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.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. Joe Maddon Jersey .J. -- Pitcher Carl Pavano is retiring after 14 major league seasons. Cole Hamels Jersey . DAmigo scored twice in regulation and added the shootout winner as the Toronto Marlies edged the San Antonio Rampage 5-4 in American Hockey League action. http://www.cubsauthentic.com/cubs-brad-brach-jersey/ . "Hes going to have hip surgery on Jan. 7, and hell be expected to rehabilitate for four to six months beyond that," Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said Friday in an interview. Yu Darvish Jersey . PAUL, Minn. Chicago Cubs Jerseys . Its 1987 and a Brazilian playmaker, known as Mirandinha, is being paraded around St James Park to the passionate Newcastle fans. LAS VEGAS -- John Force beat daughter Courtney Force in the Funny Car final at the NHRA Toyota Nationals on Sunday, and Antron Brown wrapped up his third Top Fuel season title.John Force powered his Chevrolet Camaro to a 3.884-second pass at 327.19 mph in the final. It was his 147th career victory, fourth of the season and sixth at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.Im really excited, said the 67-year-old Force, a 16-time season champion. I mean I never like beating my daughter. We got two wins in the Countdown just a little bit late. Its pretty exciting when I see the stands packed. The way NHRA and the way our TV deal has really been hopping, sold-out crowds, and so many things going on. To be a part of it still at my age is really awesome.Brown ended the title chase when he beat Wayne Newby in the quarterfinals. He also won season titles in 2012 and last year.Brian (Corradi) and Mark (Oswald) and our entire team has wworked so hard and Im just privileged to drive that racecar for Don Schumacher Racing because Don makes it all happen, Brown said.dddddddddddd When you come to a sport with all this access it makes dreams like mine, a kid from New Jersey, come true. My dad, uncle, everybody, they instilled it in me at a young age, work hard and you can make great things happen.Steve Torrence won the Top Fuel event, Shane Gray topped the Pro Stock field, and Jerry Savoie won in Pro Stock Motorcycle in the fifth race of the six-event Countdown to the Championship.Torrence had a 3.734 at 323.81 to beat J.R. Todd for his third win of the season.Gray had a 6.719 at 204.76 in a Camaro to edge Drew Skillman, and Jerry Savoie rode his Suzuki to a 6.915 at 194.13 to beat Andrew Hines. Savoie has six victories this season. ' ' '