Microsoft signed a long-term sponsorship extension with the NFL today, adding business collaboration software to its rights alongside the Surface tablets now routinely seen on league sidelines. Microsoft Teams, a program that aims to be a comprehensive platform for project collaboration, will now be used by the NFL and its 32 clubs. Two examples given are the Chiefs, which use MS Teams to coordinate scout travel, and the Jets, who use the platform for draft planning. Terms were not disclosed, but a source characterized it as a “long-term” deal. Microsoft first struck the Surfaces deal with the league in '13. Wasserman represented Microsoft in the negotiations.

MLB "does not presently plan to cancel or postpone spring training or regular-season games due to the coronavirus outbreak but has established an internal task force to deal with possible complications in the coming months." A league memo outlining "suggested preparations for teams" recommended that players "avoid taking balls and pens directly from fans to sign autographs ... and opt against handshakes." Other recommendations: Teams "open lines of communication with the local public-health authority," while team medical personnel "ensure all players have received the 2019-20 flu vaccine and are up to date on other vaccinations" (ESPN.com, 3/3).

IOC spokesperson Mark Adams today declared that the Tokyo Games will proceed as planned despite concerns over the continued spread of coronavirus. Speaking at the IOC Exec Board meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, Adams said, “All the advice we’re getting is that the Games can and will go ahead.” Adams’ comments reiterated a statement released earlier in the day by the Exec Board. As SBJ reported on Monday, broadcasters and sponsors are growing increasingly anxious because there is no contingency plan for a potential cancellation, and billions of dollars are on the line; more than 60 companies have committed a combined $3.1B for domestic rights to Toyko 2020.

Adams also said that the IOC will not change its guidelines for transgender athletes before the Summer Games, citing concerns over adjusting the rules during ongoing qualifications. The IOC will continue to “reflect further on new guidelines.” In other Olympic news, the Exec Board has approved Tahiti to host surfing events for the '24 Paris Games, and Int'l Weightlifting Federation President Tamás Aján has resigned as IOC honorary member following allegations of corruption.

Predators President of Hockey Operations & GM David Poile said that there is "no damage to Bridgestone Arena" and that "no employees were hurt" resulting from last night's tornado. He added that the Preds' away game against the Wild tonight will be "used as a fundraiser of sorts" (TWITTER.com, 3/3). Poile also said that the Predators "will be doing everything they can to raise awareness and help the community hurt by the tornado ... including on the broadcast tonight" (TWITTER.com, 3/3).

The Predators also "opened the doors of Bridgestone Arena to those who lost their homes." Elsewhere, Titans OT Taylor Lewan and Raiders LB Will Compton (a former Titan) "teamed with a local apparel company to promote 'Nashville Strong' T-shirts," with the proceeds "helping the families affected by the tornado and efforts to rebuild the city." Also, Titans S Kevin Byard said that he "will pool resources through his foundation to help those affected" (ESPN.com, 3/3).

Meanwhile, the Triple-A PCL Nashville Sounds are surveying minor damage at First Horizon Park, though no structural damage occurred and no staff were present at the ballpark. The venue and team offices are closed today due to power outages caused by the storm (Sounds).

The Twins today announced that "all games will now be broadcast" on Minneapolis-based WCCO-AM and KMNB-FM as "part of a four-year agreement." The deal takes effect Saturday with a Spring Training game in the Dominican Republic against the Tigers. The Twins' current deal with WCCO began before the '18 season (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/3).

Meanwhile, the Wild and KFAN-AM agreed to a five-year extension through '25 in which the Minnesota station will "continue to be the exclusive radio rightsholder." The '20-21 season "will be their 10th as partners" (TWITTER.com, 3/3).

The Fire announced that Arlo White "will be part of their broadcast team on WGN-TV this season." White, who also serves as the lead play-by-play broadcaster for NBC Sports' coverage of the EPL, "will call Fire games during the Premier League offseason," and his "first match will be sometime in mid-May." White will be joined in the broadcast booth by analyst Tony Meola. When White is not available, Tyler Terens "will handle play-by-play." Terens and Meola will debut Saturday for the Fire's away game against the Revolution (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 3/3).

The Pensacola Bay Center "will be the newest home" of the Sun Belt Conference men's and women's basketball tournaments starting in '21. Under a five-year agreement, the conference is "set to return to 12-team formats for both men's and women's tournaments." The Sun Belt most recently hosted its hoops tournament in New Orleans for the "last six years at the 8,900-seat Lakefront Arena" (PENSACOLA NEWS JOURNAL, 3/3). Pensacola Bay Center seats roughly 10,000 (THE DAILY).

Special Olympics and global insurance brokerage firm Gallagher signed a multiyear deal making Gallagher a platinum partner of Special Olympics Int'l. W Partners represented Gallagher in the negotiations (THE DAILY).

Austin-based Audi rental company Silvercar will become an official partner of expansion MLS club Austin FC (Silvercar). 

Chat platform GameOn Technology has raised $10.5M in growth capital (GameOn).

The New Jersey-based Lincoln Technical Institute has been chosen as the official technical school of the Arrow McLaren SP IndyCar team (Lincoln Tech).

"I hope we don't get there" -- Bucks co-Owner Marc Lasry, on the possibility of banning fans from NBA games due to the coronavirus (CNBC.com, 3/3).

"It’s almost like cognitive dissonance. People tune in and they’re being told how they shouldn’t watch and how it’s not a fun game to watch. It’s bizarre to me. The NFL would never let it happen” -- Rockets GM Daryl Morey, on how current NBA telecasts tend to downplay the importance of the regular season (“First Things First,” FS1, 3/3).

Talk about narrative violation: While most predict the end of days for micro-mobility, another scooter startup raises a Series A😏

Even better, Bolt Mobility is co-founded by none other than Usain Bolt -- @usainbolt would you like to join us on @thegameplanshow to tell us more?

— Jay Kapoor (@JayKapoorNYC) March 3, 2020

Guys we are exactly an even-par score on the back nine at Augusta National days away from the start of the Masters. We've basically made it! Way to go everyone! Proud of us!

— Shane Bacon (@shanebacon) March 3, 2020

So we finally have a controversy about someone using the wrong gate to enter an arena.

In other words, at long last, GateGate.

— Peter Botte (@PeterBotte) March 3, 2020

you can't come on national television saying that you're suspending your Knicks fandom for the rest of the season while wearing the team's paraphernalia.

— Roy Bellamy (@roybelly) March 3, 2020

And Leon Rose thought being a player agent and having to deal with the whims of 19 year old kids was tough.

— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) March 3, 2020

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

The Commissioner and I were asked to sign the historic National Press Club guest book – We join the likes of icons such as Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy, @BarackObama amongst many many others – I’m extremely honored! | @PressClubDC pic.twitter.com/86K6LXXt2z

— Ted Leonsis (@TedLeonsis) March 3, 2020

MLB edited together some of the highlights of Cubs 3B Kris Bryant and 1B Anthony Rizzo being mic'd up for yesterday's Spring Training game.

NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson is appearing on the syndicated "Kelly Clarkson Show."

$8.1M -- Total cost to the Univ. of Maryland in buyouts to former football coaches, according to financial records. The school said it paid $4.5M of that total to "nine former coaches" during FY '19 and "owed the rest" (BALTIMORE SUN, 3/3).