Sources said that UAB "will reinstate its football program," with an announcement from President Ray Watts expected at a 5:00pm ET press conference. This marks a "stunning reversal" after UAB in December became the first FBS school to drop football "in nearly two decades" (AL.com, 6/1). A team "likely won't return" to the FBS level until '17, "if not later," if the school is forced to play as an FCS program initially. How quickly UAB returns to FBS "will be directly impacted by whether Conference USA will save its place" (AL.com, 6/1).

FedEx has extended its title sponsorship of the PGA Tour FedEx St. Jude Classic through '17. The '15 tournament, scheduled for June 8-14 at TPC Southwind in Memphis, will mark the 30th anniversary of FedEx' sponsorship of the event. The event since '70 has raised more than $30M for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The extension was announced today by FedEx, the PGA Tour and tourney host Youth Programs (PGA Tour).

Meanwhile, the PGA Tour today announced a Champions Tour event hosted by golfer Steve Stricker at the Univ. of Wisconsin's University Ridge Course in Madison. The tournament, which will be held in June ’16, will be title sponsored by Wisconsin-based Family Insurance (AP, 6/1).

The NFL said it knows nothing about a report out of New Zealand that the league is planning to stage exhibition games there with players who do not make the final 53-man rosters. "We do not know anything about this," NFL VP/Communications Brian McCarthy replied in an e-mail to a query about the New Zealand press report. The report maintained the news would be announced this week, and likely feature former rugby stars who have tried out for NFL squads.

The NHL today announced a deal with Playmobil for a new line of NHL-themed toys, marking the first time the Germany-based toy manufacturer has struck a deal for a U.S. and Canadian line of licensed products. The first NHL playsets are expected this October, with an initial focus on the Original Six franchises (NHL). The company claims that it "already has agreements to sell the new line" of products with Toys "R" Us, Walmart, Amazon and Target (FORBES.com, 6/1).

The NBA has hired Oris Stuart as the league’s first Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer. Stuart, who began his job today, reports to NBA President of Administration Bob Criqui. Stuart is responsible for overseeing diversity and inclusion strategies for the NBA, WNBA and D-League. Stuart worked for the past two years as a senior partner for the search firm Korn Ferry, where he led the firm's diversity and inclusion practice. He previously was CEO of Global Novations, a diversity and inclusion consulting company, which was bought by Korn Ferry in '12.

ESPN's Curt Schilling tonight will debut as a field analyst for the Women's College World Series with the start of the Florida-Michigan championship series in Oklahoma City. He said that after watching women's softball on TV, he is "excited to visit the WCWS venue for the first time." Schilling will work with play-by-play announcer Beth Mowins, analysts Jessica Mendoza and Michele Smith and reporter Holly Rowe (OKLAHOMAN, 6/1).

Caitlyn Jenner, formerly Bruce Jenner, will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at this year’s ESPY awards, "where she will make her first major public appearance" (USATODAY.com, 6/1).

The Hawks today announced that their iconic "Pac-Man" logo is now officially the team's primary logo. The logo, which was resurrected prior to the '14-15 season, will be encircled by the "Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club" wordmark (Hawks).

NASCAR driver Brian Vickers will debut on NBCSN's "NASCAR America" today, and he is "slated to appear" tomorrow and Wednesday as well. Vickers also will be "involved" in NBC Sports' race telecasts at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Michigan Int'l Speedway (NASCAR.com, 6/1).

The PGA of America today announced the public online ticket registration process for the '16 PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club. Fans must complete the free registration at PGAChampionship.com prior to Aug. 17 to be eligible to buy tickets (PGA of America).

The Jockey Club's America's Best Racing platform will be distributing more than 50,000 "Hail the Tail" temporary tattoos and sharing a printable poster across social media. The "Hail the Tail" slogan refers to Triple Crown hopeful American Pharoah's inordinately short tail (Jockey Club).

Mobile technology company OneUp Sports announced the relaunch of the MLB Connect live second screen social gaming platform (OneUp Sports).

"Why are there no investigations into Sepp Blatter? No other person has brought so much shame and disgrace on FIFA" – Former CONCACAF President Jack Warner, who is one of the FIFA execs ensnared in a corruption investigation (REUTERS, 6/1).

"I think the relationship to date has been mutually beneficial to the parties, which is why George has expressed interest in renewing the deal early" – Times Union Center GM Bob Belber, on Albany Times Union publisher George Hearst expressing interest in renewing the 10-year, $3.5M naming-rights deal that expires in '17 (BIZJOURNALS.com, 6/1).

"Watching all those filled stadiums all across the country and the fantastic TV coverage -- it's a dream come true for some of us who have been around a long time, because this sport has gone through the roof" – Univ. of Michigan softball coach Carol Hutchins, on the sport’s growth (AP, 6/1).

Been a while since I went to a Nassau Leg meeting but the absurdity remains. Discussion about whether @NYIslanders will play at Cantiague Pk

— Robert Brodsky (@BrodskyRobert) June 1, 2015

UAB announcing return of football team before court rules on O'Bannon v. NCAA appeal is latest sign schools can cope with O'Bannon decision.

— Michael McCann (@McCannSportsLaw) June 1, 2015

The Coyotes are unveiling new home/away jerseys and uniforms at a viewing party at Gila River Arena (and presumably the Draft) on June 26.

— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 1, 2015

LeBron James and Stephen Curry have garnered a combined total of 28.8 million mentions on Twitter since October, according to the @NBA.

— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 1, 2015

Nice to see @FIFAWWC trophy here in Vancouver at the Fox broadcast seminar. Nicer to see it come back to US in July pic.twitter.com/qra2rdKjDm

— Ben Grossman (@grossman) June 1, 2015

adidas unveils its new MESSI15 cleat ahead of this weekend’s Juventus-Barcelona UEFA Champions League Final. The spot focuses squarely on the design of the shoe, with only fleeting images of its namesake, FC Barcelona F Lionel Messi.

5 – Number of NFL quarterbacks whose contracts average more than $20M annually: Packers' Aaron Rodgers, Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger, Falcons' Matt Ryan, Ravens' Joe Flacco and Saints' Drew Brees. With reports of a five-year, $100M deal in the works, Panthers QB Cam Newton would be the sixth to join the group (USATODAY.com, 6/1).