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Thursday 4:00pm ET....Latest News....All The President's Men

  • Several Team Presidents Weigh In On Fan Complaints At SFF
  • CSN Houston Trustee Files Lawsuit Against Comcast, Execs
  • Sepp Blatter Rules Out Demand For His Immediate Resignation
  • Phillies Teaming With Domestic Violence Group For New Ad Campaign

Several Team Presidents Weigh In On Fan Complaints At SFF

Team presidents this morning took to the stage to begin the '15 Veritix Sports Facilities & Franchises conference, opining on a wide range of issues facing their respective clubs. One topic of note was the most common fan complaints, to which several presidents had the same response. “The number one complaint is still traffic and getting in and out of the stadium on time,” said Dolphins President & CEO Tom Garfinkel. “We did a study, and essentially the vehicle traffic was being held up by the pedestrian traffic. ... It was taking an hour and half to get out of the parking lot. So we want to put in pedestrian tunnels, pedestrian bridges to alleviate that so pedestrians and cars can flow out naturally. ... We also created, for the luxury seating product, a special lane where you can have easy access to the freeway."

Dodgers President & CEO Stan Kasten also discussed the Dodgers' recent efforts to build an "accelerator" program. The club’s goal is to work with early-stage companies, offering funding in exchange for the opportunity to invest more later on if the company grows quickly. Kasten: "We thought the Dodgers brand would be a magnet for all of these early-stage companies, and it has turned out that way. We've had hundreds of applications. ... It's a way for us to extend our brand into areas that go beyond the playing field or television or sponsorship."

For more on the presidents panel, see tomorrow's issue of THE DAILY.

CSN Houston Trustee Files Lawsuit Against Comcast, Execs

Attorneys representing “the bankrupt remains” of CSN Houston this morning filed suit against Comcast and several corporate officers, “potentially seeking hundreds of millions of dollars to recoup the Astros’ and Rockets’ lost investment.” The suit was filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court on behalf of “a trustee overseeing the settlement of claims associated” with CSN Houston parent company Houston Regional Sports Network. The lawsuit has no impact on Root Sports Southwest, “the replacement network to CSN Houston” (CHRON.com, 6/11).

Sepp Blatter Rules Out Demand For His Immediate Resignation

FIFA President Sepp Blatter today ruled out “a European Parliament demand for him to quit immediately.” The parliament during a meeting in Strasbourg, France, “overwhelmingly voted for the resolution” (AFP, 6/11). FIFA said the date of its presidential election will be determined at a July 20 meeting in Zurich (AP, 6/11).

Meanwhile, FIFA today announced that Dir of Communications & Public Affairs Walter De Gregorio will “relinquish his office with immediate effect.” Nicolas Maingot has been named as his interim replacement (CNN.com, 6/11).

Phillies Teaming With Domestic Violence Group For New Ad Campaign

The Phillies and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence have launched a “No More” PSA featuring manager Ryne Sandberg, 3B Cody Asche, C Carlos Ruiz and Ps Chad Billingsley and Jerome Williams. The spot will air on TV during pre-game broadcasts and on the scoreboard at Citizens Bank Park. The team will host an anti-domestic violence petition-signing event on June 17 before their game against the Orioles.

Meanwhile, the Phillies and the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program today announced the public dedication of “The Phillies Mural” on the Walnut Street Bridge on Aug. 1. The eight-story mural includes players, ballparks and events from Phillies’ history, including World Series titles in ’80 and ’08 (THE DAILY).

Aviva's Deal With Tennis Canada Includes Stadium Naming Rights

Tennis Canada and Aviva today announced a multiyear partnership that includes naming rights to York Univ.'s tennis stadium in Toronto through '25. The York Univ. facility will now be known Aviva Centre. Per the deal, the insurance company receives platinum and insurance sponsorship rights to Rogers Cup events in Toronto and Montreal. Aviva today also announced a multiyear endorsement deal with tennis player Eugenie Bouchard (Tennis Canada).

Cubs Players Excited About Opening Of Renovated Wrigley Bleachers

The Cubs will debut the "newly opened right field bleachers" in Wrigley Field tonight during their game against the Reds. The team "noticed a significant difference after the renovated bleachers opened in left and center field" last month. Cubs C David Ross said of having fans in the outfield bleachers again, "That's our home field advantage. ... It's a lot of fun to hear the fans screaming and yelling." P Jake Arrieta added, "To surround the field with fans on both sides, it's going to be a good feeling" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/11).

Rupert Murdoch Preparing To Step Down As 21st Century Fox CEO

News Corp. Chair & CEO Rupert Murdoch reportedly is preparing to step down as 21st Century Fox CEO and “hand that title” to son James. An announcement is expected shortly, but it is “unclear whether the reorganization would take place this year or at the start of 2016.” Rupert will continue as Fox Exec Chair, while his son Lachlan will become an Exec co-Chair of the company. As part of the restructure, Fox COO Chase Carey “will step down and take on a yet undefined role as an advisor” (CNBC.com, 6/11).

James and Lachlan Murdoch will run Fox “in a partnership very similar to the one currently in place” between their father and Carey (WSJ.com, 6/11).

Buzzer Beaters....

Knicks F Carmelo Anthony today announced he has purchased an expansion NASL franchise, Puerto Rico FC, which will begin play in '16 (ESPNFC.com, 6/11).

The AHL Texas Stars today unveiled a new logo and color scheme for the ’15-16 season. The logo features the same Victory Green color scheme the NHL Stars adopted two years ago (Texas Stars).

World Bowling has filed an official application to be included as a medal sport at the ’20 Tokyo Games (World Bowling).

airweave, the official mattress pad supplier of the USOC, announced it will be an associate sponsor of the Road to Rio Tour (airweave).

Quick Hits....

“We had to do physical training just to be able to hang on to the car, now drivers can drive with a couple of fingers” – Former F1 driver Nigel Mansell, who feels that technology has taken some of the thrill out of F1 for drivers and fans (REUTERS, 6/11).

"Obviously, we don't want to have a whole team that gossips and hasn't done anything, I'd rather for us to just work on getting better as a team as opposed to just talking on social media” – NFL Jets coach Todd Bowles, on players’ use of social media (AP, 6/11).

“If you look at this in sequence, it’s not one thing, it’s a lot of things. But we need Canada and the U.S. to get to the medal rounds” – Peter Montopoli, CEO of the national organizing committee for the Women's World Cup, on what it will take to reach the group's goal of 1.5 million tickets sold (NYTIMES.com, 6/11).

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Throwback Thursday: Tyson's Last Stand Sets Record

We look back to this week 13 years ago, when the Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson bout in Memphis generated 1.8 million U.S. buys and $103M in revenue, making it the highest-grossing PPV event up to that time. This came despite some observers questioning the "risky" $54.95 price tag and amid a crowded sports weekend. The fight's result, an eighth-round knockout by Lewis, improved on a recent streak of controversial finishes in boxing. But it also proved to be the last major PPV draw for the once-captivating Tyson.

Other stories we remember from this week in '02:

The Starting Five....

The most-read stories today on SportsBusinessDaily.com:

1) Glendale Votes To Nix Agreement With Coyotes, Leading To Relocation Speculation
2) 76ers Stop Using Wells Fargo Center Name Due To Spat Over Business Interests
3) Veritix, AXS Agree To Merge Operations In Deal That Shakes Up Ticketing Industry
4) NASCAR Promotes Jill Gregory To Marketing Head As Kim Brink Leaves For Ford
5) Royals Fan Support, Not Shenanigans, Behind Seven Players Leading ASG Voting

Daily Download....

Legendary wrestler Dusty Rhodes died today at the age of 69, and in remembrance, a look back at a '78 promo (that includes a dapper Vince McMahon) for a Rhodes-Superstar Billy Graham match at Boston Garden. 

Headliners....

Here are tonight’s headline guests on the following talk shows:
“Tonight Show” David Spade
“Jimmy Kimmel Live” Zoe Saldana
“Late Late Show” David Duchovny
“Late Night”  Molly Shannon
“Conan” Chris Pratt