• ESPN Rolling Out Digital-Only "SportsCenter" After NBA Finals Games
• NBA Finals Game 1 Blowout Raises Concerns About Competitive Series
• Ironman Parent World Triathlon Corp. Acquires Rock 'N' Roll Marathons
• Greg Norman, Verizon Ventures Invest $11M Toward Smart Golf Course

ESPN is producing a live, digital-only "SportCenter" after NBA Finals games, the "first time ESPN has made a digital-only version of its flagship" program. The effort began last night after Game 1, with the live game stream – available on ESPN3 – switching over to a "postgame 'SportsCenter' hosted by anchors Neil Everett and Stan Verrett on-site" from Oracle Arena. With the exception of Sunday's Game 2, which will feature a digital-only “SportsCenter” from ESPN’s Bristol HQ, Everett and Verrett "will host the postgame shows throughout the NBA Finals" (DIGIDAY.com, 6/1).

The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 113-91 last night in NBA Finals Game 1, in "nothing short of a drubbing" at Oracle Arena. The "general hope ahead of the opening tip was that these two teams would be capable of reviving the playoffs, which had been mostly a glorified snooze-fest through the first three rounds" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/2). Anyone hoping that the Finals would be "more competitive than the rest" of the postseason "better keep hoping" (SI.com, 6/2). The Finals were "expected to rescue an altogether dreadful postseason." But so far, that is "working out ... not so great" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 6/2). The Warriors "looked invincible" (CLEVELAND.com, 6/1).

The contest "felt less like Game 1" and "more like Game 8 of last June's series." But the "biggest difference between last year’s iteration of this matchup and now is the increased level of intensity" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 6/2). The "level of intensity right off the tip was off the charts." The game "not only laid to rest any concerns that there would by any rust on teams that hadn’t played competitively in more than a week," it "may have also justified a season-long rest and rehabilitation plan." Other franchises "may now consider which nights off to give their best players next season" (TORONTO STAR, 6/2).

Ironman owner World Triathlon Corp. today announced that it has acquired the Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon series. With the deal, WTC adds 29 annual running events, including seven outside the U.S., to its growing stable of participatory endurance properties. Terms are not known. Spokespersons for Ironman and the Competitor Group did not reply to messages seeking comment.

The deal is not entirely unexpected. Since Dalian Wanda Group acquired the WTC in '15, it has been using a global roll-up strategy in pursuit of bigger global market share in the highly fragmented race business. In April, WTC CEO Andrew Messick told SBJ that Rock ’n’ Roll was a potential acquisition target. In '12, Calera Capital acquired the Competitor Group, owner of the Rock ’n Roll series, in a deal valuing the company at $250M. Since then, Competitor Group has divested triathlon properties and returned focus to its core running business, CEO Josh Furrow said in March.

Greg Norman has partnered with Verizon Ventures to commit $11M to "developing a smart golf course" by investing in Playsight, which "has invented a so-called tennis SmartCourt based on Israeli air force technology that offers athletes and coaches instant video analysis." Playsight said the partnership "will aid in global expansion and introduce revolutionary technology in golf and new sports verticals." The tech company "had already attracted investments from other prominent athletes, including tennis stars" Billie Jean King, Pete Sampras and Novak Djokovic (FORBES.com, 6/2).

Fanatics today announced an exclusive collectibles and memorabilia partnership with Maple Leafs C Auston Matthews. Fanatics Authentic will be the sole distributor of authentic memorabilia for Matthews, who just completed his rookie season. CAA reps Matthews and brokered the deal on behalf of its client. Other athletes with exclusive Fanatics deals include Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin, Warriors G Stephen Curry, Cubs 3B Kris Bryant and Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (THE DAILY).

The Rams and Chargers are in a "so-called 'Fight for L.A.,' a competition that includes wooing – and accepting – new fans from all parts of Southern California’s diverse population." Both franchises have reached out to the LGBTQ community to "help sponsor this weekend’s second annual Venice Pride celebration of diversity." Each team "sponsored a letter in the VENICE sign" that will be illuminated tonight at 9:00pm PT. Venice Pride Exec Dir Grant Turck said that the Rams "committed to sponsor the letter C in early May, becoming the first NFL team to officially sponsor a Pride event" (L.A. TIMES, 6/2).

ABC is again airing a special edition of  "Jimmy Kimmel Live" prior to each NBA Finals telecast. Kimmel: “This is the third straight season the Warriors and Cavaliers have played in the Finals. It’s really the most successful series we have here at ABC at this point. ... (LeBron James) has been in as many Finals as Vin Diesel has been in 'Fast & Furious' movies.” More Kimmel: “The Warriors had the best record in the NBA last year and then they added Kevin Durant. It's like the Beatles adding Mick Jagger.” Kimmel noted Durant's “new shoe, the KD 10, which he's wearing during Game 1, is going to be sold during the game, but only when he's playing. … It’s like Nike’s playing a weird, very expensive game of musical chairs.” 

“Jimmy Kimmel Live Game Night” also featured a segment called “Mean Tweets NBA Edition,” where various NBA players read tweets from fans about themselves.” Kimmel said, “Sports fans, as you know, are among the most passionate fans of anything. They're not shy about expressing their love, or the opposite of love, for players. So, from time to time, we shine a light on these trash-talking trolls.”

The show also included featured the second edition of “All Alone with Karl Malone.” Kimmel: “If there’s one athlete that fascinates me most, it's NBA Hall of Famer Karl Malone. Now, Karl Malone's was not just one of the great forwards, he is also one of the great forward thinkers, and he has many interesting takes on life. So, I decided to give him an opportunity to share some of those” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live Game Night,” ABC, 6/2).

Disney Chair & CEO Bob Iger has "chosen to cut ties" with the White House Advisory Council following President Trump's decision yesterday to drop out of the Paris climate agreement (N.Y. POST, 6/2).

A new Big 12 Chair replacing Oklahoma President David Boren will be chosen today at the conference's annual meetings by a "simple-majority vote" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 5/31).

Hockey HOFer Chris Pronger is in discussions with the Panthers about a "potential management position" working with President of Hockey Operations Dale Tallon, according to sources (TWITTER.com, 6/1).

Last night's season finale of CBS' "Amazing Race" had the remaining teams use Wrigley Field's "iconic hand-operated scoreboard to line up the cities in which they finished each leg" (EW.com, 6/1).

Honda runs an ad in USA TODAY congratulating IndyCar driver Takuma Sato for his win in the Indianapolis 500 (THE DAILY).

"His genius goes far beyond the court. I just wish Dr. (Martin Luther) King had gotten to meet (James) and see the kind of man he is. He is at the level of Jackie Robinson and Curt Flood with the way he handled this" – Reverend Jesse Jackson, on how LeBron James has been a leader in social justice (USA TODAY, 6/2).

"We’re in talks now and we’re hopeful we’ll be able to conclude a deal soon. I’m cautiously optimistic that there will be an announcement in the not-too-distant future" – Palace Sports & Entertainment Vice Chair Arn Tellem, on the Pistons closing in on a jersey patch deal (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 6/2).

"There go Mr. Met's chances of hosting New Year's Eve with Anderson Cooper on CNN" – ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel, on Wednesday's incident in which the Mets mascot flipped off fans at Citi Field (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 6/2).

USA TODAY's Nancy Armour writes LeBron James' "frank and thoughtful comments about racism in America on Wednesday were further proof that he has become the leading voice of his generation." WASHINGTON POST goes with the header, "Racist Vandals Didn't Demean LeBron James. They Gave Him A Platform For Dialogue." BOSTON HERALD: "James Scores Important Point Before Series Begins."

The WALL STREET JOURNAL writes “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Predators games "has become a Genuine Sports Thing, thanks to the host city’s legendary surplus of musical talent. For each of its home playoff games, the team has sent out not just a singer, but a bona fide superstar." Meanwhile, the TORONTO SUN profiles Predators GM David Poile as a "staunch, effective and efficient" exec.

Also: 

• The Memorial Tournament serves as last chance for journalists to get interviews.
• Columnist suggests ending blackout of local Indy 500 broadcast.
• Redskins' offseason practices are the best time to follow players on Instagram.
• Franchising movement is proof that esports are "here to stay."

A 500-foot BP home run is "news"? I need a broader spectrum of cable channels

— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) June 2, 2017

Thank you to a bunch of kids who saved the night for us sports fans #spellingbee

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) June 2, 2017

I hate confetti after a Game 1 victory anyway, but then I randomly thought about how all the arena staffers would have to clean it up. Nahhh

— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) June 2, 2017

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

Happy #NationalDonutDay from the Sixers and the amazing team @DunkinPhilly (!) pic.twitter.com/apX5wGQXmH

— Lara Toscani Weems (@LTWPhilly) June 2, 2017

The Hawks will formally introduce new GM & Head of Basketball Operations Travis Schlenk.

The Mets, MLB and the Borough of Little Ferry, N.Y., will unveil a newly renovated Shannon Dalton Forde Memorial Field. The youth baseball and softball field is dedicated to the late Mets PR exec who died in '16 after battling breast cancer.

Ottawa Sport & Entertainment Group partners Roger Greenberg, John Ruddy, Jeff Hunt, John Pugh and Bill Shenkman will be inducted into the Ottawa Sports HOF.

FC Barcelona F Lionel Messi announced a deal with Spanish and Chinese partners to "create a theme park in Nanjing, China, dedicated to his own likeness and achievements on the field." Plans are for a '19 unveiling of the Messi Experience Park. Some 20 attractions are "planned for the park, which will be built across 500,000 square feet of indoor space and a further 130,000 square feet of outdoor playing area" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 6/1).

A 3-minute hit on the stories you need to know ... Subscribe on iTunes ... Check out our podcast home.

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “African Capitals.”

“This port city on the Congo River was founded in 1883 and is named for a European explorer.”

Last night’s edition of “Jeopardy!” featured the category “What’s the Score?”

$200: “Jets 16, Colts 7 in the third (or IIIrd) of these.”
$400: “John Isner 70, Nicolas Mahut 68 in the fifth set of the longest match in the history of this sport.”
$600: “Blackhawks 4, Flyers 3 on June 9, 2010, enabling Chicago to hoist this for the first time since 1961.”
$800: “March 31, 1973, Ken Norton over Muhammad Ali by 7-5, 5-4, 5-6, this kind of decision.”
$1,000: “Dodgers 5, A’s 4 after this limping hero hit a 2-out homer in the bottom of the 9th in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.”

Bulls G Jimmy Butler was a guest on last night’s edition of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and talked about his future in the NBA. Butler: “Everywhere I go, especially here in L.A., everybody's, ‘Oh, he's coming to the Lakers, he's in L.A.’ That’s not ...” ABC's Kimmel: “You're not coming to the Lakers? Why aren't you coming to the Lakers?” Butler: “Because I love Chicago so very much. … And they took a chance on me in 2011 with the 30th pick. So, I'm forever grateful for that.” Kimmel: “Just for the record, I happen to be a Lakers fan, I think you should stay in Chicago because you've built a foundation there. You should stay there your whole career. Is that what you want to do?” Butler: “I feel like you just insulted me. You’re saying you’re a Lakers fan. I'm not good enough to play on the Lakers?” Kimmel: “I'd love it if you were on the team, but I also think it's important that certain players stay with their franchise, like Kobe did. It would have been a -- all right, then come to the Lakers.” Butler: “Okay.” Kimmel: “This is really good reverse psychology I'm using on you” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 6/2).

“What is Brazzavile?”

Correct responses to the “What’s the Score?” category:

$200: “What is the Super Bowl?”
$400: “What is tennis?”
$600: “What is the Stanley Cup?”
$800: “What is a split decision?”
$1,000: “Who is Kirk Gibson?”