York County, S.C. has "taken a big step in its attempt to save" the paused NFL Panthers HQ project in Rock Hill by approving a resolution by a 4-3 vote to "make an alternative financing offer." York County Council member William Roddey said that the county, city and Panthers have "held talks since the project was paused" two weeks ago, and that the county's offer "would not require local governments to borrow money or issue bonds." Instead, Panthers ownership "would pay for infrastructure improvements up front and receive property tax reimbursements later on." Roddey added that the Panthers have "agreed to the structure of the arrangement 'in principle.'" He is "confident the city would also sign off." He said, "Hopefully, we are still able to meet that 2023 deadline when the Panthers are set to open their training camp" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 3/22).

Nike on Monday reported Q3 sales and earnings "above analyst expectations," with a drop in sales in China while "other regions flourished." Nike after the Bell reported $10.9B in quarterly sales, an 8% increase from the same quarter last year, while Nike brand reported $10.3B in revenue, also up 8%. The brand’s revenue growth was "led by 13% growth in Europe, Middle East and Africa." While those regions "helped push the brand’s sales upward, the brand’s 22% jump in digital sales were bolstered by North America’s 33% growth despite ongoing supply chain issues." Nike experienced a 5% decline in China sales, which "adds to the 20% loss in China sales the company experienced last quarter." Still, "booming sales everywhere else in the world help bolster the losses" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 3/21).

SBJ Unpacks has more, including how the invasion of Ukraine affected Nike.

The White Sox are promoting SS Tim Anderson with today's release of "TA7: The Story of Tim Anderson," a "five-part documentary series exploring Anderson’s baseball journey," on their YouTube channel. Anderson: "It’s going to be pretty cool, giving a chance for people to get in-depth with things I’ve been through." The series has interviews with Anderson, White Sox Exec VP Ken Williams, Bo Jackson, Anderson’s family -- he had a "challenged upbringing in Alabama" -- and his high school coach. While the team "produced this one, so much of Anderson’s brand is built on sending his own message." So he "takes pride knowing it’s authentic" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 3/21).

Royals Owner John Sherman said of the team exploring a new downtown ballpark, “We’ve got a team working hard on that. We’re looking at multiple sites. We’ve engaged some really good firms to help us look at that, both in terms of architecture, economic impact studies." Sherman added he gets "a lot of feedback" that Kauffman Stadium is "great." Sherman: "It’s a great place to play, but we think we can do more. Baseball in higher density areas, if you look around the country in Chicago, Atlanta just did a great project. ... You can do a lot for a community as far as economic impact. So that’s what we’re studying. We’re looking forward to getting the feedback that will drive those decisions” (K.C. STAR, 3/22).

See more of Sherman's comments in today's SBJ Daily issue.

Former WFAN radio host Mike Francesa has "signed a deal with the BetRivers sportsbook" to do a biweekly podcast entitled “The Mike Francesa Show.” The move was first reported by Barrett Sports Media. Francesa will be "reunited with his longtime producer Brian Monzo." The show, "for the time being at least, will be audio only," though a video component "could come later." Francesa also will "narrate commercials for the sportsbook." An official announcement is expected to be made this morning around 9:00am ET (N.Y. POST, 3/21).

ESPN has "agreed to terms that will keep Jimmy Platt in the 'MNF' director’s chair for at least three more years." A contract has yet to be signed, but sources "describe that step as a formality." Platt took over as “MNF” director in '19, replacing Chip Dean the season after analyst Booger McFarland's "infamous 'Booger Mobile' roamed the sidelines." Phil Dean will remain as producer, which "will give the production truck consistency at a time when the broadcast booth goes through a complete overhaul" with the additions of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman (SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 3/21 issue).

Electronic Arts "welcomed staff to its new, five-story downtown Orlando studio" yesterday, "more than two years after employees left their Maitland [Fla.] office to work from home during the pandemic." The new facility "opened at 50% capacity for its Central Florida workforce of about 1,000." EA’s Central Florida employees "build the popular Madden NFL series and are slated to make the upcoming EA Sports College Football game." EA could get as much as $9M in tax breaks for "moving its office to downtown Orlando, and the deal required the business to maintain a workforce of 600 people" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 3/21).

MLSE Chair Larry Tanenbaum “has submitted an offer with a partner” for EPL club Chelsea, according to a source. New names of potential buyers “have continued to emerge since Friday's bid deadline” (SKY NEWS, 3/21).

Footwear brand TIME Slippers partnered with esports team Washington Justice, which fields an Overwatch League squad, to create a line of slippers specifically designed for gaming (TIME Slippers).

TIME Slippers

The N.Y. DAILY NEWS writes, "A prevailing mantra at the end of a baseball offseason -- both from fans and front offices -- is that a certain player has been 'overpaid' or was undesirable at a certain price point. While obviously no one in their right mind would give a backup catcher $20 million a year, in a sports league like MLB, which operates without a salary cap, it seems silly for fans and general managers to believe that giving a player a certain amount of money would make them overpaid."

Also:

• More neutral-site games would improve NCAA women's tourney.
• American men's tennis sees resurgence at BNP Paribas Open.
• Tracing Naz Aletaha’s path to the top of League of Legends esports.
• Former Tigers TV voice Rod Allen grateful for another chance in booth.

Conspiracy: Falcons signed Marcus because they know they'll rake in revenue when Oregon fans visit ATL in September

— Kevin Wade (@KwadeSays) March 21, 2022

MASN has a new scorebug for baseball!

This a big deal because, as far as I can tell, this is the first time MASN has debuted a new scorebug/graphics package for baseball since...2011!

And it moves from bottom right to top left. https://t.co/0dT2oPYPco

— Brandon Costa (@SVG_Brandon) March 22, 2022

Always a fun experience interviewing or trying to interview ⁦@DeionSanders⁩.
Good to see coach laughing after all he’s been through. pic.twitter.com/ShgRb8LYZc

— Rob Jay (@robjaykappa) March 22, 2022

N.C. State coach Wes Moore has picked up a $30,000 bonus today for Wolfpack advancing to the NCAA women's basketball Sweet 16 by beating Kansas State.

Moore now has $210,000 in bonuses so far this season, plus a $50,000 raise beginning next season.

— Steve Berkowitz (@ByBerkowitz) March 21, 2022

Last night’s "Final Jeopardy!" category was "Singers."

NBC’s Jimmy Fallon said “after a crazy four days, March Madness is down to the Sweet 16,” with three No. 1 “seeds and nine million commercials for AT&T.” Fallon: “The Cinderella story that everyone’s talking about is the 15th seed St. Peter’s Peacocks, who have made it to the Sweet 16. It's exciting for longtime fans who have been following the team since Thursday. St. Peter’s is the first team from New Jersey to make the Sweet 16 in over 20 years, and if they go all the way, they’ll be the only team to wear their championship rings on their pinkies.” Fallon again noted St. Peter’s mascot is the Peacocks, which is the “best thing that happened to NBC since the new ‘Law & Order’” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 3/21).

"Jimmy Kimmel Live" show regular Cousin Sal caused some chaos at the L.A. Marathon, noting he was “way too fat and out of shape to run this, but that doesn’t mean I can’t help the tens of thousands of men and women as they make their way to the finish line.” As the runners came by during the race, Sal said to the camera, “You know what people need after 11 miles of running? Turkey legs. Who wants Turkey legs!?” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 3/21).

"Who is Tony Bennett?"