Salt Lake City bid officials took the next step in securing the Winter Olympics, filing their preferred host submission with the IOC today.

The IOC selected Salt Lake City as the preferred host for the 2034 Olympics and Paralympics and is expected to vote to confirm it as a host during its session in July. Today's filing detailed bid leaders' answers to 43 questions outlining their vision and concept for the Games, planned legacy, financial information, site plans and sustainability studies.

The submission moves Salt Lake City a step closer to hosting the first Winter Games in the U.S. since it hosted in 2002. Officials in Utah have been pursuing the Games for more than a decade, relying on widespread local and government support as well as a legacy of venues still in use from hosting more than two decades ago.

Salt Lake City bid officials will submit local, state and federal guarantees in March, and the IOC's future host commission will visit Salt Lake City on April 9-13.

New Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould had her introductory press conference with the media today, and she made it clear that there are still plenty of options on the table for an expanded College Football Playoff after 2026. Gould: "There are a lot of different options on the table. To be clear, we're very much in the infancy stages of what happens beyond 2026. We're not discussing one model. We're looking at many. ... We’re committed to making sure that whatever plan we move forward with has adaptability" (X, 2/29). Gould noted her contract is a two-year deal, which "lines up with the grace period to rebuild a conference and schedules for other sports" (X, 2/29).  

Other topics Gould touched on in her presser:

• On the Pac-12 brand remaining in place: "We're the Pac-12 conference and we're going to be the Pac-12 conference. That brand means something on the West Coast and to our fanbases. We'll continue to own the name, logo and intellectual property" (X, 2/29).
• On a Pac-12 football TV deal for 2024: Gould had no update on a deal, but said the conference is "hopeful for a resolution in the near future" (X,2/29). 
• On a potential merger with the Mountain West: Gould said merger conversations with the Mountain West "haven't started" (X, 2/29).
• On the Pac-12 Networks: Gould said the conference "will continue to operate the Pac-12 Networks studio and facility" and called it a "valuable and unique asset." The network will be used "to produce content and showcase the Oregon State and Washington State athletes and teams in 2025" (X, 2/29).
• On private equity investment: Washington State President Kirk Schulz, who introduced Gould at the presser, said both WSU and OSU "are open to private equity investment if the opportunity presents itself." Schulz: "It would be silly to close the door artificially" (X, 2/29).

French President Emmanuel Macron today "officially inaugurated the 2024 Olympic village and praised the legacy the Games will leave to Paris." The keys to the 52-hectare village, "just north of Paris along the Seine," were officially handed to the Olympics organizers today. The ceremony saw Nicolas Ferrand -- the General Dir of SOLIDEO, the company in charge of delivering the Olympics infrastructure -- hand a symbolic key to the village to Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet, "officially concluding a seven-year journey since Paris was awarded the Games." The village "will host some 14,500 athletes and their staff before welcoming 9,000 for the Paralympics" (REUTERS, 2/29).

The Univ. of North Carolina System Board of Governors today formally approved a policy change that will make it "more complicated, and perhaps more difficult, for state universities to move from one athletics conference to another." The chancellor of any state university planning a conference move must provide to the president “advance notice” of that move, as well as a “financial plan” associated with it. If approved, the president must notify the Board of Governors, which could then bring the proposal to a vote. The board’s action comes as the future of the ACC is "more uncertain than it has ever been," including whether North Carolina’s four conference schools will stay together. Duke and Wake Forest are private, but UNC and N.C. State as public schools now must seek higher approval if they planned to leave the ACC. UNC is seen as a "desirable expansion target for either the Big Ten or the SEC" (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 2/29).

Plans to tighten regulation of English soccer club owners "will not rule out more state-backed takeovers," a U.K. government minister said today. The Football Governance Bill would give an independent regulator "powers to safeguard the future of clubs and ensure their financial sustainability," including "strengthened tests over who can run or own clubs." U.K. Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said the government "did not propose to block state-backed investment," such as the Saudi-backed takeover of Premier League club Newcastle in 2021. Under proposals, a regulator would also "have powers to block English teams from attempting to join a breakaway league," such as the failed European Super League in 2021 (AP, 2/29).

ASM Global is expanding its Business Incubator Program (BIP) and introducing the Supplier Diversity Legacy Program (DLP) to encourage inclusivity, innovation and sustainable business practices within the venue management company’s global supply chain. The BIP offers a six-week curriculum of accelerated classes designed to empower emerging businesses globally through mentorships, access to resources, and strategic partnerships. Also debuting is the company’s DLP featuring higher-level nine-month classes for businesses seeking sustained growth on an international scale. 

The announcement comes on the 1-year anniversary of ASM Global launching its supplier diversity program, in which it’s assisted 45 diverse-owned businesses in growing their ability to supply companies as large as ASM Global. ASM Global has committed to a 30% increase in reportable certified diverse supplier spending by 2030.  

Nations Group has been selected to serve as the owners’ rep for the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority on its $250M arena project that’s getting underway in June. Richmond County voters approved a half-penny sales tax in November that paved the way for the new arena, which is scheduled to be completed in December 2026. The new venue will replace the 44-year-old James Brown Arena, which hasn’t had a pro sports tenant in over a decade and will be demolished in the coming months. 

The new arena, designed by Perkins&Will, will have capacity for 10,500 seats and considerably more premium offerings than the current arena, including suites, loge boxes, a private club lounge, and “Taste of Augusta,” featuring food from local area restaurants. The project will also connect the new arena to the recently renovated Bell Auditorium. An RFP for a contractor to build the new arena is in the market right now. Perkins&Will also designed Enmarket Arena, a not too dissimilar 9,500-seat arena that opened in 2022 in Savannah, two and a half hours east of Augusta.

Nations Group’s involvement is a step outside the firm’s usual college sports work. The Scottsdale, Ariz.-based firm is currently overseeing major stadium renovation projects at Florida State and Penn State, among others. 

The WNBA Las Vegas Aces will play Puerto Rico’s national team in an exhibition on May 11 at the Univ. of South Carolina's Colonial Life Arena (AP, 2/29).

The Phillies are "retiring" their Dollar Dog Night promotion at Citizens Bank Park after 27 years and replacing it with "two games in April when fans will be able to buy two hot dogs for the price of one." The team said it eliminated Dollar Dog Night "after raucous crowds last season began to throw hot dogs and lines at concession stands clogged the concourses" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 2/29).

USA Swimming has extended its partnership with nutrition company USANA through 2026. A partner of USA Swimming since 2021, the Utah-based company will provide USA Swimming athletes with product and the opportunity to learn about multivitamins to support their nutritional needs. As part of the extended multiyear partnership, USANA will connect with the USA Swimming community through member communications and social content (USA Swimming).

Law firm Morgan & Morgan has signed on to become the official law firm of Professional Bull Riders. The multifaceted partnership spans the Unleash The Beast and PBR Camping World Team Series, including in-arena signage and a presence across PBR social and digital media (PBR).

Premier League clubs have been presented with "a new offer to settle the issue of financial redistribution across the football pyramid." Premier League CEO Richard Masters today shared with representatives of its 20 clubs "a potential offer to the EFL that would share more than" $1.14B in "increased funding across the pyramid over six years." No vote was taken, but clubs "will consider the proposal before a further meeting" on March 11 (London GUARDIAN, 2/29).

Former Liverpool Sporting Dir Michael Edwards "would seek total control of football operations" at the club to consider coming back to Anfield less than two years after his departure to take a break from the game. Liverpool owner Fenway Sports Group is "set to make one final attempt to persuade" Edwards to return "as part of the post-Jürgen Klopp era" (London TIMES, 2/29).

More 

• Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells concedes Australia’s sporting systems "aren’t equal."
• LIV rebel Sergio Garcia must pay more than $1M to rescue Ryder Cup dream.

"We’re pleased we got something back. ... The points made by the club have been listened to and we’ve got four points back, which we’ll take. It brings clarity to the situation which is good for us, the players and for everyone" -- Everton manager Sean Dyche, on the club getting its point deduction reduced from 10 to six by the Premier League (THE ATHLETIC, 2/29).

The NC Lottery Commission issued its first sports wagering operator licenses to these 7 companies. Sports betting starts March 11 at noon.

FanDuel Sportsbook
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bet365
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— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) February 29, 2024

.@MLS will utilize replacement referees for Week 2 after PRO and PSRA fail to come to an agreement, reports @MLSist of @TheAthletic.

— Ralph Schudel (@schudel_ralph) February 29, 2024

SEC announces football media days lineup in Dallas and with newbies Oklahoma and Texas. pic.twitter.com/5yZmkAnMHx

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) February 29, 2024

3D model of Titans new stadium🏟️

Titans sideline on the north side of the stadium, seats expected to be 38% closer to the field which would be closest views out of any team in the NFL.@FOXNashville #Titans @Titans pic.twitter.com/NqKfb9Nm2v

— Jill Jelnick (@JillJelnick) February 29, 2024

Presenting the Emeralds specialty Nine jersey, honoring the Negro Leagues and the Black community. #RootedHere #MiLB pic.twitter.com/nTALpEjhjo

— Eugene Emeralds (@EugeneEmeralds) February 29, 2024

FTL isn't just Fort Lauderdale's initials; it's a symbol of our unity & diversity. Our crest reflects our canals & the sun's glint on our waters, while our colors pay homage to our iconic beaches. #WEAREFTL https://t.co/v0eudmx7XT🌞⚽🌊 pic.twitter.com/lVXJxAqMwx

— FTL UTD (@FTLUTD) February 29, 2024

.@IndyCar wants to have a charter system that is developed in concept by this year's Indy 500, per Mark Miles, though it's unclear when it would be implemented.

— Adam Stern (@A_S12) February 29, 2024

Tom Brady returns 24 years later to re-attempt his infamous 40-yard dash from the NFL Scouting Combine in 2000, running a faster time at age 46 than he did at age 22.

8 -- Consecutive months that ESPN has seen year-over-year viewership growth for the 7am ET “SportsCenter” window. That comes after the audience in February was up 7% from the same period in 2023, rising to 237,000 average viewers (Austin Karp, SBJ).