Legendary broadcaster Keith Jackson, known as “the voice of college football” and “Mr. College Football,” died Friday night at the age of 89. The cause of death "wasn’t specified, but Jackson died" in his Sherman Oaks, Calif., home. Throughout a 52-year career, Jackson’s voice "accompanied the telecast of many of the country’s -- and world’s -- classic sporting events." He "worked 15 Rose Bowls, 16 Sugar Bowls, 10 different Olympic Games -- both Summer and Winter -- the World Series and Monday Night Football" (Spokane SPOKESMAN-REVIEW, 1/14). Few broadcasters have "become as identified with a single sport to a national audience as Jackson with college football" (ESPN.com, 1/13).

NBC’s Al Michaels said, "I had the great pleasure of working with Keith for thirty years at ABC. He was one of a kind. The original play-by-play announcer on 'Monday Night Football,' forever remembered as the voice of college football. He made so many autumn afternoons ... very special. NBC’s Cris Collinsworth: “He just had a great way of phrasing everything” (“Falcons-Eagles,” NBC, 1/13).

Raptors President Masai Ujiri "responded strongly" to President Trump's reported "disparaging remarks about immigration." Ujiri said, "I don't think it's fair, and I don't think it's what inspiring leadership can be. What sense of hope are we giving people if you are calling where they live -- and where they're from -- a shithole?" He added, "We have to inspire people and give them a sense of hope. ... This cannot be the message that we accept from the leader of the free world" (ESPN.com, 1/12). Ujiri was born in Nigeria and said he considers himself a "son of Africa and a person of the world." Ujiri: "I want to raise my kids (to know) that there are no shitholes anywhere. There’s no shitholes anywhere in this world because we were born in different places for a reason" (TORONTO STAR, 1/13).

Presenting sponsorship for next weekend's NFC and AFC championship games has been on the market since late last year, but it is "more likely" that it will be "sold for next season, as part of an overall playoff sponsorship." Sources said that the "asking price" was $10M. The package is "being sold by the NFL, not its media rights holders." The league primarily is "looking to sell the package for next season, with potential for an entire playoff presenting sponsorship." But the "possibility to 'get in early' this season is noted in the document." Other "big NFL presenting sponsorship deals" include Bud Light’s "TNF" deal and Verizon’s new Pro Bowl deal (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 1/15 issue).

The NHL Kings last night unveiled a statue of retired team broadcaster Bob Miller outside Staples Center and placed a banner in the rafters prior to their home game against the Ducks. The statue, "created by husband and wife sculptors Julie Rotblatt-Amrany and Omri Amrany," depicts Miller holding a "microphone in his right hand, representing the 44 years he spent as the broadcast voice of the Kings, and has his left arm upraised in greeting." Miller's statue was "placed near the figure" of late longtime Lakers broadcaster Chick Hearn (L.A. TIMES, 1/14).

Another historic night here at STAPLES Center as Bob Miller received both a statue in Star Plaza and a banner in our rafters. #ThankYouBob pic.twitter.com/vpbS12VYXV

— STAPLES Center (@STAPLESCenter) January 14, 2018

A false alert sent out by the Hawaiian Emergency Management Agency yesterday morning regarding an impending missile strike "never impacted play" at the PGA Tour Sony Open at Waialae Country Club, but many golfers in the field were "shaken by the experience." It was 38 minutes after the original warning was issued that a "correction was finally sent out advising there was no missile." The warning made for the "most surreal of Saturdays" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 1/14). Sony Open Tournament Dir Ray Stosik "wasn't concerned because alerts typically are accompanied by sirens." But he took the alert "seriously by telling volunteer chairs and tournament staff to stay put or seek cover" (AP, 1/13).

Former USMNT player Landon Donovan late Friday night announced he would come out of retirement and join Liga MX' Club Leon. The story "had originally surfaced as a rumor on Wednesday," followed by "denials from journalists and warnings that it was a hoax." Leon "captured headlines in a way that the institution -- not one of Liga MX's biggest -- isn't accustomed to." But Donovan confirmed the signing and said in a statement, "I don't believe in walls, I want to go to Mexico, wear green and win trophies with Leon." The signing "conjured strong opinions" (ESPN.com, 1/13).

Meanwhile, basketball charity PeacePlayers Int'l and Nike have partnered with local communities on an equality initiative this MLK Day weekend by hosting basketball events in Baltimore, Brooklyn and Detroit. The organization, which operates year-round programs in those three cities, partnered with Nike to expand opportunities and support for youth and their communities. This weekend's events include tournaments and educational activities (PeacePlayers).

The Texans yesterday hired former Bills VP/Player Personnel Brian Gaine as the team's third GM. Gaine will have "control of personnel and football operations," answering to team Owner Bob McNair and Vice Chair & COO Cal McNair. Gaine will "work closely" with coach Bill O'Brien and VP/Football Administration Chris Olsen. Gaine "gets a five-year contract to replace" former GM Rick Smith, who is on leave from the Texans. O'Brien and Olsen "get four-year extensions" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/14).

Lakers President Jeanie Buss and President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson yesterday "tweeted support" for coach Luke Walton after an ESPN report last week about LaVar Ball criticizing Walton. Buss also "posted a picture of her sitting at a dinner table" with Lakers GM Rob Pelinka and Walton. Shortly after the Lakers won their "season-high fourth consecutive game" yesterday against the Mavericks, Johnson "twice tweeted out praise for Walton after the organization had been silent" following Ball's comments. Sources said that Buss "wants to reassure Walton of the team's commitment to him as coach, now and in the future" (ESPN.com, 1/13).

The Golden Knights today in Las Vegas are hosting the team's first Fan Fest, which is "free and open to the public" from 3:00-5:00pm PT. The team will "walk the red carpet starting at Casino Center Boulevard." They will then "pass under the LED canopy to the 3rd Street Stage between The D Las Vegas and Four Queens, where the festivities will commence." Team Owner Bill Foley and coach Gerard Gallant "will join the players" (LAS VEGAS SUN, 1/13).

Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady reportedly will meet after this season to "clear the air and get through a lot of this tension they’ve had to deal with this season." There is "tension from the Jimmy Garoppolo trade ... to Tom Brady’s trainer and all of these issues they've battled through this year." But the trio's time together with the Patriots is "expected to continue past this season." It is "really on these three guys to come together after the season, figure it out, and move forward" (“NFL GameDay Morning,” NFLN, 1/13).

Laundry detergent brand Tide recently "got the help" of Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski in an "effort to spread the word" that Tide pods are not safe to eat. The "Tide Pod Challenge" has been "going viral online," and it is "extremely dangerous and involves people posting videos of themselves putting the toxic laundry detergent pods in their mouths and eating them." In a Twitter video posted by Tide, Gronkowski responded to the phenomenon by saying, "What the heck is going on, people? Use Tide Pods for washing. Not eating. Do not eat" (USATODAY.com, 1/13).

What should Tide PODs be used for? DOING LAUNDRY. Nothing else.

Eating a Tide POD is a BAD IDEA, and we asked our friend @robgronkowski to help explain. pic.twitter.com/0JnFdhnsWZ

— Tide (@tide) January 12, 2018

Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is “likely to become” the next Lions coach. Patricia “would be reunited” with Lions GM Bob Quinn, who worked with the Pats from '00-15 (“Postseason NFL Countdown,” ESPN, 1/14).

A man was "arrested after he threatened to kill players and fans" at today's Jaguars-Steelers AFC divisional playoff game in Pittsburgh (USATODAY.com, 1/14).

Disney on Friday said that it would "not renew" BOD seats for Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg "over potential conflicts of interest" (USATODAY.com, 1/12).

Jamie Baker returned to the broadcast booth for four games on the Sharks' radio network, starting with yesterday’s home game. Baker "took a leave of absence from his duties as the Sharks' color analyst" for NBC Sports California on Nov. 11 to "attend to a personal matter" (MERCURYNEWS.com, 1/12).

The PBR will stage its 25th "Unleash the Beast" event on Sept. 14-16 at Boardwalk Hall in N.J. The event "includes two nights of showcase bull-riding competition and live music" (PRESSOFATLANTICCITY.com, 1/12).

Nike runs a four-page ad in today's N.Y. Times emphasizing its social equality initiatives. The ad features a quote by LeBron James and a photo of the Nike "EQUALITY" sneakers James wore earlier this season, along with Polaroid-style images of prominent athlete endorsers (THE DAILY).

"This new game continues the industry trend of trying to get as close as possible to single game betting" -- National Council on Problem Gambling Exec Dir Keith Whyte, on concerns over a new DraftKings daily fantasy sports game allowing users to wager on individual games (AP, 1/13).

"Players of that era owe us a little bit of honesty, too. I feel like the only way to turn this page is just to put everything on the table" -- Cubs Chair Tom Ricketts, on whether Sammy Sosa will be welcomed back to the organization following his alleged use of PEDs (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 1/14).

"I am against the DH in the NL. But there is a big but. But, I could see it happening. I do feel there is more momentum going into that for the future" -- Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 1/14).

The N.Y. TIMES in a front-page piece writes 15 years after the death of Pro Football HOFer Mike Webster and "two years after the courts cleared the way for a settlement that would pay" an estimated $1B to retired players, "Webster’s survivors continue to struggle financially." The NFL "insisted on a provision in the settlement that could prevent players who died before 2006 from receiving compensation." Webster, the first player diagnosed with CTE, died in '02.

The WALL STREET JOURNAL runs an opinion piece by author Shelby Steele under the header, "Black Protest Has Lost Its Power." NFL player protests during the national anthem "may point to the end of an era for black America, and for the country generally -- an era in which protest has been the primary means of black advancement in American life."

Elsewhere: 

• UCLA AD Dan Guerrero talks Pac-12 TV rights, hoops reform.
• Mixed emotions for San Diego residents over Chargers' departure.
• Tom Coughlin's return to Jacksonville has spurred Jaguars' revival.
• USA TODAY offers a primer on esports for the uninitiated.

The @NBA Family mourns the loss of Keith Jackson, one of the most distinctive, colorful voices in sports broadcasting history.

Though best known for his work in college football, he also spent four years calling NBA games with Hall of Famer Bill Russell. pic.twitter.com/uBmJuIZTVo

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) January 14, 2018

Knowing what my mom did for me and the sacrifices she made, I’d like to invite a single mother and her child to the game tonight. I have 2 tickets. #giveback #formamma

— Brandin Cooks (@brandincooks) January 13, 2018

It's been said all year but it remains true: The joy Tony Romo takes in the game and his role in it is just a delight to listen to.

— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) January 14, 2018

Three #shithole dudes just living the dream, @realdonaldtrump. 👍🏿✌🏿👌🏿 cc: @PKSubban1 @usainbolt pic.twitter.com/PPFZeyjNZ7

— Jozy Altidore (@JozyAltidore) January 13, 2018

Thank you @chrisbosh for coming to see the team after their @overwatchleague game! We’re glad to have you as a fan! 🐯 #thedynastybegins #OWL2018 pic.twitter.com/fkvSvJzAUF

— Seoul Dynasty 🐯 (@SeoulDynasty) January 12, 2018