Rumors

The commissioners of four major U.S. sports leagues are in conversations over being present at the Oval Office next week when President Donald Trump unveils the latest plans regarding the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. Four people briefed on the planning, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter, confirmed to The Athletic that the NFL’s Roger Goodell, the NBA’s Adam Silver, the NHL’s Gary Bettman and MLB’s Rob Manfred are currently set to attend the event. The exact date may be subject to change in accordance with the president’s schedule and the schedules of those expected to be in attendance. The White House and the four major leagues did not respond to requests for comment.

New York Times

The commissioners of four major U.S. sports leagues are in conversations over being present at the Oval Office next week when President Donald Trump unveils the latest plans regarding the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. Four people briefed on the planning, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter, confirmed to The Athletic that the NFL’s Roger Goodell, the NBA’s Adam Silver, the NHL’s Gary Bettman and MLB’s Rob Manfred are currently set to attend the event.

New York Times

New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson and Gov. Jeff Landry have a big trip planned to New York next week. During the two-day excursion, the tandem will visit with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and NBA commissioner Adam Silver to update them on the business affairs of the Saints and Pelicans, and to re-emphasize the state’s interest and readiness to host future Super Bowls and NBA All-Star Games. Benson arranged the meetings and invited Landry to attend them as her guest.

New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Saints-Pelicans owner Gayle Benson and Gov. Jeff Landry are leaving this weekend. They have a big trip planned to New York next week. During the two-day excursion, the powerful tandem will visit with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and NBA commissioner Adam Silver to update them on the business affairs of Saints and Pelicans and to re-emphasize the state’s interest and readiness to host future Super Bowl and NBA All-Star Game.

New Orleans Times-Picayune

Marc Stein: Charles Barkley in fine Christmas morning form on Inside: "The NFL got greedy and started adding Christmas games. We used to have this day to ourself but Roger Goodell and them pigs at the NFL always want to hog every day of the week now. ... Christmas is an NBA day."

x.com

A top media executive thinks Adam Silver should run for president. An NBA team executive always assumed he’d succeed Roger Goodell at the NFL. But another team exec — and a chorus behind him — doesn’t think Silver’s going anywhere for 10, 15 years. “Adam’s a beast, man, Adam’s a beast,” said the executive. “Look, we’ve never even had the conversation about him leaving.”

Sports Business Journal

A recent email regarding Ken Belson’s upcoming book — EVERY DAY IS SUNDAY: How Jerry Jones, Robert Kraft, and Roger Goodell Turned the NFL into a Cultural & Economic Juggernaut — shares a quote Commissioner Roger Goodell private made in the aftermath of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. “We’re not competing with the NBA or MLB,” Goodell said. “Our competitors are Apple and Google.”

NBC Sports

About $23,000 worth of "jewelry and precious metals" was taken from Doncic's house, according to a Dallas police report. Doncic's business manager told ESPN's Tim MacMahon that the Mavericks point guard and his family were not home when the burglary happened. "They are not targeting poor people. They are targeting rich, famous billionaires. Sports stars," said Kent Moyer, who runs the World Protection Group security firm. "It is very easy for a bad guy to find out where you live." Finding where a prominent athlete lives often can be as easy as searching publicly available records online. Doncic's home address, for example, came up in a simple Google search. "When you see somebody on television and realize they're not home, does that open up potential?" NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said during a December league meeting. "So, yes, there are things that all of us can do to take precautions -- and should do," he said.

ESPN

Stephen A. Smith will be recording a podcast, ESPN will be broadcasting live, and every major sports commissioner, including the NBA’s Adam Silver and the NFL’s Roger Goodell, will be on various panels, as will various star athletes. Trading card giant Topps, which is owned by Fanatics, will be dropping exclusive products, including a special collection from rapper Travis Scott. Fanatics is spending $10 million for various activations at the event, including a WWE experience that will let fans experience the thrill of making an entrance like a pro-wrestle and a “kids zone” where Tom Brady will pass footballs to young tots.

New York Post

SportsCenter Special: The Return of Sports will be a two-hour event, according to a press release from ESPN. Mike Greenberg will host the broadcast, which will feature the commissioners of the six major American pro sports leagues: Rob Manfred (MLB), Don Garber (MLS), Adam Silver (NBA), Roger Goodell (NFL), Gary Bettman (NHL) and Cathy Engelbert (WNBA).

The Spun

About Roger Goodell’s mea culpa that the N.F.L. was wrong for not listening sooner to players who wanted to speak out and protest — an apologia he made without mentioning Colin Kaepernick’s name — Popovich is skeptical. “A smart man is running the N.F.L. and he didn’t understand the difference between the flag and what makes the country great — all the people who fought to allow Kaepernick to have the right to kneel for justice,” he says. “The flag is irrelevant. It’s just a symbol that people glom onto for political reasons, just like Cheney back in the Iraq war.”

New York Times

Adam Schefter: Scheduled participants on call with Trump: NBA – Adam Silver; WNBA – Cathy Engelbert; MLB – Rob Manfred; NFL – Roger Goodell; NHL – Gary Bettman; PGA Tour – Jay Monahan; UFC – Dana White; WWE - Vince McMahon; NASCAR – John Middlebrook or Jim France; MLS – Don Garber. Notice: No NCAA.

Twitter

Liz Mullen: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell: "All of us at the National Football League are deeply saddened by the passing of David Stern. David was a driving force in sports for decades and helped the NBA soar to new heights around the world." Full Statement:

Twitter

Will Selva: .@NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on new anthem policy: "We've talked to tens of hundreds of players. We think we've come up with a balanced process." Jared Dudley: I’m so glad I play in the @NBA instead of @NFL.. And I’m not even talking about guarantee money.. That league is a joke

Twitter