The NBA has nine games on tap today for its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day showcase, including "five nationally-televised matchups on NBA TV and TNT." Today "also just happens to be a Free League Pass day," making the remaining four games more widely available. The action tips off with Magic-Knicks at noon ET (NBA.com, 1/17). YAHOO SPORTS' Vince Goodwill notes the holiday has become "synonymous with the NBA," which is "better than most" of corporate America at honoring King's legacy. Goodwill: "You could say it's a natural marriage" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 1/17).

Meanwhile, the 76ers have launched a Buy Black Program to promote local, Black-owned businesses. The Devils, a fellow Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment franchise, are launching a parallel program in New Jersey. Online applications are open through Feb. 2: 76ers link here, Devils link here. Selected companies will receive marketing assets across 76ers or Devils platforms, including in-arena, TV, radio and digital. They also will work with the teams' front offices to conduct a business/brand analysis and identify targeted marketing needs (THE DAILY).

CBS' broadcast of the the Browns-Chiefs playoff game was "briefly cut off for viewers in New York and some other areas on the East Coast" yesterday. The outage "began about 20 minutes before the scheduled kickoff" at 3:05pm ET and "lasted about 30 minutes, returning just after" the Chiefs' first touchdown in the first quarter. It "seemed to primarily affect the New York metropolitan area and some other parts of the Northeast, and the telecast appeared to still work on streaming platforms and some channels showing the game in Spanish" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/18). Outages "varied depending on one's distributor, but they affected cable, satellite and telephone company carriers at various times early in the game" (NEWSDAY, 1/18).

All four NFL divisional playoff games this weekend featured limited attendance. By far the largest crowd was at Arrowhead Stadium yesterday for the Chiefs' win over the Browns, as the 16,000-plus on hand "matches the number the Chiefs had throughout the regular season" (NBCSPORTS.com, 1/16). Read more about how the pandemic-reduced crowds in Green Bay and Buffalo nevertheless provided a home-field advantage for both the Packers and Bills.

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The Chargers "hired Brandon Staley away from the Rams" to be their next coach. Staley, who just finished his first season as Rams defensive coordinator, will be introduced by the Chargers in a videoconference call Thursday. His hiring "completes a stunning career climb, coming not even four years after Staley received his first NFL job." He takes over in L.A. for the recently fired Anthony Lynn (L.A. TIMES, 1/18).

Meanwhile, the Buccaneers eliminating the Saints from the playoffs last night "cleared the path" for the Lions to move forward with the hiring of Saints assistant Dan Campbell, the "reported front-runner for the team's coaching vacancy." The hire "won't likely be finalized until early next week, only after Campbell comes to town for a second, in-person interview" (DETROIT NEWS, 1/18).

Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga "vowed Monday to get the pandemic under control and hold the already postponed" Tokyo Games this summer with "ample coronavirus protection." Suga today said that his government "would revise laws to make anti-virus measures enforceable with penalties and compensation." Suga: "I will stand at the frontline of the battle while I get the people's cooperation." He added the vaccine is the "clincher." Recent media polls show "about 80% of the Japanese public think the Olympics will not or should not happen" (AP, 1/18).

So far in the ‘20-21 NHL season, there have been limited fans in attendance for three regular-season games: the Coyotes hosting the Sharks at Gila River Arena this past Thursday and Saturday, plus the Panthers playing the Blackhawks at BB&T Center on Sunday. The Coyotes, who set a cap at 25% capacity -- or 3,450 fans -- had 2,274 in attendance on Thursday and 2,384 fans Saturday. Last night, 4,147 fans attended Blackhawks-Panthers, who also have set a 25% capacity (about 5,000 fans).

As of now, the Stars -- whose opener is delayed due to a coronavirus outbreak within the team -- are the only other NHL club slated to have limited fans. The club has a 30% capacity maximum (about 5,000 fans) set for American Airlines Center. Its home opener is scheduled for Friday against the Predators.

YES’ telecast of Magic-Nets on Saturday averaged 143,000 viewers in the N.Y. market, nearly double YES’ season-to-date average of 72,000. It was the second-most-viewed Nets telecast of the season for YES (after Dec. 27 vs. Hornets) despite competition from NFL playoffs and Rangers-Islanders game (THE DAILY).

Tennis player Alexander Zverev has "parted ways with Roger Federer's sports management company Team8" (REUTERS, 1/18).

Pit Boss Grills is sponsoring five bull riders on the PBR this season: Jess Lockwood, Jake Lockwood, Cooper Davis, Mason Taylor and Matt Triplett. The season began this weekend with the PBR Monster Energy Invitational in Ocala, Fla. (Pit Boss Grills).

“I’ve found myself using my elbow to hit the elevator today and I hit two other floors and I have to get better at that" -- Capitals coach Peter Laviolette, on trying to stay safe during the NHL's pandemic-altered season (THEATHLETIC.com, 1/18).

“Thank you, NFL playoffs this weekend. Or as the Bills and the Browns put it, ‘Hey, we don’t know what we’re doing here either’” -- NBC’s Jimmy Fallon, in his “Thank You Notes” segment (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 1/15).

THE ATHLETIC goes with the header, "From Plane Etiquette To Elevator Rules, NHL Road Trips Have A New Look." One of the "most daunting questions facing the NHL heading into this season was how to handle travel." The NHL "created a 13-page travel protocol document to establish guidelines." It covers "everything and then some. Air travel. Bus travel. Hotel stays. What teams will do for meals." Whether or not it is "better to use elbows and knuckles or fingers to press an elevator button." Even "urging teammates sitting next to each other on a team plane to not eat at the same time."

Also:

• Hornets PA announcer is making "games feel like home."
• A look at what a "Nickelodeon-style MLB broadcast look like."
• Univ. of New Mexico basketball hits the road due to COVID-19.

I don’t think any other American athlete has meant more to a city than Drew Brees has meant to New Orleans.

— Michael Mulvihill (@mulvihill79) January 18, 2021

Being from New Orleans Drew Brees meant everything to us in that city..... at many times our only hope, you know to smile & feel good, to live in a winning reality.... that man gave us all life.... none of us are perfect but he was close Salute !! #9Forever @drewbrees

— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) January 18, 2021

Just watched part two of "Tiger" on HBO and one thing is certain:

Tiger Woods is the Tiger Woods of horrible sunglasses.

— Neal Brennan (@nealbrennan) January 18, 2021

Bills Mafia continues to impress...donations to @Lj_era8 charity topped $265,000 as of last night.

— Howard WGR (@hsimon62) January 18, 2021

Some of the top news items from yesterday's edition of Weekend Rap:

• Packers see home-field advantage with over 8,000 fans at Lambeau.
• LeBron James signs with Pepsi following 17 years with Coke.
• Ralph Lauren cuts ties with Justin Thomas after homophobic slur.
• Heat will begin having limited fans at AmericanAirlines Arena.

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 Friday night's SBJ Unpacks: NBA Execs Confident League Will Navigate COVID Concerns.

• Australian Open Proving Divisive As Players Begin To Arrive
• MarketCast Poll: Facility Attractions Still Top Of Mind
• $700 Million Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia Near Completion

This week's In-Depth is on the latest in Wearable Technology. Look for upcoming sections on:

• Jan. 25: Facilities -- Construction & Design in '21
• Feb. 1: Super Bowl Preview
• Feb. 8: The Power of Brand Activism

Also, see this week's SBJ for stories on ...

• Inside the first year of OneTeam Partners.
• New opportunities in NWHL’s return.
• Mike Whan will sign stellar scorecard this year.

Friday night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was "Queen Elizabeth II."

"Of the last 12 sitting U.S. presidents, the only one Elizabeth never met; she had her youngest child 3 months into his presidency."

"Who is Lyndon B. Johnson?"