USA Track and Field has cut an eight-year deal for NBC to present the federations key events on its main broadcast network, cable and digital platforms. Muggsy Bogues Jersey .The deal is considered groundbreaking for Olympic sports, many of which pay the networks production costs in exchange for the air time.The arrangement greatly reduces USATFs costs, which have reached nearly $2 million a year, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because financial details of the agreement were not public.The agreement calls for at least 18 hours of live coverage of USATF events, including national championships and the Prefontaine Classic, with at least eight of those hours on NBC. These events are in addition to the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Trials and Olympics.This is the latest in a series of moves that have dramatically increased NBCs presence in presenting Olympic sports. In 2010, the last year NBC presented Olympic sports only on weekends and on its main broadcast channel, it televised about 75 hours of Olympic sports, not counting the Games and trials. In 2016, NBC will exceed 1,300 hours on all its platforms.NBC has the contract to televise the Olympic Games in the United States through 2032.USATF CEO Max Siegel announced the NBC contract at his State of the Sport speech Thursday evening during a meeting in Orlando, Florida.This years biggest highlight: The 32 medals the U.S. team won at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. It was the most at a non-boycotted Olympics since 1932.On its Twitter feed, USATF said the federation provided more than $14 million in support to more than 700 elite athletes. From that amount, 28 athletes earned more than $100,000 and 111 athletes earned more than $38,000.Siegel also said the federation has brought in four new corporate partners in 2016 and 12 since 2013.I believe weve just scratched the surface as to where we can go, Siegel said during his presentation. We have grown equity in the sports marketplace.The new NBC contract also could free up money that could presumably trickle down to athletes.A big portion of the CEOs deal-making acumen will likely be determined over the long term, as the market determines whether Siegel made a good bet in 2014 when he signed a sponsorship contract with Nike that lasts through 2040 and is believed to be worth between $450 million and $500 million. Thats about four times annually what the USATF had been getting from Nike, though its hard to determine how those sponsorship deals might look in two decades. Miles Bridges Hornets Jersey . -- Ken Appleby made 32 saves for his first shutout of the season to lead the Oshawa Generals to a 2-0 win over the Belleville Bulls on Wednesday in Ontario Hockey League action. Cody Zeller Jersey .5 million, one-year contract on Friday. Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will compete with Rex Brothers for the closers role at spring training. https://www.hornetslockerroom.com/Glen-R...Edition-Jersey/ . Its the second straight game Bell has scored in extra time for Kelowna, which beat the Brandon Wheat Kings 6-5 on Friday, and he now has four game-winning goals on the season.Newcastle have made an approach for Rafa Benitez as they consider alternatives to Steve McClaren, according to Sky sources. Sky Sports News HQ understands that although McClaren remains in charge, the club have made contact with Benitezs representatives about the Spaniard stepping in to try to salvage their season.Benitez is available after leaving Real Madrid in January, and sources close to him indicate he would have a qualified interest in the vacancy. McClarens nine-month tenure as Newcastle head coach looked no closer to being resolved on Wednesday night with the former England boss holding talks with managing director Lee Charnley on the phone in the afternoon.The pair were due to meet for talks at St James Park, but the planned face-to-face meeting did not take place. McClaren left the training ground after speaking to Lee Charnley on the phone After four days of silence from the Newcastle hierarchy, it would have been the first time the two had met since Saturdays 3-1 home defeat to Bournemouth which left the club languishing in the bottom three.A telephone conversation did happen and McClaren is set to take training on Thursday, with further talks expected afterwards.SSNHQ earlier learned the former Derby manager would not face thee media for his weekly pre-match news conference, which had been scheduled for Thursday but was postponed. Bismack Biyombo Jersey. Newcastle fans reacted angrily to the clubs 3-1 defeat to Bournemouth McClaren has continued to prepare his side to face Premier League leaders Leicester on Monday Night Football despite intensifying speculation that he is about to lose his job.The clubs directors held a meeting on Monday, conducted without McClaren despite the fact he is also on the board. Former Chelsea and Liverpool boss Benitez tops a wish-list of managers who the club would like to put in charge should they decide to dispense with McClaren. Former Everton and Manchester United manager David Moyes is also understood to be under consideration as a potential successor.The loss to Bournemouth last weekend increased speculation that McClaren could be relieved of his duties, with the team second from bottom in the Premier League with just 10 games remaining. Also See: McClaren future unresolved Benitez & Moyes on Newcastle shortlist Newcastles decision-makers Whats wrong with Newcastle? McClaren determined to stay ' ' '