For everyone sounding the death knell of the Big East Conference, you can put away your bells.

The Memphis Tigers will be joining the Big East Conference in all sports in 2013.

An official announcement is expected tomorrow at 1 pm, with a news conference in Memphis to follow.

Memphis, who leaves the Conference USA conference, will be joining a host of other schools headed for the Big East in the upcoming years — Central Florida, Houston, SMU, Navy, San Diego State, and Boise State. Many believed that even with the addition of the other schools, the addition of Memphis was crucial for the Big East’s survival as a conference due to the losses of West Virginia (Big 12), Pittsburgh and Syracuse (ACC).

With Big East approval guaranteed, Memphis still has yet another hurdle to climb; the Conference USA exit fee. Memphis will be forced to pay the conference’s $500,000 fee plus a share of their television rights revenue, putting their total exit fee at a little over $6.5 million.

Memphis has been trying to move from Conference USA since being snubbed when the Big East expanded in 2005, losing a longtime rivalry with Louisville. A departure now would be pricey for the Tigers. The exit fee from Conference USA for 2013-14 is $500,000 plus Memphis’ share of television rights revenue, which is approximately $6.13 million, according to a league spokeswoman.

The ticket increase, which will see ticket prices increase 7.9% on average for the 2012 season, is the team’s first ticket price increase since after the 2007 season. While suite-seats will be unaffected by the price increase, the Lions season tickets will range somewhere in between $35 and $99 for the 2012 season, with an average ticket price of $72.04.

The Lions had the 28th lowest average ticket price last season.

“It’s a decision we don’t take lightly,” president Tom Lewand said. “But after a lot of consideration and hopefully intelligent thought, for us the focus was on the value proposition and the desire we have to provide a top tier product in the NFL for a mid-level or below investment.”

“It’s been since after the 2007 season that we’ve raised prices and we weren’t going to do that until we had a product we felt merited this kind of increased investment,” Lewand said. “But it becomes a cycle. In order to stay competitive, we have to be able to invest back into the product. And that’s exactly where these dollars go, right back into re-signing our players and keeping the team together.

“Thankfully we have an ownership (the Ford family) that allows us to charge below average prices that provide, hopefully, a well above average product. They give us the resources we need to spend up to and over the (salary) cap every year.” (via Detroit News)

While Lions fans will pay more to see their team in 2012, they will still remain one of the better deals in the NFL — twenty two (22) other teams charged more in 2011 than the Lions average ticket price for the 2012 season.

Newton, a possible rookie of the year selection and a 2012 NFL Pro Bowler, has signed a multi-year partnership deal with the sports drink, Gatorade. Under the partnership, Newton will be featured in upcoming Gatorade brand campaigns in television, print and digital advertising. He will also visit the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, where scientists will work with him to identify ways in which Gatorade, and training can increase his on-field performance.

“Working with Gatorade fulfills a childhood dream of mine,” said Newton. “I have used Gatorade since I started playing football and Gatorade products have been an important part of my training and competition regimen for as long as I can remember. As I look to improve my game, what I put in my body is extremely important. Gatorade provides me the opportunity to work with the world’s leading scientists who can help me gain a competitive edge and play at my best.” (via Press Release)

Gatorade is very selective with the individual NFL players with which they partner. Cam Newton joins the Manning brothers, Peyton (1999) and Eli (2005) as the only other current NFL players on the Gatorade roster.

“Gatorade is focused on elevating the importance of proper athletic fueling, so it’s important for us to partner with athletes who believe sports nutrition improves performance. Gatorade has been an essential piece of Cam’s football equipment since an early age which makes this partnership a natural fit,” said Sarah Robb O’Hagan, president of North America and global CMO, Gatorade. “Cam has proven himself as a naturally gifted athlete with a promising NFL career. We look forward to helping him achieve his football goals by providing him with customized testing and research and a fueling plan to help him elevate his game.”

Gatorade has been an official NFL partner since 1983, while they’ve worked with NFL teams on at least a team basis since 1969. The company recently extended their NFL partnership deal, ensuring that Gatorade is on the sidelines of every NFL game through the year 2022.

The list, which is based on sales on NFLShop.com from April 1st to December 31st, has the Packers QB on top, with Broncos QB Tim Tebow and Steelers S Troy Polamalu rounding out the top 3.

Further proving that the NFL is a quarterback league, 7 of the top 10 positions are held by NFL quarterbacks. Carolina Panthers QB, Cam Newton, was the only rookie to make the list — at #25.

RK	PLAYER	RK	PLAYER
1)	Packers QB Aaron Rodgers	14)	Bears LB Brian Urlacher
2)	Broncos QB Tim Tebow	15)	Ravens LB Ray Lewis
3)	Steelers S Troy Polamalu	16)	Jets QB Mark Sanchez
4)	Saints QB Drew Brees	17)	Colts QB Peyton Manning
5)	Patriots QB Tom Brady	18)	Raiders RB Darren McFadden
6)	Packers LB Clay Matthews	19)	Lions DT Ndamukong Suh
7)	Eagles QB Michael Vick	20)	Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger
	Giants QB Eli Manning	21)	Eagles WR DeSean Jackson
9)	Cowboys QB Tony Romo	22)	Jets CB Darrelle Revis
10)	Cowboys WR Miles Austin	23)	Patriots WR Wes Welker
11)	49ers LB Patrick Willis	24)	Vikings RB Adrian Peterson
12)	Cowboys WR Dez Bryant	25)	Panthers QB Cam Newton
13)	Cowboys TE Jason Witten

The game, the highlight of the Lingerie Football League season, is moving from Super Bowl 46 host city Indianapolis to Las Vegas.

The game, which will be broadcast during the halftime of the Super Bowl on February 5th, will be played in the Orleans Arena and broadcast live on the MTV Networks’ MTV channel.

The Orleans Hotel & Casino has been named as the official host hotel of the event.

“We’re thrilled to host Lingerie Bowl IX,” said Tony Taeubel, Vice President and General Manager of The Orleans. “By securing the host rights to the 2012 Lingerie Bowl, we believe we have created a truly unique destination event for the thousands of football fans coming to Las Vegas for the Big Game.” (via Press Release)

Tickets for the game, which went on sale last week, range from $15.00 – $82.00. Similar to the NFL’s Super Bowl festivities, the Orleans Arena will host the “Lingerie Football Tailgate Village” complete with live music, football challenges, video game lounges and more.

The Lingerie Bowl, which began in 2004 as an atypical brand of entertainment during the halftime of the Super Bowl, has seen decent growth since it’s inception, increasing in both brand loyalty and advertisers. The Lingerie Football League, an offshoot of the Lingerie Bowl, began play in 2009.

The Kraft Group is teaming up with Princeton-based alternative energy company NRG to triple the amount of renewable solar power generated energy in Gillette Stadium. The NRG agreement — besides covering the home of the New England Revolution, and the New England Patriots — will also cover Patriot Place; The Kraft Group’s shopping and entertainment destination.

“We are excited to help The Kraft Group succeed in its vision to be a leader in making sustainable energy an integral part of its operations,” said David Crane, President and Chief Executive Officer of Princeton, N.J.-based NRG. “The Patriots have a unique bond with their fans, and through the incorporation of renewable energy in and around Gillette Stadium, The Kraft Group is sending a strong and highly visible message to the hundreds of thousands of visitors each year that renewable energy is a smart choice for business and consumers.” (via Press Release)

Both groups are also investigating the idea of adding a full-sized wind turbine that would make Patriot Place one of the largest renewable power installations at a major sports venue in the United States. Under the agreement, NRG will also handle any additional power needs for both Gillette Stadium and Patriot Place.

“Since the construction of Gillette Stadium, we have focused on long-term sustainability and energy efficiency,” said Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of The Kraft Group. “We introduced solar power with the addition of Patriot Place, and NRG will help us take our renewable energy efforts to new heights. In addition to being good corporate citizens and a desire to leave behind a healthy environment for our children and grandchildren, we also believe that this is good business.”

Construction of the new project is expected to be completed in time for the 2012-2013 season.

Mars Chocolate North America announced that their M&M’s brand will be featured in an all-new 30 second commercial during the first quarter of Super Bowl XLVI. It is the second Super Bowl commercial featuring the M&M’s brand.

Super Bowl XLVI will take place February 5, 2012.

“We’re very excited to have M&M’S® featured during one of the world’s largest parties,” said Debra A. Sandler, Chief Consumer Officer, Mars Chocolate North America. “SNICKERS® will prove to be a tough act to follow, but we’re confident our M&M’S® spot will have everyone talking on the morning of February 6.” (via Press Release)

M&M’s are replacing Mars’ Snickers brand as the company’s flagship Super Bowl commercial product. Snickers had previously been featured by Mars the last two years in Snickers’ “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” campaign.

While last night’s 49ers-Steelers Monday Night Football matchup was marred by two power outages totaling 46 minutes, the 49ers had already taken steps to ensure the team’s planned move to Santa Clara would go over without a hitch.

According to the San Francisco Business Times, the Niners sold a stake in the club to an unnamed Silicon Valley investor to help fund the team’s planned move — and new stadium — in Santa Clara.

The 49ers are looking to cover nearly $150 million of the Santa Clara stadium’s $1 billion dollar price tag — the team had previously secured $850 million in loans.

Should everything go as planned, the 49ers should be playing in their new stadium in 2015.

Solar power, anyone?

MetLife Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Giants and Jets, may soon rely on solar energy to help power their stadium.

NRG Energy, a New Jersey-based alternative energy company, has reached a sponsorship agreement with New Meadowlands Stadium to install a solar power generator at the 82,000+ seat stadium. The system, dubbed as the “solar ring” will cover the stadium’s rooftop with solar cells that can change colors to accommodate the particular event.

“MetLife Stadium is no stranger to unique, trendsetting innovation,” said Steve Tisch, chairman and executive vice president of the New York Football Giants. “The largest football stadium in the NFL — the only one to house two teams — also proudly displays the most technologically advanced infrastructure and is now dedicated to the identification and exploration of new, cutting-edge eco-friendly ventures.” (via NJ.com)

Construction of the solar ring is expected to begin next spring, and finish prior to the start of the 2012-2013 NFL season.

Penn State has decided to discontinue the licensing of Joe Paterno merchandise. JoePa t-shirts, posters, mugs — everything — will no longer be produced come next February.

The University is allowing retail stores to sell their current stock, and any stock that can be made and sold between now and February, until the deadline is reached.

Even with all of the controversy surrounding the Penn State situation, and the criticism towards even JoePa himself from outside of the state of Pennsylvania, he still remains a popular figure within the state,

A poll out Friday shows Paterno remains popular among many Pennsylvanians, although most agree with the school’s recent decision to fire him. The Quinnipiac University survey found 52 percent of those surveyed supported Paterno’s dismissal and 43 percent opposed the move.

But 44 percent still have a favorable opinion of Paterno despite outrage he didn’t take strong enough action after a graduate assistant came to him claiming he saw Sandusky raping a boy in a shower at the school’s football facilities.

“We will probably get more of the things and build up a stock,” said John Lindo, general manager of the Student Book Store in downtown State College. “For sales, it’s not a huge number usually, but in the last couple of weeks it’s been significant.” (via The Morning Call)

Of course, for those JoePa fans that are simply dying for JoePa branded merchandise, JoePa will still be able to license his own likeness, he just won’t be able to associate his name with Pennsylvania State University.

The Orange Bowl committee announced a new sponsorship agreement Camacho Cigars. Under the three-year agreement, Camacho Cigars will become a corporate sponsor of the Orange Bowl Festival, including the 2012, ’13, and ’14 Orange Bowl, and the 2013 Discover BCS National Championship.

“Being that our roots stem from South Florida, it’s a great honor to be partnered with such a class organization that does so much for the community,” said Dylan Austin, Head of Marketing at Camacho Cigars. (via Press Release)

The sponsorship will include presence at various game day events throughout the three bowl games, with special cigar concession lounges being created for football-VIP’s and Committee members. The Orange Bowl’s Game Day Fan Zone, one of the bowl’s pre-game events, will also feature a Camacho Cigar-branded lounge area.

“We pride ourselves in affiliating with quality brands, especially those with strong South Florida ties, like Camacho Cigars,” said Michael Saks, Chief Operating Officer of the Orange Bowl.

Camacho Cigars, which was founded in 1961, is a significant player in the international cigar market, with the #1 premium selling cigar in America, the Baccarat the Game.

Tim Tebow Christmas cards…of course.

An artist in Pueblo, Colorado has created 1,000 of the cards which will be auctioned off on eBay. The 1000 limited edition cards feature Tebow in his Broncos uniform “Tebowing” next to the Baby Jesus.

Seriously.

More on the cards from the artist himself,

“Any football fan who reads the sports pages in newspapers today, or visits the leading sports websites, often sees an unpleasant scene filled with greed, out of control egos, and bad behavior,” the artist writes on eBay. “While Tim Tebow has never claimed to be perfect, his winning combination of athletic ability, determination, friendliness, authenticity, and a deep faith have won him many thousands, if not millions, of sports fans across the United States, and indeed, all over the world. Sharing these cards, with their simple image of a good guy who never fails to give glory to God, would be a great way to show your support for Tim and all he stands for.” (via ImageCPR)

Not surprising, eBay has been caught up in the “Tebow-spirit” with various Christmas based Tebow products for sale, including Tebow Christmas ornaments and Tebow Christmas bows.

Sanders has once again teamed up with Miller Lite to “Homegate” with a special fan. The homegate promotion allows fans to bid, using the eBay site, on a chance to win a chance to watch and discuss football with Barry Sanders when his former team, the Detroit Lions, take on the Oakland Raiders — Sunday December 18th. With Miller Lite as the sponsor, its not surprising that Sanders himself will be bringing all of the food and refreshments for the viewing party.

Miller Lite’s promotion with Sanders marks the company’s fourth such promotion this season. The company previously teamed up with former NFL players Ahman Green, Emmitt Smith, and Jonathan Ogden under similar promotions.

Sanders himself has worked with Miller Lite on a similar promotion as well, he homegated with a lucky winner for the Super Bowl back in 2008.

All proceeds from this Miller Lite promotion will benefit the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund (GGAF), a non-profit organization that provides financial grants and medical assistance to retired football players in need.

More information about the promotion can be found on Miller Lite’s eBay auction page.

The world’s largest provider of web-hosting and domain names has purchased two 30-second commercials for the 2012 Super Bowl.

Although Go Daddy is known for their faux-risque commercials, both commercial scripts have already been approved by NBC’s “Standards and Practices” division.

“After seven years, we have a good idea about what we can do that works for us and still be approved by censors – we know how to take it right to the very edge,” said Go Daddy CEO and Founder Bob Parsons, the man behind the company’s long-running, high impact and always controversial Super Bowl ads. (via Press Release)

Go Daddy has consistently seen positive results with their Super Bowl commercials in the past. Notably, their Joan Rivers feature in last Super Bowl’s Go Daddy ad led to a 466% increase in domain name registrations within 15 minutes of airing.

Go Daddy’s 2012 commercials will both feature NASCAR driver and Go Daddy endorser Danica Patrick. This is Patrick’s sixth Super Bowl ad campaign.

“Go Daddy knows how to have fun with its advertising and has truly mastered the art of driving website traffic with edgy commercials that push the limits – I can’t wait to see what happens next at GoDaddy.com,” Danica said.

Patrick will be joined in Go Daddy’s .CO ad (an ad promoting the .CO domain) with former Biggest Loser trainer/Go Daddy endorser Jillian Michaels.

Furniture Row Companies is a national furniture retailer that has a number of subsidiary companies, including Sofa Mart, Oak Express, Bedroom Expressions and Denver Mattress Company. The currently have over 300 stores and operate in 31 different states.

Under Tebow’s new agreement, he is working with the Denver Mattress Company to raise funds for orphanage services via Tebow’s own, ‘Tim Tebow Foundation’.

“The Foundation exists to bring faith, hope and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need,” explained Tim. “With the help of great people and amazing companies like Furniture Row, we will make a difference.” A special promotional marketing effort featuring Mr. Tebow and his foundation will be included in upcoming Denver Mattress advertising.

“Denver Mattress is pleased to be in a position to work with the Tim Tebow Foundation and to assist in their efforts to help orphans around the globe,” said Dan Visser, President of the Denver Mattress Company. “Together with Tim’s support, Denver Mattress can continue to positively impact lives worldwide.” (via Press Release)

As mentioned, this is Tebow’s second time working with Furniture Row and Denver Mattress; they had previously provided interior design services and furnishings for Tebow’s home in Colorado.