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Thursday 9:00am ET....Today's News....Blacktop

  • Clippers Unveil New Brand Identity, Begin Promotions In SoCal
  • MLB, USA Baseball Today Launching Play Ball Youth Initiative
  • Blackhawks Set For Parade, Rally As Ticket Reselling Irks Fans
  • Martin Kaymer Becomes IMG Client, Joined By Management Team

Clippers Unveil New Brand Identity, Begin Promotions In SoCal

The Clippers unveiled a new brand identity and today will be showcasing the logo and uniforms "at various locations in Southern California." The team is "adding a nontraditional twist" to its colors, with black joining the "long-standing trio of red, white and blue." The Clippers will "feature a black alternate uniform" (L.A. TIMES, 6/18). Owner Steve Ballmer, coach Doc Rivers and current and former players today will be giving away gear in more than 32 locations, including Universal Studios, L.A. Int'l Airport and an area middle school (Clippers).

Ballmer appeared on TBS’ "Conan" last night wearing a red Clippers shirt and debuted the new look. Ballmer: “Let’s face facts: You look back at the history of the Clippers, it’s not a happy history. I bought the team a year ago in the kind of unusual circumstance. ... The people want a new Clippers. They want a happy ending to this story. This kind of downtrodden thing with this kind of funny ruler – boom! – let's switch it around. ... We're introducing the new Clippers.” Ballmer then unveiled the new logo, removing from a Clippers team store bag some apparel and presenting host Conan O’Brien with a T-shirt and hat. O’Brien: “That’s a nice logo” (“Conan,” TBS, 6/18).

MLB, USA Baseball Today Launching Play Ball Youth Initiative

By Eric Fisher

MLB and USA Baseball today are formally launching Play Ball, a youth-driven initiative designed to boost baseball participation, even outside organized leagues and with less than two full teams. The effort will highlight various short-form versions of baseball that can be played outside of fully manned games, such as stickball, wiffleball and playing catch.

The campaign will take on numerous forms, including advertising in ballparks and during MLB game broadcasts, the creation of a website (PlayBall.org) and companion mobile app that will feature an array of educational resources for young players and coaches, the debut of a separate social media Play Ball portal at mlb.com/playball and special events. One such major upcoming event will be a planned game of catch at the P&G Cincinnati Urban Youth Academy on July 9 that will seek to set a Guinness World Record for the largest such game of catch.

Blackhawks Set For Parade, Rally As Ticket Reselling Irks Fans

Blackhawks fans today "will descend upon the Loop and the lakefront" in Chicago for a Stanley Cup championship parade and rally. The city is "bracing for large crowds," despite "grumbling from fans the day before about the limited capacity of Soldier Field." Only about 62,000 fans got free tickets online yesterday to the rally. Those tickets "sold out within minutes ... overwhelming Ticketmaster's system and sending fans to websites such as eBay and Craigslist." Some fans on social media "lashed out at those selling free seats" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/18). Ticketholders were trying to sell seats for "as much as $1,500 on eBay" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 6/18). The CHICAGO TRIBUNE offers a run-down of "what to know if you go" to the parade.

Meanwhile, President Obama last night called Blackhawks Chair Rocky Wirtz, coach Joel Quenneville and C Jonathan Toews to congratulate them on winning the Cup (Blackhawks).

Martin Kaymer Becomes IMG Client, Joined By Management Team

Golfer Martin Kaymer and his management team are joining IMG. Per the agreement, IMG will work with manager Philip Kaymer, coach Gunter Kessler and PR agent Dirk Schimmel to manage Kaymer's worldwide affairs. IMG also represents fellow German golfer Bernhard Langer. The announcement comes as Kaymer looks to defend his U.S. Open title beginning today at Chambers Bay (IMG).

Under Armour Releasing New Version Of Stephen Curry Shoe

Under Armour today plans to release Warriors G Stephen Curry's signature Curry One shoe "in a new color pattern and theme." The "Father to Son" colorway is meant to celebrate Stephen's relationship with his father, former NBAer Dell Curry, and his hometown of Charlotte. The shoe was "planned whether the Warriors won the title or not." UA's main website now features a Curry-themed landing page. Visitors to UA HQ yesterday were greeted by a "video of Curry" (Baltimore SUN, 6/18).

A's Host Pride Night Game To Celebrate Local LGBTQ Community

The A's yesterday held Pride Night at O.co Coliseum to "celebrate the Bay Area's LGBTQ community." The national anthem prior to the win against the Padres was performed by transgender opera singer Breanna Sinclaire. The team announced over the PA system that a "portion of ticket sales from the game would be donated to several charities: AIDS Project East Bay; Frameline, a nonprofit supporting LGBTQ media arts; and Our Space, a local LGBTQ youth community center" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 6/18).

BET Networks To Produce NBPA's “Players’ Awards” Event In July

By John Ourand

BET Networks will produce the NBPA’s first annual “Players’ Awards” from Las Vegas in July. The end-of-season awards, voted on by players, will not be carried live on the Viacom-owned BET, which will produce the event with Hollywood production company Prospect Park. Specific dates for the awards show and telecast have yet to be finalized. The event will have traditional awards, like MVP and Best Rookie. It also will feature awards like “Clutch Performer,” “Coach You Would Want to Play For” and “Best Home Court Advantage.” It will be the only NBA awards show this year, but will face competition next year when TNT produces the NBA’s official awards show in June – though TNT still has not settled on a location or format for the show.

Ripken Featured In New Ad Campaign For Real Estate Group

Baseball HOFer Cal Ripken Jr. has "entered into a multi-year marketing agreement" with a real estate group, the Bob Lucido Team of Keller Williams Integrity. The first TV spot tied to the deal "airs in the Baltimore market" today. The partnership will include a full ad campaign featuring Ripken, with "TV, radio, print, digital and outdoor elements to be unveiled in the coming weeks" (BALTIMORESUN.com, 6/17).

Speed Reads....

Baylor football is “looking into playing at an international site” in the near future, and “all indications” are that the '16 season opener will be in Australia against a Pac-12 opponent (WACO TRIBUNE-HERALD, 6/18).

College commissioners yesterday voted to “table a proposal that would’ve allowed football teams to have an early, 72-hour signing period” (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 6/18).

The new team store at Nationals Park last night held “a grand opening ceremony” prior to the Rays-Nationals game (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 6/17).

MLS Atlanta announced plans to unveil its name and logo July 7 during an event at SOHO Lounge. The event is “only for members of the team’s Founder’s Club” (AJC.com, 6/17).

The Twins last night drew a crowd of 34,381 for the home debut of rookie CF Byron Buxton. Buxton T-shirts “were briefly sold out an hour before game time, but were quickly restocked” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 6/18). The team is averaging 25,164 fans at Target Field this season to date (THE DAILY).

Quick Hits....

“No one from the USGA has told me to turn it off yet, so I guess I’m going with the ‘ask for forgiveness as opposed to permission’” – Golfer Graeme McDowell, on using Periscope during U.S. Open practice rounds to give fans a first-person view inside the ropes at Chambers Bay (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 6/18).

“We don’t suggest he goes any place, but I thought it was a great story. He came back because he was coming home. I think that’s a great story any time” – Nike Chair Phil Knight, on LeBron James returning to Cleveland after playing four seasons with the Heat (CLEVELAND.com, 6/17).

“The only person who perhaps is responsible for a longer list of reasons is me. If you want to talk about the total performance of the team, it’s got to be about me more than any individual out there” – Red Sox GM Ben Cherington, on his team having the second-worst record in the American League (BOSTON HERALD, 6/18).

“He came in like many of us and many of our fans with high expectations for this year and expectations that haven’t been met and that’s as frustrating as can be” – White Sox Senior VP & GM Rick Hahn, on Chair Jerry Reinsdorf’s frustrations with the team’s record (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 6/18).

Night Moves....Thirsty Thursday

Last night’s 11:00pm ET edition of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” led with some MLB milestones this season, followed by Giants-Mariners, Rangers-Dodgers and Cubs-Indians. The first non-MLB report was Cowboys WR Dez Bryant threatening to skip games this season if he does not get a long-term contract, airing 23 minutes into the broadcast. Last night’s 11:00pm ET edition of FS1’s “Fox Sports Live” led with a UFC discussion, followed by Women’s World Cup highlights and analysis and preview of the U.S. Open.

ESPN’s Keith Olbermann called out his “world’s worst” persons in sports: a Twitter user who posted a video of a young boy pouring two cans of beer over his head after the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup. Olbermann also blasted Sonic for “selling – albeit for charity – encapsulated parts of one of their candy slushies” that Thunder F Kevin Durant “drank but did not finish,” and The Korea Times for publishing the headline “Chicago Bears clinch Stanley Cup.”

Morning Hot Reads: Chambers Music

The AP profiles USGA Exec Dir Mike Davis under the header, "Most Important Figure At U.S. Open Isn't Even Playing At Chambers Bay." Davis is "largely responsible for the U.S. Open coming to a golf course unlike any other in its 120-year history." SPORTS ON EARTH: Chambers Bay looks more like a British Open course. The Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE offers an inside look at the task of preparing the course for this week.

Also:

Twitter Me This....

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

Spanning The Global....

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

1) BeIN Sports Offering $283M To Carry Weekly Barcelona, Real Madrid Games
2) Africa's Richest Man Aliko Dangote Reiterates Desire To Buy Arsenal
3) Fiat Increases Sponsorship Activities In German Market; Jeep Brand Will Make Debut
4) Sponsors Catch On To Women's Sports As Women's World Cup Grows In Popularity
5) FIFA: Swiss Investigating 53 Cases Of Possible Money Laundering At FIFA

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 “The Oscars.”

“In her 30’s, this Texan was up for Best Actress in 2002 and 2003; she won Best Supporting in 2004 in a Civil War drama.”

Last night’s edition of “Jeopardy!” featured the category “Football Heroes.”

For $200 (Read by radio host Dan Patrick): “Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers told me he was not a Packers fan growing up; his favorite team was the 49ers and he idolized this quarterback who led San Francisco to four Super Bowl wins.”

For $400: “Seattle’s Russell Wilson is a long-time fan of this Saints QB; at about 6’, the two are among the shortest starting NFL QBs.”

For $600: “Growing up in this state capital, Bill Belichick revered Roger Staubach, who won the Heisman playing for Navy.”

For $800: “He called Peyton Manning his ‘football idol’ growing up but ended up in Peyton’s old job as the Colts’ QB.”

For $1000 (Read by radio sports Dan Patrick: “Warren Buffett once revealed to me that as a young boy he served as a water boy for this NFL team for two games and that the team’s Hall of Fame quarterback Sammy Baugh was his hero.”

Laugh Track....Credit Check

NBC’s Jimmy Fallon said, “I want to say congratulations to the Golden State Warriors, who beat the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the NBA championship. This is a little awkward if you watched it last night. Mark Jackson, who was fired as the Warriors coach last season, was actually one of the broadcasters who called their big win for ABC, which is basically the sports equivalent of the bride’s ex giving a wedding toast. … After losing to the Warriors, LeBron James talked about his team, saying, ‘We ran out of talent,’ and the Cavaliers are like, ‘Oh, now it’s we? Oh that’s interesting. No, no, please take all the credit for this one. Take credit for this. Now it’s we, right? Interesting’” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 6/17).

ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel said, “On ABC last night, the Golden State Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers to win their first NBA title in 40 years. After the game, things were calm in Oakland. Nobody did anything crazy, which is good. The governor of California has asked us not to set our towns on fire because of the drought and we listened for once. Andre Iguodala of the Warriors was named the Finals MVP, which is great news for Andre. It’s great news for everyone except for the guy that has to engrave that name on a trophy. … It was a devastating loss for Cavaliers superstar LeBron James. It’s been a tough year for LeBron James. He lost both the NBA Finals and 40 percent of his hairline. He did seem very sad after. LeBron is going to spend the next few somber days staring out the 800 windows in his house. It’s times like these that it really helps that you make $65 million per year” ("Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 06/17).

Final Jeopardy....

“Who is Renee Zellweger?”

Zellweger won the “Best Supporting Actress” Oscar in ‘04 for “Cold Mountain” and was nominated for “Best Actress” for “Chicago” in ‘03 and “Bridget Jones’ Diary” in ‘02.

Correct responses to the “Football Heroes” category:

For $200: “Who is Joe Montana?”

For $400: “Who is Drew Brees?”

For $600: “What is Annapolis, Maryland?”

For $800: “Who is Andrew Luck?”

For $1000: “Who are the Redskins?”