Quick Hits....

"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).