Serena Williams will "star in a year-long marketing campaign for social networking app Bumble, kicking off with a message of women's empowerment during the Super Bowl." In the campaign titled “The Ball is in Her Court,” Williams will "urge women to make the first move in all aspects of their lives." Williams "helped create the Bumble campaign, which was developed and produced entirely by women, and will serve as global adviser to the company." The effort will "appear across multiple platforms." Bumble declined to say if it would "include a TV commercial during" the Super Bowl telecast (REUTERS, 1/3).

The Ravens plan to "begin a round of upgrades" to some M&T Bank Stadium luxury suites, "as well as to north and south club level spaces in mid-January," in work projected to cost $23.8M. This marks the "final phase" of a $120M renovation project announced in '17. The team will pay $8M to "renovate 70 of the stadium's 133 suites," while club-level renovations will cost $15.8M. Work is slated to begin Jan. 16, though the "timing could change if the Ravens advance in the playoffs and need to host another game at home." Construction is slated to take about seven months and "will be done in time for the start" of the '19 NFL season (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/3).

The NFL is "teaming up with Amazon on The Rookie's Guide to the NFL, a new Alexa 'skill' for Amazon Echo speakers" launching today. The goal is to use the voice command to "explain the football terminology and jargon commentators routinely bark out during an NFL broadcast." The skill "consists of some 2,000 terms, related to positions, formations, rules, players and more." It also features an introduction by NFL Network’s Cole Wright and a "weekly update" from former NFLer Osi Umenyiora. Echo Spot or Echo Show devices will add "supplemental video explainers" (USATODAY.com, 1/3).

Tonight's Raptors-Spurs game will mark F Kawhi Leonard's first game back in San Antonio since forcing a trade that sent him to Toronto. The Spurs have prepared a video tribute to their former star, but it "remains unclear whether the Spurs will air the video, because if Leonard is getting booed every time he touches the ball, would they want to add to the chorus during a timeout?" It is possible images of Leonard "hoisting a trophy will cut through the anger." But many fans "paid top dollar for tickets to tonight’s game for the express purpose of letting Leonard know" how they feel (EXPRESSNEWS.com, 1/3).

Dover Int'l Speedway today unveiled plans for its 50th anniversary season in '19, when it also will host its 100th NASCAR Cup Series race. The track's iconic Monster Mile trophies will be converted from their customary concrete-like finish to a brilliant metallic gold color. An expanded FanZone, complete with the Monster Mile Youth Nation kids' area, will feature more attractions, driver appearances and autograph sessions than in past years. Dover will be the 10th track in the country to hit the 100-Cup-race mark (Dover Motorsports).

NBC Sports has revealed its new on-air talent team for Monster Energy Supercross, which kicks off the '19 season this weekend in Anaheim. Ralph Sheheen (play-by-play) and Ricky Carmichael (booth analyst) are both making the switch from Fox Sports to NBC, which picked up Supercross and Monster Jam media rights from series owner Feld Entertainment this year. They will be joined by on-track analyst Daniel Blair and pit reporter Will Christien. NBC will also sprinkle in commentators from other motorsports series throughout the year, including IndyCar analyst Townsend Bell and IMSA analyst A.J. Allmendinger.

Billy Joel will "return to Citizens Bank Park for his sixth consecutive year on May 24, making him the first artist to hold a stadium residency at the venue." Joel has the "most performances of any artist at the venue since it opened 15 years ago." The Phillies "will feature a kiosk with the artist’s tour merchandise at every home game in May." Joel will also "receive a key to Citizens Bank Park to commemorate the honor" (PHILLY.com, 1/3).

Austin FC, the MLS expansion club owned by Precourt Sports Ventures, named former Crew President of Business Operations Andy Loughnane President. He "will report" to Chair & CEO Anthony Precourt (MLSSOCCER.com, 1/3).

The N.Y. Daily News has "let go its sports editor, Eric Barrow, according to sources." Barrow in an email "told his staff that he was informed that the News is eliminating" the position (TWITTER.com, 1/3).

Foot Locker has made a $3M investment in Palo Alto-based lifestyle brand Super Heroic (Foot Locker).

"It's sad. Every day that I drive in I think about it. And obviously as the season goes we're getting closer and closer. So it's OK to be excited about the new arena and sad about leaving Oakland. That's how I think everybody feels" -- Warriors coach Steve Kerr, on the team's final season at Oracle Arena before moving to the new Chase Center (ESPN.com, 1/3).

"His career's not over. ... Why he's saying that, I don't know. Maybe he thinks that that sells. Maybe he's taking the Donald Trump approach and trying to sell himself. I don't know" -- Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge, on LeBron James calling himself the "greatest player of all time" in a recent episode of his ESPN+ show, "More Than An Athlete" ("Toucher & Rich," WBZ-FM, 1/3).

Excited for golf to return - it's a reminder that a break is a GOOD thing for a sport, even if the break is shorter than it probably should be. Just think if golf took 2-3 months off what the anticipation would be like?

— Shane Bacon (@shanebacon) January 3, 2019

The Playoff was conceived with two ideas:
A) The semifinals would take over New Year’s eve in America (whoops)
B) The championship game would be a mini-Super Bowl. They wanted to move it around the country and not rely on the BCS bowl venues. Not the best idea! https://t.co/qtMBck7Chp

— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) January 3, 2019

Time has passed me by, this will be 2019. All those things that were illegal or discouraged (gambling, marijuana use, ticket scalping) are now legal or will be encouraged in sports. Money changes all.

— Jim Steeg (@jimsteeg) January 3, 2019

Officially official. Please welcome @GabeBurnsAJC as the AJC's Braves beat reporter. Give him a follow. He's good.

— Chris Vivlamore (@CVivlamoreAJC) January 3, 2019

Just got off the phone with a college senior ready to graduate in June asking for advice..so here it is: Bring it every day. No entitlement. No short cuts. No mailing it in.
A sold work ethic , a great attitude with outstanding people skills are essential to success. Be kind.

— chuck swirsky (@ctsbulls) January 3, 2019

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

Forbes tweeted out this video profiling Brandon and Bradley Deyo, founders of high school sports-focused digital media outlet Mars Reel.

3,400 -- Hours of live coverage MLB Network plans to air this year, its 10th in operation. That compares to 1,638 hours in '09, the net's first year (MLB Network).