The Univ. of Nebraska has fired AD Shawn Eichorst after a 1-2 start for the football team including a home loss to Northern Illinois. Chancellor Ronnie Green "expressed disappointment in the performance" of NU football earlier this week after his State of the University speech amid fans’ "growing restlessness with the beloved program." Eichorst was hired in October '12 and has about $1.7M "remaining on his contract that runs through" June '19. The school is expected to appoint an interim AD to "oversee day-to-day operations" (OMAHA.com, 9/21).

The MLB Rangers are set to break ground Sept. 28 to build Globe Life Field, their new $1.1B ballpark in Arlington. HKS is the main architect and Manhattan Construction is the general contractor. Walter P Moore fills the role of structural engineer. The 41,000-seat venue will encompass 1.7 million square feet, covering about 13 acres. It will sit next to Texas Live!, an entertainment district scheduled to open a portion of its complex in '18.

The Flames today confirmed that after "over two years of negotiations" with Calgary, there is "no point in pursuing a new arena to replace" Scotiabank Saddledome. The team in a statement said that it "sees no basis for an agreement with the City of Calgary on a new home in Victoria Park." The franchise will "strive to operate in the Saddledome for as long as they believe it's feasible" (CP, 9/21). Also today, the Flames used newspaper ads to "detail their proposal for funding a new arena" using C$225M from a "community revitalization levy" (CALGARYHERALD.com, 9/21).

Richard Childress Racing is close to renewing with primary sponsor Caterpillar, according to team CMO Ben Schlosser. Financial terms of Caterpillar’s deal were unclear, but the company has been a primary sponsor of the team since '09 and been on the hood of Ryan Newman’s No. 31 Chevy for up to two-thirds of the season in recent years. It was unclear whether the brand will cut back on its spending amid exec changes and wider business issues like being accused of tax fraud earlier this year.

The renewal is an important one for RCR as it suffered a sizable blow earlier this year when Menards -- the primary backer of the No. 27 Chevy -- announced plans to depart to Team Penske. Schlosser said, “We’re very close to getting things wrapped up. We’ve been working on the renewal for some time, and it’s in the final stages.” RCR is still considering cutting back to two cars in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series next year as a result of Menards’ move. It is unclear whether Caterpillar uses a sports marketing agency for its NASCAR deal.

USOC sponsor Deloitte will rely mostly on proven Olympians and Paralympians to anchor its campaign around the PyeongChang Games, choosing eight veterans and two newcomers to sponsor. Deloitte also will sponsor the U.S. sled hockey team at the Paralympics. The financial services firm’s contract with the USOC runs through '20.

Nabisco has signed on as a USOC sponsor ahead of the '18 PyeongChang Games and will serve as Team USA's official cookie and cracker sponsor. Nabisco will activate around the theme "Can't Miss Moments," and it will individually sponsor Gold Medal-winning skier Ted Ligety and snowboarder Chloe Kim. Starting Jan. 21, Nabisco brands Oreo, Ritz and Chips Ahoy! will feature Team USA-themed packaging, with Oreo cookies embossed with Team USA-themed emblems (Nabisco).

Other stories from this week in '03:

• Kroenke Sports expected to make purchase of Rapids official.
• ABC Sports adds NBA duties for "MNF" announcer Al Michaels.
• On eve of FIFA Women's World Cup, committee formed to save WUSA.

Geico has renewed its ACC corporate sponsorship (Raycom Sports).

Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment and the WAC have reached a multiyear agreement for Van Wagner to manage the conference's multimedia and sponsorship rights (WAC).

Montreal's Bell Centre has been selected to host the '20 World Figure Skating Championships from March 16-22. Canada most recently hosted the event in Ontario back in '13 (CP, 9/21).

"We need to continue to focus on competitive play and owe it to our fans and business partners to do that. It's the right time to take action" -- NBA President of League Operations Byron Spruell, on efforts to reform the draft lottery. Spruell cites research that tanking is making many fans "less interested in the league" (ESPN.com, 9/21).

"It was a privilege for HBO to serve as the television platform for many of his landmark achievements in the sport he loves" -- HBO Sports Exec VP Peter Nelson, in a statement on Andre Ward retiring from boxing (Mult., 9/21).

"We're just going to try to have fun with it. We [thought] we'd give an option to people who aren't anxious to go drink beer at 9 o'clock in the morning" -- London-based BAMF Cafe Owner Nicholas Springham, on offering Sunday customers 10% off if they come dressed in Ravens gear ahead of Ravens-Jaguars at Wembley Stadium (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/21).

Bill Murray's golf brand announces investments from Andy Roddick & Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts.

— Jess (@JGolden5) September 21, 2017

First Steve Pederson, now Shawn Eichorst. What's next for the A.D. spot at Nebraska?

— Tom Dienhart (@BTNTomDienhart) September 21, 2017

.@Lavarbigballer says, he's re-releasing @ZO2_ sneaker. Says, new shoe is lightest ever. If u ordered previous 1, you'll get these instead.

— Jorge Sedano (@SedanoESPN) September 21, 2017

Riley said water was leaking into Heat's practice facility during Irma. Said Heat staff saved floor by placing trash cans under all leaks.

— Tom D'Angelo (@tomdangelo44) September 21, 2017

So excited about the opening of 35 Sports Bar & Grill tonight! Doors open to the public at 5pm today. 6801 W Cermak, Berwyn, IL pic.twitter.com/JUjKHw5yyz

— Frank Thomas (@TheBigHurt_35) September 21, 2017

The UFC produced this video to announce its partnership with Miracle Flights and to help explain how the charitable organization helps families travel to receive the health care they need.

$275 -- Median ticket price for Maple Leafs games on the secondary market ahead of the '17-18 season, tops in the NHL, according to data from Vivid Seats. Of the four teams to advance to last year's conference finals, only the Predators are in the top 10, coming in at No. 4 with a $198 median price (Vivid Seats).