The Pacers have reached a multiyear deal for Motorola to become the team's first jersey patch sponsor. The team will debut the jerseys with the new patch tonight in a home game against the Cavaliers. As part of the deal, the mobile communications company also becomes the presenting sponsor of the Pacers' official team app. The Pacers are the 29th NBA team to announce a jersey patch partner (Pacers). The Thunder are the league's only team without a jersey patch sponsor (THE DAILY).

Red Sox Owner John Henry "has shown interest in buying a stake" in NASCAR, according to sources. The sanctioning body has been "seeking minority investors, and Henry is already involved" with NASCAR via Fenway Sports Group's partnership with Roush dating back to '07. Meanwhile, NASCAR is "laying the groundwork for a transaction." Last month, it bid roughly $1.9B for ISC in a deal that "would more tightly combine the companies." Merging the assets "may make it easier for a new investor to step in" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 12/18).

Henry was known to have been in ISC’s suite last month the day of the NASCAR season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway; Watkins Glen Int’l President Michael Printup sent out a tweet pic from the suite that included a picture of Henry in it. A source said at the time that Henry and ISC CEO Lesa France-Kennedy have been friends for years and were just exchanging pleasantries (Adam Stern, Staff Writer).

DraftKings has reached a licensing agreement with an affiliate of Penn National Gaming, which operates Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in West Virginia. The deal expands DraftKings' sportsbook into that state, pending regulatory approvals. West Virginia in August became the fifth state to approve legal sports betting.

Meanwhile, Toronto-based media firm theScore plans to launch a mobile sportsbook in the U.S. in '19 after securing a licensing partnership with Monmouth Park operator Darby Development.

columbus partnership

The "final step" for a planned Crew stadium in Columbus was "unanimously approved by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners." Commissioners voted this morning to approve a memorandum of understanding with a local investor group -- JHAC Ventures -- and the city of Columbus to "develop a new stadium complex in the Arena District and redevelop the Mapfre Stadium." The county pledged $45M over 30 years. The new Columbus Crew Arena "will go on 13 acres alongside the Olentangy River, while anchoring 15 additional acres for mixed-use private development and 5 acres devoted to public infrastructure" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 12/18).

Jamie Hemann, who previously spent 11 years at NFL Network, has been hired as the first CEO for Pacific Pro Football, a developmental league formed by agent Don Yee that is set to launch in July '20. Yee and Hemann have known each other for a decade through their NFL connections, which led to conversations about Hemann joining Pac Pro. The league will be for players coming out of high school or college players who are not yet draft-eligible. “This is going to be a great opportunity to give players another platform for them to achieve their goals,” Hemann said. Hemann, formerly NFL Net VP/Media Affairs & Talent, will start on Jan. 1 with an initial focus on finding media partners for the league.

Prudential Center tonight will open The Lofts, a premium club on the Infiniti Suite Level. The 14,560-square-foot space will host a VIP grand opening event after a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Devils President Hugh Weber and other senior execs from Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. The 145 seats, 10 tables and 100 loge boxes with seating for eight people apiece, adjacent to The Lofts, offer complete access to the club. The Lofts also includes two 40-foot full-service bars (Prudential Center).

K.C.-based Mano's Wine released a "series of limited-edition wines and champagne to commemorate Atlanta United's first MLS Cup championship." The officially licensed bottle is "etched and hand-painted in either a gold or black bottle," ranging from $30-$50. The two "Championship Reserve" wines are either a Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. Mano's also has partnered with the Eagles, Royals, Sporting K.C. and "several area colleges" for similar efforts. (BIZJOURNALS.com, 12/18).

ESPN International’s broadcast of the Super Bowl will have Joe Tessitore, Jason Witten and Booger McFarland "in a traditional booth," with the net opting not to use the “Booger Mobile” (NYPOST.com, 12/18).

The city of Detroit has been issued a $10M loan to "help pay for the demolition of Joe Louis Arena." The Michigan Strategic Fund board "approved the 20-year loan" this morning for the estimated $13.2M demolition of the former Red Wings home (CRAINSDETROIT.com, 12/18).

Comcast Business has agreed to provide and manage the Hawks' Wi-Fi network at State Farm Arena (Hawks).

Three Johnson Outdoors brands -- Minn Kota, Humminbird and Talon -- are "sponsoring the Bassmaster Classic and Bassmaster Elite Series" from '19-21 (BIZJOURNALS.com, 12/18).

ESPN signed MLB analyst David Ross to a multiyear extension (ESPN).

"They're trying to do the right thing. I know they are working with groups to try to get more of an understanding. ... People who do bad things, or abuse against women, they're not trying to push those guys out on the field" -- Former NFLer Ray Rice, when asked how seriously the NFL takes the issue of domestic violence ("CBS This Morning," 12/18).

"I'm senior assistant athletic director. They call that 'SAAD'" -- Former longtime Oregon State baseball coach Pat Casey, joking about his new role at the school (PAMPLINMEDIA.com, 12/18).

The DC City Council officially passed a bill to legalize sports gambling in the district. Gambling will be controlled by the DC Lottery, and will allow both online and brick-and-mortar betting locations, including #Nats Park and Capital One Arena.

— Aaron Oster (@TheAOster) December 18, 2018

According to a source, Carlos Beltran is expected to join the Yankees as a special advisor to GM Brian Cashman. Beltran was repped by Dan Lozano of MVP Sports Group, who also reps Manny Machado. Will be interesting to see if Beltran is part of the Machado recruiting process.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 18, 2018

RIP Penny Marshall. You were a light in this world. Your movie A League of Their Own honored the women of the @aagpbl and inspired others to play baseball. You made a difference. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/jOxDBcSmzx

— Justine Siegal (@justinebaseball) December 18, 2018

65 percent of modern sportswriting is complaining about the college football playoff.

— Bryan Curtis (@bryancurtis) December 18, 2018

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

Star NHL players talk about their favorite Christmas songs in this new video from the league.

40 -- Number of years the Raiders have played at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in their 59-year history. The team may be hosting its "final game" at the venue on Christmas Eve against the Broncos as uncertainty lingers over where it will play in '19 (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 12/18).