June
• Wimbledon introduces its new rain-delay proof Centre Court, which has a retractable roof. The Fleet Street tabloids denounce the new “Wimbledome,” while organizers of the 2012 Summer Olympics announce that a roof will be installed over all of London in time for the opening ceremony of the Games.

• In order to cut costs, the Arena Football League merges with the WNBA. Details forthcoming.

• Retired Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, the greatest player in Denver Broncos history, gets engaged to a former Oakland Raiderette. Wait, that already happened. 

July-August
• UFC 591 takes place at a casino somewhere in Las Vegas.

• Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo suffers a freak injury during the taping of a “This is SportsCenter” ad, paving the way for backup QB Michael Vick to start the season opener.

• ESPN personality Jim Rome tragically perishes in a southern California brush fire. Students of irony nod their heads.

• On Aug. 1, the Chicago Cubs have a 10-game lead in the NL Central. What could possibly go wrong?

• The Erin Andrews Fathead is introduced, and within days becomes the company’s all-time leading seller.

September
• Notre Dame opens the season with five straight wins, prompting Sports Illustrated to place wide receiver Golden Tate on the cover over the headline, "The Irish are Golden." That week, 43 different columnists — three of them from SI.com — write pieces decrying the program’s overexposure.

• UFC 716 takes place at a casino somewhere in Las Vegas.

• 2009 is fast becoming known as "The Year of the Knee." Knee reconstruction or replacement outpatients Tiger Woods, Tom Brady and Charlie Weis (the latter having had both procedures) have banner years. The Notre Dame football coach, who had his left knee reconstructed and his right knee replaced, announces that his rehab schedule should allow for a full recovery in time to dance with the bride at Brady’s wedding.

October-December
• An emergency meeting of the International Olympic Committee is convened when it is discovered that nearly all the financing for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi is coming courtesy of Russia’s primary export: on-line brides.

• The Toronto Jays meet the Florida Marlins in the World Series. TBS intentionally preempts Game 7 with the Steve Harvey Show.

• University of Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, the Longhorns’ designated coach-in-waiting, designates running backs coach Major Applewhite as the program’s coach-in-waiting-in-waiting. Applewhite receives the news while in a waiting room as his wife, Julie, gives birth to their first son, Minor Applewhite.

• UFC 1,000 is staged on New Year’s Eve atop Steve Wynn’s Encore casino. Locals are buzzing about the under card match pitting Blue Man Group against Thunder From Down Under.

Also on NBCSports.com Rosenthal: Steelers’ struggles could sink their playoff hopes Circling the Bases: Dodgers unlikely to land Halladay Inside the Irish: Clausen reportedly involved in fight Opinion: So far, Nowitzki is NBA’s MVP  |  Fan Ranker Twitter: Follow us @nbc_sports

MORE FROM OTHER SPORTS

Other sports Section Front

Man pleads not guilty in Andrews stalking case   Autopsy set for boxer who died after Philly bout Astana cycling team on the brink after new demands Armstrong’s new team announces lineup Kimbo Slice to make UFC debut Dec. 5   Slideshow: Top 20 fighters in the world DRF: Goldikova to target unprecedented 3rd BC Mile   Tony Hawk’s back for a ‘Ride’   Video: Globetrotters set to entertain troops Slideshow: Ugliest uniforms in sports Other sports Section Front   Add Other sports headlines to your news reader: