Daily Jolt: Kings keeping eye on Seattle?

The future of the Sacramento Kings, even though they have ended a flirtation with Virginia Beach, Va., remains uncertain. Virginia Beach halted its long-shot bid Tuesday to lure the Kings. But other cities, namely Seattle, remain interested in the troubled franchise. Deeply in debt, the Kings play in a badly outdated arena before the NBA's smallest crowds -- and are locked in a stalemate with Sacramento over how to remedy that. ... With the door closing in Virginia, one possible alternative is a move to Seattle, where hedge-fund manager Chris Hansen, backed by Nordstrom and Microsoft money, has a tentative deal to build a $400 million arena. A potential sticking point: Hansen wants to buy a team. (Sacramento Bee) Comment

Might that jutting jaw make its return to bark on an NFL sideline again? Six seasons have passed since Bill Cowher walked away from the Steelers, and 2013 likely will make it seven. But the CBS analyst and former coach said Tuesday that he probably will return to the NFL -- eventually. "It would be a challenge," he said of the layoff since he last coached, "but I think that's probably why I would get back into it, because of the challenge." So he does plan to go back at some point? "Yeah," he said. The question, of course, is when. ... If the Jets falter next season, Cowher naturally would be a popular choice to replace Rex Ryan. In that scenario, quarterback Mark Sanchez presumably would be on his way out, too. (Newsday) Comment

With spring training a little more than a month away, the Padres rank among teams still looking to improve their roster. One rival executive says there is no chance that general manager Josh Byrnes completes his off-season with the addition of free-agent right-hander Jason Marquis as his only significant move. The Padres seem disinclined to make a strong play for any of the free-agent remaining starters, believing that some of their youngsters can be the rough equivalent of veterans such as Joe Saunders, and at a much lower price. A trade for a pitcher such as the Detroit Tigers' Rick Porcello, Kansas City Royals' Luke Hochevar or Los Angeles Dodgers' Aaron Harang remains possible, though the Padres might be content to wait until spring training. (Fox Sports) Comment