Bill Simmons on Thursday said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell "lacks 'testicular fortitude'" during an appearance on "The Dan Patrick Show," which "proved a tipping point" in ESPN President John Skipper's decision not to renew his contract. In a special to VANITY FAIR, James Andrew Miller also reported Simmons had become "increasingly bothered" by hearing that "Skipper’s people in management were badmouthing him." Simmons "has already had multiple offers and will no doubt wind up having more autonomy and, possibly, a bigger paycheck" in his next venture (VANITYFAIR.com, 5/9).

Simmons has still not commented since the news of his departure on Friday (THE DAILY). Meanwhile, Vice News co-Founder Shane Smith tweeted several times asking Simmons to move to his company.

@BillSimmons you are a beautiful baby boy and we love you very much. Come to VICE we make you happy for oncet in our misery lives.

— shane smith (@shanesmith30) May 8, 2015

Roger Goodell’s decision on the punishment for Patriots QB Tom Brady's role in deflating game balls "is expected to be announced" this week, and it "is no longer a matter of if the NFL commissioner will suspend Brady, but for how long he will suspend him." Sources said that Goodell "considers Brady’s role in DeflateGate a serious violation" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/9). The MMQB's Peter King said, "If they suspend Tom Brady, there goes the relationship between Bob Kraft and Roger Goodell. ... It’s Roger Goodell’s worst nightmare, absolutely his worst nightmare because he obviously loves Bob Kraft." King called it "the toughest decision in the nine-year commissioner’s reign" (KESN-FM, 5/8).

Organizers of Boston 2024 are "proposing to reshuffle its leadership" and name Celtics co-Owner & Managing Partner Steve Pagliuca Chair "after a rocky start that threatened to derail the region’s bid" for the '24 Summer Olympics. Current Chair John Fish "would step down voluntarily and become one of several vice chairmen." Northeastern Univ. AD Peter Roby "would also serve" as a Vice Chair. Red Sox President & CEO Larry Lucchino would "come on board as a strategic adviser," as would "prominent Boston businessman" Jack Connors. The USOC "apparently has been increasingly agitated" by Boston 2024's "failure to publicize a clear plan" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/10).

A crowd of 31,588 attended last night's Canelo Alvarez-James Kirkland boxing match at Minute Maid Park, which Alvarez won "with a third-round knockout." Alvarez "seemed to feed off the large crowd," as he "received tremendous crowd support" before and during the fight. The 12-round super welterweight bout "was part of the first boxing events held at the home of the Astros" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/10). There was "no shortage of action" during the bout (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 5/10).

S.F. Mayor Ed Lee on Friday signed an ordinance that "bans the use of smokeless tobacco at all sporting venues in the city, which includes AT&T Park." The ordinance, which goes into effect in '16, "makes it illegal for anyone -- including players -- to use smokeless tobacco at the venues." S.F. "is the first city in the nation to enact such a restriction on the use of smokeless tobacco." Giants Manager Bruce Bochy: "It can be a good thing. It's going to be hard to enforce. It's a tough habit to break" (LATIMES.com, 5/9).

Fox Sports has enlisted "The Simpsons" to promote this summer's FIFA Women's World Cup. Tonight's episode will open with a soccer-themed couch gag. Instead of seeing the familiar couch in the Simpsons' living room, viewers will see a soccer goal, with Homer playing goalkeeper. Also during tonight's episode, U.S. women's national team players Alex Morgan, Christen Press and Abby Wambach will be "Simpsonized" (Fox Sports).

The backstretch at Kansas Speedway for yesterday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series SpongeBob SquarePants 400 "featured a long SpongeBob mural in the grass designed by Brooklyn, N.Y.-based artist KAWS, who also created the SpongeBob trophy" for yesterday's winner. Six drivers "drove SpongeBob-themed cars" over the three-race NASCAR weekend. Track President Pat Warren said he is "not sure" if the title sponsorship deal with Nickelodeon will be "more than a one-year situation" (K.C. STAR, 5/9). SpongeBob merchandise at the speedway "sold out" on Friday (NASCAR.com, 5/9).

NASCAR team JTG Daugherty Racing yesterday announced a five-year contract extension for driver AJ Allmendinger that "will keep him" with the organization through '20. With the team "having recently expanded its relationship with Kroger, and having a longstanding relationship with Clorox/Kingsford, its sponsorship is virtually set" through '17. Prior to Allmendinger signing with JTG in '13, a violation of NASCAR's substance abuse policy led to a '12 suspension "that cost him his seat at Penske Racing" (ESPN.com, 5/9).

Islanders Owner Charles Wang in a letter published Friday in Newsday "thanked fans for their 'loyalty' and 'passion' and vowed to reclaim the Stanley Cup." He wrote, "This franchise is not satisfied with only qualifying for the playoffs because Islanders fans deserve a Stanley Cup." He added of the team's upcoming move to Brooklyn, "As disappointing as it is that the [Nassau] Coliseum will no longer be our home, we are thrilled to begin playing at Barclays Center, a state-of-the-art arena" (NEWSDAY.com, 5/8).

Pink bats "will be in style" today for Mother's Day games in MLB, which for the 10th time has "partnered with Louisville Slugger to produce the special bats" that will be auctioned off to raise money for breast cancer charities (AP, 5/10).

Yesterday's Verizon IndyCar Series Angie's List Grand Prix of Indianapolis drew "a crowd estimated at 40,000," down about 20% from the inaugural running of the event last year (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 5/10).

MLS' "first New York Derby" takes place tonight on FS1 at 7:00pm ET, when NYC FC makes "the short journey from the Bronx to Harrison, N.J.," to face the Red Bulls. The league hopes the derby "will ignite the league’s presence in the country’s largest and most challenging sporting media market" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 5/9).

Baseball HOFer Frank Robinson yesterday had his name added to the Nationals' Ring of Honor prior to the team's home game against the Braves (WASHINGTON POST, 5/10).

NBC's Bob Costas today "will receive an honorary degree from Syracuse University at the school's commencement ceremony" (SYRACUSE.com, 4/30).

The Double-A Texas League Frisco RoughRiders on Friday night set a new single-game attendance record with 11,915 fans at their home game versus the San Antonio Missions (RoughRiders).

"We didn’t deflate any balls. They all had the right amount of air in them" – Pro Football HOFer and former Dolphins coach Don Shula (AP, 5/10).

"The other important story of the week: Deflategate. I kid, I kid" – NBC’s Chuck Todd, outlining the topics of this morning's "Meet the Press" (NBC, 5/10).

"The closest thing I could come up with is a town, unfortunately, is a town ravaged by a tornado then electing as mayor the tornado" – ESPN’s Pablo Torre, on Isiah Thomas being named President & co-Owner of the WNBA Liberty (“The Sports Reporters,” ESPN, 5/10).

"It would not be a U.S. Open if we didn't get some chirping. In fact, we joke internally sometimes that if nobody's complaining, we have done something wrong" – USGA Exec Dir Mike Davis, on some golfers criticizing Chambers Bay, which hosts next month's U.S. Open (SEATTLE TIMES, 5/10).

"I love being on TV, but the MRN stuff is just more fun" – Former NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace, on his time working as an analyst for the Motor Racing Network and ESPN (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/10).

“The Royal Family announced that the name of Prince William and Kate's baby girl is Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. They chose the name Diana for William's mother, Elizabeth for his grandmother, and Charlotte for, of course, the 1992 Charlotte Hornets” – “SNL” Weekend Update anchor Michael Che (NBC, 5/9).

SI's Lee Jenkins follows five moms of NBAers through the first round of the playoffs as they deal with the "celebration and stress" that comes with Mother's Day falling during the league's postseason. If baseball "is billed as the sport of fathers and sons, basketball is for sons and their moms."

GRANTLAND's Charles Pierce on Tom Brady's role in the "Deflategate" scandal: "Ever since this whole exercise in manufactured Stupid began, Brady has been getting terrible advice from heaven and earth." Meanwhile, the N.Y. TIMES' Mark Leibovich wrote under the header, "What Tom Brady Told Me During Deflategate, And What He Didn’t."

Elsewhere:

• Dallas columnist Tim Cowlishaw on why he is "done with boxing."
• Exploring how soon "until the four-team CFP expands to eight."
• Paid cost-of-attendance equates to "less stress for athletes and families."

In tonight's episode of "Studio 42 with Bob Costas" on MLB Network at 8:00pm ET, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred hits on a range of topics in a one-hour interview that was taped on his 100th day in office.

In a 30-minute special tonight at 8:00pm on NFL Network entitled "Remembering Mom," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell discusses his mother (NFL Network).

Want the Simmons camp view of the divorce from ESPN? @VanityFair has it, minus any quotes, attribution, transparency. http://t.co/U1og8hChg1

— Jay Rosen (@jayrosen_nyu) May 9, 2015

#USWNT Moms surprised the team last night in San Jose. Thanks @FoxSports! #HappyMothersDay pic.twitter.com/D2tTVUtHZy

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) May 10, 2015

NASCAR's outreach to young viewers -- the "Spongebob Squarepants 400" -- is still on at 1 AM ET. Rain the obvious factor, but still.

— Paulsen (@paulsen_smw) May 10, 2015

"Are the #nhl playoffs still goin on?" @Orioles Buck Showalter on @WFAN660 this am; guess he is focused on his work & not #caps fan lol

— Joe Favorito (@joefav) May 10, 2015