Fox Saturday night will air "UFC on Fox 2" from United Center and YAHOO SPORTS' Dave Meltzer writes the telecast is "the single most important show for the promotion in several years." The card "will play a huge part in establishing the success of 2012." Tens of millions of dollars "are at stake based on who wins" and "how many people see them win." Ratings "don't have to be as strong as the first show," but they "will give a strong indication whether the sport has staying power at its new level of exposure" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 1/27).

Meanwhile, JACO has agreed to be the exclusive clothing sponsor for Rashad Evans in his headline bout against Phil Davis on Saturday (JACO).

Pac-12 Enterprises has hired veteran digital media exec David Aufhauser to be its GM & VP for Digital Media. Aufhauser most recently was VP/Media for Say Media, but previously has worked at Yahoo Sports and Citizen Sports Network, among other online companies. Aufhauser will lead the overall creation and management of the Pac-12 Digital Network, a key part of the conference's overall media initiative that also includes a series of planned regional and national TV networks.

"We're building a content company from the ground up, which is very exciting," Aufhauser said. "The idea is not have this just be another sports property, but a very deep and interactive set of assets." Aufhauser, who will report to Pac-12 Enterprises President Gary Stevenson, will now build a digital operations team working under him including heads of product development, engineering, design and editorial.

A's Owner Lew Wolff is "making himself available to fans" at O.co Coliseum on Sunday "as part of the team's resurrected fan fest, which was skipped the past three years." Wolff: "I thought it might be a good opportunity to have a little fun and at the same time have some one-on-one with a random selection of fans who would be interested in talking to me. I may be sitting there by myself." While investor John Fisher "remains concealed from fans and the media, Wolff has taken considerable heat as the front man crusading for a move to San Jose" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/27).

Mets owners late Thursday asked U.S. District Court Judge Jed Rakoff "to dimiss a lawsuit by the court-appointed trustee seeking to recover money for victims" of Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme. Attorneys for Mets Owner Fred Wilpon and CEO Saul Katz argued that Madoff trustee Irving Picard "failed to prove they were 'willfully blind'" to Madoff's fraud. Picard in a seperate filing asked the court to order Wilpon and Katz "to turn over $83.3 million in fictitious profits." The legal wrangling comes approximately "two months before the Mets owners are expected to square off" with Picard in a jury trial (WSJ.com, 1/27).

Golf Channel on Friday announced a new component to its website that enables users to upload a video of their golf swing and receive feedback from teaching pros. "SwingFix" went live on GolfChannel.com this week and will be incorporated into Golf Channel programming that involves teaching segments, namely "The Golf Fix" and "School of Golf" with teachers Michael Breed and Martin Hall. "SwingFix" will be promoted on those TV shows, the website and golfnow.com, another Golf Channel property. "SwingFix" was developed with swingpal.com, a site launched by former Rivals.com executive Mike Comegna.

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum on Saturday holds its 12th Legacy Awards at the Gem Theater in K.C., symbolizing the "resurgence" of an institution that is "trying to find firm footing." The ceremony was not held last year, a "reminder of the museum's ongoing financial woes." But this year, "there are tangible reasons to believe the museum is on firmer ground." Museum President Bob Kendrick said that the "hope is that the museum can build even more momentum" ahead of the MLB All-Star Game in K.C. in July (K.C. STAR, 1/27).

SiriusXM Radio Friday announced that former Colts Vice Chair Bill Polian has joined the SiriusXM NFL Radio and will make his debut on Monday's "Late Hits" at 8:00pm ET. Polian will host the Feb. 1 and Feb. 3 shows and will be heard regularly on the channel throughout the year (SiriusXM Radio).

The 76ers Friday announced that they have renewed their multi-platform sponsorship agreement with Kia Motors America, which will continue to provide Kia with the team's Pround Partner designation (76ers).

The NHL, NHLPA, Senators, Hockey HOFer Pat LaFontaine and his Companions in Courage charity Friday revealed the new "NHL All-Star Legacy Playroom" at Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario to commemorate the '12 NHL All-Star Weekend in Ottawa (NHL).

USA Wrestling has contracted Adrenalin to assist in developing a new series of electronic marketing materials that the NGB will use to promote the sport (USA Wrestling).

"There is no cure unless we all play in a bubble" – Lightning C Steven Stamkos, on the number of NHL players who have suffered concussions (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 1/27).

"We're trying to control our excitement, because it's somewhat out of our hands. But I have a good feeling, and I've had some positive feedback" – Frys.com Open President Duke Butler, on the tournament possibly becoming a full-fledged PGA Tour stop if efforts by Tour officials to restructure Q-school and start its schedule in the fall are successful (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 1/27).

WJFK-FM's David Elfin: "As a longtime NFL beat man, HOF voter & former PFWA Prez, I have full confidence in Tony Grossi. Plain Dealer way overreacted. He'll B back!"

DJ D-Nice: "Next Friday, I'm The DJ, @Drake's The Rapper at the @ESPNmag #NEXT event! That's going to be major!"

MLS Dir of Digital Strategy Chris Schlosser: "I didn't realize Twitter has a penalty box...went to try to thank my 1700th follower but got message that user was suspended!"

Reuters’ Simon Evans: "Great to see American soccer fans so fired up about a fourth round FA Cup tie between two mid-table Premier League teams."

If you see a tweet we won’t want to miss, send it to us at editorial@sportsbusinessdaily.com.

T'Wolves President Chris Wright posted this photo of a lunch hour staff meeting celebrating F Kevin Love's new four-year extension with the team.

FRIDAY

The White Sox will begin hosting their SoxFest weekend at Palmer House Hilton in Chicago. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig will present White Sox Chair Jerry Reinsdorf with the '11 Commissioners Award for Philanthropic Excellence during the event's opening ceremony. Selig will also participate in a panel discussion on the current state of the game.

SATURDAY

A group of Blue Jackets fans will hold a rally outside of Nationwide Arena "to demand the ouster" of team President Mike Priest and GM Scott Howson (DISPATCH.com, 1/25).

UNLV will host public tours of Mendenhall Center, the school's new basketball practice facility.

Pro Football HOFer Dan Marino will host the Dan Marino Foundation WalkAbout Autism event Sun Life Stadium. Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland and several current and former Dolphins players are slated to be in attendance.

U.S. women's soccer F Alex Morgan plays a big part in the soccer iteration of Budweiser's "The Big Time" series, which debuts Saturday at 3:00pm ET on ABC.

FRIDAY

Nets F Kris Humphries will appear on DIY Network's "Man Caves" at 9:00pm ET.

SATURDAY

HBO will premier "Namath," a documentary that chronicles the life of the Pro Football HOFer, at 9:00pm ET.

25,000 – Size of the sold-out field of runners for Sunday's ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary (MIAMI HERALD, 1/27).