Under Armour shares initially jumped more than 5% this morning after the company reported "better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings and revenue, boosted by apparel sales and growth overseas." Sales during Q4 rose 1.5% to $1.39B, "again ahead of expectations" for $1.38B. In the U.S., UA said sales fell 6% during Q4 to $965M, while international sales climbed 28%. It said apparel sales were up 2%, "fueled by its training business." Footwear sales were down 4%, as UA said that it "sold less shoes in discount stores during the holiday period." Accessories sales declined 2% (CNBC.com, 2/12).

Oppenheimer & Co. Senior Equity Research Analyst Brian Nagel said the results are “mixed,” as there are “very weak spots within the revenue line, particularly North America.” Nagel said some of that is "probably self-inflicted," as the company has been in this "two-year repositioning turnaround, they pulled back significantly on promotions, they've streamlined their operations." Nagel said the company has “battened down the hatches and from an internal perspective, they've done quite a good job.” The business is "operating better" ("Squawk Box," CNBC, 2/12).

The NBA yesterday said that it required the Pelicans to play C Anthony Davis after he was not traded by last week's deadline, citing "league rules governing competitive integrity." The Pelicans "initially planned to sit Davis for the rest of the season." But the league office said that it "intervened because of its rules about resting healthy players, which are in place largely to prevent teams from weakening their rosters intentionally." The Pelicans maintain that they were "trying to prevent Davis from a serious injury" over the rest of the season (N.Y. TIMES, 2/12).

Meanwhile, Bucks co-Owner Marc Lasry "has been fined $25,000 for his comments" regarding Davis, according to a source (ESPN.com, 2/11).

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has signed Constellation Brands’ Pacifico as its official beer sponsor in a four-year deal that runs through the ‘22 Beijing Games. Pacifico replaces Lagunitas, which had occupied the beer category from '15-18. Along with the usual pouring rights and activation opportunities at all World Cup events hosted by USS, Pacifico will be the founding partner of the Visa City Big Air series, set to begin in December. The deal is the second sponsorship with USS for Constellation Brands, which also owns the official spirit, High West Distillery.

Amid reports of "potential job cuts" coming down today, Activision-Blizzard saw shares close at $40.11 yesterday, down 7.6%. New competition from "free mobile titles such as Fortnite is causing some investors to question whether Activision's strategy remains overly focused on consoles and PC gamers." Analysts expect the company's sales to "decline by about 2% this year" to $7.8B. Regarding the job cuts, an Activision spokesperson said that the company "doesn't comment on 'rumors and speculation'" (L.A. TIMES, 2/12).

A petition that challenges the city of Austin's finalized deal for an MLS stadium "has been validated," meaning area residents "could head to the polls later this year to decide whether stadium deals that involve city-owned land should face a vote." The petition ordinance was "written in the wake of the city’s deal" with Austin FC Owner Anthony Precourt, who plans to privately finance construction of a $225M, 20,000-seat venue on the city-owned McKalla Place tract in North Austin. It calls for the city to hold an election on "any deal that would include the lease or sale of city-owned land for the construction of a sports or entertainment venue" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 2/12).

Performance recovery brand Hyperice has signed a sponsorship deal with the S.F. Shock, an Overwatch League team run by NRG Esports. Hyperice will make its products and protocols available to all Shock players, including its vibrating fitness devices that are intended to speed recovery times, heal injuries and improve mobility. Terms were not disclosed. While esports players are generally stationary, they are expected to practice or compete for more than 12 hours daily in some cases, and burnout is a common problem. NRG Esports President Brett Lautenbach said, “We are relentless in our efforts to maintain and improve the health, wellness and career longevity for each and every athlete.”

For more coverage of the business of esports, visit our partners, esportsobserver.com.

The Wichita City Council today is expected to approve $7.6M toward construction of a new minor-league ballpark that will "get the project going." The local body will be "giving the go-ahead for construction of stadium bones -- site grading, utilities, infield walls, dugouts and dugout tunnels." A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow. Wichita's "unnamed Triple-A baseball team is expected to play its first Pacific Coast League games" in April '20 (BIZJOURNALS.com, 2/11).

j.e. dunn

Kyler Murray has reportedly hired Select Sports Group's Erik Burkhardt as his football agent ahead of April's NFL Draft. Burkhardt also represents Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury (PROFOOTBALLTALKcom, 2/11).

Genesee Beer has signed on as the official beer of Watkins Glen Int'l in a multiyear sponsorship deal (FIFCO).

A gas leak near Nationwide Arena caused the Blue Jackets to cancel practice yesterday. The leak forced "several buildings to evacuate," including team employees at the arena. The Blue Jackets said that there "won't be any impact" on tonight's home game against the Capitals (AP, 2/11).

An ad in today's Wall Street Journal touts a special VIP package for next month's BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. The ad includes branding from WSJ+ and Tennis Channel (THE DAILY).

“This is a mess. There’s no real thought out plan to make this entire stadium work” -- Cincinnati Council member Chris Seelbach, on the city’s land deal with FC Cincinnati for its new stadium (BIZJOURNALS.com, 2/11).

“I’d love to live just a normal life there, where maybe people don’t recognize me and get to know me not because of what I do, but just because of me. Anyone who is going to Princeton next year, just be cool” -- Gold Medal-winning U.S. snowboarder Chloe Kim, on attending college in the fall (N.Y. TIMES, 2/12).

“Jon Gruden is an excellent choice for that show. I think the Oakland Raiders and everything they've got going on right now would be fantastic viewing for everybody to watch" -- Lions coach Matt Patricia, suggesting a team other than his own for the next season of HBO's “Hard Knocks” (ESPN.com, 2/11).

THE UNDEFEATED writes under the header, "David Williams, SEC’s First Black Athletic Director, Wanted Athletes To See The World Outside The Arena." Williams, who died last week, "didn’t just give lip service to the idea that the first priority in college sports should be the best interests of the student-athletes." He was "criticized by some for not spending more time fundraising or schmoozing with boosters, but that’s not where his heart was."

Also: 

• A look at former NBAer Baron Davis' transition from "the hardwood to Hollywood."
• Washington Times: "Time to Be Honest About The True Toll Of Football."
• Capitals' enforcer Tom Wilson invests in DC-area boxing gym.

So Durant yells at the media because all he wants to talk about is basketball and then goes on a media tour to promote his show that has nothing to do with basketball. Got it.

— Stefan Bondy (@SBondyNYDN) February 11, 2019

While the Boston Marathon is easily the greatest day in Boston sports, on an annual basis, the Beanpot Final ranks a solid 2nd. #OnlyinBoston #Boston

— DigitalSportsDesk (@DigSportsDesk) February 12, 2019

Kareem Hunt got a job in the NFL before Colin Kaepernick. Interesting.

— Tim McGhee (@tpmcghee) February 12, 2019

Prescient point from one GM last night: #Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray has power to dictate his draft spot like no one since Eli Manning. If he so desires, Murray can tell a team primed to draft him, “Don’t bother, I’ll play baseball.” Adds a fascinating dynamic.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 12, 2019

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

Hold onto your slushies, folks. Things are about to get interesting! @bluemangroup is in the house for tonight’s NU vs. BC #Beanpot Championship game.

1st intermission = #BlueManBOS! 🔵🕴🏻 pic.twitter.com/fkadxv31yd

— TD Garden (@tdgarden) February 12, 2019

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The Brewers hold a ribbon cutting for the remodeled Brewers Fields of Phoenix Spring Training venue.

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Primetime TV.”

“'Complications' was a suggested title for this ABC drama that was renewed for a 15th season in 2018.”

ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel: “In Indianapolis, the Pacers were playing the Clippers and a bat somehow flew on to the court. A big, brown bat was flying all over, and health officials now are warning anyone who may have touched the bat could have been exposed to rabies. The Pacers may literally have rabid fans.” The broadcast then aired footage of the bat flying around the arena, with added animation of the bat dribbling a basketball. Kimmel: “I think we found a new Air Bud” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 2/11). 

TBS’ Conan O’Brien said CBS' "Grammy Awards" broadcast “was a great show, a lot of exciting results." O'Brien: "Don’t ask me how, but the winner for Best Album was Tom Brady” (“Conan,” TBS, 2/11).

“What is 'Grey’s Anatomy'?”