San Diego-based Leap Wireless International , the operator of the Cricket prepaid wireless phone service, said today that it is in a license exchange agreement with T-Mobile USA and Cook Inlet/VS GSM VII PCS, LLC , which is part owned by T-Mobile. The deal gives T-Mobile spectrum, in Alabama, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin. READ MORE>>. MORE >>

Santa Monica-based Xfire , the social networking and chat service aimed at gamers, said Monday afternoon that it has named a new CEO, and inked a joint venture with a Chinese company. According to the firm, it has appointed Malcolm CasSelle as its CEO, and tied into China Youth Goyor Technology (Beijing) Co. READ MORE>>. MORE >>

Aliso Viejo-based WaveTec Vision , which is developing diagnostic devices for cataract surgery, said monday that it has raised $16.5M more in funding. The funding was led by Burrill & Company, and also included Versant Ventures, Accuitive Medical Ventures, De Novo Ventures and Gund Investment Corporation. WaveTec is headed by Tom Frinzi. MORE >>

Los Angeles-based Ticketmaster , the ticketing firm owned by Live Nation Entertainment, reported this morning that it has inked a five year contract extension with the National Football League. The firm said the deal calls for it to continue to run the NFL Ticket Exchange, the official ticket resale marketplace for the NFL. READ MORE>>. MORE >>

Santa Monica-based DogVacay , the online marketplace which helps dog owners connect with pet lovers to help watch their dogs, has some new competition today: Rover.com. According to Seattle-based Rover.com, it has just scored $3.4M from Madrona Ventures and CrunchFund for its own, pet sitting marketplace. READ MORE>>. MORE >>