The NFL and Verizon have signed a five-year deal that will see wireless communications outfit stream in-market and national NFL games via digital and mobile platforms starting next month. A formal announcement is expected later this morning. Sources said that the media rights and sponsorship deal is worth an average of close to $500M per year, an increase that nearly doubles the $250M per year Verizon is paying as part of its current four-year deal. The biggest part of that increase comes from an increase in media-rights fees, rather than sponsorship revenue, a source said. The NFL has been courting digital media companies for years in the hopes that they will emerge as competitors to traditional TV networks for media rights. The size of Verizon’s increase could be a sign that digital media companies will be ready to make serious bids when the NFL’s media rights are up in ’21 and ’22.

The NFL has been clear with its desire to expand the availability of live games on digital devices, and this deal furthers that initiative. Unlike the old deal, the new deal does not give Verizon mobile exclusivity -- fans will have access to the streams regardless of mobile network. This year’s playoffs, for example, will be available via the Verizon-owned Yahoo, Yahoo Sports and go90. The games and NFL programming also will be available via the NFL mobile app.

As part of the deal, Verizon picked up rights to sell some in-game ad inventory on its platforms. The deal, which extends Verizon as an official sponsor of the league, also will include mobile access to highlights throughout the year and Verizon-produced shows. Verizon has been an NFL partner since ’10. Starting next season, it will be the presenting sponsor of the Pro Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine.

Univ. of Texas President Greg Fenves "pulled off a stunning move" when he "reached an agreement" with TCU AD Chris Del Conte to become the school's new AD. Del Conte had spent the past eight years at TCU. He will have "final oversight" of all UT athletics. Sources said that UT women's AD Chris Plonsky "will report to Del Conte." There is a news conference scheduled for tomorrow to introduce Del Conte, who "will replace" interim AD Mike Perrin. Del Conte has "agreed to a seven-year contract" worth approximately $1.3M annually (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 12/10).

The Yankees have "reverted to form by agreeing to a trade" with the Marlins for RF Giancarlo Stanton, who is guaranteed $295M through '28. The Yankees will "surrender two modest prospects" and 2B Starlin Castro. A source said that the Marlins will also put about $30M into the deal to "offset some of what the Yankees will owe Stanton." The Yankees "may again become baseball’s marquee team" with Stanton alongside RF Aaron Judge (N.Y. TIMES, 12/10).

Despite the big money owed to Stanton, there was "no way" Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner would "agree to make this trade without being able to fall under" the luxury-tax number (ESPN.com, 12/9). Meanwhile, Steiner Sports said that a public appearance by Castro with the memorabilia collector scheduled for yesterday "was postponed" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 12/10).

The Angels introduced P/DH Shohei Ohtani yesterday in a press conference outside Angel Stadium in front of an "estimated 1,000 fans." But there were "no major revelations" as to why Ohtani chose to play in Anaheim, as he "reiterated what his representatives said in a written statement the previous day, which was that he felt a connection with the team." Ohtani received his No. 17 jersey from Owner Arte Moreno (L.A. TIMES, 12/10). ESPN's Shelley Smith said, "Ohtani-mania is here, and you better get used to it" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 12/10).

A short line "formed at a temporary kiosk that sold season tickets" before the event, and the doors to the team store were "wedged open." The event was attended by "more than 200 media members" and "perhaps 150 from Japanese news agencies" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 12/9). Ohtani can "bring an aura of excitement to this Anaheim-based franchise that frequently lives in the shadows" of the Dodgers (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 12/9).

Toronto FC completed their "dream season" last night with a 2-0 win over the Sounders in the MLS Cup final "before a sellout crowd of 30,854 fans at BMO Field." The win is "sweet revenge" for TFC after "losing to Seattle via a shootout in last year's final" (SPORTSNET.ca, 12/9). BMO Field "shook in celebration" when TFC F Jozy Altidore scored the opening goal (TORONTOSUN.com, 12/10).

Under MLS' CBA, the Cup winners "share $275,000." TFC's bonus pool has "already been [filling] up" with the club "collecting $130,000 for the Supporters' Shield and $50,000 for the Canadian championship." In addition, TFC has "earned $150,000 for its 20 regular-season wins (each worth $7,500 under the CBA)." With TFC's Cup win, that "adds up to $605,000 split among the team" (CP, 12/9).

A lawsuit against the Blues seeking to halt the public financing of Scottrade Center renovations has "been settled." Blues spokesperson Jeff Rainford said that the owners "believe there are no more hurdles" to executing the $64M finance agreement approved by the St. Louis Board of Aldermen in February. However, Comptroller Darlene Green remains "intent on appealing a judge’s order that forced her to sign the agreement last Monday." St. Louis Development Corp. Exec Dir Otis Williams said that it "may be as late as March before the funding is actually secured" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 12/10).

A group of former NFLers with cognitive impairment who took out tens of thousands of dollars in high-interest loans against their expected payments in the NFL concussion settlement "may not have to pay their lenders back." The federal judge overseeing the settlement, worth an estimated $1B, on Friday "voided all contracts with lenders who were supposed to be repaid when the players receive cash awards for their severe neurological and cognitive problems." U.S. District Court Judge Anita Brody wrote the ruling is to "protect the interests of class members by recognizing that class members receiving monetary awards are by definition cognitively impaired" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/9).

The Bay Area has "apparently lost all connections to big-time tennis," as Stanford Univ. has "pulled out" of hosting the WTA Bank of the West Classic, which dates back to '71. Stanford Dir of Tennis Dick Gould "confirmed" the event’s demise, which "had been rumored for months, after Stanford officials demanded a significant increase for renting the facility" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 12/9). The event had been scheduled for late July next year (THE DAILY).

Poor on-field performance by the Broncos this season has led to "lackluster ticket resales." On Friday afternoon, half-price offers "were being made on Ticketmaster" for the team's game against the Jets today. A couple of thousand tickets on Ticketmaster in section 525 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High "were each about $10 below face value." Tickets were available in that section "ranging in price from the low of $39 to $235." However, Denver’s "unseasonably warm weather ... could be propping up late-season Broncos tickets" (DENVER POST, 12/9).

A storm that began late Friday "knocked down the manual scoreboard on the 18th hole" at Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Fla., which is hosting the QBE Shootout. Tournament Dir Rob Hartman said, "It will not be going back up." However, the "huge videoboard next to it was still operational." Weather also "caused the cancellation" of an event that would have featured tournament host Greg Norman and a "couple of pros in the field after the second round."

Meanwhile, Hartman was "happy with the event's first foray into having a concert," as the Ben Allen Band "played for three hours" on Friday night. Hartman: "A concert will certainly become a staple on our tournament week schedule moving forward" (NAPLES DAILY NEWS, 12/10).

Actor Kenan Thompson portrayed Santa Claus during last night’s “SNL” cold open. In the sketch, Thompson heard Christmas wishes from several children, while trying to avoid politics. One boy noted he would like a football and asked Santa why NFL players have been protesting during the National Anthem. Thompson told the child that NFL players were not kneeling because they hated the troops, but because they were “tired.” The boy then asked if players were tired because of their brain injuries. Thompson joked, “You know what, sure. Let’s just go with that. Somehow, that’s a happier version” (“SNL,” NBC, 12/9).

Memphis and Iowa State each announced Friday that they had "sold out their ticket allotments" for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. As a result, Liberty Bowl Exec Dir Steve Ehrhart "confirmed that the game is now expected to be sold out" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 12/9).

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman "projects the salary cap will be between" $78-82M in '18-19 -- an "increase from the current salary cap" of $75M (ESPN.com, 12/8).

A team of "top players in the NBA G League will play the Mexican national team" in the G League Int'l Challenge at the NBA All-Star Game in L.A. The game "will replace" the G League All-Star Game (AP, 12/9).

UFC held its first event in Fresno, Calif., last night at Save Mart Center for UFC Fight Night 123 "in front of 7,606 fans" (FRESNOBEE.com, 12/9).

The Galaxy have "moved to stabilize" their front office, signing President Chris Klein to a "five-year contract extension." A formal announcement is "expected this week" (LATIMES.com, 12/9).

"I had nothing to do with the coaching search at Tennessee. Nothing. I know there are all reports that I was tremendously involved. I'm a huge backer and supporter of the University of Tennessee, as is our entire family, but I was not involved in the coaching search" -- Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam (CLEVELAND.com, 12/8).

"It was huge, especially in Vancouver and Russia. It was absolutely massive. That's all everyone was talking about. Now that they're not seeing the best players in the world, it's definitely going to diminish the hockey in the Olympics, for sure" -- Kings D Drew Doughty, on the potential impact of NHLers not being able to compete in Pyeongchang (LATIMES.com, 12/9).

"Next to the Amazon job it's the most coveted job in the United States. The owners thought enough of the man to pay him that much money so, hey, I can't knock him" -- Lions S Don Carey, in response to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell signing a five-year extension worth $200M (DETROIT NEWS, 12/9).

"If you try to institutionalize losing, that's hard to get out of your building. You may never get that out of your building" -- Knicks GM Scott Perry, on the team not tanking in order to get a high lottery pick in the '18 Draft (NYPOST.com, 12/9).

“I don’t care about Sashi Brown’s GPA at Harvard. He flunked his way out of the National Football League” -- CBS Sports Net's Adam Schein, on the Browns firing their Exec VP/Football Operations and replacing him with John Dorsey (“That Other Pregame Show,” CBSSN, 12/10).

118th @ArmyNavyGame scores highest rating in 23 years pic.twitter.com/Bu7zi05IJi

— CBS Sports PR (@CBSSportsGang) December 10, 2017

Eli Manning comes out to a standing ovation at MetLife. Which is good, because it feels like that's why the Giants did this.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 10, 2017

Global officials for biathlon, one of Russia's proudest sports, have just provisionally suspended the nation for systematic doping, putting support behind the International Olympic Committee's decision.

— Rebecca R. Ruiz (@RebeccaRuiz) December 10, 2017

A quick recap: Jeter bought the Marlins using mostly other people’s money, completely gutted them, pushed out a bunch of longtime employees, and traded their once-in-a-Generation player to the Yankees.

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) December 9, 2017

Gold medalist @Simone_Biles made her debut as an honorary @HoustonTexans cheerleader today. pic.twitter.com/yhlZP5oQAv

— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) December 10, 2017

This ... is ... nuts. #Bills-#Colts pic.twitter.com/BDXvRohgiv

— Vic Carucci (@viccarucci) December 10, 2017

The DENVER POST wrote under the header, "Broncos Lost Their Way And Their Identity. Now They Face The Dreaded 'R' Word: REBUILD." In Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen’s three-plus decades of ownership, "never once did he describe his team as a 'rebuild.'" But these Broncos will have "little choice in January, when their first losing" season since '10 culminates and "gives way to an offseason of change."

BASEBALL AMERICA wrote under the header, "For Fantasy Baseball, Shohei Ohtani Breaks The Game." Fantasy baseball rules have been "pretty set and static for decades," but the game has "never dealt with a player like Ohtani." While a pitcher for whom you might occasionally want hitting stats -- like the Giants' Madison Bumgarner or Yankees' CC Sabathia -- "isn’t unheard of, there hasn’t been a pitcher in the fantasy era who could legitimately be an asset on both sides of the ball."

Elsewhere:

• Aaron Boone's preparation to be Yankees manager started at a young age.
• Virginia AD Carla Williams developed her leadership playing basketball.
• The Twins bring "new look, new attitude" to MLB's winter meetings.
• Cowboys players open up about the violence of playing in the NFL.
• Does Paul DePodesta fit with the Browns under new GM John Dorsey?
• Explaining why Russia tried to "cheat its way to glory" at the Olympics.
• Alejandro Villanueva discusses the dangers of both football and combat.
• Player movement in the MLB has already been "red-hot" this offseason.