The NFL in a statement said, "We are continuing to work to return to Mexico with an NFL game, but while talks continue, as of today no decision has been made to hold a game in Mexico in 2016." This follows "published reports that there were teams, a venue and a date agreed upon for the game." The NFL explained that there are a series of requirements for a facility to meet to host a game (LA AFICIÓN, 1/4). The S.F. Chronicle's Vic Tafur on Monday tweeted he heard rumors of the Raiders and Texans being included in the Mexico matchup, but after calling the league office he reported it is "not a done deal yet" (TWITTER.com, 1/4).
START TALKING: In Boston, Nick Cafardo wrote MLB CBA talks, which should begin this month, will be one of the "stories to follow" in '16. Large-market teams "have long believed the luxury tax is unfair for payrolls that surpass the limit." Cafardo: "Look for the tax threshold to increase under the new agreement, but we wonder whether the Yankees/Red Sox/Dodgers/Tigers/Giants etc. may have specific ideas on how to reduce the burden of the tax." The big-market teams also believe it is "unfair to subsidize smaller-market teams." These CBA talks "may be a little more difficult with so many important issues on the table" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/3). Meanwhile, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick wrote MLBPA Exec Dir Tony Clark "has stayed below the radar for the most part since replacing the late Michael Weiner" in December '13. Clark is in for an "eventful year trying to represent a wide range of player interests in baseball's CBA negotiations" (ESPN.com, 1/1). Clark also was profiled in this week's SportsBusiness Journal.
HARD WORK: In S.F., Ron Kroichick wrote the NBA schedule "needs a dose of common sense." The travel demands "hurt the product." The Warriors are "awash in injuries, and it requires no medical degree to suspect the schedule is a factor." Warriors F Draymond Green said, "Everybody always talks about cutting out the back-to-back games, but that would make for a longer season -- and it’s already kind of long enough. I don’t know if that’s really the answer." He added, "The preseason should be shorter" (SFGATE.com, 1/4).
