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Tuesday 9:00am ET....Today's News....Deer Season

  • Bucks Unveil New Logos, Colors At BMO Harris Bradley Center
  • Anheuser-Busch Agrees To Four-Year Extension Of U.S. Soccer Deal
  • Mets, Cardinals, Pirates Draw Record Crowds For Home Openers
  • New Security Causes Long Lines At Blue Jays Home Opener

Bucks Unveil New Logos, Colors At BMO Harris Bradley Center

The Bucks last night unveiled four new logos and an updated color scheme at a viewing party at BMO Harris Bradley Center. A "good crowd showed up" to watch the Bucks-76ers game on the videoboard and "see the logos unveiled at halftime." Basketball HOFer Oscar Robertson was on hand and spoke to fans. A "12-point buck is replacing the traditional eight-point buck and becomes the primary logo." The primary colors will be Good Land Green and Cream City Cream, with Great Lakes Blue "used as an accent color" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 4/14).

Anheuser-Busch Agrees To Four-Year Extension Of U.S. Soccer Deal

By Ian Thomas

Anheuser-Busch today will announce that it has signed a four-year extension of its sponsorships of U.S. Soccer and the Mexican men’s national team's games in the U.S. The deal, negotiated by SUM on behalf of both organizations, includes both the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams. It provides A-B InBev the rights to use U.S. Soccer and the Mexican team marks in advertising and marketing materials at the local and national level. It also provides in-stadium signage, player appearances and activation rights. A-B InBev has been a sponsor of U.S. Soccer since ‘86, and its sponsorship of the Mexican team in the U.S. began in '07.

Mets, Cardinals, Pirates Draw Record Crowds For Home Openers

The Mets drew a sellout crowd of 43,947 for yesterday's home opener at Citi Field against the Phillies, "the largest regular-season crowd in the seven-year history of the park" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/14).

The Cardinals for their home opener against the Brewers drew a crowd of 47,875 fans, "the largest in the current Busch Stadium's history" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 4/14).

The Pirates drew a "regular-season record crowd of 39,933" at PNC Park for their home opener, a day game against the Tigers (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 4/14).

Meanwhile, the Rangers announced a paid attendance of 18,401 for last night's home game against the Angels, the "lowest at Globe Life Park since July 8, 2010." The "smallest announced crowd a year ago" was 23,081 (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 4/14).

New Security Causes Long Lines At Blue Jays Home Opener

Thousands of Blue Jays fans attending last night's home opener "had to wait out in the rain" thanks to "new airport-style security measures" mandated by MLB. Some attendees "were in line for 70 minutes" (TORONTO SUN, 4/14). Many fans, "especially those with seats in the upper deck, were conspicuously absent" for the start of the game. By the second inning, "the upper deck began to fill" (NATIONAL POST, 4/14).

Despite these issues, the Blue Jays drew a sellout crowd of 48,414. The 2-1 loss to the Rays marked the team's "third consecutive home-opening defeat." The Blue Jays have won 26 of 39 home openers all-time, "but the last of those came in 2012" (TORONTO SUN, 4/14).

Jordan Spieth Makes Media Rounds In Wake Of Masters Win

Golfer Jordan Spieth has a "hectic media schedule" this week in the wake of his win at The Masters. Slated media appearances today include ESPN's "Mike & Mike in the Morning," "CBS This Morning," NBC's "Today," CNBC's "Squawk Box" and Golf Channel's "Morning Drive." He also will appear in-studio on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio and grant a live phone interview to "The Dan Patrick Show" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 4/13).

Spieth appeared on CBS’ “Late Show” last night, with host David Letterman noting that at one point during the tournament Spieth was 19 under par. Letterman: “Is that even legal? Doesn’t somebody come out and stop the match?” Spieth: “It was cool. At that point, to be honest, I didn't know what I was at. I wasn't looking at leaderboards. I was trying to challenge myself on each hole and to just get another stroke.” Letterman listed the accomplishments Spieth achieved during his victory, including “first player to win tournament after caddy goes missing for several days.” Spieth: “I never know where he is” (“Late Show,” CBS, 4/13).

Under Armour runs a full-page ad in USA Today congratulating Spieth: "The Jacket Is His." Rolex places an ad in the N.Y. Times: "Historic!" (THE DAILY).

Sports Video Company CineSport Creates Digital Studio Division

By Eric Fisher

Sports video company CineSport has created a digital studio division that will aid properties, brands and markets, particularly those beyond its existing network of distribution clients, in the creation and development of digital video. The new division represents a more permanent move into digital content creation after recent projects for clients such as Nike, the Devils and the U.S. Skating Federation. CineSport will house the new division, called CineSport Digital Studio, out of its existing N.J. HQ. "Marketing through video continues to explode and we felt it was important to plant a stake in the ground," said CineSport CEO Gregg Winik.

Speed Reads....

Prize money at the French Open will rise to US$29.6M this year, an increase of US$3.1M from last year. The “lion’s share of the increase” will go to early-round losers and the singles champions will “receive less than at the three other grand slams” (REUTERS, 4/14).

Organizers of the ’20 Tokyo Games have signed Mizuho Financial Group and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group to exclusive deals in the banking category. The two firms “bring the total number of top-tier national sponsors to 12” (AP, 4/14).

The WNBA Sky will “continue to play at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont for at least the next three years” under a new lease agreement (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 4/14).

Minnesota state Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk today will meet with NASL club Minnesota United Owner Bill McGuire to discuss a “lack of legislative support for a new soccer stadium” for an MLS expansion team (STARTRIBUNE.com, 4/13).

Quick Hits....

“The question was asked of me all week after his play up there. Obviously he’s honorable in respect to his commitment and I got word (Sunday) night, late” – RBC Heritage Tournament Dir Steve Wilmot, on Jordan Spieth competing in this week’s event despite media obligations stemming from his victory at The Masters (Hilton Head ISLAND PACKET, 4/14).

“I am fully aware of the great tradition in athletics, particularly in football here. This will be a central part of my immersion process” – Incoming Univ. of Miami President Dr. Julio Frenk, on meeting with coaches and fans before he takes his new post on Sept. 1 (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 4/14).

“When I first moved to San Francisco three-plus years ago, I felt like I could walk for hours without seeing another person wearing a piece of Warriors apparel. Now it seems like I can’t walk a block without seeing someone wearing something that displays ‘Warriors’” – Warriors President Rick Welts (SFGATE.com, 4/13).

“I think it can be a lot to ask if you have a catcher leading off and he’s got to get in, get all his gear off, get his helmet and gloves, if he wants any time to swing and put pine tar or put a bat weight on his bat” – D-backs C Tuffy Gosewisch, who was one of the players to receive a letter from MLB for violating the new pace-of-play rules (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 4/14).

Night Moves....Go Western Conference, Young Man

Last night’s 11:00pm ET editions of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” and FS1’s “Fox Sports Live” both led with Trail Blazers-Thunder and Pelicans-T’Wolves. ESPN followed with Rockets-Hornets and Mariners-Dodgers. FS1 followed with Tigers-Pirates and Royals-Twins.

ESPN’s Ryen Russillo filled in for ESPN’s Keith Olbermann last night and did not air a "world’s worst persons in sports" segment.

Morning Hot Reads: Leagues Of Their Own

The N.Y. TIMES notes, "Over the last month, the landscape of women's professional hockey has changed significantly." The Canadian Women’s Hockey League and upstart National Women’s Hockey League, "once potential partners, will now battle to sign the top talent."

ESPN The Magazine on the controversy around Angels LF Josh Hamilton: "The MLB players association has been called the most powerful union on earth, and Hamilton's case illustrated its muscle."

Also:

Twitter Me This....

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Today's Events....

The Red Sox will pay tribute to longtime media relations man Dick Bresciani, who passed away in November, by renaming the Fenway Park press box after him.

Spanning The Global....

The most-read Global stories today on SportsBusinessDaily.com:

1) PepsiCo Signs Five-Year NBA Deal, Ends Coke's 29-Year Relationship With League
2) AC Milan GM Galliani Confirms Serie A Considering Holding Games Outside Italy
3) FIFA Vetoes Sponsorships Of São Paulo Referees Due To Conflict Of Interest
4) DTM Considers Hosting Race Weekend On Date Left Vacant By Canceled F1 Race
5) Red Bull F1 Team Boss Horner Says Threat Intended To Make Renault Step Up

Back Pages....

The Morning Buzz offers today's back page sports covers from some of North America's major metropolitan tabloids:

N.Y. Post N.Y. Daily News Newsday Philadelphia Daily News Boston HeraldChicago Sun-TimesToronto Sun

Final Jeopardy!

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

“The Caucasian Isthmus lies between these two large inland bodies of water.”

Last night’s edition of “Jeopardy!” featured the category “Basketball Hall of Famers.”

For $200: “This five-time NBA MVP and one time Minor League Baseball non-MVP.”

For $400: “This ‘Zen’ master coach inducted in 2007.”

For $600: “This ex-76er, Sun and Rocket and current colorful commentator.”

For $800: “This legendary Lakers announcer who popularized the term ‘slam dunk.’”

For $1000: “This late North Carolina coach who won 879 games.”

Laugh Track....Breaking Down The Bracket

Last night’s edition of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” attempted to explain the numerous ongoing Middle East conflicts and the various alliances between the factions in the region. The show’s Middle East correspondent Bassem Youssef used an NCAA March Madness-style bracket, called “Constant Intractable Madness,” to illustrate who is fighting whom. Youssef: “The Americans are already in the finals” (“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” Comedy Central, 4/13).

Top Ten....Empire Strikes Out

Last night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Things Never Before Said In A ‘Star Wars’ Film” and was read on-stage by “Star Wars” characters R2D2 and C3PO (“Late Show,” CBS, 4/13).

10) "I just passed the accountant exam -- now I am a C-3PA." (C3PO)
9) "Please restart me to install Windows updates." (R2D2)
8) "There is free cake in the break room for Jabba the Hutt's birthday." (C3PO)
7) "No, I'm not a wi-fi hotspot." (R2D2)
6) "The pizzerias in this star system will not cater your wedding." (C3PO)
5) "I didn't say anything -- I was just sending a fax." (R2D2)
4) "I just saved 15% on Millennium Falcon insurance." (C3PO)
3) "Beam me up, Scotty!" (R2D2)
2) "Letterman is really beginning to look like Master Yoda." (C3PO)
1) "Just walked in on Han going Solo." (R2D2)

Final Jeopardy....

“What are the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea?”

Correct responses to the “Basketball Hall of Famers” category:

For $200: “Who is Michael Jordan?”

For $400: “Who is Phil Jackson?”

For $600: “Who is Charles Barkley?”

For $800: “Who was Chick Hearn?”

For $1000: “Who was Dean Smith?”