Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird today is expected to meet with team Owner Herb Simon “to finalize his departure.” Bird, who is dealing with some health issues, will “likely take a year off before deciding if he wants to return to any sort of front-office position.” There is a possibility that former Pacers President Donnie Walsh “will take Bird’s title of president” (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 6/26).

The BCS Presidential Oversight Committee today in DC will hear the BCS commissioners' "consensus plan for a playoff starting with the 2014 season." A source said today's "plan is to stay until it gets done." Accordingly, the commissioners "have been asked to block their schedules" until 10:00pm ET. A member of the committee said the plan is "for a 12-year format cycle that would incorporate six bowls as part of a rotation that saw two bowls host national semifinals every three years" (ESPN.com, 6/25).

Under the header "Keep The Committee Small," the OKLAHOMAN's Berry Tramel writes the key to the playoff selection committee is to have "a limited number of decision-makers. No more than nine. Six or seven would be optimal."

MSG has paid $23.5M for the Forum in L.A. and has “an ambitious plan to turn the faded" facility into "a juggernaut.” The company is “looking to challenge the region's big arenas," including Staples Center and its owner, AEG. MSG “will start work this year on” a $50M renovation. Details will be released this fall, but "the makeover is intended to turn the Forum into a top-flight concert hall and will take at least a year” (L.A. TIMES, 6/26).

The PGA of America yesterday debuted a promotional campaign for its "Get Golf Ready" initiative, with ads on ESPN Radio and Yahoo.com. A "variety of commercial spots" are slated to air nationally on ESPN Radio programs such as "Mike & Mike in the Morning," "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" and "The Scott Van Pelt Show." The organization also is running a "geographically targeted marketing campaign on Yahoo.com" (GOLFWEEK.com, 6/25).

The PGA yesterday opened ticket pre-sale registration for the '13 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club. The organization this week is also unveiling a new PGA Championship logo.

NBC Sports Group announced that it has reached a deal with U.K.-based music recognition software company Shazam for interactive features related to telecasts of the London Games. U.S. viewers can use Shazam mobile apps to unlock extras like results, medal count and content on athletes (NBC Olympics). The app will "identify the relevant event by 'listening' to the TV broadcast." Users can "take polls and share content on Twitter and Facebook" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 6/26). 

Bayer is enlisting the aid of Yankees P CC Sabathia in a media tour today to launch a program in support of the American Red Cross. In a tie-in with MLB corporate sponsor Bayer's Advanced Aspirin, the Fast Relief Challenge will donate $2 to the American Red Cross (up to a total of $100,000) for every person who visits www.FastReliefChallenge.com and clicks on the Red Cross button. Consumers can also enter the Fast Relief sweepstakes for the chance to win tickets to an MLB game, $50,000 for their local Red Cross chapters, and a year’s supply of Advanced Aspirin.

The Univ. of Missouri athletic department today will present its plan for facility upgrades before the school's Board of Curators, and the department is requesting $72M in revenue bonds ahead of MU's jump to the SEC. Most of the money, including a $46M expansion of Memorial Stadium, is "dedicated to football facilities." Populous is the "recommended architect for the east side addition," which includes 5,200 new bleacher seats and 800-900 premium seats, plus new "restrooms, concessions and lounge spaces" (K.C. STAR, 6/26).

Saints QB Drew Brees in partnership with Protecting Athletes Through Concussion Education (PACE) is scheduled to headline a panel today in N.Y. on head injuries in sports. Also taking part are former U.S. soccer player Briana Scurry, former NHLer Mike Richter and former NFLer Carl Banks. The PACE program, founded by the Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation, "provides free concussion testing for more than 3,300 middle and high schools and youth sports organizations" (AP, 6/25).

Hedge fund manager Chris Hansen has written a special to the Seattle Times explaining the "motivation behind his quest to bring NBA and NHL franchises to Seattle." Hansen writes, "While much of the discussion about our arena proposal ... has rightly centered on issues like financial protections and traffic, I believe the positive impact it will have on our community has been largely overlooked." Hansen, who grew up in Rainier Valley, adds the impact professional athletes had on him "and other at-risk kids should not be underestimated" (SEATTLE TIMES, 6/26).

New Era unveiled the first NFL On-Field cap collection with the '12 NFL Sideline caps on its Facebook page. The collection will hit retail on July 12 (New Era).

USA Swimming and Phillips 66 have launched "Fueling Dreams for 40 Years," a year-long initiative that features a video contest in which the grand prize winner will receive a trip for two to N.Y. to attend the '12 USA Swimming Foundation's Golden Goggle Awards (USA Swimming/Phillips 66).

A crowd of 23,872 attended the Arizona-South Carolina College World Series finale at TD Ameritrade Park. Arizona defeated South Carolina to win its fourth baseball national championship (OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, 6/26).

An estimated crowd of about 10,000 people attended an event at Pier Plaza in Hermosa Beach, Calif., to celebrate the Kings winning the Stanley Cup (LONG BEACH PRESS-TELEGRAM, 6/26).

"You know, I would do it again differently if I were asked the question. What can I tell you? I'm like LeBron. You get a day older, and you hope you get wiser rather than just older" – NBA Commissioner David Stern, when asked if he had any regrets for how he handled his recent appearance on Jim Rome’s radio show (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 6/25).

"Boston, I just want to say thank you for Youkilis" – President Obama, who drew boos from the crowd at a fundraising event at Boston's Symphony Hall for his comment on the recent White Sox-Red Sox trade (ESPNBOSTON.com, 6/26).

“She warned me I had caused a firestorm. I had to be filled in on what she was talking about” – MLB Rangers play-by-play announcer Dave Barnett, who had to be told the following morning by his wife about his on-air mishap during last Monday's Rangers-Padres broadcast (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/26).

"No one should be surprised that USA Track & Field botched this race and embarrassed both sprinters" – The N.Y. TIMES' Jere Longman, after Jeneba Tarmoh and Allyson Felix finished in a dead heat for third place in the women's 100 meters at the Olympic trials with a spot in the London Games on the line (N.Y. TIMES, 6/26).

“I’ve already seen a parade” – Cardinals CF Jon Jay, a Miami native and Heat fan, on not attending the Heat’s victory parade despite it passing by the team’s hotel prior to their game against the Marlins (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 6/26).

Dolphins WR Chad Ochocinco: "@nflcommish Dad... I love u but I will be a problem this year.. all fine money this year can be collected from @MiamiDolphins ‪#management."

ESPN’s Joe Schad: "Good morning from Washington DC! Do you expect any filibustering on CFB playoff approval today?"

AP's Steve Wilson: "Syrian Oly Cmte head Gen. Mowaffak Joumaa says if banned from London Olympics 'it would be an honor for me as a Syrian citizen.'"

Golf agent Chubby Chandler: "Thanks for all the great comments about @Fehertwit and myself .. They must have edited it well cos I don't remember it being that good !!"

If you see a tweet we will not want to miss, send it to us at editorial@sportsbusinessdaily.com.

CNBC's Darren Rovell offers a first look at the cover for 2K Sports' upcoming "NBA 2K13" video game. Rovell tweeted: "Durant, Rose & Griffin on NBA2K13 cover means LeBron’s streak of never appearing on a video game cover continues."

The Hockey HOF will announce this year's induction class at 3:00pm ET. TSN2 and TSN.ca will offer live coverage of the announcement and NHL Network will simulcast TSN2's broadcast.

Red Wings PA announcer Budd Lynch will host the 23rd annual Budd Lynch Celebrity Golf Classic at Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club.

News Corp. reportedly is considering a split into two companies, “separating its publishing assets from its entertainment businesses” (WSJ.com, 6/26).

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Presidential Campaigns.”

“Though shot in the chest, Teddy Roosevelt gave a 1912 speech saying, ‘It takes more than that to kill’ one of these animals.”

U.S. hurdler Lolo Jones appeared on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” last night, and NBC’s Jay Leno said, “Every Olympian has an amazing story, but few have had one like my next guest.” Leno said to Jones, “You started these (U.S. Olympic) trials poorly, right?” Jones said jokingly, “I know that there’s a lot of people who gamble on track and field so I totally wanted to make them sweat a little bit. Once I’m on the team, they’re like, ‘Yes.’” Leno said, “When the whole world is kind of collapsing around you like that, who do you call?” Jones: “I have my pastor on speed dial one, I had my sports psychologist on speed dial two, my mom on speed dial three and the ex-boyfriend on speed dial four. Just to get mad, like, ‘I hate you! Okay, I’m ready to go run!’” Leno aired footage from the Beijing Games where Jones stumbled going over a hurdle and lost the Gold Medal. Leno: “I know you don’t like to watch this footage.” Jones replied, “So you have my blindfold ready, right?” Leno: “I think it’s really inspirational.” Jones said, “Yeah, everybody likes to watch a car accident” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 6/25).

SI’s Frank Deford appeared on Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report” last night to promote his new book, “Over Time: My Life as a Sportswriter.” The first thing Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert said to Deford was, “I have to compliment you on being a dapper gentleman. Not everyone shows the respect to come on my show with the crisp knot (in his tie) and the kerchief.” Deford: “Sportswriters are usually looked upon as slovenly and I like to go against that.” With Deford having a long career in sports, Colbert asked, “How has sportswriting changed over your career because when you started the Super Bowl was just leather helmets and guys with truncheons, right?” Deford: “The great thing about sportswriting is it’s drama and it’s glamour and there’s wins and losses. As a matter of fact, if you can’t write sports you really ought to get out of the business because it gives you everything” (“The Colbert Report,” Comedy Central, 6/26). 

NBA Draft prospect Anthony Davis appeared on NBC’s “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” last night, and host Jimmy Fallon said Davis was a “young man whose life is going to change in a big way at this Thursday’s NBA Draft.” Fallon asked, “Do you know how excited your face is going to be when you get drafted?” Davis: “I’m not sure yet. I’m still working on it.” Fallon said Davis’ eyebrows "were a topic this year” and added, “I love it. You rock the unibrow proudly. We’re all on Team Unibrow.” Davis said his eyebrows “have a couple” Twitter accounts as well as Facebook pages (“Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” NBC, 6/25).

Last night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Things You May Not Know About The United States Supreme Court.” Letterman: “There is a Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. The Chief Justice is John Roberts, Associate Justices: Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Derek Jeter…” CBS’ Paul Shaffer: “Really? Derek Jeter?” Letterman: “Yeah, playing shortstop apparently” (“Late Show,” CBS, 6/25).

10) “For summer promotional campaign, it’s been renamed the Taco Bell Big Beef Supreme Court.”
9) “Public courtroom seating has a two-drink minimum.”
8) “Under rare circumstances, decision is handed down based on applause.”
7) “Court mascot ‘Supreme Kurt’ is available for parties and corporate events.”
6) “Prior to oral arguments, the Justices spend fifteen minutes discussing ‘hot topics.’”
5) “Court basement features an indoor gavel range.”
4) “Thanks to grassroots Internet campaign, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will host ‘Saturday Night Live.’”
3) “For the last two weeks, Chief Justice John Roberts has been out on jury duty.”
2) “Fridays are ‘robe optional.’”
1) “Antonin Scalia: Vampire Hunter.”

“What is a bull moose?”