ESPN.com's Paul Lukas noted all NBA teams "will be wearing" the league logo on the back of their jerseys for the '14-15 season, as opposed to the front. A league official called it a "stylistic move" but declined to comment further. Lukas noted the move is "sure to fuel speculation that the NBA is preparing to move ahead with its long-planned program of jersey advertising." Removing the league logo from the front of the jersey "will clear more space for an ad patch and remove what would otherwise be a competing visual icon" (ESPN.com, 6/19).
NHL TWEAKS FREE AGENCY RULE: In Minneapolis, Michael Russo noted the NHL "has implemented a significant change from last year regarding the free-agent interview period that begins next Wednesday." In a memo sent to all teams and subsequently forwarded by the NHLPA to all agents, the league "will now allow clubs and agents to discuss general parameters of a potential contract for a pending restricted and unrestricted free agent." This comes after NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman last year "sent a last-second memo reminding clubs that they could not discuss contract parameters at all during the interview period prior to free agency." Russo writes it will "be interesting to see if this revision leads to some quick deals as free agency opens July 1" (STARTRIBUNE.com, 6/19).
MLB FORMS PUERTO RICO LEAGUE: CBSSPORTS.com's Mke Axisa noted the MLB and MLBPA have announced the formation of the Puerto Rico Summer League, a league "designed to help spark baseball interest and development on the island." The inaugural season began June 3. A press release stated the league consists of two four-team divisions and gives players between the ages of 14-17 more chances to refine their game. Axisa: "It took entirely too long, but kudos to MLB and the union for finally putting together a league to help develop young kids in Puerto Rico into baseball players." Hopefully this is "just the start and there are more programs on the way" (CBSSPORTS.com, 6/19).
