Best Foot Forward

MLS Commissioner Don Garber has revealed the full details of the league's new CBA, which, despite the lack of free agency, appears to represent a positive step for the players. The changes include increases to the minimum player salary for senior players, a bump in the salary budget for each team, and guaranteed contracts for players at least 24 years old with three years of MLS service. The moves should help the league "retain some players who might otherwise be tempted to go overseas, where guaranteed contracts are the norm." In addition to retaining homegrown players, Garber also said that MLS is considering adding an additional designated player to rosters in order to increase the star power of the league. And while the players cave on their pursuit of free agency, it is "hard to blame them," as a prolonged strike could have crippled them financially. Meanwhile, a potential deal in Houston could see construction begin in October on a 20,000-seat downtown stadium for the Dynamo, securing the franchise's future in that market.

United We Stand ...
A unified group of NFL owners emerges from this week's meetings in Orlando with a revised overtime structure and optimism about CBA talks.

... Divided We Fall
Kings end relationship with longtime President John Thomas as part of a restructuring, which Joe Maloof credits to franchise becoming "flat."

Home Is Where The Heart Is  
adidas expands its NBA licensing rights to include Europe, most notably Russia and Eastern Europe.

A Healthy Appetite 
One of Time Warner Cable Arena's two sideline clubs will have a naming-rights partner for the first time, thanks to deal with Vemma Nutrition.

Dressing Room
JA Apparel signs deal with Giants to promote designer clothes at New Meadowlands Stadium.

Scoring In Overtime 
Arbitrator ruling clears way for current and former Redskins sales agents to recoup back pay.

Dropping The Gloves?
Contentious relationship between NHL, players union could get even worse over head shot rule.