FIFA is holding its presidential election today, and U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati will instruct the U.S. delegate to "vote against the longtime incumbent, Sepp Blatter, and vote instead for the only other candidate, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan." Gulati yesterday said that he "knows that doing so might have repercussions for U.S. Soccer in the future, especially if Mr. Blatter, as expected, wins a fifth term." Gulati: "If being on the right side of issues costs us from hosting a World Cup in the future, that would be unfortunate. But we are prepared to deal with that" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/29).

Each of the 209 member associations "will cast one anonymous vote." A candidate "must receive two-thirds of the vote to win in the first round." If a candidate "fails to garner the necessary first-round votes, the candidate who receives a majority of votes in the second round is declared the winner" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/29).

The FIFA scandal continues to provide material for editorial cartoons, such as these in the Charlotte Observer and Orange County Register.

Swiss police today said that they were "investigating an anonymous bomb threat at the FIFA congress in Zurich that briefly halted proceedings." Police said that the threat was "made by telephone to a Zurich-based newsroom" this morning, adding that "no one had been evacuated." However, "participants in the congress, which paused for lunch 45 minutes earlier than expected, were initially denied re-entry into the building while officers searched the building" (REUTERS, 5/29).

The Paris City Council has voted against the proposed French Open expansion project, and the move "could cause further delays in the French Tennis Federation's aims to increase its facilities and build a new stadium with a roof." Tournament Dir Gilbert Ysern said the event is “once again hostage to politican games.” He added that with "five years of proceedings, it was now impatient for permits for construction" (TENNIS.com, 5/29).

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker yesterday signaled his support for "key aspects of a plan to publicly fund" a new Bucks arena, "even though it would extend for years taxes that are set to expire and could result in a boost in the tax on hotel rooms in Milwaukee County." Walker argued that the "potential hike would not be a tax increase because the Wisconsin Center Board already has the ability to raise it" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 5/29). 

This comes as "conservatives, including the influential group Americans for Prosperity, blasted the latest funding proposal as irresponsible and harmful to taxpayers" (AP, 5/28).

Referees canceled yesterday's Dynamo Charities Cup match featuring Manchester City-Dynamo, "deeming the BBVA Compass Stadium field unsafe" amid record rainfall in Texas. Another match "will be rescheduled later this year against an opponent to be determined." But Man City and the Dynamo "began preliminary discussions" to have the EPL team visit Houston "within the next 18 months." This is the "second time in nine months that a turf concern cast doubt over a match in Houston involving a major European club" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/29).

The St. Petersburg City Council remains "deadlocked on reaching a deal" for a new Rays ballpark after "five hours of often heated debate" yesterday. Another nonbinding vote "showed a council still divided over how to proceed." Council Chair Charlie Gerdes said, "This process has been going on for nine years. I am afraid [the Rays] will conclude they can't work with the city of St. Petersburg" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 5/29).

The "get-in price" for tonight's Lightning-Rangers Eastern Conference Finals Game 7 is currently $519.95 on StubHub.com. Better seats on the secondary market are "topping $1,000," with "some club and rink-side tickets listed at thousands more." Prices are "down from two days ago," when TiqIQ reported it was the "priciest non-Stanley Cup Final game since 2010" (NEWYORK.CBSLOCAL.com, 5/29).

A crowd of 34,084 attended last night’s Red Sox-Rangers game at Globe Life Park, LF Josh Hamilton’s first game back with the Rangers since ’12. Hamilton shirts and jerseys did not arrive in time for last night’s game, but the team store “expected to be stocked for Friday night’s game” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/29).

A Delaware family court judge denied NASCAR driver Kurt Busch’s “appeal of a protective order obtained in February” by his ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll (ESPN.com, 5/28).

Senators GM Bryan Murray last night was honored by the United Way as "community builder of the year during a dinner at the Shaw Centre in downtown Ottawa." Murray was being honored "partially because of his selfless act to go public about his battle with Stage 4 colon cancer last November" (OTTAWA SUN, 5/29).

The NFLPA is commemorating Mental Health Awareness Month by announcing a new partnership with Active Minds, a non-profit mental health advocacy group (NFLPA).

Joe Gibbs Racing runs a full-page ad in USA Today touting Carl Edwards’ first victory with the race team at the Coca-Cola 600, which also marked Toyota’s 300th NASCAR national series race win: “No. 300 Is A First” (THE DAILY).

"If two other countries had emerged from the envelope, I think we would not have these problems today" – FIFA President Sepp Blatter, saying the corruption scandal stems from the decision to award World Cups to Russia and Qatar (AP, 5/29).

“I can’t imagine that we could have drawn up a better script for the National Hockey League than these four teams playing in the semifinals and now both series going to a seventh game” – Predators GM David Poile, on the Lightning-Rangers and Blackhawks-Ducks series going to a seventh game (USA TODAY, 5/29).

“That shows his bad judgment, but nobody’s perfect in life” – Yankees President Randy Levine, on N.Y. Mayor Bill de Blasio being a Red Sox fan (N.Y. TIMES, 5/29).

Last night’s 11:00pm ET edition of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” led with Tigers-Angels, followed by Red Sox-Rangers, AT&T Byron Nelson Championship and French Open highlights. Last night’s 11:00pm ET edition of FS1’s “Fox Sports Live” led with FIFA President Sepp Blatter addressing FIFA members and the ongoing controversy surrounding the organization, followed by the Bulls firing coach Tom Thibodeau, an injury update on Warriors G Klay Thompson and Vikings RB Adrian Peterson not participating in team OTAs.

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

The AP notes the Justice Department's FIFA-related indictments have "put a spotlight on the powerful role that marketing firms play in the global sports arena." The WALL STREET JOURNAL offers insight into why UEFA and its President, Michel Platini, "have been at war" with Sepp Blatter. The London TELEGRAPH runs an open letter to FIFA delegates arguing Blatter "is not worthy of a fifth term in command."

Also:

• Why Bryce Harper's Mims Bandz custom wrist bands are "awesome."
• A breakdown of which NFL teams have the best shot to end up in L.A.
• Designer of Bucks new logo on the challenges of sports rebranding.
• A look at the fading art of baseball scorecards with YES' Michael Kay.
• Savich sisters, both with LPGA ties, star in Golf Channel reality series.

@BobLeyESPN @fifa best election since Matthew Broderick tried to ruin Reese Witherspoon

— James Tyler (@JamesTylerESPN) May 29, 2015

Blatter's operation to bore everyone senseless and so dissipate their anger has broken for lunch.

— Owen Gibson (@owen_g) May 29, 2015

Every camp, Baltimore should have Steve Smith take rookies on an adventure like Denzel in Training Day.

— Ken Carman (@KenCarman) January 4, 2015

What? A tie in the #spellingbee? I was wondering what Bud Selig was up to.

— Ducis Rodgers (@duciswild) May 29, 2015

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

“Published a year later, ‘Good Wives’ was a follow-up to this 1868 novel.”

Last night’s edition of “Jeopardy!” featured the category “Baseball Stadiums.”

For $200: “In 2009 New Yorkers watched this Major League stadium park demolished; Yankee Stadium lasted another year.”

For $400: “The clock at 20th and Blake Streets is a meeting place for Colorado Rockies fans prior to entering this field.”

For $600: “Marge Schott once threatened to move this team to Kentucky to get a better lease for great American ball park.”

For $800: “In 2005 Rogers Communications bought this team’s Skydome and renamed it Rogers Centre.”

For $1000: “In 2008 the Cleveland Indians sold the naming rights to Jacobs Field to this insurance company.”

Mets P Matt Harvey appeared on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” last night. Host Jon Stewart noted, “we have not seen a player of your ability in many years,” since the ‘80s teams with Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry, the “last time that we experienced, I guess, what some people would call – it’s been so long – success.” Harvey: “For us and the whole staff we’re excited about the future, we’re excited about now.” Stewart asked, “Do you feel the pessimism of the Met fan? The Met fan is a beaten creature.” Harvey said he "saw an article today about how I should be pitched until I’m abused,” because fans and the media think Harvey will leave the team when he is eligible. Stewart: “It is the Mets. Here’s my thought: You dominate the league for like two years and then they trade you for a milking goat and some magic beans because that is generally the way they handle excellent ballplayers” (“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” Comedy Central, 5/28).

Comedy Central’s Larry Wilmore said of reports ’22 World Cup host Qatar has been investigated for human rights violations, “Yeah human rights violations, like forcing people to play soccer in Qatar. The average temperature is 350 degrees. Good lord FIFA, what was your second choice? An oven-roasting a chicken?” (“The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore,” Comedy Central, 5/28). Watch Wilmore's report.

“What is ‘Little Women?’”

For $200: “What is Shea Stadium?”

For $400: “What is Coors Field?”

For $600: “Who are the Reds?”

For $800: “Who are the Blue Jays?”

For $1000: “What is Progressive?”