Nets Owner Mikhail Prokhorov yesterday denied reports that he is exploring a sale, saying that he "has no interest in selling" the team (ESPNNY.com, 6/14). However, sources said that Prokhorov has "been open to overtures from potential buyers" because of "his company's curiosity of how much his ownership share of the Nets and the Barclays Center could fetch on the market." But one source said, "They haven't indicated a desire or willingness to sell" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/14).

Organizers of Qatar's bid to host the '22 FIFA World Cup have denied allegations that "a senior Qatari soccer official made payments in order to win support for the bid." Organizers called the allegations "baseless and riddled with innuendo" (REUTERS, 6/14).

Meanwhile, U.S. Soccer Senior Manager of Communications Neil Buethe in an e-mail wrote, "FIFA has not approached U.S. Soccer about the 2022 World Cup in any capacity." However, Indiana Sports Corp. VP/Communications John Dedman confirmed that Indianapolis is on the USSF's "list of 18 potential sites" to host games in the event Qatar is stripped of the event (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 6/14).

The Jacobs family, which owns the Bruins, "will not pursue an ownership interest" in the Bills, but "is looking at operating and owning at least part of a new stadium for the team." Sources said that the family's Delaware North Cos. "has been holding regular discussions with members" of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration. Among the ideas Delaware North is pursuing "is a plan for it to own and build a new stadium, possibly with other investors, as well as to run its concession operations" (BUFFALO NEWS, 6/14).

Last night's UFC 174 drew 13,506 to Rogers Arena, "paying a live gate" of C$1.14M. Both numbers "were drastic drops from the two prior stops in Vancouver," when previous events in '10 and '11 drew 17,669 paying C$4.2M and 14,685 paying C$2.8M, respectively. Still, UFC President Dana White said future events would "absolutely" return to the venue. White: "We’re always happy when we come to Vancouver" (VANCOUVER SUN, 6/15).

Pro Football HOFer Chuck Noll died Friday at the age of 82, and Steelers Chair Dan Rooney writes in a special to today's PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, "We will miss him, all of football will miss him." Also, the POST-GAZETTE's Ed Bouchette writes Noll "changed the culture of the Steelers organization." Team President Art Rooney II: "He expected every day to stay focused on the goal, which was to win a championship." Noll "will be laid to rest Tuesday in Pittsburgh" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 6/15).

ESPN's John Clayton, who covered Noll and the Steelers from '72-86, writes, "He was complex, sophisticated and classy, and like a fine wine, Noll aged one of the NFL's greatest football dynasties in the 1970s."

The PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW's Joe Starkey writes Noll "permanently transformed not only the culture of the city's football team but also the culture of the city itself."

Nike co-Founder & Chair Phil Knight yesterday spoke during Stanford's commencement ceremony, taking the audience "through the earliest years of his company's start." The speech "sprinkled humor and self-deprecating remarks while offering a few rarely heard tidbits into the Nike history." Knight: "Get all the help you can. Getting help really is just a part of that life-long search for wisdom" (Portland OREGONIAN, 6/15).

Meanwhile, prospective Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer gave the commencement address at the Univ. of Washington, saying, "This class is graduating at perhaps the best time in history." Ballmer focused his speech on three principles: carpe diem, having a point of view, and being "hard-core" (SEATTLE TIMES, 6/15).

Actor Kevin Costner today will be in Dyersville, Iowa, to "play some ball" at the site of the '89 movie "Field of Dreams," while MLB Network "records it all for TV" (POSTMEDIA NEWS, 6/13). Bob Costas "filmed interview segments Friday for the MLB Network and the 'Today' show." He also led Costner in a "public Q&A on a stage in front of the farmhouse." This weekend's "smorgasbord of events to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the movie" was expected to draw 12,000 fans (IOWA CITY PRESS-CITIZEN, 6/14). 

NBC earned a 3.7 fast-national rating and 6.0 million viewers for the Kings' series-clinching win over the Rangers on Friday in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final. Friday marks the most-watched Stanley Cup Final Game 5 since '08 (NBC).

The British Open will "return to Northern Ireland's Royal Portrush" in '19, with an official announcement expected "later this month" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 6/11).

The CFL and CFLPA on Friday jointly announced that they have ratified their new five-year CBA (CFL).

Sabres President Ted Black on Friday said that the city of Buffalo "has asked the NHL for rights" to host the Scouting Combine for "at least the next three years." The Sabres are "working on a comprehensive package" to lure the event to HARBORCenter (BUFFALO NEWS, 6/14).

Quicken Loans CEO Bill Emerson served as the honorary starter for today's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan Int'l Speedway (THE DAILY).

About 430 children yesterday participated in the U.S. Soccer Foundation's Spring Classic in DC. The foundation is looking to boost soccer participation in urban areas, as "most of the growth in the last 20-30 years has come in middle-class, suburban communities" (USATODAY.com, 6/15).

Time Warner Cable runs a full-page ad in today's N.Y. Times in memory of late Chair & CEO Glenn Britt, who passed away last week (THE DAILY).

"I had to make a decision about a brother. I hope he gets a soft landing and finds (the job) he wants" – Bobcats Owner Michael Jordan, on the internal restructuring that led to former President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins leaving the organization (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 6/14).

"Somewhere along the line, it became a badge of honor to be part of this group. ... I’m not telling you the people that do it after us can’t do it better, but what I am telling you -- because I know it to be true -- is you cannot put more of yourself, you cannot put more of your heart, you cannot put more effort forth to covering an event" – ESPN's Scott Van Pelt, signing off today on the net's U.S. Open coverage, as Fox takes over from ESPN and NBC next year (ESPN, 6/15).

"This was not a brand play, period" – Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff, on the team's decision to participate in HBO's "Hard Knocks" (ESPN.com, 6/15).

“I think it might be the most viewed game that any American soccer team has played in the World Cup. That’s how this thing has taken off” – N.Y. Daily News' Mike Lupica, on tomorrow's U.S.-Ghana match (“Sports Reporters,” ESPN, 6/15).

"America is a soccer nation, but that soccer nation really rises around the World Cup" – MLS Commissioner Don Garber, on the popularity of soccer in the U.S. (“Today,” NBC, 6/15).

"The World Cup is cancelled for me. I'll drop the plans to travel to Brazil. I assume that I'm not welcome by FIFA any more" – FIFA Special Advisor Franz Beckenbauer, on the organization's decision to suspend him for 90 days for allegedly refusing to cooperate with an investigation into World Cup bidding (TORONTO SUN, 6/15).

The BOSTON GLOBE's Bob Ryan asks of the U.S. men's national soccer team, "Why aren't we better? ... How much time do we need to become a legitimate world power?" Meanwhile, the GLOBE's Kevin Paul Dupont writes under the header, "Nobody Cares About Soccer? Not So Sure."

The K.C. STAR's Blair Kerkhoff writes as the FIFA World Cup gets underway, the city's "soccer needle ... appears to be pushing an all-time high." Sporting K.C. D Seth Sinovic said, "The difference between where we are and where we used to be as a soccer town is night and day."

Elsewhere:

• Chinese investors "quickly adding golf courses" to growing U.S. portfolios.
• On Father's Day, why Nationals GM Mike Rizzo still seeks dad's advice.

N.Y. Daily News' Frank Isola: "Say it ain't so, @IanBegley taking credit for Carmelo not opting out 1 day after NY Daily News reports it. So much for the mentoring program."

SI's Grant Wahl: "Unexpected Mike Piazza sighting at São Paulo airport. He's going to the Italy games."

N.Y. Times' Sam Borden: "Landed in Natal. Left 45 mins late from São Paulo b/c they held plane for connecting pass. Almost every single one was USMNT fan. Big group."

New Pac-12 Deputy Commissioner Jamie Zaninovich: "Has been great 6 yrs. Thx 2 #WCC membership/fans who make this conference truly special. As of now, @WCC_Commish transitions 2 @JamieZ_Pac12"

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