• A week after Columbus’ MLS franchise removed the word “Crew” from its name to become Columbus SC, the Ohio-based club reversed course in response to backlash from fans, restoring “Crew” to the official moniker and dropping “SC,” which it added as part of a prior rebrand effort in 2014. The about-face reportedly followed a meeting between ownership, the front office and prominent Crew fans, including members of the Nordecke supporters’ group and the Save the Crew movement that previously advocated for the team to stay in Columbus when previous ownership proposed relocation. (The Columbus Dispatch)
• The NCAA Division I Council is unlikely to recommend the passage of formal legislation governing athletes’ use of their names, images and likenesses at its meeting tomorrow, according to sources, despite President Mark Emmert urging membership to approve rules on the matter by July, when state laws are set to take effect in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New Mexico and Tennessee. Inaction this week would dramatically reduce the likelihood of having NCAA rules in place by July 1, as any recommendation by the council still must be approved by the NCAA Board of Governors, which is scheduled to meet next month. (CBS Sports)
• New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced the New York City Marathon will return for 2021, following the cancellation of last year’s event amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Scheduled as usual for the first Sunday in November, the race will include 33,000 runners, down from the usual field of 55,000, and begin with a staggered start that will see competitors start the race from the starting line on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in Staten Island a few at a time. (The New York Times)

College Athletic Leaders Want Independent Football Oversight
Athletic Director U

View Full Calendar

NBCUniversal Upfront Doubles Down On Olympics Going Ahead Despite Pandemic & Political Worries About Tokyo & Beijing

Dominic Patten, Deadline

Noting that the Comcast-owned media giant has both the postponed summer games and the Beijing-hosted Winter games, plus LA-set Super Bowl LVI in February 2022, Susan Rovner displayed no hesitation in telling Today co-host Hoda Kotb that the Olympics would launch as planned and provide hefty launch pads for NBCU programming.

Winners & losers from Discovery-WarnerMedia deal

John Ourand, Sports Business Journal

One more big bidder just entered the sports rights marketplace. Discovery’s David Zaslav has stayed out of the U.S. market, viewing it as too mature. WarnerMedia seemed content with its four big rights deals with the NBA, MLB, NHL and March Madness. Zaslav’s mere presence as a potential bidder should be enough to keep U.S. sports rights from slipping.

ESPN signs Leah Hextall in historic NHL play-by-play hire

Andrew Marchand, New York Post

For its NHL coverage, ESPN has signed Leah Hextall to do play-by-play and other roles, The Post has learned. While the exact number of games she will broadcast is not yet known, she will be the first woman play-by-player to be a regular part of a national NHL TV package.

Veteran NHL reporter Frank Seravalli is leaving TSN, cuing speculation on if he’ll join ESPN or TNT

Andrew Bucholtz, Awful Announcing

ESPN in particular might have some merit, as Seravalli could contribute not only to game coverage for them, but perhaps also to SportsCenter and other shows. They also have a strong website for reporting, written features, and video features, and Seravalli has found some success in all of those formats.

WFAN signs Boomer Esiason, Gregg Giannotti to contract extensions

Andrew Marchand, New York Post

Boomer Esiason and Gregg Giannotti have signed contract extensions with WFAN, The Post has learned. “Boomer & Gio” will be doing their morning show until at least the end of 2023. The ramifications of the deal solidifies the baton for WFAN mornings that began after Don Imus was fired in 2007.

IndyCar Values TV Reach Over Revenue With Sport In ‘Growth Mode’

John Wall Street, Sportico

NBC will carry the Indianapolis 500 on May 30, and according to a recent media report, it could be the last time that “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” airs on the broadcast network. The story said NBC is close to “walk[ing] away from its TV rights deal with IndyCar” and that CBS would be the “likely beneficiary” if the two sides parted ways.

Streaming TV Threatens Cable Networks’ Value For Advertisers

Jeanine Poggi and Ethan Jakob Craft, Ad Age

Brands looking to reach niche audiences—such as an auto intender or travel enthusiast—on TV a decade ago relied on cable networks that catered to those types of viewers. But with the ability to now deeply target very specific audiences through streaming platforms, what once made second- or third-tier cable channels attractive for advertisers is all but obsolete. 

NFL will loosen restrictions on vaccinated fans in ticket guidelines for 2021 season

Daniel Kaplan, The Athletic

Some previous criteria, such as exposure to COVID-19-infected people and having symptoms that previously would have barred fans from attending, are now waived if the attendees are fully vaccinated. That would reflect the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance that the vaccinated do not appear to transmit the virus.

Denver Broncos add Minnesota Vikings’ Kelly Kleine to front office in historic scouting hiring

Courtney Cronin, ESPN

The Denver Broncos have hired Kelly Kleine as the executive director of football operations and special adviser to general manager George Paton, the team announced Monday. Kleine will be the primary liaison for the team’s football operations and oversee various areas of the pro and college scouting departments, including player evaluation and preparation for the NFL draft and free agency.

New NFTs to feature Pro Football Hall of Famers that are also Heisman winners

Arda Ocal, ESPN

The next athletes to enter the NFT space are Pro Football Hall of Famers who also won the Heisman Trophy. Dubbed the “H2H Legends of Football Collection,” it is a collaboration between Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment (which has brand partnerships with the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the NFL Alumni Association), content studio Dolphin Entertainment, as well as H2H (a group of players who are both Heisman Trophy winners and Pro Football Hall of Famers).

Kobe Bryant Estate Faces Uphill Climb To Launch New Shoe Brand

Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico

There is no disputing Bryant’s place as one of the sport’s all-time greats 16 months after the tragic helicopter accident that killed the five-time NBA champion, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other people. Less clear is the future of his shoe brand after his estate and Nike parted ways last month, ending an 18-year relationship.

Astros announce maximum capacity allowed at Minute Maid Park for remainder of season

KHOU 11

The Astros will once again have a full crowd at Minute Maid Park. The team announced that it’s increasing to maximum capacity at the ballpark for the remainder of the season, beginning with the series against the Dodgers on May 25.

Devils become first NHL team to sign NFT deal

Austin Karp, Sports Business Journal

The Devils are the first NHL team to sign an NFT deal, partnering with Fanaply for a digital collectibles partnership. Fanaply will host, mint, sell and distribute the Devils’ first officially licensed NFT collection, which will feature iconic moments in team history, fans and the club’s “Made in Jersey” brand campaign.

Leafs promote Hayley Wickenheiser, hire Danielle Goyette. The two-woman development team is an NHL first

Kevin McGran, Toronto Star

The Leafs promoted Wickenheiser to the role of senior director of player development. Wickenheiser hired Goyette to replace her in the revamped department. The two will oversee the development of all players in the organization, from the NHL level to prospects in junior, college and overseas.

How the NHL got a hip-hop playoff anthem

Greg Wyshynski, ESPN

In its original form, “Skate” wasn’t a tailor-made sports song. Its video features women in neon ski masks brandishing firearms, “Spring Breakers” style, while BIA raps in a fur coat. The lyrics matched that aesthetic. So the NHL asked BIA and Epic Records to recraft some of the song to add playoffs-specific references.

Pac-12 becomes latest Power Five conference to eliminate intraconference rule

David Cobb, CBS Sports

The Pac-12 became the third of the Power Five football conferences to clear the way for transfers to receive immediate eligibility when transferring between league schools on Monday. The conference’s CEO group approved the measure during its annual spring meeting. By approving the new rule, the Pac-12 joins the ACC and Big 12 in allowing transfers to play immediately when transferring to an in-conference school.

Collegiate Licensing Company adds partners as it awaits final NCAA bid

Eric Jackson, Atlanta Business Chronicle

Collegiate Licensing Co. launched a NIL platform called COMPASS to help athletic departments navigate the evolving landscape. COMPASS, which announced its first deal with Mississippi State last week, looks to stand out from more than 50 other NIL platforms by partnering with programs and providing its college athletes with NIL education, instead of being a marketplace that connects athletes and brands.

Vanderbilt’s Malcolm Turner experiment was costlier than previously thought, records show

Adam Sparks, Nashville Tennessean

The university’s 2019 federal tax return reveals that Turner was paid more than $1.6 million in base salary and credited with nearly $2.2 million in total compensation for 11 months of work in that calendar year. If compared to salaries of athletics directors in the 2019-20 academic year, Turner would have touted the second-highest base salary in the nation and third-highest total compensation.

Everton FC demonstrates new global ambitions with Pulse Sports partnership in States

Bob Williams, SportBusiness

Everton FC’s partnership with Miami-based sports marketing agency Pulse Sports and Entertainment to expand its fanbase and presence in the United States marks the English Premier League club’s most significant step yet in an extensive new global growth strategy. In recent years, Everton’s international brand awareness has increased markedly thanks in large part to the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as manager in December 2019.

Mexican soccer federation warns refs may halt play if fans use anti-gay slur

Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times

The Mexican soccer federation has for years asked its fans to refrain from using a wildly popular anti-gay chant, both during games of the domestic Liga MX and internationally when the country’s national team was playing. Now it’s getting some high-powered help from FIFA, the world governing body for soccer.

New York Racing Officials Suspend Baffert From Belmont Stakes

Joe Drape, The New York Times

New York horse racing officials on Monday barred the trainer Bob Baffert not only from entering the Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit in the Belmont Stakes, but also from running any of his horses at Belmont Park or at Saratoga Race Course this summer. Neither Baffert nor his horses will be allowed on the grounds of those New York racetracks, which will be costly to the trainer’s horse owners because important and lucrative races are run on them.

NASCAR teams likely to move car number decals to up sponsor value

Adam Stern, Sports Business Journal

NASCAR teams have been informed that moving car number decals from the center of doors would result in added sponsor value, sources say, increasing expectations that a change will be made after this season. The Race Team Alliance commissioned Nielsen to research how much more value sponsors might get if the decals were moved from the center of the door.

Jordan Brand Made Denny Hamlin a Special Air Jordan 1 For Racing

Victor Deng, Footwear News

The athletic powerhouse unveiled the new Air Jordan 1 Racer, a player-exclusive version of the popular Air Jordan 1 designed for NASCAR driver and Jordan Brand athlete Denny Hamlin. This is Hamlin’s third racing PE with the brand and similar to the prior styles, Hamlin and designer Tobie Hatfield prioritized heat protection, flexibility and comfort for both on and off the racing track.

Delaware North gets PGA Championship contract

Bret McCormick, Sports Business Journal

Delaware North’s Patina Restaurant Group has been selected as the food and beverage service partner for the PGA of America’s ’21 PGA Championship, set for this week at Kiawah Island Golf Club Resort, and KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, set for late June at Atlanta Athletic Club. The two-year deal is Delaware North’s first golf business.

Dexerto partners with USAA Insurance to bolster Call of Duty League coverage

Joey Poole, Esports Insider

Dexerto’s Call of Duty League video series Reverse Sweep has announced a partnership with USAA Insurance. According to the release, the series will receive a boost in the form of new segments and support from the insurance company until the Call of Duty League season concludes.

Enthusiast Gaming unveils Coldplay collaboration

Jonno Nicholson, Esports Insider

Enthusiast Gaming, the parent company of Luminosity Gaming, has joined forces with British award-winning music band Coldplay. The collaboration will see both parties look to create a ‘fresh and unique musical experience’ that coincides with the release of the band’s latest single, ‘Higher Power’.

Northern Arena announces partnership with TELUS

Jonno Nicholson, Esports Insider

Canadian esports tournament organiser and broadcaster Northern Arena has announced a partnership with Canadian wireless network operator TELUS. The deal will see Northern Arena organise ‘multiple planned initiatives’, including hosting TELUS esports events.

Arbitrator rules Deontay Wilder entitled to third fight with Tyson Fury: Sources

Mike Coppinger, The Athletic

Daniel Weinstein, the arbitrator presiding over the Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder rematch dispute, ruled Monday that Wilder is entitled to a third fight with Fury, sources said. The decision comes one day after Fury announced that a deal was struck for an undisputed heavyweight championship with Anthony Joshua on Aug. 14 in Saudi Arabia, the biggest fight that can be made in all of boxing.