• The NCAA approved extending the men’s college basketball 3-point line to the distance used in international basketball, effective for the upcoming season for Division 1. The Men’s Basketball Rules committee had recommended the change after a two-year trial run in the National Invitational Tournaments, saying that the line’s new position would open up the lane for dribble penetration and curb the prevalence of the long-distance shot. (The News & Observer)

• The United States Olympic Committee is working toward reforming its health care coverage for athletes after three senators wrote to CEO Sarah Hirshland requesting more information on the organization’s insurance program, specifically as it pertains to discontinuing medical coverage when an individual becomes pregnant. Concerns from the three Senate Democrats — Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Edward Markey of Massachusetts and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin — came after an op-ed from U.S. sprinter Alysia Montano, who said that she and another runners lost health insurance while they were pregnant. (The Associated Press)

• Top English and Spanish soccer clubs are against plans for restructuring the Champions League, which would include proposed reforms for a promotion and relegation system. The English Premier League’s top 20 teams said in a statement that the reform would have negative implications for the league’s competitiveness and match schedule while seven La Liga clubs mirrored that sentiment, saying the possible new plans, which will be decided this week, would be a “frontal attack to the competitive balance and to the stability of domestic competitions.” (Financial Times)

Sports publishers are making more money off women’s sports
Sahil Patel, Digiday

Sports media companies are taking advantage of a growing audience and advertiser interest in women’s sports — particularly on the eve of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Through its B/R Football vertical, Bleacher Report has booked more ad revenue from the women’s 2019 FIFA World Cup than the men’s edition last summer, according to Bleacher Report CEO Howard Mittman.

CBS Acting CEO: Sports Betting Is a “Huge” Opportunity
Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter

CBS Corp. sees sports betting as a “huge” and growing business opportunity as it gets legalized in more states, particularly in terms of advertising revenue, acting CEO Joe Ianniello told an investor conference Wednesday.

SB Nation Writers Are Publicly Lobbying Vox CEO Jim Bankoff for Better Conditions
Bobby Burack, The Big Lead

Vox Media has thus far failed to reach a contract with its editorial staff that formed a union over a year ago. Today, a plethora of writers from Vox, including sports writers and editors at SB Nation, have called out and expressed their feelings about the current wages and structure at the company to CEO Jim Bankoff on Twitter.

Cycling Startup Peloton Confidentially Files for U.S. IPO
Elizabeth Fournier and Julie Verhage, Bloomberg

Peloton Interactive Inc. has filed confidentially for an initial public offering, the latest in a string of technology companies seeking to join the public markets in 2019. The home-exercise startup has submitted its draft listing documents to the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, New York-based Peloton said in a statement Wednesday.

Redskins’ star left tackle demands to be traded or released, vows not to play for Washington in 2019
John Breech, CBS Sports

The Redskins might soon need to find a replacement for starting left tackle Trent Williams, and that’s because he’s apparently decided that he doesn’t want to play for the team anymore. Williams is currently skipping the team’s mandatory minicamp and from the sound of it, he might not show up for any practices at all going forward due to the fact that he’s unhappy with the organization.

Jurors conclude first day of Kellen Winslow deliberations without a verdict
Mike Florio, Profootballtalk.com

The case against former NFL tight end Kellen Winslow II rests in the hands of the jury, and through one day of deliberations no verdict has been reached. Following Tuesday’s closing arguments, the jurors spent Wednesday deliberating with no verdict.

Raptors hit big shots, beat Warriors for 2-1 NBA Finals lead
Janie McCauley, The Associated Press

For every amazing shot in a career night by Stephen Curry on his home court, Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry and Danny Green kept finding dazzling answers of their own. The Toronto Raptors decided to “let it rip,” and now they have the momentum again in these back-and-forth NBA Finals.

NBA’s Raptors Are Just Like Us—But Only at Toronto’s Airport
Ben Cohen, The Wall Street Journal

He could have been any traveler passing through the airport for a business trip. Except he was taller.

The Slow Death of the Proven Closer
Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated

On the afternoon of June 13, 1973, in the seventh inning of a game between the Indians and Rangers in Cleveland, Texas manager Whitey Herzog turned to a 22-year-old righthander with a 3–14 career record named Don Stanhouse. With Texas clinging to a 3–1 lead, Stanhouse recorded the last nine outs of the game and earned his first major league save.

Source: Cubs, Kimbrel reach 3-year, $43M deal
ESPN

Craig Kimbrel finally has a new home. The All-Star closer and the Chicago Cubs have agreed to a three-year, $43 million deal, ESPN has confirmed, ending a seven-month free agency for one of baseball’s best bullpen arms.

MLB’s netting dilemma: With current standards, danger is just a second away
Neil Greenberg, The Washington Post

Calls for more protective netting at Major League Baseball ballparks are increasing after a 4-year-old girl was struck by a foul ball and hospitalized at Houston’s Minute Maid Park during a game between the Cubs and Astros on May 29. Tuesday evening, however, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred told reporters in Seattle that structural issues would make it difficult for teams to make changes and extend the netting during the season.

It Took a Puck to the Jaw to Sideline Zdeno Chara—the Heart of the Bruins
Laine Higgins, The Wall Street Journal

The Boston Bruins are two wins away from raising their seventh Stanley Cup in franchise history. But if they’re going to defeat the St. Louis Blues in this year’s championship series, they’ll likely have to do it without the lifeblood of their team: 42-year-old defenseman Zdeno Chara.

Bruins anthem singer may be Boston Garden’s busiest worker
Jimmy Golen, The Associated Press

Todd Angilly’s co-workers have gotten used to him showing up late. The TD Garden bartender often arrives after the opening faceoff when the Boston Bruins are playing at home, but he has a good excuse: He is two floors down, singing the national anthem on the ice.

Ronaldo rape lawsuit in Vegas moved from Nevada to US court
Ken Ritter, The Associated Press

A lawsuit by a Nevada woman accusing soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo of raping her in 2009 at a Las Vegas Strip resort has been moved from state to federal court in Las Vegas, her lawyer said Wednesday. “We basically just switched venues, but the claims remain,” said attorney Larissa Drohobyczer, who represents former model and schoolteacher Kathryn Mayorga and sought the change in venue for the civil filings seeking money.

AP Source: FIFA vice president Ahmad detained in Paris
Rob Harris, The Associated Press

A person familiar with the situation says FIFA vice president Ahmad has been detained in Paris, a day before the start of the Women’s World Cup. The person says the African Football Confederation president was detained for questioning on Thursday morning in the French capital.

U.S. women’s team right to fight for equality, says Duggan
Rohith Nair, Reuters

England forward Toni Duggan has said she supports the U.S. women’s soccer team in their battle for equal pay with their male counterparts but does not think that England’s women players should adopt a similar approach. Reigning women’s world champions the United States sued their soccer federation in March with allegations of gender discrimination and complaints about lower wages and unfavorable working conditions.

Las Vegas bid for MLS stadium faces challenge in Golden Knights owner
Shea Johnson, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Las Vegas officials will negotiate a proposal to build a new stadium near downtown that will be used by a Major League Soccer expansion franchise, although they face local competition. For city leaders, the ambitious project represents an opportunity to build upon momentum rolling in the heart of the city, where an exposition center, hotel towers, apartment complexes and a canopy upgrade to the Fremont Street Experience are all underway.

Neymar ruled out of Copa America after Brazil beat Qatar
Andrew Downie and Rohith Nair, Reuters

Brazil’s 2-0 friendly win over Asian champions Qatar in Brasilia on Wednesday came at a heavy cost after they lost striker Neymar for this month’s Copa America because of an ankle ligament injury. Neymar limped off in the 17th minute after he appeared to twist his right ankle and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) later confirmed he would miss the tournament.

Orlando City secure US$2m+ a year stadium naming rights deal
Ed Dixon, SportsPro Media

The 25,500-seat seat arena, also home to the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side the Orlando Pride, will now be called the Exploria Stadium and sees the company secure signage, banners, kiosks, and booths throughout the venue. The deal will also see Exploria Resorts become the official timeshare and vacation club of both soccer teams.

New Racing Rules Remove Some Barriers for Transgender Runners
John Hanc, The New York Times

As president of the board of the nonprofit that oversees one of the most prestigious ultradistance races in the country, John Medinger has had to deal with many concerns: sponsors, weather, permits, volunteers. But it wasn’t until this year that he and his colleagues at the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run were compelled to address an issue few would have envisioned when it was first held in 1974: transgender competitors.

Golf-Home Owners Chip In To Save Struggling Courses
Candace Taylor, The Wall Street Journal

Since retiring to a home overlooking the 17th green at Sapelo Hammock Golf Club, in Shellman Bluff, Ga., Michael Hardy has spent many an afternoon with friends on the golf course. But instead of swinging a club, he’s mowing the grass and trimming branches.

Prosecutors Are Looking at USC Football Great Pat Haden in College-Admissions Scandal
Jennifer Levitz and Melissa Korn, The Wall Street Journal

Federal investigators are examining whether former University of Southern California athletic director and NFL quarterback Pat Haden played a role in the national college-admissions cheating scheme, according to a person familiar with the investigation. Investigators are looking at Mr. Haden’s relationship to William “Rick” Singer, the mastermind behind the scam, the person said.

Emotional ex-USC basketball coach avoids prison after plea
Larry Neumeister, The Associated Press

A former assistant basketball coach for the University of Southern California dropped his head in relief Wednesday when a judge announced he won’t go to prison for accepting a bribe to steer young athletes to a particular manager. Tony Bland was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and two years’ probation by U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos, who said the debate over whether college basketball players should be paid “plays no role in the way I thought about this case.”

Dan Orlovsky and Matt Hasselbeck Could Call College Football Games for ESPN This Season
Bobby Burack and Ryan Glasspiegel, The Big Lead

ESPN has had serious discussions about promoting Dan Orlovsky and adding Matt Hasselbeck in college football broadcast booths this season, The Big Lead has learned. This would also mean a further shakeup on ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown pregame show for Monday Night Football.

ESPN launches an esports event series, starting with ‘Apex Legends
Jon Fingas, Engadget

ESPN is about to expand its fledgling esports strategy in a very noticeable way. The broadcaster has launched an EXP esports series that will bring competitive gaming to its events.

John Needham Named New League of Legends Esports Global Head
Andrew Hayward, The Esports Observer

Riot Games has appointed John Needham as the new global head of League of Legends (LoL) esports, while the previous co-heads—Jarred Kennedy and Whalen Rozelle—will remain with the company in new leadership roles. Needham has been with Riot Games since 2017, most recently as its managing director of Europe and North America overseeing both the LoL European Championship (LEC) and LoL Championship Series (LCS).

Sports is the ultimate David vs. Goliath, and Andy Ruiz’s win is why we all still watch
LZ Granderson, Los Angeles Times

I was having a good laugh with my friend and former top 10 tennis player Chanda Rubin in a suite within Arthur Ashe Stadium as Serena Williams was about to take the court. It was the 2015 U.S. Open and we were giddy because we were about to witness history.