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The storming of the Capitol building yesterday spurred a "day of demonstrations, but no postponements, across the NBA." Suns and Raptors players "encircled the Suns’ midcourt logo before tipoff, arms linked and heads bowed." The Bucks and Pistons "kneeled for 12 seconds after their opening tip." Unable to meet with players in a full group because of COVID-19 restrictions in S.F., Clippers coach Tyronn Lue "called players ahead of their eventual 108-101 victory over the Warriors." Lue and Warriors coach Steve Kerr "spoke before tipoff and agreed, along with input from players, that both teams would kneel during the national anthem" (L.A. TIMES, 1/7).

A total of 11 games were on Wednesday’s NBA schedule, including Hornets-Hawks, and Hornets coach James Borrego said, "It feels a little odd to play a game tonight, to be honest." Yesterday's games also came "one day after the decision to not to bring charges against the officer who shot Jacob Blake" in Kenosha, Wis. (AP, 1/6).

Truist Financial, the bank created by the SunTrust and BB&T merger, has signed on as the NFL’s newest corporate sponsor. Truist is looking to build awareness for its relatively new brand within the marketing-noisy banking category, launching its NFL platform during the playoffs, which open Saturday. Activation starts today with a football-themed ad debuting on NFL Network about “unlocking potential.” The ad is from creative shop Strawberry Frog, directed by Peter Berg.

Truist has bought a national ad package on Fox and will also have local buys on other NFL games. Other support will include digital and social elements on outlets including Instagram, Snapchat, Bleacher Report and TikTok, along with content creation with The Players’ Tribune. Truist also will support the NFL’s Inspire Change social justice initiative to help promote the bank’s own community roots.

The Saints "will have 3,000 fans on hand" for Sunday's Wild Card game against the Bears at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and the team has informed season-ticket holders. The Saints had 3,000 fans in the stands for their "last two home games" against the Chiefs and Vikings, which marked a "substantial reduction from the original plan for 15,000 fans." However, the plan for 15,000 fans was "rolled back after coronavirus numbers in New Orleans increased in December" (NOLA.com, 1/6).

Hyperice

Hyperice has reached a multiyear deal with the Chiefs, the first partnership between the company and an individual NFL team after Hyperice in November became the official recovery technology partner of the NFL. Chiefs players will now have access to the Hypervolt Plus percussion massager for gametime recovery via branded HyperTank carts, in addition to custom Hyperice installations throughout the training and locker rooms for players and staff. Fans will gain behind-the-scenes access into players’ training routines, including preparation for game day. Hyperice also will be integrated into the Chiefs’ team-themed fitness center, Chiefs Fit, set to open in the spring at Regency Park Shopping Center in Overland Park, Kan.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes invested in Hyperice when joining the brand as an athlete ambassador in '20. As part of the new partnership, Mahomes will serve as the focal point in marketing and advocacy on and off the field.

The proposed Lot J development deal between the city of Jacksonville and Jaguars Owner Shad Khan "will get its first wave of City Council votes" today, as the body "decides whether its ready to move the bill toward a final judgment at next week's regular council meeting." Some of the proposed amendments "would make substantial changes to the proposed deal." Council member Ron Salem has worked with the Jaguars on an amendment that would link the lease extension to Lot J, saying that this is "not realistic" to because the lease extension likely "will be tied to stadium improvements" instead (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 1/7).

MGM Resorts Int'l named Jonathan Halkyard its new CFO "on the heels" of an $11B takeover offer for U.K. gambling firm Entain. Effective Jan. 11, Halkyard will succeed Corey Sanders, who transitioned to MGM COO in December. Halkyard, who most recently served as President & CEO of hotel company Extended Stay America, "will assume his new role as casino operators compete for control of the sports and online-gambling market while grappling with the financial impact of the coronavirus." If the proposed MGM-Entain deal closes, Halkyard "would likely play a role in integrating the two companies" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 1/7).

FC Cincinnati has completed the installation of the grass pitch at its new West End stadium, which features "first-of-its-kind technological advancements" for MLS. The turf's management system, developed by the locally owned Motz Group, "manages moisture and heat levels with pinpoint accuracy near the roots via a watertight liner and a vacuum drainage system that wraps around the entire surface and allows for better growing conditions." The pitch was "constructed using a hybrid surface comprised of natural rye grass and synthetic turf" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 1/7).

Georgia Tech will play Louisville in the '23 Chick-fil-A Kickoff game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, marking the Yellow Jackets' third appearance in the season-opening game "in three years’ time." The game is "part of Tech’s six-year contract" with AMB Sports & Entertainment (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 1/7).

Fan Controlled Football named three new strategic partners in the tech sector: Chatalyze, Ambidio and Earbuds (FCF).

"Many states have done sports betting, but they basically allow casinos to run their own gambling operations. That makes a lot of money for casinos, but it makes minimal money for the state and I’m not here to give the casinos a lot of money" -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, on his decision to back the push for mobile sports betting in the state (N.Y. POST, 1/7).

"I know what the rules are and I'll follow them" -- Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, who is absent from Sunday's playoff game against the Steelers due to COVID-19 protocols, on the NFL’s electronics communications policy that prohibits him from coaching remotely (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/7).

"I just want to coach. I just want to focus on being a coach and helping my players get better, just like any other minor league coach that gets hired. That’s really all I see myself as" -- New Red Sox minor league coach Bianca Smith (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/7).

The WASHINGTON POST goes with the header, "WNBA Players Helped Oust Kelly Loeffler From The Senate. Will She Last In The League?" Loeffler has been a co-owner of the WNBA Atlanta Dream since '10, and she has "vowed not to sell her stake in the team." But she would "return next season to a roster and league of women who openly campaigned against her." WNBA players spent yesterday "celebrating their assist" in Loeffler's defeat -- and "wondering what it means for Loeffler’s future in the league." Ousted from politics but "still part of the WNBA, Loeffler, at minimum, faces an awkward homecoming."

Also:

• NFL’s Rooney Rule "still ineffective and needs enforcement."
• Plan to "boost NFL hiring of minority coaches and general managers needs work."
• Sam Fuld made a "data-driven leap" from MLBer to Phillies GM in 4 years.
• College sports "must diversify racial and gender hiring practices."

Devastated to hear our friend and colleague Tom Perotta has died. A tall, strong man with a huge heart, an amazing sports writer and above all a devoted family man. My thoughts are very much with his family right now. https://t.co/cEDCsAJkyz

— Danielle Rossingh (@DRossingh) January 6, 2021

One of the greatest compliments a sports Commisioner can have is support of the players. @LPGACommish Michael Whan always seemed to have unanimous support from his @LPGA players. Job well done Mike! You’ll be missed big time!

— Dan Hicks (@DanHicksNBC) January 6, 2021

Thankful for @LPGACommish and his 11 years with the LPGA tour. Mike, you are leaving our tour, women’s golf, and women’s sports in a far better place than you found it. As a guy who preached the importance of “thank you notes” I hope you are bombarded with them today, Commish!!

— Amy Olson (@AmyOlsonGolf) January 6, 2021

On a challenging day for our nation & democratic process there is great celebration @UGAAthletics with the announcement of Josh Brooks as AD.Congrats Josh & Thnx to Pres Jere Morehead & advisory com Chair Kessel Stelling for your wisdom & leadership.CSA honored to assist.Go Dawgs

— Todd Turner (@TTCollegeSports) January 6, 2021

During this crisis impacting the sports business, we want everyone to be up-to-date on the latest news and information. Here are the top headlines from last night's SBJ Unpacks: MLS Prioritizing Future In Negotiations.

• George Washington-UMass Lone Sports Cancelation From DC Unrest
• Mike Whan Talks LPGA Departure, Traits For Successor
• ESPN Returns Fire On Jacob Wolf Claims

More from SBJ Media: Execs OK With NFL's 7% Viewership Drop:

• NFL Viewership: A Network-By-Network Look
• ESPN Putting Priority On Youth For Wild Card MegaCast
• Three Sports Media Trends To Watch

More from SBJ Esports: NRG Makes New Play For Casual Gamers:

• Pandemic Shakes Up Prize Money Distribution For 2020
• Esports Investments On The Rise
• Video Game Streaming Consumption Grew Astronomically 

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Blockbuster Movies.”

“Released in 2017, this movie is the highest-grossing film in the U.S. that’s set during World War I.”

“What is ‘Wonder Woman’?”