Qualtrics Founder & CEO Ryan Smith and his wife Ashley "just bought the Utah Jazz from Gail Miller," gaining formal approval from the NBA BOG on Friday. The deal is reported to be valued at $1.66B. Smith said, “I’ve done hundreds of negotiations, and I’ve done some pretty big deals. I have never done a deal like this. ... It’s been frictionless. And it should be an example, not just for the NBA, but for all of sports on how to take an asset like this and pass the baton." Asked if he would "circle back to consider" buying Real Salt Lake, an idea he has previously floated, Smith said, “That would be great. It’s just got to feel like this” (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 12/18).

Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly said that the team “would consider not playing” in the CFP if they make the four-team playoff “if families are not allowed to attend the semifinal game.” Kelly, whose team is ranked No. 2, said, “Why would we play if you can't have families at the game? If you can't have families at bowl games, why would you go to a game where your families can't be part of it?” The Rose Bowl is slated to host one of the CFP semifinal games, but local authorities have said that sporting events will “'remain spectator-free' after the county announced a stay-at-home order” (ESPN.com, 12/18).

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, whose team will play Notre Dame in the ACC Championship game on Saturday, also stressed a desire to play in front of fans should his team make the CFP. He said, “It makes no sense to me to put a bunch of kids on a plane and fly them all the way to California to play in an empty stadium" (GREENVILLE NEWS, 12/18).

The NHLPA has an executive board call scheduled for Friday night to "give the player reps an update on where things stand" as it relates to a return-to-play plan, though there is "no vote expected." The transition rules in the season document with the NHL would "need to be completed by tonight's call for a vote to take place." Those rules are "[not] done yet," and then there is the "whole Canadian teams' situation." The NHL "does not have a Board of Governors call scheduled for today" (TWITTER.com, 12/18).

The LPGA has "released its schedule" for next year, and the 34-tournament slate will include a record $76.45M in prize money. The LPGA was only able to conduct 18 events this season due to the pandemic, but next year will feature a "few new events, including a match-play tournament in May." While the LPGA’s two Australian stops, which usually happen in February, "have been postponed until 2022, both Asian Swings are a go after being scrapped this year." All five majors are "back on the schedule, including the U.S. Women’s Open, which will move back to its summer date" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 12/18).

Canelo Alvarez will face Callum Smith Saturday night in San Antonio, and around 12,000 fans “will be allowed into the vast Alamodome following an easing of coronavirus restrictions.” Alvarez, who will be fighting for the first time in 13 months and recently cut ties with Golden Boy, “hopes to put on a show” for the crowd. He said, “This is a venue for 70,000 people and there will be 12,000 there in order to keep social distance and spread them around. Hopefully they can enjoy a big event." DAZN will broadcast the fight (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 12/17).

The 49ers officially "will remain" in Arizona for their Week 17 game against the Seahawks due to COVID-19 restrictions in Santa Clara County (NBCSPORTS.com, 12/18).

Fox Sports extended its deal with MotoAmerica for coverage of the motorcycle circuit in '21. Expanded coverage will include 10 HONOS Superbike events (two races per event), plus a magazine and recap show (Fox Sports).

Digital food ordering service EatStreet was named the official food delivery partner of the Bucks. The deal will include special offers from EatStreet on gamedays (Bucks).

BetMGM launched its sports betting app in Pennsylvania on Friday. This follows the recent introduction of the company’s iGaming offering to the state (BetMGM).

"On a day-to-day basis it feels the same because I’m working with the same people on the same goals. I think maybe when I switch offices and finally get Theo’s guitars and stuff out of there it'll feel a little bit more like a promotion" -- Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer, on replacing Theo Epstein in that role. Hoyer's full interview airs Friday night at 9:00pm CT on Marquee Sports Network's “Off The Mound with Ryan Dempster” (THE DAILY).

"We want to do it thoughtfully and responsibly and in a measured way. We got comfortable with, in a pregame show, this being a conversation that happens among the talent in studio" -- NBA Senior VP & Head of Fantasy Gaming Scott Kaufman-Ross, on betting-related content during NBA shoulder program, such as mentioning of point spreads on TNT studio shows (SBJ Betting).

Hearing that #Brewers VP/special asst to the GM Ray Montgomery is jumping to the #Angels to work in an exec capacity under new GM Minasian.

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 18, 2020

The ACC regular season is now complete.

The 15 members were slated to play 90 total games (15 non-conf and 75 conf games).

85 games were played.

— Bryan Ives (@awaytoworthy) December 18, 2020

Syracuse AD John Wildhack says football did not have one positive test during the season. Absolutely should be applauded

— Andrea Adelson (@aadelsonESPN) December 18, 2020

One NFC GM observations from Thursday night's game:
1. The @Chargers have superstar QB in Justin Herbert to build a fan base.
2. Anthony Lynn should remain as coach, won 12 games two years ago, and deserves to be part of the fix.
3. Marcus Mariota looked like an NFL starter.

— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) December 18, 2020

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

NHL players extend their holiday greetings in this league-compiled video set to a new seasonal song from Meghan Trainor.

27% -- Increase in "Oakland Forever"-branded merchandise across the Warriors' entire product line over the first seven days following the new City Edition jersey's Dec. 3 launch, compared to when the club launched "The Town" gear in '17. Also, the Dec. 3 date ranks first all-time in online sales of Warriors merch since the team switched to Fanatics in '18, even outpacing sales from the day after the Warriors won the '18 NBA title (THE DAILY).