Leadoff with Lee 2.12.15

By @cleeverizon

- Browns owner Jimmy Haslam had a press conference yesterday with the Cleveland media. What did we learn from it? Absolutely nothing that I haven't told you already. The only thing I found somewhat interesting is the Browns will hold training camp in Berea this summer and not Columbus. The plan is to expand the Columbus Crew's stadium and add practice fields. Now by my estimation, construction on a indoor practice field, clearing the land for 2-3 outdoor fields would need to be started by this summer. So with that being said we won't hear anything about a possible move until mid-spring or early summer.

-There will be changes in this year's Rising Stars game at All-Star Weekend. The NBA assistant coaches have selected 10 U.S. players and 10 international players for the game, with one ballot for each NBA team. Both 10-man rosters will include 4 guards, 4 front court players and 2 more players regardless of their position. Each team will feature a minimum of 3 first-year players and 3 second-year players among its 10 spots.

The head coaches for both teams will be the lead assistant coaches from the 2015 NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs Alvin Gentry (Team USA) and Kenny Atkinson (Team World) Good for the game? I don't know, but it's a good way for us to see some good international talent.

- Due to the injury of Boston's Kelly Olynyk, Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova has been added to the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge game at NBA All-Star Weekend on Friday night.

- Due to the injury of Dwayne Wade, who sat out yesterday's loss to the Cavs, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has picked Atlanta's Kyle Korver as his replacement. This will be the Hawks 4th player to play in this weekend's NBA All-Star Game in New York.
 
- Seattle Seahawks All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman has elected to rest and rehabilitate his left elbow as opposed to having Tommy John surgery.

- Chargers Pro-Bowl quarterback Philip Rivers will not have off-season back surgery. He told 101 KGB FM in San Diego,
"At this point, the back injury is not requiring surgery", "We'll kind of revisit it in a month or so. But everything is improving. I'm back to my regular workouts and running around. Me and my wife played a little tennis the other day. I've hit the golf ball a few times, so I'm actually on the up and up. So I'm pretty excited."

- Free agent Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker is considering retirement after 12 seasons. With all the uncertainty in Denver with Peyton Manning, a new head coach, losing offensive coordinator Adam Gase has a lot to do with his decision. Could Manning and Welker be looking to link up together with a Super Bowl contender next season? I don't know. But as D.J Quik once said "If it don't make dollars, it don't make (cents) sense.      

-  Former Browns quarterback Jeff Garcia will interview for the Rams quarterbacks coach job today. Frank Cignetti Jr. will be promoted to offensive coordinator. Is Jeff still with that Playboy model from North Olmsted? Jeff just tell Cleveland Thank You!

- The Miami Marlins will host the 2017 MLB All-Star Game. This will be the first time that the game is played in South Florida. Cincinnati will host this year's game, while San Diego holds the event in 2016.

- Are you tired of rate increases from your cable or satellite provider? Or increases in ticket prices for you favorite sporting event? Want to know why guys like LeBron James and Kevin Love only signed one year deals? Or even why Tristan Thompson turned down a contract extension. Here's why and it's very simple.

2015 TV deal rights increases:
NBA +186%
NHL +167%
MLB +105%
Premier League +71%
NFL +28%.                                  

- Sad news for the sports world. Hall of Fame basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian has died at 84. He had over 700 wins as a head coach. Born in Euclid, Ohio, "Tark the Shark" first deal with UNLV was in 1973, making $22K/year in salary, $10K for TV show, $25K recruiting budget, $3K wardrobe budget. He coached with Fresno State from from 1968-1973, UNLV 1973-1992 (winning the NCAA Championship in 1990 with Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon and Greg Anthony as his star players), then back to Fresno State from 1995-2002. His final record was 784-202.