Billy Hunter Sues NBPA, Derek Fisher

Former NBPA Exec Dir Billy Hunter sued the union and President Derek Fisher on Thursday “for defamation and breach of contract stemming from his dismissal,” according to Ken Berger of CBSSPORTS.com. The lawsuit, filed in California Superior Court in Oakland, alleges that Fisher and his p ...

Tags: Leagues and Governing Bodies, NBA

U.S. Open The Latest Property To Go To Cable

The USTA Thursday officially announced its 11-year, $825M deal with ESPN that puts the U.S. Open exclusively on cable, the "latest assault on the fraying broadcast sports model," according to Richard Sandomir of the N.Y. TIMES. Only the Super Bowl and the World Series "seem safe on broadcast televis ...

Tags: U.S. Open, Tennis, Media

Will Retirement Affect Beckham's Brand Appeal?

David Beckham announced his retirement from soccer on Thursday at the conclusion of Paris Saint-Germain's season later this month, but his decision “will have little impact on the marketability and profits of Beckham Inc.,” according to Roger Blitz of the FINANCIAL TIMES. Beckham’s ...

Tags: Marketing and Sponsorship, Soccer

ACC Hopes To "Protect" Schools Financially

ACC Commissioner John Swofford at the end of the conference’s spring meetings on Thursday said that he “wanted to ‘protect’ his member schools from experiencing the types of financial loses that FSU saw in December,” according to Coley Harvey of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. FS ...

Tags: Colleges

McIlroy Leaving Horizon To Start Own Group

Golfer Rory McIlroy is "planning to leave Horizon Sports and set up his own management company, made up of some friends, family and close confidants," according to Karl MacGinty of the IRISH INDEPENDENT. McIlroy's father, Gerry, is "expected to play a prominent role in the new operation." Rory McIlr ...

Tags: Labor and Agents

Last Week To Purchase SBA Tickets

Another full house is expected next Wednesday night, May 22, at the N.Y. Marriott Marquis at Times Square for the 6th annual Sports Business Awards. The event, which has become one of the most anticipated in the sports business industry, will feature the live, exclusive announcement of the winners i ...

Weekend Plans With Philippe Dube

PHILIPPE DUBE enjoys a change of scenery, as evidenced by he and his family living at times in Japan, France and San Diego. The Fontenay-Le-Comte, France, native now finds himself for the past three years in Montreal as Reebok-CCM Hockey President & CEO. But he and his wife this weekend w ...

Tags: People and Pop Culture, Reebok

DePaul, Emanuel Unveil $173M Arena

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Thursday in conjunction with DePaul Univ. officially announced plans for a new $173M, 10,000-seat arena that will "serve as the home floor" for the school's men's and women's basketball teams, according to Eamonn Brennan of ESPN.com. Construction on the facility, which ...

Tags: Facilities

Astros To Name Reid Ryan President

The Astros Friday afternoon are expected to announce Reid Ryan, son of Rangers CEO Nolan Ryan, will become the club's new President, replacing George Postolos, who resigned on Monday . Reid Ryan is currently the CEO of Ryan-Sanders Baseball, owners of the Triple-A PCL Round Rock Express and Double- ...

Tags: Franchises, MLB, Houston Astros

MLB Looking At Expanding Replay

MLB Exec VP/Baseball Operations Joe Torre on Thursday said he is "hopeful" of the league implementing expanded instant replay for the '14 season, with the scope of potential changes now enlarged to include everything outside of ball-strike calls. Speaking at the conclusion of quarterly owners meetin ...

Tags: Leagues and Governing Bodies, MLB