The Maple Leafs today announced that Brian Burke has been relieved of his duties as President & GM, with David Nonis promoted to Senior VP & GM, effective immediately. Burke will stay on in a senior advisory role to MLSE President & COO Tom Anselmi and the MLSE BOD (Maple Leafs). Burke was "entering the fifth year of a six-year deal, but the landscape with the Leafs ownership, and the immediate need to end seven years out of the playoffs, apparently led to an out-of-nowhere decision." Anselmi: "There's no good time to do this, but once you get to a decision on something like this, it's only fair to act upon it" (THESTAR.com, 1/9). It is "widely expected Burke will only hold" his advisory role "until he found another job with either the NHL's head office or another franchise" (THEGLOBEANDMAIL.com, 1/9).

TSN’s Gino Redo said, “We knew that Brian Burke’s job was going to be in jeopardy because of his lack of success to this point. We thought he would have some time this year had it been a full season.” TSN’s Dave Naylor: “To see this happen just hours from when the lockout may officially be over, and days before the start of training camp and the season, does come as a surprise.” TSN’s Bob McKenzie, who broke the story, said of the move, “It’s a shocking one. Absolutely shocking” (“SportsCentre,” TSN, 1/9).

Sources said that the Maloofs are "finalizing an agreement to sell" the NBA Kings to a group led by Chris Hansen and Steve Ballmer, which "hopes to move the franchise to Seattle for the 2013-14 season." The deal will see the Kings sell for "approximately $500 million." Sources indicated that the Seattle group's plan, with "support of the NBA, is to play two seasons in KeyArena before moving into a new Seattle arena." No agreement has been signed, but a source said the deal was "first and goal at the 1" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 1/9).

The Maloofs have so far offered a "no-comment" on news of the deal (SACBEE.com, 1/9). Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson wrote on his Twitter feed, "Bottom line Sacramento: it's not over... #keepthefaith #playingtowin."

Sources said that representatives of Fox and the seven breakaway Big East Catholic schools are meeting in N.Y. today in what is "considered the first formal meeting toward brokering a television contract, although one is not expected imminently." Fox has been "considered the leader to televise the new league for weeks." Fox Sports reps at the meting included Fox Media Group COO Larry Jones (SI.com, 1/9). Meanwhile, CBS Sports Chair Sean McManus reportedly said that "his network has spoken with Catholic 7 hoops reps." McManus said that CBS is "interested in programming" (TWITTER.com, 1/9).

The Baseball Writers Association of America today failed to select a player for the Baseball HOF for the first time since '96, a move that may prove a damaging blow to Hall attendance in Cooperstown, N.Y., which already has sagged in recent years. Craig Biggio led the voting at 68%, below the 75% needed for induction. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, attending owners meetings in Paradise Valley, Ariz., this afternoon said he sees no need to change the voting procedures and predicts a "rather large" class next year, when Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas become eligible.

"The idea that this somehow diminishes the Hall of Fame or baseball is ridiculous," Selig said. "The goal isn't to ensure that somebody gets in every year but to make sure they're deserving." MLB.com's Paul Hagen, being inducted into the writer's wing, will be the only living inductee, joining Veteran's Committee selections Jacob Ruppert, Deacon White and Hank O'Day, as well as broadcaster Tom Cheek (Eric Fisher, SportsBusiness Journal).

SiriusXM’s Chris Russo wrote, “The writers! Way to go baseball writers! No one is getting into the hall of fame! The way it should be! Good job! The BBWAA has spoken!” The San Antonio Express-News’ Richard Oliver wrote, “Biggio, an absolute no-brainer selection, apparently caught up in writers' constipation over steroid-era shenanigans. Dude played clean.” ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano wrote, “1) No one has the right to be in the Hall of Fame, (2) It should be hard to get in, (3) I prefer this to NFL, which mandates minimum per yr.” The Providence Journal’s Brian MacPherson wrote, “There won't be a Hall of Fame shutout next year. Greg Maddux will sail in, at least.”

MLS today unveiled the league's '13 schedule, and NBC Sports Group announced that it will air 41 regular-season games across the NBC broadcast network and NBC Sports Network. Three games will air on NBC and 38 on NBCSN, starting with the March 2 Dynamo-DC United match, a rematch of the '12 Eastern Conference Championship and the first nationally televised game of the season. Coverage will include a "Rivalry Weekend" on March 16, with wall-to-wall coverage of matches on NBC and NBCSN throughout the day (NBCU).

NBC averaged 521,000 viewers for three telecasts in its first season as an MLS TV partner in '12, while NBCSN averaged 125,000 viewers for 40 telecasts (THE DAILY).

New Balance and Walt Disney Parks & Resorts today announced a multiyear deal that includes exclusive footwear, running-specific initiatives and co-branding opportunities. New Balance becomes the official shoe of Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The brand also becomes the official running shoe for runDisney race weekends and the official baseball shoe of amateur baseball events at the Sports Complex. New Balance will be the title sponsor of the track & field facility at the Complex (New Balance).

The Univ. of Colorado has hired IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions to increase attendance and revenues generated from athletic events. The ticketing division that is a joint operation between IMG College and Learfield Sports will set up a sales operation on CU’s campus and sell football and men’s basketball tickets through plans including new full season, groups, partial plans as well as renewals. Nate Christiansen will serve as GM for the property. Previously, he was an account executive and season ticket sales rep for the Avalanche at Kroenke Sports & Entertainment.

ESPN today announced that reporter Andy Katz will debut his first weekly show on Tuesday, Jan. 15, at 4:30pm ET on ESPNU. "Katz Korner" will feature interviews with ESPN analysts, coaches and players each week with an emphasis on deeper analysis of current issues in sports. Katz also will return as host of "The Experts" on ESPNU Tuesdays at 1:00pm ET.

Meanwhile, the ACC this week launched "ACC Live" as part of the conference's digital network. The studio show is being streamed live Monday through Friday at noon ET. The show's Monday launch coincided with the start of ACC men's basketball conference play. Each edition of the show will have a specific focus, determined by the day of the week in which it airs. For instance, Monday shows will focus on analysis of the previous weekend's action (THE DAILY).

The Chargers this afternoon announced Colts VP/Football Operations Tom Telesco as the team's new GM (Chargers).

Callaway Golf today announced a multiyear partnership with Long Drivers of America. Per the deal, Callaway will become the exclusive club sponsor and official driver of the organization and its Re/Max World Long Drive Championship (Callaway Golf).

Phoenix Racing today announced that S.C.-based Guy Roofing will sponsor the No. 51 Chevrolet in the Feb. 24 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 and the No. 1 Chevrolet in the Feb. 23 Nationwide Series Drive4COPD 300 at Daytona Int'l Speedway (Phoenix Racing).

NCAA.com today launched fan voting to determine the All-Time March Madness players, team and moment as part of the 75 years of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship celebration. The fan voting runs through March 24 (NCAA).

Golf course management company KemperSports has been selected as the club management company of the year for '12 by BoardRoom magazine in the publication's annual Excellence in Achievement awards (KemperSports).

"It’s a very difficult situation for me, and I’ve had enough already. This is a really tough decision. The NHL is pushing me, and now the Islanders" – Islanders D Lubomir Visnovsky, who would prefer to stay with the KHL team he was playing with during the NHL lockout (NYTIMES.com, 1/9).

"I think it has become a lightning rod, and I would love to be able to sit down with the team ... and see if a change should be made" – DC Mayor Vincent Gray, on possibly changing the Redskins name if the team were to relocate inside the city limits (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 1/9).

"When I got called on the warning I was getting ready to serve. I was at the line. ... It throws you off. I'm not intentionally trying to stall out there" – Tennis player John Isner, on being called for a time violation during today's Sydney Int'l match against Ryan Harrison (REUTERS, 1/9).

Sneaker industry blogger Nice Kicks: "I just got a confirmation that Reebok will no longer play in the performance basketball arena. John Wall to join @adidasHoops."

L.A. Times' Joe Flint: "I like Jay Mohr but I'm not sure I like three hours of Jay Mohr on the radio. "

Montreal Gazette's Dave Stubbs: "I think Nonis reacted to his appt as GM of #Leafs same way Cunneyworth reacted when he was named #Habs coach #sayWHAT#gobsmacked"

Toronto-based CJCL-AM's Greg Brady: "Larry Tanenbaum ducks desperately into CBA meeting trying to avoid ?s over a GM he proudly hired. So, yeah, this is NOT about hockey, kids."

London Times' David Walsh: "In relation to LA's Jan 17 interview with Oprah Winfrey, the devil will be in the detail. Must be full confession to be taken seriously."

If you see a tweet we will not want to miss, send it to us at editorial@sportsbusinessdaily.com.

Hasbro's Monopoly board game today began its "Save Your Token" campaign to "retire either the race car, iron, Scottie dog, wheelbarrow, shoe, top hat, thimble or battleship." The company is conducting a vote until Feb. 5 on tokens fans "want to keep." The token with the lowest total will be retired and replaced by either a toy robot, helicopter, cat, guitar or diamond ring (USA TODAY, 1/9).

Jordan Brand today launched a new campaign featuring Knicks F Carmelo Anthony titled “Playing For the City That Made Me.” A 30-second spot was created by Wieden + Kennedy and Jordan Brand will also launch a three-part web documentary based around Anthony. The first part – “Claiming Red Hook” – breaks today and features former NBAer Bernard King and rapper Nas (THE DAILY).

Showtime will debut "60 Minutes Sports," an hour-long show featuring reports and in-depth interviews from CBS' "60 Minutes" personnel, at 8:00pm ET. The premiere episode will feature an interview with La Liga FC Barcelona F Lionel Messi.

NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon will appear on CBS' "I Get That A Lot" at 8:00pm ET.