MLS has scheduled a press conference for tomorrow in Manhattan, where it is expected to announce new media-rights deals. ESPN, Fox Sports and Univision are expected to share the package as part of a multiyear deal. Four months ago, press reports described ESPN and Fox as being in advanced negotiations for the package. A deal would make Fox a new rights holder for the league. In January, NBC Sports Group said it had pulled out of the bidding. The press conference is scheduled for 1:00pm ET and will be streamed via MLS' website.

The Rams selected DE Michael Sam in the seventh round of the NFL Draft yesterday, "marking a historic moment for the franchise, for the league and for American sports" in drafting the first openly gay athlete in NFL history. ESPN "had a camera crew" at the house where Sam was watching the draft, and after "he took the call from Rams coach Jeff Fisher, Sam kissed his boyfriend several times on the mouth" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 5/11). Sam, who cried during Fisher's call, said, "Waiting three days, I think you’d be a little bit emotional yourself" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 5/11).

Sam "stopped short of directly saying his stock dropped" after he came out. But Sam said, "From last season alone, I should've been in the first three rounds. SEC Defensive Player of the Year, All-American." Sam: "Who knows? Only the people who sit in the war room know" (AP, 5/10). The Rams "saved the NFL from profound embarrassment" by choosing Sam. Fisher: "In the world of diversity we live in now, I’m honored to be a part of this" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 5/11).

Here's how the major dailies and news shows are covering the Michael Sam story today:

• ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH - Photo above the fold with header: "A Place In History"
• K.C. STAR - P1 column: "Finally, Sam Gets The Call From NFL"
• N.Y. TIMES - P1 lower rail: "Historic Choice In Final Round Of NFL Draft"
• WASHINGTON POST - P1 above the fold blurb: "A Milestone For NFL: Michael Sam Becomes The First Openly Gay Draft Pick"
• The Sam story led all Sunday morning ESPN "SportsCenter" hours and was the lead topic on "The Sports Reporters" and "Outside The Lines."

Sacramento city officials "completed a definitive agreement Friday evening to replace aging Sleep Train Arena with a new sports and entertainment palace" for the NBA Kings. City officials "released more than 2,600 pages of documents spelling out 35-year lease terms with the Kings, financing of the project, environmental reviews and a host of other details" on the $477M project at Downtown Plaza. The deal "now goes to the City Council for a May 20 vote." The Kings will contribute $222M toward the project, in addition to the $36M they have "spent buying crumbling Downtown Plaza." Read the City of Sacramento documents here (SACRAMENTO BEE, 5/10).

Tigers Owner Mike Ilitch yesterday made a "rare public appearance" at Comerica Park for a ceremony honoring retired Tigers manager Jim Leyland prior to the Twins-Tigers game. A "near-sellout crowd" gave Leyland a "raucous ovation," and Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski emceed the ceremony. Ilitch "waved to fans from his suite, where Leyland later would watch the game." Leyland said of Ilitch, "You're never gonna have better ownership than Mike Ilitch. It just doesn't happen" (DETROIT NEWS, 5/11). In Detroit, Terry Foster writes when Ilitch "shows up, it brings a buzz to the clubhouse" (DETROIT NEWS, 5/11).

The Amgen Tour of California -- America's "most prestigious cycling event" -- begins today in Sacramento (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 5/11). On Friday, many of the riders participated in a media session, where they addressed the state of the sport as it moves on from the Lance Armstrong controversy. Cyclist Jens Voigt: "I strongly hope and strongly believe fans realize we did change our sport. We are going in the right direction. We have a young generation coming up. What we don’t need is another 50 books coming out about somebody five years or 10 years or eight years ago" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 5/11).

Yesterday's inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis "got off to an inauspicious start" when driver Sebastian Saavedra "stalled, triggering a violent wreck." The crash "sprayed debris all over the track, sending spectators and track workers standing along the wall scrambling for cover." Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, who was serving as "the honorary race starter, was waving the green flag when he was struck near his left elbow and on the left side of his chest by debris." Ballard was "treated at the scene" (AP, 5/10). Ballard's Communications Dir Marc Lotter: "It was nothing serious. He had a couple of scrapes" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 5/11). The race drew an estimated 40,000 (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 5/11).

Brazil has "completed its biggest infrastructure project for the World Cup with only 32 days to spare, opening the country’s long-awaited new international airport terminal in São Paulo." The São Paulo Guarulhos airport will "eventually handle all international flights to Latin America's biggest city." Today's inauguration will "help relieve pressure on Brazil’s government, which has faced growing criticism from FIFA over the country’s lack of preparation for the tournament." The US$1.3B airport revamp will also "help resolve one of the country's most visible infrastructure problems" (FT.com, 5/11).

The Ravens yesterday grossed $120,000 and drew about 1,500 fans to their first-ever outlet sale at M&T Bank Stadium. The club, which now hopes to make the event an annual one, offered hundreds of items at discounted prices during the event, which ran from 8:00am-4:00pm ET and included player-used equipment and items from Super Bowl XLVII (THE DAILY).

ESPN averaged 4.12 million viewers for NFL Draft coverage from May 8-10, marking the net’s best audience for the event since '93 (ESPN).

EPL CEO Richard Scudamore has apologized for "'inappropriate' emails that were leaked to a Sunday newspaper by his former PA" (GUARDIAN, 5/11).

Sources said that the Cavaliers have "started negotiations" with interim GM David Griffin to "make him their permanent" GM (ESPN.com, 5/10).

Colts Owner Jim Irsay, who had "been on indefinite leave" following his March arrest, was in the team's NFL Draft war room on Friday for the second round (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 5/10).

Former Northwestern QB Kain Colter, who led the football team's effort to unionize, signed with the Vikings yesterday after going undrafted (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 5/11).

About 60 Raiders fans yesterday "rallied outside the team's Alameda headquarters" to urge team Owner Mark Davis to keep the team in Oakland (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 5/11).

Actor Jon Hamm will be a guest analyst tonight on ESPN's "Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown" as part of the promotion around Disney's baseball-themed film, "Million Dollar Arm" (ESPN). The N.Y. TIMES' Tyler Kepner profiles Hamm as an avid baseball fan.

Russia's chief state-controlled television channel "interrupted its prime-time news" last night to report that President Vladimir Putin's ice hockey team "buried opponents in the final game of an amateur league series" in Sochi (WSJ.com, 5/10).

"I’m hoping that my words and that my actions can change racism and help eradicate it even further" – Seahawks CB Richard Sherman, on being outspoken about race relations in America (N.Y. TIMES, 5/11).

"We're not here to have a fight and make enemies. We're here to be welcomed and guided to the perfect location" – XIX Entertainment Founder Simon Fuller, on his group's efforts to find a site to build an MLS stadium in Miami (MIAMI HERALD, 5/11).

"I got a good connection at Nike and they take care of me" – Heat F LeBron James, on how he already had a Johnny Manziel Browns jersey on Friday, just one day after Manziel was selected (N.Y. POST, 5/11).

"You wouldn’t get what you normally associate with that show. I’d go the other way and they’d fire us in a minute. Canceled. Nobody would watch it" – NFL Giants coach Tom Coughlin, suggesting he does not want the team to be featured on HBO's "Hard Knocks" (N.Y. POST, 5/11).

The N.Y. TIMES' Scott Cacciola characterizes the recently released NBA constitution and bylaws as "a 78-page document full of mind-numbing legalese, including a four-page glossary and countless references to entities, guarantors and provisions." The constitution has "become one of the most important -- and visible -- documents" at the center of the Donald Sterling scandal.

The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Alexandra Wolfe profiles former Yankees P Mariano Rivera in her regular "Weekend Confidential" feature. Rivera opens up about "leaving baseball, finding faith and his new memoir." Rivera: "I miss taking my place in the field."

Elsewhere:

• The EPL's final Sunday is "less suspenseful than NBC deserved."
• A "determined band of workers" prepared Miller Park for the MLB season.
• The NBA "should give deeper thought to professionalism" in the locker room.
• Why Cleveland's sin tax passed, "despite the team owners' baggage."
• Tales from the "baseball marriage" of Nationals SS Ian Desmond and wife, Chelsey.

MLB.com's Adam McCalvy: "Cool touch: #Brewers used the voice of the late Yankees PA announcer Bob Sheppard to introduce Jeter's first at-bat."

Boston Globe's Ben Volin: "CLE fans mad at me today for pointing out that team spent $100k on a year-long analytical QB study, then let a homeless guy decide the pick."

Media reporter Staci Kramer: "As $TWC $CMCSK merger progresses, #premierleaguefinalday highlights @NBCUniversal @comcast network power. 10 simultaneous matches live. ... That show of @NBCUniversal power rocks if your gauge is sports. It's an illustration if you're looking at the competitive landscape."

SI's Richard Deitsch: "In the future I will be writing a column why Rebecca Lowe should be the primetime host of NBC's Olympics coverage when Costas steps down."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport: "Had Michael Sam not been picked by the #Rams, he would’ve chosen between priority free agent offers from #Rams, #Bears, #Giants and #Ravens."

Former Univ. of Texas QB Case McCoy, after Michael Sam's selection by the Rams: "ESPN... You serious right now?"

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