MLB Commissioner Bud Selig today named Rob Manfred the league's COO, promoting him from his prior title of Exec VP/Economics & League Affairs. The appointment is in keeping with Selig's pledge last week to implement a transition plan within the league's central management as part of his impending retirement. Manfred is the first person to hold MLB's COO title since the resignation of Bob DuPuy three years ago. Manfred has been MLB's point person on a bevy of prominent league issues, including three sets of CBA negotiations with the MLBPA; the Dodgers, Cubs, and Rangers bankruptcies; the MASN dispute involving the Nationals and Orioles; and the creation of the league's debt service rule.

Manfred now has full control over the day-to-day operations of the league's HQs in N.Y., while Selig will focus more on big-picture issues. "The reorganization of our management team will facilitate an orderly transition and will position Major League Baseball's operations for sustained prosperity well into the future," Selig said.

Astros Owner Jim Crane today said that the team "will fight efforts by creditors to drive Comcast SportsNet Houston into Chapter 11 bankruptcy." Also, Astros General Counsel Giles Kibbe said that "elements of Comcast/NBC Univeral have acted improperly by throwing partnership disputes into federal bankruptcy court." Crane and Kibbe said that the Astros "are the wounded party in this case," as they have not been paid their rights fees by CSN Houston for three months. Kibbe added that the team "will file a motion to dismiss the bankruptcy case" (CHRON.com, 9/30).

ESPN and Dish Network still have yet to reach terms to renew their affiliate deal, which ends at midnight tonight. Neither company offered an on-the-record comment, but sources said talks are still happening. While it is possible that ESPN – along with all Disney channels – goes dark on Dish, sources expect the two sides to work out an extension if a deal is not ready by tonight. ESPN is the highest priced channel today, costing distributors around $5.50 per subscriber per month.

Dish still does not have access to ESPN's digital programming, like Watch ESPN, or services like Longhorn Network or the upcoming SEC Network. Dish Network has more than 14 million subscribers and is the country's third largest distributor behind Comcast and DirecTV.

The Raptors and MLSE today formally announced that they have been selected to host the NBA All-Star Game at Air Canada Centre in '16, which will mark the first time in the 65-year history of the game that it will be held outside the U.S. (Raptors). MLSE President & CEO Tim Leiweke said, "We're going to try and do some different things here, with the NBA. You're going to see us try to add a few elements" (THEGLOBEANDMAIL.com, 9/30).

Leiweke added that the "process has already begun to change the colour scheme and logo of the team." But he said that the franchise name "won't change," and the rebranding "will not be a quick process" (THESTAR.com, 9/30).

The Panthers have selected Turner Construction as the builder for $112M in upgrades to Bank of America Stadium. The project includes installing new video boards and escalators, among other improvements. The Panthers are contributing $37.5M to the project, and Populous is designing the renovations. The balance is being paid for through public funding. Work begins after the '13 season. Turner built the stadium in Charlotte that opened in '96 at a cost of $187M. It was paid for privately through Panthers Owner Jerry Richardson’s ownership group and the sale of PSLs.

ING officials announced that the financial services group is "not renewing its title sponsorship of the Hartford Marathon after this year's race," ending a six-year tenure. ING also is dropping its title sponsorship deals for marathons in N.Y. and Miami. Race Exec Dir Beth Shluger said that the Hartford Marathon Foundation is "already searching for a new 2014 title sponsor, which it hopes to have in place by the end of this year." This year's race is on Oct. 12 (HARTFORDBUSINESS.com, 9/30).

The College Football Playoff today announced that eight regions have submitted bids to host the College Football National Championship Game in '16 or '17. Jacksonville (EverBank Field) and Tampa (Raymond James Stadium) bid for both games. Arizona (Univ. of Phoenix Stadium) and New Orleans (Mercedes-Benz Superdome) submitted for '16 only, while S.F. Area (Levi's Stadium), Minneapolis (Vikings Stadium), San Antonio (Alamodome) and South Florida (Sun Life Stadium) bid for '17 only (CFP).

CBS today announced a new feature for its NFL coverage this season, dispatching studio analysts Bill Cowher, Boomer Esiason and Shannon Sharpe to the broadcast booth on Oct. 13 to cover their former teams. Cowher will join Jim Nantz and Phil Simms for a Steelers-Jets game; Esiason will join Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots for a Bengals-Bills Game; Sharpe will partner with Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts for Jaguars-Broncos. James Brown, Dan Marino and Jason La Canfora will anchor "The NFL Today" pregame show from N.Y. alongside Bart Scott and Amy Trask from CBSSN's "That Other Pregame Show" (CBS).

Pfizer today formally announced that its Advil brand will sponsor the NHL. Advil becomes an Official Partner and Official Pain Reliever of the '14 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic and '14 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series (Pfizer).

ESPN today announced a multiyear agreement with George Karl to serve as an NBA analyst (ESPN).

WWE and Susan G. Komen are expanding their Rise Above Cancer campaign to include WWE athletes wearing pink gear starting with tonight's episode of "Monday Night Raw" (WWE).

Shiseido has signed snowboarder Hannah Teter as an endorser for their suncare, skincare and color products in the U.S. (Shiseido).

"This was about the three million. Probably a lot of them who couldn't afford to come, and didn't show up, but were with us in spirit every night. There's a passion here that's unbelievable" – Tigers manager Jim Leyland, on the team's attendance surpassing 3 million this season despite Detroit's economic hardships (USATODAY.com, 9/30).

"He looked at me like I had five heads and said, 'What do you mean you want to put a dog show on NBC? That's crazy. You'll get killed'" – NBC Sports Group President of Programming Jon Miller, on former NBC Sports Group Chair Dick Ebersol's reaction to Miller's plan to televise the National Dog Show (BROADCASTINGCABLE.com, 9/30).

Palm Beach Post's Jason Lieser‏: "Gators QB Tyler Murphy says if he doesn't make it football, he wants to be on a show like First Take. Come on man, aim higher."

CBSSports.com's Eric Kay: "For Week 6, CBS Sports is having Cowher call the Steelers game, Esiason/Bengals and Sharpe/Denver. I dig it."

Complex’ Russ Bengtson: "Unless Drake can average 25 ppg, I don't see how his involvement can help the Raptors."

CBSSports.com’s Scott Miller: "Of course they are: the Marlins are selling unsold tix to yesterday's Alvarez no-hitter. $15 each."

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

The day after Blackhawks’ players received rings commemorating their '13 Stanley Cup championship, team Dir of PR Adam Rogowin tweeted, "Your 2013 Chicago #Blackhawks Media Relations Department team photo."

"The Dan LeBatard Show" will make its national debut on ESPN Radio at 4:00pm ET.

The 28th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria in N.Y. will honor Pro Football HOFer Jim Kelly and TNT's Kenny Smith.

Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series award winners toast in the Big Apple.

Red Sox 1B Mike Napoli will attend a Boston Children's Hospital fundraiser at the Medford Modell's as part of the #GetBeard campaign. $1 from the sale of every Nike #GetBeard T-shirt at all Modell's locations will go to the hospital.

The IOC posted this YouTube video recapping the Olympic Torch relays from past Winter Games.

6,300 – Approximate number of jobs created by the $250M Daytona Rising track renovation effort (Daytona Int'l Speedway).