• U.S. gymnast Simone Biles will not compete in tomorrow’s individual all-around competition at the Tokyo Olympics, an event she had been heavily favored to win for the second consecutive Summer Games, due to mental health concerns after she withdrew from the team final following a shaky performance during the vault portion of the competition. USA Gymnastics said Biles, who will be replaced in the all-around by Jade Carey, will be evaluated before deciding whether she will compete in the individual events next week. (ESPN)
• Barstool Sports signed a multiyear deal to become the title sponsor and broadcast partner of college football’s Arizona Bowl and will move the game off of linear TV in favor of streaming on its website, app and social media channels. The game, which previously aired on CBS Sports Network and has featured teams from the Mountain West and Mid-American conferences, will be the first live college football game distributed by Barstool. (Sportico)
• Gannett Co. Inc. forged a five-year partnership with Tipico USA Technology worth over $100 million that will see the newspaper publisher include sports betting odds from Tipico in its content and refer traffic to the company’s betting platform. Tipico will also spend $90 million on advertising and sponsored content with Gannett, which owns USA Today, local newspapers published in 46 states and more than 200 sports websites. (Reuters)

Walmart goes big with TV ads during Olympics

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Tokyo sets another virus record days after Olympics begin

Mari Yamaguchi, The Associated Press

Tokyo reported 3,177 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, setting an all-time high and exceeding 3,000 for the first time days after the start of the Olympics. The new cases exceeded the earlier record of 2,848 set the previous day and brought the total for the Japanese capital to 206,745 since the pandemic began early last year.

What Simone Biles’ Olympics Exit Means For Sponsors

Ethan Jakob Craft, Ad Age

The departure of all-star gymnast Simone Biles from the women’s gymnastics team final could be a warning for brands not to bet sponsorship dollars on one athlete—although Gap Inc. is backing the decision by its star endorser to put her mental health first. Those involved with the turbulent Tokyo Olympics have come to expect the unexpected, but the sudden exit of Biles is one of the games’ most significant surprises yet, leaving her teammates to soldier on without her.

Olympics under 20 million again Monday night

Sports Media Watch

NBC said Tuesday that Monday’s primetime coverage of the Tokyo Summer Olympics averaged 16.8 million viewers across its various platforms, down 47% from the comparable night of the Rio Summer Olympics in 2016 (31.5M). Figures include an average of 746,000 viewers per minute across NBC’s digital platforms (including Peacock), a new record for any night of any Olympics.

Tokyo Olympics Primetime Ratings Stumble, But NBCU Still Eyes Big Ad Revenue

Jason Lynch, Adweek

Because its Olympics ad rating guarantees involve multiple platforms and dayparts beyond just NBC primetime in the company’s first always-on, streaming heavy Games, the declines shouldn’t impact the approximately $1.25 billion in Tokyo Olympics ad revenue it has sold. NBCUniversal knew that its primetime ratings would be down compared to those of Rio, but had hoped that the numbers would be stronger, according to a source close to negotiations.

International Cycling Union reveals sizeable $5 million loan from the IOC

David Owen, InsideTheGames.biz

The International Cycling Union (UCI) has borrowed $5 million (£3.6 million/€4.2 million) from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to help mitigate the impact of Tokyo 2020’s postponement. It is the biggest such loan that has so far come to light since the IOC published a list of 15 International Federations (IFs) it was lending money to just over a year ago.

Adam Schefter A Top Candidate To Join Peyton, Eli Manning On ‘MNF’

Michael McCarthy, Front Office Sports

ESPN could tap Adam Schefter to work with Peyton Manning and Eli Manning on its alternate “Monday Night Football” telecast during the 2021 NFL season, sources told FOS. Schefter’s name has surged to the top of the candidates list to work with the Manning brothers on the 10-game MegaCast, which will air on ESPN2 and stream on Disney platforms like ESPN+.  

Concacaf Gold Cup delivers impressive TV ratings for Univision’s Networks

World Soccer Talk

TUDN’s coverage of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup continues to draw big ratings for Univision’s networks. Powered by the Mexican national team, TUDN’s telecasts of this year’s action are up 25% among Total Viewers 2+ and +28% with Adults 18-49 through the first 20 games of the Group Stage. For the tournament thus far, Univision’s networks are averaging 1.2 million Total Viewers 2+ and 597,000 Adults 18-49.

Kansas City Chiefs plan to keep nickname but retire mascot ‘Warpaint’

Kevin Dotson and Steve Almasy, CNN

The NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs won’t be changing the team’s nickname anytime soon, but are retiring their horse mascot named “Warpaint,” according to organization president Mark Donovan. The Warpaint tradition was reintroduced in 2009 as part of the team’s 50th anniversary season after a 20-year hiatus.

Vikings, Rick Dennison agree on a deal that he’ll remain with the team

Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk

The agreement is more like an acknowledgement that team and coach will comply with the applicable COVID protocols as determined by the NFL, whether Dennison is vaccinated or not. Those protocols likely will limit Dennison’s ability to directly interact with players, if he chooses not to get the vaccine.

NBA will keep play-in tournament for 1st full season since COVID-19 pandemic

Liz Roscher, Yahoo Sports

The NBA announced notable dates for the upcoming 2021-2022 season on Tuesday, and revealed an important nugget of playoffs news: the play-in tournament will once again be part of it. The play-in tournament, which will take place April 12-15, 2022, wasn’t the only notable date the NBA announced.

Former President Barack Obama is now a minority owner in NBA’s Africa business

Jabari Young, CNBC

Former President Barack Obama has become a strategic partner and minority owner in the National Basketball Association’s Africa business, which oversees the Basketball Africa League. The NBA launched its Africa entity in May and values the business as a nearly $1 billion venture. 

Oklahoma City Thunder’s downtown arena renamed Paycom Center

Joe Mussatto and Steve Lackmeyer, The Oklahoman

The Thunder and Paycom announced Tuesday that they have agreed to a 15-year naming rights partnership. The name change will take effect immediately, and the team said exterior signage changes — featuring Paycom’s green logo — will be completed by the start of the 2021-22 NBA season in October.

NBA Draft Prospects Find Sneaker Money Market Dry For Rookies

John Wall Street, Sportico

Excel Sports Management founder Jeff Schwartz said the dearth of incoming rookies with well-paid shoe contracts is indicative of a market where endorsement money is hard to come by. There has also been a recalibration of the market in recent years, as brands have come to the realization that it is nearly impossible to generate a positive ROI on massive endorsement deals.

Mariners name Catie Griggs the new president of business operations, replacing ex-CEO Kevin Mather

Adam Jude, The Seattle Times

The Seattle Mariners have hired Atlanta United executive Catie Griggs as their new president of business operations, bringing to an end a five-month search to replace disgraced CEO Kevin Mather following his abrupt resignation in February. Griggs spent the past four years as chief business officer of the Atlanta United, overseeing front-office operations and leading the franchise’s launch in 2017.

Trevor Bauer’s administrative leave is extended through Aug. 6

Mike DiGiovanna, Los Angeles Times

Trevor Bauer’s leave from the Dodgers has been extended through Aug. 6 under an agreement between Major League Baseball and the players union, the third time the pitcher’s original paid administrative leave from July 2 has been extended, according to a person familiar with the situation who is not authorized to speak publicly.

Trudeau joins chorus blasting Montreal Canadiens for drafting player who violated woman’s consent

Jonathan Montpetit, CBC News

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today the Montreal Canadiens showed a “lack of judgment” by drafting an 18-year-old who was fined recently for sharing sexually explicit photos of a woman without her consent. Trudeau is the latest high-profile figure to criticize the NHL club over its decision to select Logan Mailloux for its first-round pick in Friday’s entry draft.

Oklahoma Sooners, Texas Longhorns formally notify SEC of membership request for 2025

Heather Dinich, ESPN

Oklahoma and Texas have formally notified the SEC they are seeking “an invitation for membership” beginning July 1, 2025, according to a joint statement from the flagship programs of the Big 12. Sources said the SEC presidents and chancellors are meeting Thursday to consider OU and Texas for official membership in what would become the first 16-team superconference.

Pac-12 Leaders Suggest Realignment Response as SEC Growth May Compromise CFP Expansion

Ross Dellenger, Sports Illustrated

Pac-12 leaders here at the conference’s annual media day say Texas and Oklahoma moving to the SEC compromises the CFP expansion model and will almost assuredly delay its approval, even potentially resulting in wholesale changes to its structure. In fact, league administrators believe the SEC’s chess move, while calculated and cunning, will start a responsive chain of significant changes across the landscape of American college sports.

NCAA Athletes’ Suit for Back Pay Gains Steam After Alston, NIL

Michael McCann, Sportico

Late Monday, attorneys for Arizona State swimmer Grant House, Oregon basketball player Sedona Prince and former Illinois football player Tymir Oliver filed a 115-page amended complaint in their ongoing federal antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA and Power 5 conferences. The three players, who recently added Jeffrey Kessler as co-counsel, hope their case becomes a class action lawsuit on behalf of different groups of current and former Division I college athletes who have competed since 2016.

Washington State Cougars head coach Nick Rolovich to follow all policies ‘for the unvaccinated’

Adam Rittenberg, ESPN

Washington State coach Nick Rolovich says the school’s administration respects his decision not to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and that he intends to follow all policies “for the unvaccinated.” Rolovich on Tuesday spoke at Pac-12 media day in Los Angeles from Pullman, Washington, via Zoom, since the event required all coaches to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes buys stake in MLS club Sporting Kansas City

Adam Teicher, ESPN

Patrick Mahomes added to the collection of sports franchises that he has a stake in by buying into the ownership group of MLS club Sporting Kansas City. A source with knowledge of the situation said that Mahomes and Sporting Kansas City have been engaged in discussions about an ownership stake for around 12 months. 

Red Bull appeals Hamilton penalty from Silverstone

Giles Richards, The Guardian

The Red Bull F1 team have requested the FIA review the clash between their driver Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton at the British Grand Prix. The FIA, F1’s governing body, will hold a video conference hearing at 3pm on Thursday before this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

16-year-old prodigy Alexa Pano is entering next month’s LPGA Tour Q-School

Craig Dolch, The Palm Beach Post

Alexa Pano of Lake Worth made a bunch of birdies Tuesday at the 45th Girls Junior PGA Championship – and some news after the round. After shooting a 7-under 66 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky., to take a two-shot lead, the 16-year-old Pano told The Palm Beach Post she is entering next month’s LPGA Tour q-school.

Activision Blizzard Details Steps to Address Workplace Sexual Harassment Ahead of Planned Walkout

Meghan Bobrowsky, The Wall Street Journal

Activision Blizzard Inc. late Tuesday said it had hired a law firm to investigate complaints of sexual harassment in the workplace, hours before a planned employee walkout over the company’s reaction to allegations made in a recent lawsuit. “Our initial responses to the issues we face together, and to your concerns, were, quite frankly, tone deaf,” Chief Executive Officer Bobby Kotick said in a statement.

Mobile esports organization Tribe Gaming lands investment from Spurs Sports & Entertainment

Trent Murray, The Esports Observer

Spurs Sports & Entertainment has joined the investment group of mobile-focused esports organization and content creation company Tribe Gaming. Tribe is a gaming organization focused entirely on mobile competitive titles.

FaZe Clan teams up with Totino’s

Henrieta Hyrliková, Esports Insider

North American esports organisation FaZe Clan has announced a partnership with frozen pizza brand Totino’s. The collaboration will see rapper and FaZe Clan member Miles ‘Lil Yachty’ Parks McCollum host a content series that highlights the launch of the Totino’s Pizza Rolls Minis product range.

TSM renews partnership with Lenovo

Trent Murray, The Esports Observer

Esports organization TSM has renewed its partnership deal with Lenovo. The company’s gaming brand Lenovo Legion will continue to serve as the exclusive PC partner of TSM.

IOC accused of “cold indifference to genocide” as Congressional body quizzes US-based TOP sponsors on Beijing 2022

Patrick Burke, InsideTheGames.biz

Figures from Airbnb, Coca-Cola, Intel, Procter & Gamble and Visa – all part of The Olympic Partner (TOP) programme – were quizzed by members of the CECC over their sponsorship of the IOC as it relates to plans to hold next year’s Winter Olympics in Beijing, and actions they would be willing to take to push for change, in the “Corporate Sponsorship of the 2022 Beijing Olympics” hearing.

Endeavor’s On Location Acquires Dynamic Ticket-Pricing Innovator Qcue

Diane Haithman, TheWrap

Endeavor’s luxury events business On Location has acquired Qcue, a leader in dynamic pricing software for sports and entertainment ticketing, On Location announced on Tuesday. Qcue specializes in providing ticket pricing, analytics, data visualization, inventory management and efficiency tools to sports teams and entertainment organizations.

ICM Stellar Sports sees Select acquisition as first major growth step

Liz Mullen, Sports Business Journal

ICM Stellar Sports, the sports division ICM Partners, has acquired Select Sports Group, which represents more than 60 NFL players, instantly making the Hollywood agency a player in the U.S. football business. ICM Stellar Sports was launched in October ’20, when ICM acquired Stellar Group, the largest soccer player representation firm in the world.