Ted Wells today "defended his investigation and report" on the Patriots' Deflategate scandal, saying that "those who question his independence in the matter are wrong." Wells in a media conference call said, "The conclusions in the report represent the independent opinions of me personally and my team, and those conclusions were not influenced in any way, shape, or form by anyone at the league office." He said that he held the call "to respond to criticism," in particular by Tom Brady's agent, Don Yee. Wells: "This is the first time that after I have issued my report that I find somebody is questioning my independence, and I think that is wrong" (BOSTONGLOBE.com, 5/12).

The Boston Globe’s Shalise Manza Young tweeted, “On call with Ted Wells - he mad. mad at Yee & assertion that he was influenced by league during investigation and report.” The Washington Post’s Cindy Boren: “I believe that Don Yee and the Patriots have seriously gotten under Ted Wells' skin.” Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman: “Probably been a part of hundreds of conference calls. Best. One. Ever. … That call was almost like a rap battle.”

NFLShop.com may want to revisit some of the names allowed on personalized No. 12 Patriots jerseys -- the number worn by QB Tom Brady. As of presstime, the NFL’s online shop still allowed names on jerseys such as “Deflator,” “Cheater,” “Scammer,” “Con Artist” and “Flat Balls.” Rejected names included “Fraud.” The NFL has a precedent of excluding certain names on personalized jerseys at its online shop, having banned the name “Ron Mexico” from QB Michael Vick’s No. 7 Falcons jerseys in '05. 

Meanwhile, since the Wells Report was released on May 6, Brady jerseys on Fanatics.com have been the top-seller among all non-rookies. Titans QB Marcus Mariota and Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston rank higher. Patriots jerseys on Fanatics.com also rank No. 2, behind only the Cowboys, since the report was released. Brady gear on the site also has spiked 100% since the suspension was announced yesterday afternoon (THE DAILY).

The Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao fight ranks as the highest-grossing PPV of all time, according to figures released today by organizers of the May 2 bout. Initial reports indicate the event generated more than 4.4 million U.S. buys and more than $400M in PPV revenue. The event is expected to generate in excess of $500M in gross worldwide receipts. The fight nearly doubled the previous record of 2.48 million buys for Mayweather-Oscar De La Hoya in '07 and nearly tripled the record $150M in U.S. PPV generated by Mayweather-Canelo Alvarez in '13 (THE DAILY).

The 76ers today unveiled a set of redesigned logos "to be used immediately" and announced that new uniforms will be introduced June 18. The new primary logo "isn't a radical change," as the "76ers script remains the same." The team "added a blue circle with 'Philadelphia' on the top and six stars on the bottom." The "biggest change" comes with two new secondary logos: one featuring a basketball-playing Ben Franklin and another with the "76" script surrounded by a blue circle and 13 blue stars "to represent the original American Colonies" (PHILLY.com, 5/12).

The franchise's most recent rebrand was prior to the '09 season, when the "Sixers decided to go retro" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 5/12).

ESPN Events today announced that it has acquired the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl, which is played at Nassau's Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium and features teams from Conference USA and the MAC. The game was acquired from Bahamas Bowl LLC, which owned the inaugural game in '14. ESPN Events' portfolio of collegiate sporting contests now includes 13 postseason college bowl games and three early-season college football games (ESPN).

Current Bahamas Bowl management will stay in place, including Exec Dir Lea Miller and former Southern Miss AD Richard Giannini, who serves as a Senior Adviser. Miller also runs the Battle 4 Atlantis hoops tourney in Nassau (Michael Smith, Staff Writer).

Rogers and Tennis Canada today announced a five-year renewal of their sponsorship agreement for the Rogers Cup in Toronto and Montreal. The deal keeps Rogers as title sponsor of the U.S. Open Series tournament through '20 and sees Sportsnet renew its broadcast rights, with expanded coverage for all rounds in English and French starting in '16. Rogers also announced a sublicensing deal with TVA Sports for French-language rights. Rogers and Tennis Canada will collaborate on grassroots efforts to grow the game (Rogers).

EA Sports today named Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. and Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski the finalists for the "Madden NFL 16" cover vote. The winner will be revealed during tomorrow's 6:00pm ET episode of ESPN's "SportsCenter" (Mult., 5/12).

The NBA today formally announced that its '15 Draft will be held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on June 25 (NBA).

MLS Atlanta and Falcons Owner Arthur Blank "intends to reveal his club's name" before the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals in July (BIZJOURNALS.com, 5/12).

Old Bay has agreed to sponsor the 140th Preakness Stakes as the race's official seasoning (Old Bay).

DraftKings was featured in this year's CNBC Disruptor 50, released today, in the No. 45 spot. The list recognizes highly innovative companies (CNBC).

ESPN Radio's "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz" will be simulcast on the Disney-co-owned Fusion TV network starting May 19 (ADWEEK.com, 5/12).

“I wish the commissioner would act as swiftly and decisively in changing the name of the DC team as he did about not enough air in the football” – U.S. Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), blasting NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell during his opening remarks today on the Senate floor (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 5/12).

“If he had wanted to go on and play we would have allowed him to do that” – NFL Chief Health & Medical Advisor Dr. Elizabeth Nabel, saying she “probably” would allow her 7-year-old son to play contact football (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 5/12).

“To make sure this sport remains at the pinnacle and gets ever more popular, we would like to engage more with the fans” – Grand Prix Drivers Association Chair Alex Wurz, on plans for F1 drivers to launch a fan initiative (REUTERS, 5/12).

No one takes the stage like @RobinRoberts On the @espn Mt. Rushmore #espnupfront

— James Andrew Miller (@JimMiller) May 12, 2015

Congrats on the new show, @notthefakeSVP. Well deserved. Look forward to seeing.

— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) May 12, 2015

Ad idea for Brady: tight on his face as he says "Take out a little more!" Pull out to reveal he's being fitted for a Calvin Klein suit.

— Bob Dorfman (@BobDorfman) May 12, 2015

No doubt the Pats reaction to Brady improves connection with fans. Few places are more parochial and care less about outside opinion than MA

— Jon Show (@jonshow1) May 12, 2015

This lighthearted video from Auburn Athletics features coaches reading their players' tweets.

ESPN’s “E:60” will take an in-depth look at FIFA President Sepp Blatter at 7:00pm ET.

Basketball HOFer Scottie Pippen will make a cameo appearance on NBC’s “Chicago Fire” at 10:00pm ET.

3,600 – Approximate number of baseballs kept in a humidor by the Triple-A PCL Salt Lake Bees at 72 degrees and 50% humidity. The Bees are an Angels farm team, and the MLB club wanted to regulate the ball conditions to be "able to get a more accurate look at their prospects" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 5/12).