Rory McIlroy is the most marketable golfer in the world, according to an exclusive survey of more than 40 industry marketers, tournament directors and media conducted by SportsBusiness Daily. McIlroy received 56% of all first-place votes to take the top spot, outdistancing second-place Rickie Fowler and third-place Tiger Woods.

Respondents to the survey – 43 total – were asked to list, in order, their top five most marketable, active male golfers. Points were awarded on a five-point scale, with a player awarded five points for a first-place vote, four points for second place, etc. For more, and to see the full results, please see today’s issue of THE DAILY.

RK	PLAYER	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	5TH	TOTAL PTS
1	Rory McIlroy	24	15	3	1	0	191
2	Rickie Fowler	4	8	12	8	4	108
3	Tiger Woods	13	6	1	3	5	103
4	Phil Mickelson	2	4	14	6	6	86
5	Jordan Spieth	0	4	5	10	8	59

The Bucks today will reportedly outline their plans to build a $500M arena just north of BMO Harris Bradley Center and "use that as a springboard for an additional" $500M in development, creating a new "entertainment hub" in downtown Milwaukee. Plans call for the demolition of the current arena, with the land to be used for "some combination of a new hotel and additional commercial or office space." Sources said that the team intends to build a "state-of-the-art practice facility as soon as possible on Park East land" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 4/8).

The USTA today breaks ground on its $60M facility in Lake Nona, Fla., where developers from Tavistock Group have "laid out plans for an 11-square-mile sports district." The USTA National Campus "will anchor 63 acres on the north portion of the Lake Nona Sports Innovation and Performance District." Tavistock "has been in discussions with manufacturers of sporting equipment and apparel, sports membership groups and sports-related technology companies about locating in the district." Further plans could be announced "in coming months" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 4/8).

UConn women's basketball last night won its 10th NCAA championship and third in a row, defeating Notre Dame 63-53. The team today will return to campus for a "Victory Lap" at about 5:15pm ET, riding in an open-air double-decker bus accompanied by the UConn pep band and cheerleaders. The procession will begin at Mansfield Town Square in Storrs Center, culminating with a brief speaking program at the entrance to Gampel Pavilion (UConn).

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson yesterday visited NFL offices in N.Y. to meet with Commissioner Roger Goodell and other league officials regarding his possible reinstatement. The meeting lasted "more than three hours," after which the NFL made "no official ruling regarding his status." Peterson will be eligible for reinstatement from the commissioner's exempt list on April 15. If he is reinstated "in the coming days," he can "return to the Vikings for the first time since September." However, it is "unclear if Peterson intends to report" to the team (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/8).

Nets Owner Mikhail Prokhorov is "flying from Moscow" to attend tonight's home game against the Hawks, marking his "first appearance around the Nets since Nov. 5." He "pledged at the beginning of the season to attend" 10 games at Barclays Center, but he has been "more absent than usual amidst an economic crisis in Russia and rumors that he's looking to unload his 80% share" of the franchise. It is "unclear if Prokhorov will address the media" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/8).

The National Network to End Domestic Violence this week sent a letter to NASCAR "critical of the sanctioning body's three-race suspension" of driver Kurt Busch. Busch was suspended indefinitely Feb. 20 following a domestic violence arrest, then reinstated March 11 after the Delaware attorney general's office "declined to bring charges." The letter, sent from NNEDV President & CEO Kim Gandy to NASCAR Chair & CEO Brian France, was "critical over the short suspension as well as the waiver" that allows Busch to be eligible for the Chase for the Sprint Cup (ESPN.com, 4/7).

The 14th annual IMG World Congress of Sports kicks off today at the JW Marriott L.A. Live. The two-day event, hosted by SBD/SBJ, features keynotes and interviews with some of the most powerful leaders in sports, complemented by presentations and roundtables as well as Ideas That Move Us Forward sessions. Morning sessions include an interviews with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, Disney Chair & CEO Bob Iger and WME/IMG co-CEO Patrick Whitesell, as well as panels on "Unscripted Opinions on the Headlines of the Day" and "The New Guard of Sports Ownership."

The Detroit City Council is expected to vote Monday on "whether to allow construction to begin" on the new Red Wings arena "after months of delays." The council yesterday pushed back the vote "as the city reviews changes made by Olympia Development" (DETROIT NEWS, 4/8).

The St. Petersburg City Council has scheduled for May 7 a workshop to "discuss Mayor Rick Kriseman's latest proposal" to let the Rays explore possible ballpark sites in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties (TAMPABAY.com, 4/7).

An NBA source said that there are "no current plans" for an NBA team to "play an exhibition in Cuba." This despite the league's recently announced outreach efforts to the country (MIAMI HERALD, 4/8).

"It was one of those moments where it really hit me. They are about to play a game, with my name on the baseball. It's an amazing feeling" – MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, on attending an Opening Day game at Nationals Park (N.Y. TIMES, 4/8).

"For females, the opportunities aren't as great as males in basketball. So she wants to capitalize on that while she's hot and that's certainly understandable" – Minnesota women's basketball coach Marlene Stollings, on sophomore C Amanda Zahui B. leaving school early to play in the WNBA and overseas (AP, 4/8).

"The greatest athlete I've ever worked with. ... She's so hard working, focused, she's amazing, she's incredible" – UFC President Dana White, on reigning women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey (KLAC-AM, 4/7).

Last night’s 1:00am ET edition ESPN’s “SportsCenter” led with Notre Dame-UConn NCAA Women’s Tournament national championship game, followed by Warriors-Pelicans, Spurs-Thunder and Padres-Dodgers. Last night’s 1:00am ET edition of FS1’s “Fox Sports Live” led with Spurs-Thunder, followed by Warriors-Pelicans, Suns-Hawks and Penguins-Senators. The first Notre Dame-UConn report on FS1 was about 21 minutes into their broadcast.

ESPN’s Keith Olbermann called out his “world’s worst” persons in sports: Marlins President David Samson and “two unidentified colleagues” in the Marlins front office for taking the “fall” for having a rain delay despite their stadium having a roof. Olbermann also lambasted Royals manager Ned Yost for his comment to the team’s head trainer as he was handing him his AL championship ring for last season, and the scoreboard operators at the men’s Final Four in Indianapolis “who were the real reason Duke beat Wisconsin.”

The fantasy sports industry gets the NEW YORKER treatment: "In the Internet age, where enthusiasm and loyalty can be measured in terms of media minutes consumed, the best kind of customer is not the polymath with a wry disposition and an ability to charm the in-laws but, rather, a junkie."

The GLOBE & MAIL notes if it were "fully monetized, there's no telling what The Masters might be worth." But "it hasn't been, and won't be." Augusta National "isn't interested in selling a brand."

Also:

• Domestic violence is a front-burner issue for NFL teams.
• Final Four in Indianapolis contrasts with city's crime problem.
• Updates to Progressive Field make sense for Indians fans.
• A rundown of possible outcomes for L.A.'s NFL stadium.
• Richmond Flying Squirrels quickly becoming an institution.
• Should Red Wings' fan base still trust GM Ken Holland?

I'm assuming Gronk's autobiography is a picture book and every page number is 69 pic.twitter.com/l5fy4wdRYP

— Michele Steele (@ESPNMichele) April 8, 2015

red sox seats r tough. porcello deal: "player may purchase 6 premium seats for all home spring, reg season & playoff games"

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) April 8, 2015

Let me just say right now: Baseball's speed-up rules are no match for the Dodgers...

— Jim Carlisle (@VCSJimCarlisle) April 8, 2015

Just filed my UConn-Notre Dame story. Feels good to be back in a press room, super-late at night, adrenaline and fear flowing.

— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) April 8, 2015

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

The black top is getting the finishing touches. Wanted chain link nets but NCAA said no, maybe a black rim 😃 pic.twitter.com/wVKgQLjGP4

— Greg Kampe (@KampeOU) April 7, 2015

Alabama is expected to introduce ESPN's Avery Johnson as the school's next men's basketball coach in a six-year deal worth approximately $18M.

Incoming SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey will speak at Texas A&M on the topic of "Finding Our Way Forward in the Modern Era of Intercollegiate Athletics."

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Celebrity Fathers & Daughters.”

“He won a Grammy in 1959, she won three in the 1970s and a song by both was 1991’s song and record of the year.”

NBC’s Jimmy Fallon said, “I want to say congrats to the Duke Blue Devils who defeated the Wisconsin Badgers last night to win the National Championship. It was a tough loss for Wisconsin fans but I don’t think any of them looked sadder than this guy. ... Just when you thought a grown man in a Teletubby costume couldn’t get any sadder, that went and happened” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 4/7).

Comedy Central’s Larry Wilmore said, “A big shoutout to the Duke Blue Devils who won the NCAA basketball tournament last night. By the way, in response to the big win, police cars were overturned, there was rioting and giant garbage fires were set and that was just by me because the Duke win means I will host a show dressed from head to toe in spandex. The ‘Dare-Y Wilmore's March Badness Bracketsball Dare-o-Mania 2015: It's boner-time!’ challenge is over, and I will serve my punishment this Thursday.” Wilmore added, “I should also take a moment to acknowledge Stanford University, who won the NIT men's basketball tournament, which means that I will also have to host the show completely not giving a (EXPLETIVE) about the NIT tournament” (“The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore,” Comedy Central, 4/7).

“Who are Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole?”