The NFL announced two significant broadcasting changes on Monday, removing the controversial policy of local TV blackouts and declaring that one of its London games will be streamed digitally outside the local markets.

The lift of blackouts in 2015 is a one-year trial as the NFL determines whether it still needs the threat of blackouts to sell out stadiums.

The rule, which states that games not sold out 72 hours before kickoff will not be aired in local markets, was instituted in the 1970s to promote ticket sales.

Just 5 percent of games have been blacked out in the 2010s, the league said. There were just two blackouts in 2013 and none in 2014.

Meanwhile, the NFL is expanding its use of online broadcasting by planning to air the London game on Oct. 25 between the Jaguars and Bills via digital media to a worldwide audience. It will be the first NFL game streamed digitally.

–Former NFL safety Darren Sharper, after pleading guilty to sexual assault and attempted sexual assault in a plea deal with Arizona prosecutors, was sentenced to nine years in prison.

Sharper, who is accused of drugging and sexually assaulting women in four states, changed his plea on Monday in Phoenix via video-conferencing from Los Angeles, where he remains in jail. Later in the day, Sharper changed his plea in the Los Angeles charges to no contest and another in Louisiana that carries a 20-year jail term.

Sharper reached a “global” plea agreement that aims to bring resolution to all nine formal rape charges across four states.

–NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the so-called deflategate investigation is finally moving toward a conclusion.

In an interview with Peter King of TheMMQB.com on the eve of the league’s owners meetings in Phoenix, Goodell said he expects to get the final report soon from independent investigator Ted Wells.

The NFL is investigating the New England Patriots after 11 of 12 game balls they used in their 45-7 win over the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC title game were found to be underinflated.

–Goodell said he will respect Jameis Winston’s decision if he stays at home with his family for the 2015 NFL Draft rather than attend the event next month in Chicago. Winston is widely projected to be selected as the No. 1 overall pick.

The Florida State quarterback “was clear that he wanted to spend time with his family,” Goodell said.

–The Miami Dolphins extended coach Joe Philbin’s contract through 2016.

Philbin is 23-25 in three years in Miami, including consecutive 8-8 finishes.

–The Arizona Cardinals agreed to terms with wide receiver/kick returner Nathan Slaughter, who tried out at the first veteran combine Sunday in Tempe, Ariz.

Slaughter was the fastest player among the 105 at the combine, running a 4.45 40-yard dash, according to Rob Rang of CBS Sports.

–The Pro Bowl could be on the move again, and this time, the NFL’s all-star game would be a passport-required event.

Following the World Cup and Olympics, the Pro Bowl could be headed to Brazil in January 2017.

The past two years, the Pro Bowl has been played in Honolulu (2014) and Phoenix (2015).

–The NFL is hiring two people to oversee its personal-conduct policy, according to several reports.

Todd Jones, former director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, will be special counsel for conduct. A former Marine officer and U.S. attorney in Minnesota, Jones is expected to administer the conduct policy.

Lisa Friel, a former New York sex-crimes prosecutor, was named special counsel for investigations.

–It was reported last week that Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson close to a new deal with Seattle. However, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports said this week that “talks between Wilson and the Seahawks have gone nowhere.”

According to La Canfora, “no real progress” has been made and sources say Wilson is preparing as if he might have to play out his rookie contract, which will pay him $1.54 million in 2015.

–New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is in a contract year, and it’s likely to stay that way.

Manning could command $18 million to $20 million per season, on par with the five-year, $99 million deal Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger signed this month.

But the Giants, according to ESPN, are comfortable letting Manning play out the 2015 season without the promise of a long-term deal on paper.

–The New Orleans Saints made three trades in the first week of the new NFL year, including dealing their best offensive weapon, but general manager Mickey Loomis shot down speculation that they are going to trade their quarterback.

“Anybody who thinks we’re trading Drew Brees, that’s just not true,” Loomis told USA Today at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix.

–Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson said he made the decision not to try to re-sign defensive end Greg Hardy, who signed with the Dallas Cowboys last week despite serious domestic violence allegations.

“We do the right things,” Richardson said when asked why he made that call.

–The Houston Texans are hoping outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, who is working his way back from microfracture surgery on his knee, can participate in training camp this August.