Former Devils Arena Entertainment President Richard Krezwick last week in New Jersey federal court sued current Devils President & GM Lou Lamoriello for $2.3M, "claiming he jeopardized his livelihood by falsely accusing him" of running Prudential Center "poorly." The "bulk of the amount is the wages Krezwick claims he lost when he was fired" in August '13, when the team and Prudential Center were sold (AP, 1/24).

MLB Commissioner Emeritus Bud Selig yesterday "began his 8,173rd and final day in charge of baseball by waking up in a Manhattan hotel, having breakfast and working out." Selig's final task "was to accept a long and meritorious service award from the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America at a black-tie dinner" last night. Rob Manfred, Selig's "top deputy, takes over as the 10th commissioner" of MLB today. Former MLB Commissioner Peter Ueberroth said, "Bud will go down in history as the No. 1 commissioner that has served baseball" (AP, 1/24). SI.com's Cliff Corcoran recounted the biggest successes and failures of Selig's tenure, while USA TODAY's White & Ortiz examined the challenges MLB faces as it transitions from Selig's reign into the Manfred era. Meanwhile, Manfred pens an open letter to MLB fans in which he thanks them for their support and expresses excitement to get to work.

The NHL yesterday announced the return of the World Cup of Hockey, which "will take place in Toronto" Sept. 17-Oct. 1, 2016. The NHL yesterday also announced that as part of the '16 Stadium Series, the Wild will host the Blackhawks at TCF Bank Stadium on Feb. 21, and the Avalanche will host the Red Wings at Coors Field on Feb. 27 (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/25).

Meanwhile, Commissioner Gary Bettman said that players and pucks "were fitted with computer chips" for yesterday's All-Star Skills Competition and today's All-Star Game in Columbus, in an effort to "gather data that could educate fans and enhance TV viewing" (L.A. TIMES, 1/25). The chips from Chicago-based Sportvision, the company "behind real-time tracking and graphics in NASCAR and the NFL," can "measure quantitative data, puck and skating speed, puck trajectory, puck and player location, and ice time" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 1/24).

Multimedia-messaging app Snapchat is "joining with a select group of media companies to offer users original editorial content," according to sources. They said that the initiative, "which will start as a separate section inside Snapchat’s smartphone app, will feature traditional outlets like ESPN, CNN and National Geographic as well as nontraditional media companies like Vice and Yahoo." In the new section, called Discover, Snapchat users "will be able to browse original articles, video or photos that media publishers produce specifically for the app" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/24).

Patriots coach Bill Belichick yesterday in an unscheduled, 23-minute press conference "reiterated his belief that the team is not to blame for the underinflated footballs" it used in the AFC Championship game. He said, "I believe now, 100 percent, that I personally, and we as an organization, have absolutely followed every rule to the letter. ... At no time was there any intent whatsoever to try to compromise the integrity of the game or to gain an advantage" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/25). Belichick was "in full blitz mode" during the press conference (ESPNBOSTON.com, 1/24).

The cold open to NBC’s “SNL” last night featured cast members Beck Bennett, as Patriots coach Bill Belichick, and Taran Killam, as Patriots QB Tom Brady, addressing the Deflategate scandal. Cast member Kenan Thompson also appears as Showtime's Greg Gumbel (“SNL,” NBC, 1/24).

The NFL "will test having game officials use tablets for video reviews" during tonight's Pro Bowl at Univ. of Phoenix Stadium. Using the Microsoft tablets to determine if officials' calls were correct "could lead to eliminating referees’ going 'under the hood' for reviews." An NFL staff member "will wear a backpack containing wireless radios and will hold a tablet and headphones for reviews during the game." When a video review is needed, that staff member "will hold the tablet, and the referee John Parry will don the headphones." It is hoped that this "will speed the entire process" (AP, 1/24). The league "has promised to integrate its technology partners more into the game in part to provide better value for the deals they pay for" (ESPN.com, 1/24).

Tonight's Pro Bowl kicks off at 8:00pm ET at Univ. of Phoenix Stadium, where fans "with Super Bowl fever can get a week's head start." The NFL's effort to "generate fan interest in a game that has long been the runt of professional all-star contests had led to a rulebook that is both simple and complex." Goalposts "have been narrowed from 18 to 14 feet, encouraging teams to go for the end zone" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 1/25). Last year's game drew 11.7 million viewers on NBC (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 1/24). 

Cardinals President Michael Bidwill: "The state has already invested in the Super Bowl, so the fact they get a second event is a bonus. We hope this turns into a soft infomercial for Arizona." Even though all 63,000 tickets "have been sold," the game, which will air on ESPN, "is likely to lose money." That is because the NFL will not receive a $4M subsidy from the Hawaii Tourism Authority for "holding the event in that state" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/25).

The Chargers "have refuted" a report from St. Louis-area station WGNU-AM that indicated team Chair & President Dean Spanos "has a deal in place" with Goldman Sachs to build a new stadium in L.A. The report from WGNU's Andy Strickland indicated that the NFL subsequently asked Spanos to "hold off from announcing or releasing those plans." But Chargers Special Counsel to the President Mark Fabiani said, "Although we have worked for years with Goldman Sachs as our investment banker, the remainder of the story is untrue" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 1/25).

Investment firm Berkshire Partners and New Balance "are buying" Massachusetts-based shoe brand Rockport Co. from adidas for $280M. The Boston-based companies "have a purchase agreement" for Rockport, which "makes dress and casual shoes incorporating sports technology for comfort and 'walkability.'" Other unnamed investors "also are involved in the acquisition." The new company "will be led by CEO Bob Infantino, who was president of Drydock, and former president of British shoe brand Clarks’ North American operations" as well as Rockport Senior VP/Product & Marketing. The sale "is slated to close later this year" (BOSTON HERALD, 1/24).

Oregon QB and Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota has chosen Excel Sports Management partner Alan Zucker to represent him for marketing work and all off-the-field endeavors. Zucker, who joined Excel as a partner in ’14, counts Broncos QB Peyton Manning and Giants QB Eli Manning among his marketing clients. Zucker is not an NFLPA-certified agent and does not represent NFL players for playing contract work. Mariota is believed to be deciding between rival NFLPA-certified agents and could make a decision soon.

Univ. of Colorado AD Rick George yesterday announced that the school is launching a "Drive for $105 million" fundraising initiative "primarily earmarked to help pay off debt and bond payments." George said that CU, which is currently spending $156M on athletics facilities expansion, "has raised" more than $72M through private gifts and corporate sponsorships. George "is targeting" an additional $13M in donations and $20M in endowment funding as part of the school's Sustainable Excellence Initiative (DENVER POST).

Ann Mara, widow of late NFL Giants Owner Wellington Mara, "is recovering from a nasty spill outside her Westchester home earlier" last Sunday, when she "slipped on ice and smacked her head" (N.Y. POST, 1/24).

The Charlotte Observer today runs an op-ed cartoon critical of the NFL and the controversies surrounding the league (THE DAILY).

Baylor Univ. football coach Art Briles on Friday night unveiled a "gunmetal grey helmet on Twitter just two weeks shy of signing day." Briles and his staff "have been on the cutting edge of college football uniforms since signing with Nike" (DALLASNEWS.com, 1/23).

Former Tigers P Max Scherzer "took out ads" in the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press "to say thanks" to the team's fans after moving on to the Nationals (TWITTER.com, 1/24).

More than 20,000 runners at this morning's Miami Marathon turned the event into a "loud, festive celebration of fitness and perseverance" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 1/25).

About 45,000 Ohio State fans attended yesterday's College Football Playoff championship celebration at Ohio Stadium, where the university "awarded 2,500 free passes allowing fans to watch from the field" (AP, 1/24).

The Cubs on their Wrigley Field marquee Friday night "paid tribute" to Baseball HOFer Ernie Banks, who passed away earlier in the day (ESPN.com, 1/23).

A capacity crowd of 1,000 fans of WFAN-AM's Mike Francesa yesterday attended the "second annual FrancesaCon at Irving Plaza" in N.Y. (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/25).

"The one thing I can tell you is that for years it's been clear that there is no risk that I was going to take Tom Brady's job as quarterback of the New England Patriots. But I can tell you that as of today, it's pretty clear that there's no risk of him taking my job, either" – White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest, poking fun at the QB's skills, or lack thereof, when it comes to facing reporters' tough questions (CBSSPORTS.com, 1/24).

"He was really Mr. Baseball. He was really a great, great ambassador for the game" – White Sox Chair Jerry Reinsdorf, on Ernie Banks (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/25).

"It was time to grow up" – PGA Tour golfer Dustin Johnson, who just announced that he is returning to golf next month, on why he stepped away from the game for six months (REUTERS, 1/24).

"The NFL should be on notice, that the college game is looking to take you down" – Arizona State Univ. VP/Athletics Ray Anderson, on the sport's popularity (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 1/25).

"I’d say off by about 150 percent. Yeah, but it’s not for sale so it doesn’t matter. People have got to realize that those valuations are meaningless. Absolutely meaningless. They have about as much impact on business than Deflategate has on the NFL. Something to talk about, but no substance" – Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban, on Forbes' recent valuation of his team at $1.15B (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/24).

"I'm not going to say I'm Mona Lisa Vito of the football world as she was in the car expertise area, all right?" – Bill Belichick, jokingly referencing Marisa Tomei's character in the movie "My Cousin Vinny" (ESPN.com, 1/24).

"This week, President Obama delivered the State of the Union address and it showed us all what it looks like when a patriot comes to play with fully inflated balls" – "SNL cast member Colin Jost (“SNL,” NBC, 1/24).

The COLUMBUS DISPATCH's Michael Arace writes under the header, "NHL All-Star Presence Testifies To John H. McConnell’s Passion." McConnell, the late Founder, Owner and Chair of the Blue Jackets, "saw, in his mind's eye," a weekend such as this NHL All-Star Weekend for Columbus, "the city he loved." Arace: "McConnell wanted to show off his city. To do that, he had to get more people to notice it. And he did."

REUTERS' Andrew Both wrote under the header, "Super Bowl Has Ways To Go In Captivating Global Audience." While the NFL "has a loyal following in countries including Britain, Australia, Canada and Mexico," Asia "may be a tougher market to crack, including China, the Holy Grail for international sports bodies." Last year's Super Bowl "was watched by an estimated 160 million viewers worldwide," a fraction of the "global audience of about 1 billion" for the Germany-Argentina FIFA World Cup final.

Elsewhere: 

• N.Y. TIMES' historian Beschloss: "Before The Bowl Was Super."
• Which tennis players "have the strongest, rowdiest, most rambunctious" followings?
• Late play-by-play announcer Bob Wilson's "voice still resonates for Bruins fans."
• Rising cable prices are "likely to test the patience of customers."
• Phoenix Open can help PGA Tour "as it thinks about life" without Mickelson, Woods.
• L.A. TIMES’ Bill Plaschke, on the NFL: "We loudly cheer as they slowly die."

Last night had the largest single-day crowd in Winter @XGames history. Concerts a big help. I saw people arriving to the venue at 9pm.

— Mike Bebernes (@mikebebernes) January 25, 2015

.@NHL @NHLPA @GoPro video has already generated nearly 1.7M views on YouTube. #NHLAllStar

— Nirva Milord (@NHLnlm) January 25, 2015

Working out in SD, Jameis Winston has been seen in last week sporting Nike, UA and adidas. Let the bidding begin.

— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) January 23, 2015

Was trying to watch #Rolex24 but after 2 hours of @DIRECTV customer service, they just hung up on me.

— Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) January 24, 2015

Californians going to state dinner with POTUS and PM Modi pic.twitter.com/SlMdEkr1WH

— Vivek Ranadivé (@Vivek) January 25, 2015

The most interesting part of my day by far was @johngaudreau03 asking me if he could light his stick on fire. #PlayerSafety

— Patrick Burke (@BurkieYCP) January 25, 2015

In conversation with several NHL players at All-Star weekend who mentioned how much they like the new @NHLPA logo. pic.twitter.com/eRxb1BMCGJ

— Allan Walsh (@walsha) January 25, 2015

Presenting the official 2015 Major League baseball. http://t.co/lzE53MEYdE

— MLB (@MLB) January 25, 2015