• NFL Primetime TV Slate Excludes Browns, Jags In '17 Season
• Falcons To Open New Venue Against Packers On Week 2 "SNF"
• Georgia Dome To Become Green Space Upon Demolition
• LA2024 Unveils New Renderings For Potential Host Venues

The '17 NFL schedule was released last night, and in a "rare move," both the Browns and Jaguars were "left off the NFL's primetime schedule" for the '17 season. For the Browns, the primetime TV shutout marks the first time since '10 that they "weren't given any night games." For the Jaguars, "it's actually worse," as '17 "will mark the first time in franchise history that they weren't given" a primetime game (CBSSPORTS.com, 4/20). When it went to a full season of "TNF" games in '12, the NFL "indicated it would ensure every team played at least once on Thursday for fairness." The '17 season "will mark the first time since then that a team didn't play at least once on Thursday" (ESPN.com, 4/20).

The Raiders' five scheduled primetime games "would be the most in franchise history" (EAST BAY TIMES, 4/21). For more on details and analysis of the '17 NFL schedule, see today's issue of THE DAILY.

The Falcons will "play their first regular-season NFL game" at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sept. 17 against the Packers on "SNF." The "lingering question" is if the new stadium will be "ready for the showcase game." Meanwhile, the Patriots-Falcons Super Bowl rematch is "set for Week 7, falling on Oct. 22 at Gillette Stadium." It also will be on "SNF" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 4/21).

City of Atlanta officials and Falcons Owner Arthur Blank today are "expected to unveil plans" to turn much of the Georgia Dome site into green space after it is torn down. The Falcons have "long considered turning the old dome site into premium parking and tailgating space." But last July, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and Georgia World Congress Center officials announced that they wanted the property to be "used as a park for most of the year and become a vital green space link between surrounding neighborhoods and downtown" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 4/21).

LA 2024 has "issued a new set of renderings and videos" showing what the Games might look like if awarded. The visuals "include short videos that show the construction of a swim stadium over USC’s baseball field and the installation of a temporary track inside a refurbished Coliseum." LA 2024 Chair Casey Wasserman said additional virtual tours “demonstrate how LA 2024 is prepared to offer the lowest-risk and sustainable solution for the future of the Olympic movement" (L.A. TIMES, 4/21).

Wasserman and USOC Chair Scott Blackmun yesterday at the '17 CAA World Congress of Sports discussed the city's bid for the '24 Games. See details of their conversation in today's issue of THE DAILY.

Nets Owner Mikhail Prokhorov has "told Russian media he's selling a 49 percent stake in the NBA club." Prokhorov "announced his intention to sell a minority stake in December." He added in comments to Russian news outlet R-Sport that "currently the process is going on and we are looking for a buyer" (AP, 4/21). The news comes a week after sources said that Onexim Sports & Entertainment President Irina Pavlova, a top adviser to Prokhorov, is leaving the Nets next month (THE DAILY).

The Bengals yesterday rolled out plans for their 50th anniversary, including a commemorative logo and plans to honor the team's history. Another portion of the celebration is the selection of the Bengals First 50, which will recognize the top 50 retired Bengals players as voted on by the fans and media (Bengals). The move to honor former players is a "break from a long-standing stance" for the club. No "formal team Hall of Fame or ring of honor will be created, but the players will be recognized during halftime of each regular-season home game." A "dozen former players and former assistant coach Jim Anderson were in attendance" at Paul Brown Stadium yesterday to formally announce the plans (CINCINNATI.com, 4/20).

The Raiders will "hold an NFL Draft event at the iconic 'Welcome to Las Vegas' sign near The Strip on the third day of the draft." A team spokesperson said that they also will "host a draft event in Oakland" next Thursday for the first round. Holding a draft party -- "albeit on Day 3 of the draft -- is a bit awkward considering the Raiders are set to play" in the Oakland-Aladema County Coliseum for at least two more seasons. There is "still fervor among Bay Area folks over the move, and this doesn’t help" (EASTBAYTIMES.com, 4/20). ESPN's Jim Trotter wrote this is just "twisting the knife" with Oakland Raiders fans (TWITTER.com, 4/20).

Charlotte Motor Speedway is "moving its fall NASCAR Cup race from Saturday night to Sunday, Oct. 8," in hopes of a "better race in the daytime with a slicker track surface" (ESPN.com, 4/21).

Skechers "logged its first billion-dollar quarter in Q1," with sales advancing 9.6% to $1.07B (FOOTWEARNEWS.com, 4/20).

Nike will be the official apparel provider for Duquesne athletics beginning this fall. The seven-year deal includes head-to-toe outfitting across 17 sports. BSN Sports also will become Duquesne's official apparel distributor (Duquesne).

Minneapolis-based Surly Brewing's Rising North Pale Ale is now the official beer of Minnesota United FC (Surly Brewing).

"While I realize [AEG Chair] Phil Anschutz may not be happy with Los Angeles being a ­competitive market, that's the American way" -- Azoff MSG Entertainment Chair Irving Azoff, on AEG being upset over Azoff's outfit forcing music acts to perform at The Forum over Staples Center if they want to play MSG as well (BILLBOARD.com, 4/20).

"There is a high level of confidence in what Tokyo 2020 will deliver. You expect a high level of organization and I would say from what we've seen with the planning so far they are living up to that reputation" – Canadian Olympic Committee Games Dir Andrew Baker, on a recent visit to Tokyo ahead of the '20 Games (AP, 4/21).

The Bergen RECORD notes Giants QB Eli Manning on Thursday gave an "impassioned defense" of his reputation amid the ongoing memorabilia scandal. Manning is a "man of many faces," but the one "picture you won't easily find is Manning looking angry." Meanwhile, the N.Y. DAILY NEWS writes Manning "deserves benefit of the doubt" in the case.

Also:

• Dave Strader's return to the booth has been the "best medicine ever."
• When college football spring games are on TV, it is "all about showing off."
• The countdown continues to the opening of Colorado State's new football stadium.

Everyone talking about no primetime games for the Browns this year: Have you all forgotten the late-season “flex” options? #Browns

— PatMcManamon (@PatMcManamon) April 21, 2017

#Falcons have 5 primetime games. Most ever I think in franchise history. Now on same level as #Cowboys, who’ve had 5+ every yr since ‘06

— Aaron Freeman (@falcfans) April 21, 2017

So happy for all the potent feelings I've stirred up among all the ardent horse racing fans with my rebuke of the @latimes - let's march!

— Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) April 21, 2017

Racing fans have been looking for a younger voice to lead the sport, and we've found it in @MelBrooks https://t.co/zXOJffOAy4

— Michael Mulvihill (@mulvihill79) April 21, 2017

@RobertDDamron They should never ask Notah another TW question. He's too close to the situation. Friendship w Tiger puts him in an awkward position.

— InTheFlesch (@Steve_Flesch) April 20, 2017

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Last night’s “Final Jeopardy” category was “Actresses.”

“Forbes says Jennifer Lawrence was the highest-paid actress in 2016; this alliterative woman was second.”

Lakers President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson was a guest on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and host Jimmy Kimmel said of Lakers President Jeanie Buss hiring Johnson, “She fired her brother to bring you in. … She's a cold-blooded killer.” Johnson: “Sometimes you got to fire family members.” Kimmel: “Yeah. Sometimes you do.” Johnson: “You have to remember this. The Lakers mean a lot -- they're the most popular team in the NBA. We have more fans around the world than any other team. ... And that platform for any player is amazing and big platform. We're going to be successful again, we're going to win again.” Kimmel: “You will make the Lakers great again.”

Johnson said of learning how to do his new job, “I had to go to CBA school, salary cap school, and tampering school. Yeah, you can't tamper with somebody else's player.” Kimmel: “What constitutes tampering? Like if you're on vacation and you run into Paul George, are you not allowed to speak to him?” Johnson: “No, we’re going to say hi because we know each other. You just can't say, ‘I want you to come to the Lakers,’ even though I'm going to be winking like, you know what that means, right?” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 4/20).

Meanwhile, NBC’s Jimmy Fallon noted the Patriots "visited the White House and Patriots star Rob Gronkowski interrupted Sean Spicer's White House press briefing and asked if he needed help." Fallon: "The reporters all laughed while Sean Spicer whispered, ‘Yes’” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 4/20).

“Who is Melissa McCarthy?”