Spead Reads....

The NHLPA fired back at Stars CEO Jim Lites for "derogatory comments" he directed at Stars C Tyler Seguin and LW Jamie Benn. Lites on Friday said Seguin and Benn have been "f---ing horses---; I don't know how else to put it." Lites also said that the "feeling also was shared" by Stars Owner Tom Gaglardi (ESPN.com, 12/30).

Disney and Verizon have agreed on a "new distribution deal, averting a threatened blackout of Disney-owned channels on Verizon Fios television systems" (L.A. TIMES, 12/31). A source said that Disney was able to "win price increases for its programming and the pickup of a new channel, the ACC Network" (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/31).

To combat extreme heat at the Australian Open, a newly developed "heat stress scale" will be applied along with "more comprehensive measuring of conditions across Melbourne Park." A 10-minute break between the third and fourth set "will be introduced in men's singles matches," and during women's singles matches "between the second and third set" (AAP, 12/28).