Federal authorities are investigating Under Armour's accounting practices in a "probe examining whether the sportswear maker shifted sales from quarter to quarter to appear healthier," according to sources. Investigators reportedly "questioned people in Baltimore, where the company is based, as recently as last week." Justice Department prosecutors are "conducting a criminal inquiry" in coordination with civil investigators at the SEC. UA said that "it is cooperating." UA, scheduled to report Q3 results today, "has been restructuring its operations and struggling with weak sales in the last two years" ( WALL STREET JOURNAL, 11/4 ).

NBC debuted a Tokyo Games-themed spot during last night's Patriots-Ravens "SNF" game, and the 15-second ad depicts U.S. sprinter Christian Coleman "blasting off from the goal line at Neyland Stadium." The creative is "made even more relevant" for the NFL audience "by way of the 40-yard-dash times that dart across the screen as Coleman takes his mark." Before the gun sounds, viewers are reminded that Giants RB Saquon Barkley ran a 4.40 in '17 NFL Combine, compared to the 4.12 that Coleman ran. NFL fans "should keep their eyes peeled for subsequent Olympics hype" in "SNF" telecasts and "across other select broadcast assets" ( ADAGE.com, 11/1 ).