The Univ. of Minnesota and the Vikings today will announce that they “have agreed to terms on a facility use agreement that allows the Vikings to use TCF Bank Stadium” for the ’14 and ’15 seasons while their new stadium is being built. The deal is subject to a vote by the UM Board of Regents. The pact has stipulations that the Vikings “reimburse the university for any required TCF Bank Stadium capital improvements, as well as all gameday operational expenses for Vikings home games” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 5/9).

The city of Edmonton today will be "asking other members of the Capital Region Board for support" to find part of the last C$55M for the downtown Oilers arena deal. The city will not be asking CRB members for money directly, but "will be asking for a show of support as it petitions the province for a regional collaboration grant available under the provincial Municipal Sustainability Initiative." The Edmonton City Council debate on the arena last night was delayed after the council "voted unanimously to defer the issue, possibly until the next council meeting May 22" (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 5/9).

The Players tees off today at TPC Sawgrass and the PGA Tour would "love nothing better" than golf fans to refer to this week's tournament "as a major." The Tour has "done everything it can" to make the event "major-worthy." The tournament's $9.5M purse is the biggest in golf, 19% larger than the $8M purses "the four 'other' majors offer." The Players has "a stronger field than the majors." All 30 of the world top 30 will be in this week's field, as well as 45 of the top 50 (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 5/7).

Golfer Graeme McDowell said of the tournament:“Typically, guys stay away from golf courses they don't like and don't play well on apart from maybe ones like this where it's such a huge purse, such a prestigious event, the unofficial fifth major event and stuff” (ESPN.com, 5/8).

Meanwhile, fans will "have an opportunity to ditch their personal mobile device and rent a 'FanVision' PDA this weekend." The device, "which is slightly larger than a mobile phone, is available at The Players for the first time, allowing fans to enjoy a live video and audio broadcast of the entire tournament" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 5/9).

News Corp. reported a 4% increase in Q3 operating income to $1.36B, “fueled by the strength of its cable channels and retransmission fees at Fox Broadcasting.” Net income climbed to $2.85B, compared to $937M in the year-ago period. Revenue increased 14% to $9.54B.

The upcoming launch of Fox Sports 1 has “garnered attention from Wall Street analysts who expect it to compete with ESPN.” News Corp. COO Chase Carey said that sports “were the ‘driving force’ behind the company’s channels business,” but added that sports “should not ‘cloud the importance’ of Fox News, FX and other channels” (N.Y. TIMES, 5/9).

Ed Carpenter Racing GM Derrick Walker reportedly has agreed to become Izod IndyCar Series President of Racing Operations and "a formal announcement is expected next week." Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles has "been wooing Walker for the past three months to be his racing lieutenant." The contract was believed to have been signed on Sunday (SPEEDTV.com, 5/8).

IOC VP Thomas Bach today announced his intention to run for the IOC President position, becoming the “first member to declare he is a candidate to succeed Jacques Rogge,” who is stepping down on Sept. 12. IOC Exec Committee member Ng Ser Miang is expected to “formally announce his candidacy soon,” and fellow committee member Richard Carrion is “another likely leading contender” (AP, 5/8).

An int'l wrestling match from Grand Central Station will anchor NBC Sports Network's afternoon lineup May 15. The sports channel will carry a U.S.-Iran freestyle match from 3:30-5:00pm ET, with Jason Knapp, Rulon Gardner and Jimmy Roberts calling the action. The match is part of "The Rumble on the Rails," a live wrestling match between teams from the U.S., Iran and Russia. It raises funds for youth wrestling programs in N.Y.

The U.S. and Russian teams will compete from 6:00-7:30pm in a match that will be carried on Universal Sports Network. Knapp will do play-by-play on Universal Sports, with Roberts serving as a reporter. The network has not settled on an analyst.

Grantland’s Bill Simmons appeared on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” last night and host Jimmy Kimmel noted Simmons is "one of the great success stories of the Internet. He went from a local sports blogger in Boston to interviewing the president of the United States.” Kimmel asked, “Can you imagine a teenage Bill Simmons being one day very good friends with Magic Johnson?” Simmons: “I like to think we're friends. I hope we're friends. He's definitely my richest friend." Simmons, a Celtics fan, added, "I hated the Lakers. I hated Kareem the most. Magic was always the Laker we secretly tolerated. But some of his greatest moments were some of my worst moments” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 5/8).

A source said that Jay-Z is “closing in on being a certified agent” by the MLBPA. He is “expected to be certified by the union within weeks” (N.Y. POST, 5/9).

MLS Exec VP/Communications Dan Courtemanche yesterday on Twitter denied a report by ESPN Deportes that MLS Chivas USA Owner Jorge Vergara will be forced to relinquish control of the club, presumably to the league (TWITTER.com, 5/8).

The Boston Athletic Association “sold out its first event since last month's marathon bombings in 13 hours Wednesday as 6,500 runners filled the field” for a 10K on June 23. The race “had not sold out in either of its first two years” (AP, 5/9).

YouTube today will introduce dozens of subscription channels, but WWE "will not be a part of the launch" as it "has opted to stick with ad-supported properties" for web video (VARIETY.com, 5/8).

Luxury watch manufacturer Audemars Piguet ran an ad in today’s N.Y. Times congratulating Heat F LeBron James on winning his fourth NBA MVP award in five years. James signed a deal with the company in April ‘11 (THE DAILY).

"I really can't tell you what's going to happen. We want them to stay. We want them to be good neighbors. And being good neighbors is to have some responsibility to their fans, right?" -- Chicago Alderman Tom Tunney, on the future of the Cubs at Wrigley Field (USA TODAY, 5/9).

"The point we are making is the broadcast business -- to be a healthy business and to be able to deliver the type and quality of events that it does -- needs to be a dual-revenue business” -- News Corp. COO Chase Carey, expounding on comments he made last month that Fox would look to go to cable if Internet TV service Aereo is allowed to capture and transmit over-the-air signals of the broadcast networks to consumers (LATIMES.com, 5/8).

“'Splash' has put diving on prime time TV, and diving clubs all across the country have kept telling me that they now have waiting lists, following the popularity of the show” -- Bronze Medal-winning British diver Tom Daley, on ABC’s reality show (MIAMI HERALD, 5/9).

"I finished the call, went to commercial and not five seconds later, (producer Dave Armbruster) says, 'guess what you forgot'" -- Baseball HOF broadcaster Marty Brennaman, on omitting his signature call -- "and this one belongs to the Reds" -- from Tuesday's radio broadcast of the Braves-Reds game (CINCINNATI.com, 5/8).

Soccer announcer Ian Darke: "At superb launch today of BT Sport who I am joining to cover Premier League and other games next season in UK. ... Just to add I will still be covering USA matches on Espn in America."

CBS Sports Creative Dir Pete Radovich: "Sorry for winning the Emmy. Never thought that people would like a show w/ 30 mins of new NFL Films highlites, Collinsworth & JB. Who knew?"

SI's Gary Van Sickle: "Is there an over/under on how many holes Vijay plays Thursday before a fan gets ejected for heckling him?"

Actor Ken Jeong: "It is you @InsideHoops that is LEGEND. You make my world a better place. Scalabrine fix, check. Basketball truth, check."

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

An announcement is expected confirming that the Univ. of North Carolina with play the Univ. of South Carolina to open the ’15 season on Sept. 5 at Bank of America Stadium.

The Colts are placing 1,000 upper-level season tickets on sale to the public beginning at 10:00am ET.

NASCAR driver Kurt Busch will participate in an IndyCar test prepared by Andretti Autosport at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The car is the one that will be driven by Ryan Hunter-Reay during the Indy 500.

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Famous Englishmen.”

“On the eve of his 200th birthday in 2009, the Church of England offered him ‘an apology for misunderstanding you.’”

NBC’s Jay Leno: “Health officials now say that rabies season is here and to be on the lookout for any bats that look weak and disoriented, like the ones used by the L.A. Dodgers. What’s going on? They’ve lost six in a row. Do you know what they call it when the Dodgers are playing out of town? Fan appreciation night. The Dodgers have used less wood this year than Hugh Hefner. The Dodgers even have a new movie coming out about them. It’s called ’42: Games Out of First Place.’ Kobe Bryant is now suing his mother claiming she stole some of his basketball memorabilia and is selling it. That’s going to make for an awkward Mother’s Day” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 5/8).

CBS’ David Letterman: “Remember Tim Tebow, quarterback for the Jets?” After only a few people clapped lightly, Letterman said, “It's like the Chilean miners. You've given up, haven't you!? Forbes magazine named Tim Tebow most influential athlete of the year … (and) here's the announcement. Watch this.” A taped “announcement” then aired and the voiceover said, “Forbes would like to congratulate Tim Tebow for being named most influential athlete for 2013. By ‘influential’ we mean a compelling figure who gets the public's attention on issues and by athlete we mean someone who does this.” Video was shown of Tebow sitting on the bench wearing a baseball cap. The voiceover added, “Forbes. Still in print” (“Late Show,” CBS, 5/8).

Last night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Least Memorable James Bond Films.” Letterman said, “The very first James Bond film, ‘Dr. No,’ opened 50 years ago today … (and) the James Bond film franchise has earned over $6 billion worldwide” (“Late Show,” CBS, 5/8).

10) “Lick And Let Dry”
9) “You've Only Bathed Twice”
8) “Oldfinger”
7) “Clams Casino Royale”
6) “Gold Bond: The Spy Who Loved Medicated Powder”
5) “Secret Service On Her Majesty”
4) “James Bond: Mall Cop”
3) “Leafraker”
2) “From Rush Limbaugh With Love”
1) “Cold Sores Are Forever”

“Who was Charles Darwin?”

Host Alex Trebek said the Church of England “conceded that it had been overly emotional in repudiating … his theory of evolution.”