ESPN and Bill Simmons have come to an agreement that “officially ends his tenure as a front-facing employee” for the company. Simmons this week sent an e-mail to Grantland staffers “informing them that he would no longer be working for the site.” He also will “no longer do podcasts or appear on television for ESPN.” This comes after ESPN President John Skipper told the N.Y. Times last Friday that the company would not re-sign Simmons when his contract expired in September (SI.com, 5/15).

Senior Glendale officials are “exploring whether legal grounds exist for them to void an arena management contract” with the Coyotes. The pact “calls for taxpayers to contribute $15 million per year over 15 years” to the NHL club. City officials claim the money earmarked for Gila River Arena is “going directly” to Fortress Investment Group, which financed holding company IceArizona’s purchase of the team (TSN.ca, 5/15).

FIFA President Sepp Blatter wants to “implement a rule that would prevent Europe from bidding” for the ’26 World Cup, “improving the chances” of the U.S. to host the tournament. The FIFA Exec Committee “could agree this month to block continental confederations from bidding for the following two World Cups after hosting.” The U.S. is expected to bid for the ’26 tournament alongside Canada and Mexico. There also “speculation that Morocco is preparing a bid” (AP, 5/15).

Meanwhile, Blatter denied that “he has been avoiding the United States, where a federal probe led by the FBI … has focused on leaders of FIFA.” Blatter said that he plans to visit the U.S. in June '16, “when the country hosts the Copa America tournament” (NYDAILYNEWS.com, 5/15).

Fathead and Upper Deck have reached an agreement for licensing rights to Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky and Tiger Woods. Fathead decals have been hidden in Charlotte (Woods), Chicago (Jordan) and N.Y. (Gretzky) (Fathead).

Upper Deck is the "exclusive provider of trading cards and memorabilia for all three individuals," so Fathead "worked with the card company to obtain their licensing rights, with the package deal being officially called The Upper Deck Fathead Collection" (FORBES.com, 5/15).

The WNBA Friday suspended Mercury C Brittney Griner and Shock F Glory Johnson seven games each because of their domestic violence arrest last month (WNBA). Griner has "entered a diversion agreement in which she pled guilty to disorderly conduct and will attend 26 weeks of domestic violence counseling." Johnson's case has been "transferred to a county court and is pending." Griner and Johnson were married last week in Phoenix (AP, 5/15).

The Vikings are adding $14M to the budget for their new stadium, "mostly so they can buy 1,200 more" HDTVs (BIZJOURNALS.com, 5/15).

Frisco police on Friday evacuated the Dr Pepper StarCenter, including three Stars players, "as they searched for suspects in a jewelry store robbery." Police believed that there were multiple suspects "holed up in the arena's parking garage" (DALLASNEWS.com, 5/15).

The Browns announced Mike Patrick and Solomon Wilcots will call three of the team’s preseason games this year on WEWS-ABC. ESPN is airing the fourth game (Browns).

F1 on Friday announced plans to "reintroduce refueling in 2017 along with more aggressive-looking cars, louder engines, and faster lap times" in an effort to "lure back unhappy fans" (AP, 5/15).

"Before I looked at the documentary I had one judgement of you, and then after I looked at the documentary I had another one" -- CBS' Gayle King, on former NBAer Allen Iverson's Showtime documentary ("CBS This Morning," CBS, 5/15).

“He’s been a thorn in the side of the NFL for a long time” – NFL Network’s Albert Breer, on the NFLPA hiring attorney Jeffrey Kessler to handle Patriots QB Tom Brady’s Deflategate appeal (“NFL Total Access,” NFL Network, 5/15).

best of luck to jim moorehead, head of sf giants p.r. who's leaving after 26 years. one of the great ones.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) May 15, 2015

#RedWings announce trophy awarded to to NHL Prospect Tournament champion renamed Matthew Wuest Memorial Cup, after late CapGeek developer.

— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) May 15, 2015

All those pining for days of Paul Tagliabue need to remember no social media back then. Easer job. Stories that blow up now didn't then.

— Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) May 15, 2015

Union appeal letter starts: "Dear Troy." Just a total lack of respect. What, "Dear Homeboy" was unavailable?

— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) May 15, 2015

I love being in the barbershop during the NBA playoffs, especially after the home team choke. These dudes are shredding the Bulls.

— LZ Granderson (@Locs_n_Laughs) May 15, 2015

Jorge Posada played in NY for 20yrs, and NOW, he felt cornered by a question on PED's? It wasn't exactly Frost/Nixon, Jorge.

— Chris Carlin (@ChrisCarlinSNY) May 15, 2015

Havin fun doin' the Groot dance with the funniest fan gift from the #MyFightYourFight book signing at @barnesandnoble NYC #IamGroot @vindiesel 🌱💃✒️📖 rockin @buffalojeans

A video posted by rondarousey (@rondarousey) on May 14, 2015 at 7:00pm PDT

Saturday

Int’l World Games Association President Ron Froehlich will be honored by the Alabama Sports HOF during its induction ceremony at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel.

The Devils will host its first USA Hockey ADM (American Development Model) youth clinic at Prudential Center's AmeriHealth Pavilion.

As LeBron James was helping the Cavaliers advance in the NBA playoffs, one "Price Is Right" contestant used his 15-seconds of fame for a shoutout to King James.

Friday

MPT will debut “Racing The Times,” a documentary that takes a detailed look at the history of horse racing in Maryland, at 9:00pm ET.

5 – The number of players currently in the NFL who have played in rapper Snoop Dogg’s youth football league. Snoop said of his coaching, “I go to work out there” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 5/14).