The NFL and class counsel for the players suing the league to revoke the lockout were ordered today by U.S. District Judge Susan Nelson to enter into mediation starting Thursday in Minneapolis. Few observers give the mediation much of a chance, but the sides must meet with chief magistrate judge Arthur Boylan at 9:00am CT Thursday. Nelson, in signing the order, said the meetings could not be used against either side in court, and would not stay the proceedings.

The NFL’s core legal argument is that the court does not have jurisdiction over the dispute, but Nelson is ordering the mediation within her court district. The NFL was arguing for mediation back in DC at the office of the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service. But the players rejected that, saying those talks were for when they were a union.

The NFLPA decertified on March 11, though the league contends that was a sham. If the mediation does not lead to a resolution, Nelson is expected to issue her decision next week. If she lifts the lockout, the question then becomes if she will issue a stay while the NFL appeals to the Eighth Circuit Court of appeals. League insiders are far more confident of their chances at the Eighth circuit than in the Minnesota federal court district.

The NFLPA "continues to roll out plans" for "The Debut," their event planned later this month around the NFL Draft in N.Y. The NFLPA events "won't compete directly with the draft" and will include dinners for incoming rookies on Thursday and Friday nights, plus a fitness and skills clinic. The dinners will be located in Times Square so the rookies "can quickly get over to Radio City Music Hall after they eat." A total of 20 rookies have committed to attend, and a number of current and former NFL players "will also be there to welcome the players" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 4/11).

Sources indicated that the PGA Tour BMW Championship "will leave Chicago" in '14. The FedExCup playoff event will be played at the Denver-area Cherry Hills Country Club, with club member and Pro Football HOFer John Elway scheduled to make the formal announcement tomorrow morning. The '13 event "remains up for grabs, and several Chicago-area courses are in the running" (CHICAGOBREAKINGSPORTS.com, 4/11).

Capital One tonight is premiering a new TV spot starring Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin ahead of the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Wednesday. The 30-second spot, which debuts at 6:00pm ET on the bank's Facebook page, is titled "Slapshot Locations." It features Ovechkin standing atop a building overlooking DC, taking slapshots toward Capital One branch locations throughout the DC metro area (THE DAILY).

Meanwhile, Remington is bringing back its Beard-A-Thon charitable promotion, inviting fans to grow beards during the playoffs and raise money for charity. Fans can visit BeardAThon.com to register and invite family, friends and colleagues to participate (Beard-A-Thon).

The Mets today sent e-mails to “some of the fans who purchased individual game tickets last April,” offering 50% off a “select number of seats to weekday games this April.” The Mets are “expecting modest crowds for this week’s series against the Rockies” at Citi Field. Mets Exec VP/Business Operations Dave Howard said it is a limited offer designed to “reward customers from last year and encourage them to come back to the ballpark and see the 2011 Mets” (NEWSDAY.com, 4/11).

Washington State Univ. AD Bill Moos tonight will unveil a department-wide brand and identity program. During tonight's event, football, basketball, baseball and volleyball players will model new Nike uniforms for the '11-12 season. The gear incorporates new crimson and gray colors along with new lettering and numerals that will be identical across each uniform. Moos also will distribute a manual that provides guidelines for the appropriate use of logos (WSU).

The list of NFL players who could make the cover of EA Sports' "Madden NFL 12" video game has been narrowed to four: Packers QB Aaron Rodgers vs. Browns RB Peyton Hillis and Eagles QB Michael Vick vs. Vikings RB Adrian Peterson. Fan vote will determine the cover athlete, to be announced on ESPN2's "SportsNation" later this month (Mult., 4/11).

The underdog Hillis has "jumped out to a shockingly large lead" over Rodgers, thanks in part to an an "online campaign that includes front page treatment on ClevelandBrowns.com, as well as ongoing Twitter and Facebook campaigns by his team" (ESPN.com, 4/11).