ESPN has completed a deal that makes the Boston-based DraftKings the official daily fantasy company of the sports media giant, but it does not include an equity investment by ESPN or parent company Disney in DraftKings. The multiyear deal gives DraftKings an exclusive advertising presence within the fantasy category across ESPN platforms beginning in '16, integrating the company directly into ESPN programming and marking the first-ever large-scale collaboration between a season-long fantasy product and a daily fantasy offering.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but industry sources said prior reports of DraftKings making a mid-nine figure advertising commitment to ESPN were “way off.” Negotiations did occur earlier this year around an equity investment by ESPN and Disney in DraftKings, but the parties ultimately settled instead into an integrated partnership model. DraftKings continues to work on a Series D funding round that would greatly accelerate the company’s progress beyond a $41M Series C round last year, though company officials declined to comment specifically on the status of that effort.

See today’s issue of THE DAILY for more.

The Hawks this morning at 11:00am ET will formally unveil their new jerseys, but images on the uniforms leaked last night. Early reaction to the red and black uniforms, which feature neon green, was less than kind on Twitter. Atlanta-based WSB-ABC’s Zach Klein: “Traditionalists not going to be happy. Kids are going to love 'em.” ESPN’s Robert Flores: “If a XFL jersey had a baby with a highlighter, you would have these new #Hawks uniforms.” The Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Michael Rand: “Congratulations to Atlanta on its new Slamball franchise.” Writer Tommy Tomlinson: “Very thrifty of the Hawks to pick up new uniform fabric at the Oregon 90-percent-off sale.”

Today's unveiling will be televised on SportSouth and streamed live on Fox Sports Go.

Patriots QB Tom Brady's Deflategate appeal lasted 10 hours yesterday at NFL HQs in N.Y. The hearing was "expected to adjourn in late afternoon, but carried well beyond that." Sports labor attorney Jeffrey Kessler, who is leading Brady's defense, said, "I think we put in a very compelling case." Kessler added that no timetable on a decision by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell "had been given" (ESPN.com, 6/23).

Sports Illustrated and WebMD today are launching an "editorial series called 'The Comeback,' which packages a story on an athlete's return from injury with service-y information about the ailment." The first installment on Angels P Garrett Richards rolls out today on the SI and WebMD websites. Execs said that the partnership is "part of each media company's strategy at attracting more readers." Cialis is sponsoring the series on SI.com and in the magazine. Execs at SI "declined to say how much the Eli Lilly-owned drug brand paid for the ads" (ADAGE.com, 6/24).

Mobile tech firm VenueNext announced it has raised $9M in strategic financing through Causeway Media Partners, Twitter Ventures and Aruba Networks, now part of HP. As a result of the transaction, Causeway Managing Partner and 49ers investor Mark Wan joins the VenueNext BOD. The tech firm was formed in October '13 to help the 49ers develop their mobile app for Levi’s Stadium. VenueNext’s original financial backer is Aurum Partners, an investment company started by the York family, which owns the 49ers. VenueNext has a pending deal with the Magic to upgrade mobile technology at Amway Center.

Fox Sports' top production exec says the net plans to move forward with featuring Pete Rose on its MLB coverage despite an ESPN report alleging that he bet on baseball games as a player. Fox hired Rose as a regular-season analyst back in April, agreeing to have him make at least 25 on-air appearances this season. "Right now, it’s status quo," Fox Sports Exec VP/Production John Entz said yesterday. “To be honest, we’ve been out of the office working on golf. … As of right now, the plan stays the same.”

A Fox spokesperson earlier this week told SI’s Richard Deitsch that Rose is “next scheduled to appear on America’s Pregame, MLB Whiparound and FOX Sports Live on July 1."

More than 100 Nets personnel and players, including F Mason Plumlee, G Markel Brown and F Cory Jefferson, will visit various Brooklyn neighborhoods this morning as part of the first-ever Nets Neighborhood Day. Staff will be meeting residents of the borough in 15 neighborhoods, handing out free Nets merchandise and encouraging people to sign up for the chance to win season tickets. The day is the tip-off to the team’s sales efforts, and residents can learn about how to become season-ticket holders.

Fans also can stop by for autographs at the Nets Shop at Barclays Center from 12:00-1:30pm ET to meet Brown or from 7:00-8:00pm to meet Plumlee. Jefferson will be signing autographs at the Modell’s in Downtown Brooklyn from 4:30-6:00pm. Staffers also will be surprising local businesses by delivering Nets-branded cupcakes.

The NFL today continues its rookie symposium, with NFC players convening in Berea, Ohio, for their portion of the program after AFC rookies wrapped up yesterday. The event is designed to get rookies "ready for the NFL and beyond." It is "viewed by the league as a vital first step for its players, a springboard toward success." Titans QB Marcus Mariota: "They provide us information that will help us not only on the financial side of stuff, but on the field and off the field" (AP, 6/23).

The NBPA is researching whether the 76ers “are in violation” of the CBA, “specifically circumventing the spirit of the CBA’s salary cap floor” (BIZJOURNALS.com, 6/23).

Tiger Balm U.S. has reached an endorsement deal with U.S. triple-jumper Christian Taylor. The deal calls for Taylor to promote the pain reliever brand via social media and in person at events and competitions throughout the year. The deal was negotiated by S.F.-based Inception Marketing (Tiger Balm U.S.).

Utah’s gymnastics averaged 14,858 fans at home meets, which was the highest attendance among NCAA women’s sports this academic year. South Carolina basketball (12,293) and Alabama gymnastics (12,086) rounded out the top three (AL.com, 6/23).

“Baseball is a 10- or an 11-figure business right now. … You’re no longer in position to separate baseball from the Targets and Walmarts that have been breached” – Int’l Spy Museum historian and curator Dr. Vince Houghton, on the FBI and Justice Department investigating the Cardinals for hacking into the Astros’ computer system (ESPN.com, 6/23).

“I did a great job last year shedding things and getting us into a position where we have this flexibility” – Knicks President of Basketball Operations Phil Jackson, alluding to several salary-dumping trades made during a season that included a team record 65 losses (N.Y. TIMES, 6/24).

“I thought it would be a great challenge. I’m looking forward to sitting down and putting my teeth into a lot of stuff that we have going on right now, the projects” – UCF football coach George O’Leary, on serving as the school’s interim AD (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 6/24).

“I don’t recall, in my 27 years, ever having a game where we were this busy” – Green Bay Police Captain Paul Ebel, on ejecting 250-300 and arresting 25 people during Saturday’s Kenny Chesney-Jason Aldean concert at Lambeau Field (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 6/23).

Last night’s 12:00am ET editions of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” and FS1’s “Fox Sports Live” led with MLB recaps of Braves-Nationals, Tigers-Indians, and Phillies-Yankees. Both programs followed with coverage of Tom Brady’s Deflategate appeal.

ESPN’s Keith Olbermann called out his “world’s worst” persons in sports: Danish badminton player Hans-Kristian Vittinghus, who hit himself with his racket during his match versus Lee Chong Wei at the U.S. Open of Badminton. The runner up was Blackhawks C Antoine Vermette, who did a less than perfect job posing his newborn daughter with the Stanley Cup. Finally, Olbermann called out SI contributor Andy Benoit for comments made on Twitter about women’s sports (“Olbermann,” ESPN2, 6/23).

The PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER notes of Comcast Spectacor's new integrated venue management/ticketing/concessions brand Spectra, "Now, one person in sales can market arena management and food services, instead of separate salespeople selling them."

SI.com goes with the header, "Technology In College Football: How Can Mobile Apps Impact Recruiting?" The AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN runs with, "Recruiting Drives College Football's Multilook Uniform Trends."

Also:

• Expanded grass-court schedule would be a "no-brainer" for tennis.
• Would having an election night solve MLB's All-Star voting issues?
• Axe-style baseball bat handles could replace traditional round grips.  
• David "Doc" O'Connor's exit means the end of an era at CAA.
• Can Syracuse AD Mark Coyle live up to expectations he has set?

Can't overstate the importance of the late Harvey Pollack in the history of the NBA. He was on the job Day 1 in 1946!

— Bob Ryan (@GlobeBobRyan) June 24, 2015

Props to @michaelsmith this morning for wearing a shirt w Wilt celebrating 100 points. Harvey Pollack made that famous pic happen. RIP.

— Kevin Negandhi (@KNegandhiESPN) June 24, 2015

As a radio host I'd like to personally thank whoever scheduled the Brady hearing for first Tuesday of NFL's "Dead Period".

— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) June 24, 2015

Sure sounding like ARIZ might be this years FLA in overpaying average players to get to the cap floor. Coyotes sit $18m shy.

— Damien Cox (@DamoSpin) June 24, 2015

Shout out to everyone that came out to my @adidasHoops appearance in Xiamen today. Wild turnout. #TakeOnSummer 🇨🇳🏀 pic.twitter.com/4M2dyko2d4

— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) June 24, 2015

Nationals P Gio Gonzalez has signed a four-month endorsement deal with men’s grooming tool manufacturer Wahl. Per the deal, Gonzalez has agreed to "keep his beard well-groomed and conditioned." Any reference to his beard "must be preceded by ‘sponsored, or brought to you, by Wahl’" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 6/23).

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Fun and Games.”

“A standard chessboard has this many perimeter squares.”

ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel said of the U.S. women’s soccer team’s upcoming match against China, “They say China has a slight advantage this time around, which makes sense – their country makes all the balls.” Kimmel said of Tom Brady’s appeal hearing, “His appeal is being heard personally by the Commissioner of the NFL, Roger Goodell, who will attempt to remain impartial while staring into Tom’s gorgeous blue eyes. … They’re saying the only thing that can save Tom Brady now is a tweet from Taylor Swift” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 6/23).

“What is 28?”

There are eight squares on each side (32) minus the four corners (32-4=28).