Golden 1 Center" with 13,316 fans (SACRAMENTO BEE, 12/18). The SACRAMENTO BEE's Andy Furillo wrote under the header, "For Dana White and UFC, Today It's Sacramento -- Tomorrow The World" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 12/17). The large crowd "roared from the moment Faber was shown on the giant videoboards" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 12/17). Saturday's result "doesn't change the fact that VanZant is a star." She is a "celebrity that is no longer defined by wins and losses in the Octagon." Her brand "wasn't really going to get a major boost with a first-round win" over Michelle Waterson, and it is "not really going to take much of a hit after her first-round loss either" (ESPN.com, 12/18). The main card of UFC on Fox 22 "aired on Fox following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass" (MMAJUNKIE.com, 12/15).

Friends and family "won’t be welcome anymore in the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority’s two luxury suites at U.S. Bank Stadium, a practice that ran into a public backlash last month." The ban "passed on a voice vote." At stadiums across the country, practices on suite use "vary widely" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 12/17).

Forecasts for frigid temperatures today "compelled the Vikings to cancel all outdoor pregame activities planned at the Downtown Commons and Vikings Village." Most of the festivities before Colts-Vikings will be "moved inside" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 12/17).

The NLL yesterday unveiled a new league logo as part of a continued overhaul under Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz. Sakiewicz told THE DAILY that the logo, which was first shown during a ceremony at Mohegan Sun Casino, was about six months in the making. It is designed to highlight the both the league’s history and new mentality, which is entering its 31st season. The NLL designed the logo with Brownstein Group, which it is working with on PR, social media and a new OTT network, NLLTV, which it recently launched in conjunction with Sportsrocket.

Sakiewicz said of the new logo: "Lots of focus group, lots of key-stakeholder feedback, and we feel pretty good: It’s a modern representation." Saturday's unveiling comes a few days after the NLL unveiled a three-year deal with Warrior Sports/New Balance, and Sakiewicz said that the league has signed a host of other new partnerships worth an aggregate low seven figures in new revenue that it will be unveiling over the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the league is also close to finalizing a deal for content distribution in the U.S., and Sakiewicz hinted that it could be with a telecommunications carrier.

Boxer Bernard Hopkins fought in his "farewell bout" last night, losing to Joe Smith Jr. by TKO in the 8th round in front of 6,513 attendees at The Forum (L.A. TIMES, 12/18). Hopkins' "legendary, 28-year career came to a thudding conclusion." Hopkins is a month "shy of his 52nd birthday" and was participating in his 67th career fight. The referee "waved off" Smith after Hopkins "could not get back into the ring" in the eighth (ESPN.com, 12/17). Hopkins' career, which spanned 20 middleweight title defenses, 10s of thousands of interviews, lawsuits, upsets and setbacks, "is finally over." Hopkins: "This is my last fight, I promised it would be and you come to that point in life where it is final and I’m happy with my retirement" (USATODAY.com, 12/18).

Lions WR Golden Tate will be "wearing cleats honoring broadcaster Craig Sager" today for the Lions game against the Giants (ESPN.com, 12/16). 

The Spurs will "retire Tim Duncan's No. 21 jersey" today after the team's game against the Pelicans (NEWSDAY.com, 12/17).

The combination of a "disappointing Bears season, bone-chilling cold in the weekend forecast and the 'Cubs hangover'" has some local ticket brokers "fearing they will take a loss" on Packers-Bears today as ticket prices to the normally high-demand rivalry game sink to new lows (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 12/17).

The Cowboys will make their "league-leading 38th appearance" on NBC's "SNF" tonight. By contrast, this will be the Buccaneers' "second appearance since the Sunday night package debuted" in '06 (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 12/18).

The first 100 fans to donate a new unwrapped toy to Toys for Tots at Nets-76ers today will "receive an autographed picture" of 76ers G Gerald Henderson (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 12/18).

NBC's "SNL" began its "Weekend Update" segment last night with cast member Michael Che comparing Donald Trump's recent behavior to that of Patriots QB Tom Brady during the "Deflategate" scandal.

"It’s a big difference, to be honest with you. Just being here in New York and seeing (GM) Jerry Reese every day at practice, it just motivates me because I never seen that in St. Louis. It was always the coaches not the owners coming around to see the players. It was always, ‘Don’t speak to Stan Kroenke’ when I was in St. Louis" – Giants CB Janoris Jenkins, on the differences in management styles between the Rams and the Giants (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 12/16).

"They tell me I’m a jerk or worse, to get off the field, that I suck, that I’m worthless, overpaid, miss too many tackles, you name it. I get a laugh out of all of that (expletive). That’s their opinion! If I were younger, thin-skinned, sensitive (it would bother me). That (expletive) don’t bother me" – Colts DE Erik Walden, on dealing with social media haters (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 12/17).

"Neither anger nor fear are good advisers. Therefore one in responsible position has to ask straight away, how do you deal with this? What can you do to ensure that it hopefully never happens again?" – IOC President Thomas Bach, who said he feels "shock" and "inner rage" at the extent of the Russia doping scandal (AP, 12/16).

"To me, the goal wasn’t to get more minority coaches hired. It was to make people slow down and hire the right person for them. If that happens, then it’s successful" – Pro Football HOFer Tony Dungy, on the Rooney Rule (L.A. TIMES, 12/18).

In N.Y., Filip Bondy notes N.Y. has gone five years without a pro sports team winning a title, something that "has become a drought of epic proportions, by our spoiled-rotten standards." It has been "nearly half a century since the region suffered for this long without a pro title of some kind." Bondy: "If this is a test of patience, it is too cruel a torment for our pampered lot."

ESPN.com's Scott Burnside wrote NHL players "have a long history of giving back to their respective communities, and frankly, their efforts often fly under the radar." But if you "peek behind the curtain and see how these events come together and the impact they have, you'll learn quickly that oftentimes it's not the financial commitment of players -- although that certainly is important -- but the investment of time, effort and, on a day like this, emotion, that shows how meaningful these kinds of moments can be for everyone involved.

Elsewhere:

• Ravens players and fans are "intrigued" by the team's '17 game in London.
• Michael Jordan "changed the game when he first took flight in Air Jordan 1s."
• Arizona State Rose Bowl teams "celebrate major anniversaries."
• Bud Selig’s HOF inclusion indicates fading stigma of Steroid Era.
• Dwyane Wade’s foundation makes an impact in Chicago.
• After the Cubs' World Series title, what is America’s next great sports story?
• "Silly" title sponsorships take over college football’s bowl season.
• The NFL is seeing increased violence by fans at games.
• Eagles' Malcolm Jenkins backs anthem protest with action to raise awareness.

Internally #Chargers fear it’ll be more than 50% #Raiders fans today at a home game. They actually pumped in crowd noise at practice. Crazy.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 18, 2016

Oddly enough, I think Dayton had the most fans here at the United Center. Definitely the most enthusiastic (so far) too.

— Shannon Ryan (@sryantribune) December 18, 2016

Best wishes to Minnesota legend and near-centenarian Sid Hartman as he recovers from surgery.

— Bob Sansevere (@bobsansevere) December 18, 2016

Texans have Simone Biles leading them on the field and Sundance Head, who won The Voice last week, singing the national anthem.

— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) December 18, 2016

Jeff Fisher said he was caught off by being fired on short week ... but also that he suspected he was never going to see Rams' new stadium.

— Jack Wang (@thejackwang) December 18, 2016

George McCaskey is braving the bitter cold with the fans at Soldier Field. The Bears' chairman is a fan at heart.

— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) December 18, 2016