U.S. authorities believe that FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s top lieutenant, Secretary General Jerome Valcke, made $10M in bank transactions that are "central elements of the bribery scandal," according to sources. The revelation "puts the money trail closer" to Blatter than "had been previously known." The indictment "does not say that the high-ranking official knew that the money was being used as a bribe," and Valcke is "not identified as a co-conspirator in the document." Valcke, who "said in a brief email that he had not authorized the payment and did not have the power to do so, has not been charged or accused of wrongdoing" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/2).

UEFA member nations will meet Friday to "discuss the nuclear option of splitting from FIFA and holding a breakaway World Cup" in '18, in an effort to "force Sepp Blatter out of the presidency." The plan to boycott the '18 FIFA World Cup in Russia was revealed by the "leading UEFA official behind it." It would involve "European teams and some invited South American countries breaking away from the tournament" (INDEPENDENT.co.uk, 6/2).

The Hartford today is officially announcing its MLB sponsorship, which grants the insurer exclusivity within the business insurance, homeowners insurance and employee benefits categories. The Hartford's new rights include presenting sponsorship of the AL and NL Reliever of the Year Awards. Former MLBer Mariano Rivera helped announce the partnership in Park City, Utah, on Friday at a private company event. He and fellow former MLBer Trevor Hoffman, the league's top two all-time saves leaders and for whom the awards are named, will appear in advertising for The Hartford.

The WNBA has named a six-person committee made up of WNBA BOG members to vet MSG’s proposal to give Isiah Thomas an ownership stake in the Liberty. The members of the committee, which met for the first time yesterday, will deliver a recommendation on the proposal to the full WNBA Board. The Liberty on May 5 named Thomas team President and announced that he would take an undisclosed stake in the team. Thomas, formerly Knicks President and coach, was accused by former Knicks marketing exec Anucha Browne of sexual harassment.

S.F. Supervisor Jane Kim said that she will introduce a measure today for the November ballot that "strikes at the heart" of the MLB Giants’ plan for a mixed-use development near AT&T Park. The measure "would cut in half the height of some of the proposed buildings and require the Giants to dedicate much more of its housing to low-income residents." The Giants are "paying for the project, but it is being built on public land the team is leasing." Voter approval is required for the project (S.F. CHRONICLE, 6/2).

MillerCoors has signed on as the beer sponsor of the Braves, as well as their upcoming $620M SunTrust Park and the adjoining mixed-use development. Coors Light will be the lead MillerCoors brand at SunTrust Park, but Peroni will be the Braves' official imported beer, while Smith & Forge will become the official hard cider. MillerCoors in a statement said the sponsorship will include “prominent signage and branded entertainment throughout the development.”

Sources said that Fred Hoiberg has signed a "five-year contract worth nearly" $25M to coach the Bulls. The team has a press conference set for this afternoon to introduce Hoiberg. The contract is "comparable to deals" that Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Knicks coach Derek Fisher signed in '14 (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/1). Hoiberg is a first-time NBA coach, but the Bulls are "hoping to replicate the success of Golden State" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 6/2).

The trial over Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson's succession plan continues today in New Orleans and is "expected to last most of this week." The proceedings "will determine whether he or his daughter and grandchildren will control one of Louisiana's biggest fortunes, including the teams." His daughter Renee and grandchildren Rita and Ryan are "expected to testify" today. Yesterday's closed-door sessions marked the "first time Tom Benson and his heirs have been in the same room since January" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 6/2).

Rob Manfred last night made his first visit to Busch Stadium as MLB Commissioner as part of his "plan to speak to and take questions from players and front office personnel of all big-league teams." He addressed issues including Pete Rose's status with the league, the designated hitter in the NL, pace of play and the All-Star Game determining home field in the World Series. Manfred: "The rule has been an important part of keeping it the best All-Star Game in sports" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 6/2).

Manfred also said, "My guess now is that we'll have Major League players playing in Cuba next spring during Spring Training" (MLB.com, 6/1).

Relativity Media "failed to meet a May 31 debt-payment deadline," but it reportedly is being "offered a lifeline to keep the wheels turning." Sources said that Relativity investor Ron Burkle and Dune Capital’s Steve Mnuchin "have stepped in to offer up a short-term loan." A source said of CEO Ryan Kavanaugh’s efforts to find enough cash to pay off debt-holders during a 30-day grace period, “They are hoping he can pull it off” (N.Y. POST, 6/2).

About 60 people attended Boston 2024’s local meeting at Arlington Town Hall and several speakers said that “they simply don’t trust” the group bidding for the '24 Games. Most in the crowd “appeared to have come with their minds already made up” (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/2).

Heat G Dwyane Wade will “be a studio analyst” on ABC’s coverage of the NBA Finals for Games 2, 3, 6 and 7 (MIAMIHERALD.com, 6/1).

Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons announced that the PGA Tour RBC Canadian Open will be held at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario, for the second consecutive year in ’16. The tournament last year was held at The Royal Montreal Golf Club (GLOBEANDMAIL.com, 6/1).

Rogers officials announced during their upfront that the Rogers Hometown Hockey festival will return for its second season. The Sportsnet series kicks off Oct. 10-11 in Kitchener, Ontario, and will visit 24 communities throughout the '15-16 NHL season (Rogers).

BodyArmor today released its first digital video entitled "This Is Now" that stars several of its top athlete endorsers: Colts QB Andrew Luck, Rockets G James Harden, Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski, Angels LF Mike Trout, Seahawks CB Richard Sherman, Giants C Buster Posey and Shock G Skylar Diggins (THE DAILY).

“I like the NHL game. Being from Montreal, all my buddies like to play that one. It gets pretty edgy, pretty competitive. I also like Call of Duty … killing zombies is pretty fun, too. But the order is: FIFA, NHL and shoot zombies in Call of Duty” – Blue Jays C Russell Martin, who is the cover athlete for Sony’s “MLB 15: The Show” video game in Canada, on his gaming choices (TORONTO SUN, 6/2).

"If I was in Sepp Blatter's position, I would have immediately resigned – and probably more so ages ago – because at the end of the day this happened on his watch" – Recent FIFA presidential candidate Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein (CNN.com, 6/1).

“Right, wrong or indifferent, a 17-year-old today looks at what is important to him or her differently when they make a college decision than we did. The things they want to see that are a little glitzy don’t cost that much” – Purdue AD Morgan Burke, on upgrades in the school’s sports facilities helping with recruiting (Ft. Wayne JOURNAL GAZETTE, 6/2).

“We’ve had conversations with Maryland, Virginia and D.C., and it’s in the preliminary stages but we like where it’s going” – Redskins President Bruce Allen, on talks for a new stadium (RICHMOND.com, 6/1).

“We’re going to hear that it’s all about the money and I don’t want to come across too strong here, but it is” – Missouri Associate AD/Advancement Tim Stedman, on the school changing to a new donor level-first model for private giving from a priority system (K.C. STAR, 6/2).

Last night’s 1:00am ET edition of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” led with N.C. State-TCU college baseball, followed by Yankees-Mariners, Rays-Angels, Dodgers-Rockies and French Open highlights. Last night’s 1:00am ET edition of FS1’s “Fox Sports Live” led with Pirates-Giants, followed by Dodgers-Rockies, Rays-Angels, Yankees-Mariners and an NBA Finals preview. FS1 reported on the French Open 50 minutes into their broadcast.

ESPN’s Keith Olbermann called out his “world’s worst” persons in sports: Former FIFA VP Jack Warner for posting a “rambling eight-minute Facebook video” over corruption accusations. Olbermann also blasted the AP for using “robot sportswriters” that wrote the Orioles had 10 “shits” in a game, with the story then posted by the Washington Post, and Mercer Island High School baseball players and the umpires working their game after the winning run was walked in but then called out.

BOSTON GLOBE on Mayor Martin Walsh: "Spare us the projections about the alleged windfall of Olympic-sized economic benefits. ... Walsh should keep the focus on delivering the basics."

ESPN.com goes with the sub-header: "Trailed by controversy during her record-breaking career, soccer star Hope Solo heads to her third World Cup searching for her better self."

Also:

• E-mails shed light on Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority pay dispute.
• Tom Jernstedt's fingerprints on "almost every aspect" of NCAA tourney.

FIFA now telling me that Sepp Blatter does plan on attending the Women's World Cup final.

— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) June 1, 2015

Perhaps only FIFA could defend itself by claiming all senior execs, from President down, were ignorant of $10m payment between two officials

— Paul Kelso (@pkelso) June 2, 2015

Also, the quasi-"too big too fail" talk was tiresome when it was about the Yankees. Just as tiresome when it's the Red Sox.

— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) June 2, 2015

Now this will make @McIlroyRory happy. His beloved @ManUtd playing a round of footgolf. Very cool. http://t.co/Pe3P77vigJ

— Kelly Tilghman (@KellyTilghmanGC) June 2, 2015

The NASL Cosmos will play a friendly against Cuba’s men’s national soccer team at Havana’s Pedro Marrera stadium, becoming the first U.S. pro team to play in the country since the re-establishment of diplomatic ties to the U.S.

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

“The Syracuse owner created this in 1954 and it may have helped his team succeed the Lakers as champs the next year.”

NBC’s Jimmy Fallon said, “I guess they're saying that FIFA officials accepted bribes when making their decision (which countries would host the World Cup). Of course, the toughest part for the soccer officials was taking bribes without using their hands. ‘Just put it in my pocket, just put it in my pocket.’ The Department of Justice actually charged nine FIFA officials with racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering. It's not good. Experts say if convicted, the officials could be sent to prison without parooooooooooooooole! … For the second year in a row, the Scripps National Spelling Bee ended in a tie, with two winners. Or as each of their parents put it, ‘I told you you shouldn't have gone outside to play that one time’” ("The Tonight Show,” NBC, 6/1).

“What is the 24-second shot clock?”