The left and center field bleachers at Wrigley Field open for occupancy today, marking the opening phase of an overall bleacher expansion that includes new group spaces and improved concessions. The opening coincides with Cubs Charities’ “Pink Out” presented by Advocate Health Care. Each fan in the Budweiser Bleachers will receive a pink T-shirt to promote breast cancer prevention awareness (Cubs).

ESPNChicago’s Sarah Spain said the Wrigley Field experience “won’t be completely 100% tonight. They wanted to get the bleachers open, get those fans back in there but they’re still working on a lot of the new concessions and bathrooms and everything else that’s going to be the upgrades to this renovation” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 5/11).

Charlotte sports and tourism execs confirmed today that “they will formally bid” for the CFP championship. If the city hosts the title game, some public funds “will be needed, but the exact amount is not known.” Staging the game could cost as much as $20M in private and public money, according to reports. Charlotte “faces long odds” since Tampa is “already a confirmed site and Atlanta … seems likely to land the championship” (BIZJOURNALS.com, 5/11).

ESPN tomorrow is slated to “announce a first-of-its-kind data deal with a cable TV provider.” The agreement “combines audience data from Cablevision … with ESPN viewing habits.” Advertisers will be able to see “how long ESPN’s audience spends on a particular sport and the time of day they’re most engaged.” The new deal will “help match ESPN impressions with sales data and other relevant information to accurately determine value” (ADAGE.com, 5/11).

Meanwhile, ESPN today announced the creation of “SportsCenter AM,” a two-hour live programming block from 7:00-9:00am ET. The new live show will take the “SportsCenter Top 10” franchise and turn it into a program. More details will be announced at tomorrow's upfront (ESPN).

The Int’l Tennis HOF museum has announced it will re-open May 20 with “new technology, including a hologram” of Roger Federer. The hologram, a “first of its kind in any sports museum” in the U.S., will “tell visitors about why he loves tennis and will showcase some of his signature shots.” The Rhode Island venue recently underwent a $3M renovation (AP, 5/11)

Falcons Owner Arthur Blank announced that his charitable foundation is making a $2M commitment to the College Football HOF in Atlanta. The funds will “go toward the continued development of the new Hall of Fame, as well as charitable and civic initiatives.” Fans attending the facility will “see prominent signage recognizing the partnership in the Quad area” (AJC.com, 5/11).

The IOC has “opened the bidding process for broadcast rights across Europe” for the ’18 PyeongChang and ’20 Tokyo games, with submissions due by June 15. The process does not include Great Britain or France, “where the BBC and France Televisions already hold the rights” through ’20. The IOC said that “it will consider bids on a multi-territory or country-by-country basis.” IMG is “working as a consultant” to the IOC (AP, 5/11).

Attorneys for the city of Cleveland are citing “Deflategate” in its effort to have the Ohio Supreme Court “reconsider its unanimous ruling that the city unconstitutionally calculated a ‘jock tax’ on visiting players based on the number of games they play rather than the greater number of days they work” (CLEVELAND.com, 5/11).

Metallica will “take the stage” at the X Games Austin, joining Nicki Minaj as Super Stage headliners (ROLLINGSTONE.com, 5/11).

Asics America Group, which includes the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Brazil, today announced that net Q1 sales increased by 1.8%. Asics' net sales in the U.S. jumped 6.9% during the same time period (Asics).

“When it takes the next step and becomes a competitive programming alternative, then it becomes a problem for us” – CSN Chicago GM Phil Bedella, on live streaming apps like Periscope (CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS, 5/11 issue).

“I think it would be difficult to do any kind of bundle without ESPN. I don’t think that’s the case with regional sports” – Dish Network Chair & CEO Charlie Ergen, talking about the Sling TV OTT service during the Dish Network upfront (MULTICHANNEL.com, 5/11).

“I didn’t want to ask the players to support this. Our first job as a caddie is to make life easier for our player. But if any players want to step forward and support the case, that would be welcomed” – Caddie Kenny Harms, on caddies’ $50M lawsuit against the PGA Tour (GOLFWORLD.com , 5/11).

So next year's Texas hoops schedule has trips to China and the Bahamas, an SEC game (vs. Florida?) and likely a date vs. VCU. Intrigued?

— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) May 11, 2015

As we await word on #DeflateGate punishments, it's getting harder and harder to see how NFL can suspend Brady based on its evidence

— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) May 11, 2015

4. I do think there will be Grantland staff that leaves if and when Simmons gets another gig.

— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) May 11, 2015

Former NBAer Jason Collins, who now works for Yahoo Sports, will be honored at the Greater Boston PFLAG's Pride & Passion Benefit and Auction at Seaport World Trade Center.

Former Charlotte Motor Speedway exec Tom Cotter will be the featured speakers at Tuesday morning's Charlotte Sports+Business networking event.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. talks about his upcoming bout in September and his willingness to let Manny Pacquiao fight on his undercard.

1.37 – Terabytes of data consumed among Verizon customers at Draft Town and Roosevelt Univ.’s Auditorium Theatre during this year's NFL Draft (CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS, 5/11 issue).