Morning Hot Reads: Can You Hear Me Now?

ESPN.com asks, "What will cell service be like at NASCAR tracks now that Sprint no longer sponsors the Cup Series?" It likely will be "a little worse for those who have Sprint," as the company "hasn't reached a deal for an acceptable price" to join the distributed antenna systems at SMI- and ISC-owned tracks. During its entitlement deal, Sprint "spent millions" to bring its own portable antenna units to every track, but talks to continue that "have fallen through as well."

CBSSPORTS.com writes, "Few people on Earth know how to game the system in which they operate better than Jeffrey Loria." The Marlins' owner has "outfoxed everyone in his path" for two decades, "en route to gargantuan riches." He has "thrust himself in position to make more money than even the sharpest business minds could ever dream of reaping."

Also: 

• Fashionistas are having a "mini-resurgence of interest" in the Champion "C" logo.
• Poverty is "just one of the obstacles facing Africa's top baseball prospects."
• The search for the "Yao Ming of hockey" is on with the NHL eyeing China closely.
• NHL players share their thoughts on the league's concussion protocol.
• St. Johns County (Fla.) considers "creating a sports commission" to boost tourism.