Only 4 shopping days left before Christmas. Hope you have your shopping done so you don't have to brave the crowds of indecisive people wandering through retail outlets across the country.

Here are a few sports business nuggets to get you through the Thursday before Christmas:

- If you listened to last weekend's edition of Sports Business Radio, you heard me discuss the possibility of a "plus-one" or even a playoff format with current BCS Coordinator Michael Slive. Count NCAA President Dr. Myles Brand amongst those who would support a "plus-one" format for the college football postseason.

- Nike heads into an Olympic year with 25 straight quarters of year over year revenue growth. Strong currencies in Europe, Latin America and Asia helped Nike to a record $4.3B in quarterly revenue, up 14% from Q2 '07. Nike reported net income of $359M, or $0.71 per share, up about 10% from $326M and $0.64 for the year-ago period. Somehow I'm thinking the company's exposure in Beijing via the 2008 Summer Olympics isn't going to slow this juggernaut down any.

- Speaking of the Olympics, companies who have paid big bucks to sponsor the Olympics enjoyed a very successful 2007. Is there a connection between their Olympic sponsorship and their prosperity this year? I think its more than just mere coincidence.

- The tough luck continues for Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank. Just when he thought he had THE guy to rebuild his football operations, Bill Parcells changes course and signs a multi-year deal to take the same job with the Miami Dolphins.

- The Mitchell Report has most of us discussing which players used PED's and why Commissioner Bud Selig and Players Union Head Donald Fehr turned a blind eye to this problem for most of the past two decades. This columnist thinks the owners should face stiff penalties when a player on their team is found guilty of using PED's. I agree wholeheartedly.

- Super Bowl ads are always highly anticipated. Sometimes even as much as the game itself by the non-diehard football fans. Last year, the movie studios decided to sit on the sidelines and not pay the hefty pricetag to promote their latest offerings. Things are going to be different for Super Bowl XLII on Fox though. According to the DAILY VARIETY at least eight movie promos are planned to air during the broadcast at a record $2.7 million-$3 million per 30-second spot. I wonder if the censors will let this New Line Cinema spot for the new Will Ferrell comedy "Semi-Pro" see the airwaves? Personally, I love the spot.

Grab some egg nog and enjoy your Thursday!