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Sunday, June 19, 2:30pm ET

Weekend Rap .... Latest News .... Finals Fantasy

Ideal NBA Game 7 Matchup Helps StubHub Set Ticket Record

The NBA Finals have had no shortage of "money and star power," and StubHub on Friday "sold its most expensive non-suite seats in its 16-year history" for tonight's Cavaliers-Warriors Game 7. A person bought two courtside seats to tonight's game in Oakland for $49,500 apiece. StubHub Communications Manager Cameron Papp revealed only that the buyer was "well known" (ESPN.com, 6/18). As of Sunday morning, there were more than 2,500 resale tickets available on NBATickets.com, with the least expensive set going for $692. On StubHub, the least expensive ticket was $775 for a standing-room-only seat (THE DAILY).

The Cavaliers are hosting two watch parties for tonight's game, one inside Quicken Loans Arena, and "another just outside of it in Gateway Plaza." Tickets to the team's outdoor watch party "sold out in about a minute Friday." One Cavs fan on Friday started a change.org petition "asking the Indians to open the 35,000-seat Progressive Field for a third watch party location" (CLEVELAND.com, 6/17). Buyers for the outdoor watch party said that they are "willing to part with their tickets for $750 each." Other sellers are "looking between $100-$200 for their tickets" (CLEVELAND.com, 6/17). 

Hype around Game 7 is palpable heading into tonight. The N.Y. Daily News writes, "Game 7 Of NBA Finals Will Be Contest Of Epic Proportions." Also, why tonight is the "biggest game in NBA history." Meanwhile, the S.F. Chronicle examines why "Stephen and Ayesha Curry are under fire.

Final Round Of U.S. Open On Track For Completion Today

The U.S. Open got "back on track" this morning, as players completed the third round at Oakmont Country Club after rain on Thursday forced lengthy delays. The fourth round is commencing "on schedule," as players teed off at 10:00am ET, with the final pairing of Shane Lowry and Andrew Landry beginning at 3:30pm. Play last night was "suspended at 8:49 p.m." due to darkness (POST-GAZETTE.com, 6/19). FS1 aired third-round coverage this morning from 7:00-9:00, with Fox coming on the air at 11:00. Temperatures are expected in the mid-80s for the final round, with a 0% chance of rain (THE DAILY). 

Landry, the 624th-ranked player in the world entering this week, showed up for his second round yesterday "with a Moonshine Sweet Tea patch on his white shirt." Landry, who held a surprising lead after the first round, entering the week "had the name of only one sponsor, Oxford Golf, on his left breast." Landry said that he "has a longtime friend back home in Austin, Texas, who works at Moonshine Sweet Tea." Landry: "I wanted to help promote his stuff" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 6/18). 

Orlando City SC, Other Teams Honor Victims Of Nightclub Shooting

Orlando City SC drew a crowd of 37,193 to last night's game against the Earthquakes, and in the match's 49th minute, fans "fell silent as play stopped to honor the 49 victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting." The game and the team "fulfilled its role of helping the community shift from grief to healing." MLS Commissioner Don Garber: "I always believe sports has the ability to do more than just be the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat." Orlando City "dedicated the entire game to the victims and all those affected." The traditional MLS anthem was "not played before the national anthem." Instead the Beatles' song, "'All You Need is Love' blared through the speakers" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 6/19). 

The Orlando Sentinel's Mike Bianchi: "This wasn't just a sporting event; it was a soccer sanctuary; a place for all of us to come together and show that we are -- as the T-shirts say -- #OrlandoUnited" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 6/19). Meanwhile, there were "several different tributes" for the victims at yesterday's NWSL Orlando Pride-Washington Spirit game in DC (WASHINGTON POST, 6/19). For Friday's Giants-Rays game at Tropicana Field, the home team "removed tarps from seating areas in the upper deck," as a crowd of 40,135 turned out. It was the "largest regular-season attendance" for a Rays home game since '06. The game raised more than $300,000 for the victims, and the teams "observed a moment of silence before the first pitch" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 6/18).

New York State Senate Passes Bill Legalizing Daily Fantasy Games

By Eric Fisher

The New York State Senate late Friday approved a bill legalizing daily fantasy sports, capping a day of debate and negotiation in which the state Assembly also approved the legalization of daily fantasy by a 91-22 vote. The approval, now moving on to Gov. Andrew Cuomo for his signature to become law, would allow DraftKings and FanDuel to resume activities in the state. DraftKings CEO Jason Robins: “This is going to be very influential. This is a really big stage, and many states are looking to New York.” State AG Eric Schneiderman still intends to pursue false advertising and consumer fraud claims against DraftKings and FanDuel.

Robins, meanwhile, downplayed recent industry rumors and reports regarding a potential merger with FanDuel. Robins said, as he has for more than a year, that a merger represents an “interesting” idea, particularly if it is beneficial for DraftKings shareholders, and that it has been discussed at various points with FanDuel. But he added there are currently not any particularly active talks. “I wouldn’t say anything is materially different now.”

Benson Settles With Estranged Heirs Over Saints, Pelicans Ownership

Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson has "reached a settlement agreement in his legal fight to take away ownership" in his teams from his estranged heirs, "avoiding a federal trial that was scheduled to start" tomorrow. The agreement will need to be approved by the NFL and NBA "before the deal can go into effect." Benson last year sued to remove shares in his teams "from trust funds he created for his daughter, Renee Benson, and grandchildren, Rita and Ryan LeBlanc." Benson later "announced he plans to leave the teams to his wife, Gayle Benson." Terms of the settlement "weren't released."

A Saints spokesperson said operations for all of Benson's business properties remain "business as usual." The litigation "involves only non-controlling stock in the franchises, meaning the shares didn't give the heirs any authority over the teams, only a financial interest." The heirs' trust funds hold 95% of the Pelicans and 60% of the Saints (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 6/18). The settlement "should clear Benson's path" to make Gayle the "official successor to his sports franchises" (ESPN.com, 6/17).

Rio Declares State Of Financial Disaster Two Months Before Olympics

Rio de Janeiro state Gov. Francisco Dornelles has "declared a state of financial disaster so he has more leeway to manage the state’s scarce resources" less than two months before Brazil hosts the Olympic Games (AP, 6/17). The state government "declared a 'state of public calamity in financial administration' and warned that the situation is so dire it impedes the locale’s ability to meet Games commitments." The state government said the crisis could cause a "total collapse in public security, health, education, transport and environmental management" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 6/17). Rio is "expecting about 500,000 foreign visitors during the Olympics" (REUTERS, 6/17).

IOC Backs Ban Of Russia's Track Team From Rio Games

IOC officials yesterday said that they agreed with the IAAF's ruling that "barred Russia's track and field team from the Summer Olympics," ending any "hope the team had of gaining entry into the Rio Games." After Olympics officials yesterday convened by phone to assess the decision, the IOC said it "welcomes and supports" the ruling by the IAAF and commended its "strong stance against doping." IOC officials plan to convene Tuesday at their HQ in Lausanne, Switzerland to "discuss more broadly who will be eligible to compete at the Rio Games." The IOC said that Tuesday's summit "would scrutinize countries whose national antidoping programs had been disciplined" by WADA (N.Y. TIMES, 6/19).

Gillette Draws Nearly 60,000 For Argentina's Copa Quarterfinal Win

Gillette Stadium yesterday drew a crowd of 59,183 for Argentina's 4-1 victory over Venezuela in the Copa America Centenario quarterfinals. Argentina plays the U.S. men's national team Tuesday in one semifinal at Houston's NRG Stadium (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/19). Meanwhile, Chile yesterday "dismantled Mexico from every angle" in a 7-0 win at Levi's Stadium. It was a "sold-out stadium of 70,547 that began the night like a Mexico home game." Mexico’s fans regularly used a "homophobic chant even after being urged to stop by tournament organizers" in the wake of the Orlando shooting (AP, 6/19). 

Mexico proved to be the "biggest box-office hit of the tournament, in terms of ticket sales and television ratings." Its games were "not only a sporting event, but a celebration of identity for Mexican Americans." Mexico’s first three games in the tournament "drew an average announced attendance of 70,200" (WASHINGTON POST, 6/18). 

T'Wolves CEO Rob Moor Stepping Down After 20 Years With Team

T'Wolves and WNBA Lynx CEO Rob Moor is "stepping down" and will "transition to a role that will assist in the oversight" of Owner Glen Taylor's holdings and business interests. Moor has spent nearly 20 years with the T'Wolves and Lynx, and said that he will "assist in the process of moving the Taylor family's assets to a foundation." After "about 10 years" as the T'Wolves President, Moor became CEO of both teams in '04. His replacement as CEO of the T'Wolves and Lynx "will be determined in the near future" (STARTRIBUNE.com, 6/17).

Weekend Briefs....

The Bucks yesterday "held a ceremonial groundbreaking" for their new arena featuring politicians, team officials and former players (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 6/19).


Epix runs a full-page ad in today's N.Y. Times for its Serena Williams documentary. "Serena" premieres Wednesday. Also in today's Times, HBO runs a full-page ad for Bill Simmons' show "Any Given Wednesday," which airs its first show this week (THE DAILY).

Coyotes President, CEO & co-Owner Anthony LeBlanc yesterday revealed the team's AHL affiliate will be called the Roadrunners. The Coyotes "recently bought" the Springfield, Mass., team and moved it to Tucson (AP, 6/18).

USA Swimming on Friday announced that its '17 Phillips 66 National Championships will be at the Indiana Univ. Natatorium from June 27-July 1. The facility recently completed a $20M renovation (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 6/18).

Quick Hits....

"They certainly allowed me to succeed and thrive for a long time, I think probably longer than the over/under was" – HBO's Bill Simmons, on his time working at ESPN ("Today," NBC, 6/19).

"Somebody paid $49,500 apiece for two of these seats to be here. Why would anybody pay that much money? Because this is a big deal. It's not just a basketball game, not just a championship game" – ABC's T.J. Holmes, on tonight's Cavaliers-Warriors NBA Finals Game 7 ("GMA," ABC, 6/19).

Sunday Comic....

A sneak preview of SportsBusiness Journal's weekly editorial cartoon:

Weekend Hot Reads....

The N.Y. DAILY NEWS' Kevin Armstrong writes under the header, "Las Vegas, Baby! NFL, NHL Ready To Gamble On Future In Sin City?" The NHL Exec Committee last week selected Las Vegas as the league's next expansion market, meaning the city is "on the brink of becoming a major professional sports town." There are also "more who may want in on the rush," including the Raiders and Owner Mark Davis. However, Las Vegas "can be a difficult town to quantify in terms of its sports loyalties, what with the transient population and the three-shift work force." 

The N.Y. TIMES' Joe Nocera notes Warriors G Stephen Curry and Cavaliers F LeBron James, whose teams are facing one another in the NBA Finals, are also engaged in a sneaker war. The battle between the two brands could be a "new version of the infamous sneaker wars that Nike and Adidas fought" in the '90s. At a time when sales of basketball shoes "have been sluggish, Under Armour’s have taken off," in large part due to Curry's popularity. Still, UA's worth is a "long way" off from Nike and James.

Elsewhere:

Twitter Me This....

Back Pages....

The Weekend Rap offers today's back page sports covers from some of North America's major metropolitan tabloids:

 N.Y. Post  N.Y. Daily News Newsday   Boston HeraldChicago Sun-Times

Hit The Ground Running: The Week Ahead....

THE DAILY’s Week Ahead: June 20-26

MONDAY

• Chicago Salute to Greatness (Pro Football HOF fundraiser) - Glenview, Ill.
 
TUESDAY
• ESPN’s Chris Berman to receive the Al Neuharth Award for Excellence in the Media from the Newseum Institute - DC
• Copa America Centenario: Semifinal #1 - Houston (NRG Stadium)
• Minor League Baseball All-Star Games:
- Southern League (AA) - Pearl, Miss.
- California/Carolina leagues (A Advanced) - Lake Elsinore, Calif. 
• Midwest League (A) - Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• South Atlantic League (A) - Lexington, Ky.

WEDNESDAY

• WISE Women of the Year Awards luncheon - N.Y.
• NHL Board of Governors meeting - Las Vegas
• NHL Awards - Las Vegas
• Copa America Centenario: Semifinal #2 - Chicago (Soldier Field)
• Premiere of Bill Simmons’ show “Any Given Wednesday” on HBO

THURSDAY

• Cynopsis Sports Business Summit - N.Y.
• Cynopsis e-sports Conference - N.Y.
• NBA Draft - Brooklyn
• CFL regular season begins
• PGA Tour Quicken Loans National begins - Bethesda, Md.
• LPGA Tour Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G begins - Rogers, Ark.
• Web.com Tour Air Capital Classic presented by Aetna begins - Wichita, Kan. 
• Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals begin - Norwalk, Ohio

FRIDAY

• NHL Draft begins - Buffalo
• PGA Tour Champions American Family Insurance Championship begins - Madison, Wis.
• Reds’ HOF Induction Weekend begins (including the retirement of Pete Rose’s No. 14)

SATURDAY
• UEFA Euro '16: Knockout Stage begins - France
• NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Drivin’ for Linemen 200 - Madison, Ill.

SUNDAY
• ALSD Conference & Tradeshow begins - Pittsburgh
• Copa America Centenario: Final - East Rutherford, N.J. (MetLife Stadium)
• NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 - Sonoma, Calif.
• Verizon IndyCar Series Kohler Grand Prix - Elkhart Lake, Wis.

Note: Events are subject to change. Information about upcoming events can be sent via email to calendar@sportsbusinessjournal.com.