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Sunday, Feb 26, 2:00pm ET

Weekend Rap .... Latest News .... Green Means Go

Daytona 500 Sells Out Reserved Seating For Second Consecutive Year

By Adam Stern

Daytona Int'l Speedway yesterday announced that reserved seating for today's Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 is sold out. This marks the second straight year DIS has sold out reserved seating, which includes the 101,500 seats on the frontstretch grandstand that comprised the $400M Daytona Rising renovation project. There had been some industry concern heading into the weekend that the ISC-owned track had yet to announce a sellout.

Green flag for today's race is expected around 2:30pm ET, with temperatures at about 67 and a 0% chance of rain throughout the day. Celebrities expected at the race include Jordin Sparks, Rob Gronkowski, LaDainian Tomlinson, Keanu Reeves, Guy Fieri, Ken Griffey Jr., Owen Wilson, Lady Antebellum, Waka Flocka Flame and AJ Pierzynski.

Drivers Say New Format Didn't Cause Big Wrecks In Xfinity Series Race

Yesterday's NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Daytona Int'l Speedway "featured three wrecks of at least a dozen cars that all came within 12 laps" of the end of a segment under NASCAR's new format. But drivers "didn't think the new format caused the carnage." The race "took 3 hours, 25 minutes for a 120-lap event thanks to two red flags of 45 minutes to clean debris" off the track. The series also debuted a new aero package, and driver Brad Keselowski said, "I don't think we were wrecking because it was the end of the stage. ... We were wrecking because the cars were hard to drive" (ESPN.com, 2/25). Xfinity driver Elliott Sadler said of the format, "I was skeptical before I got involved in it. ... (But) I have become a fan of it. ... We did have a wrecked race car, but we got two bonus points that will carry through every round" ("NASCAR RaceDay," FS1, 2/26).


The PowerShares QQQ 300 attracted an "estimated 65,000 fans" at DIS (Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL, 2/26). Fence damage "delayed things enough to send the race to a night-time finish" (Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL, 2/26). 

Ballmer, Kroenke Reps Have Talks About Moving Clippers To Inglewood

Representatives of Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer and Rams Owner Stan Kroenke "have had multiple discussions" about the Clippers joining the Rams and Chargers in the sports and entertainment district Kroenke is building in Inglewood. Sources said that a new Clippers arena "could either be on the 298-acre site or an adjacent parcel." While the Clippers' Staples Center lease runs through '24, Ballmer "hasn’t hidden the desire for an arena of his own" (L.A. TIMES, 2/25).

Flyers-Pens Draws Crowd Of 67,000 For Stadium Series At Heinz Field

A crowd of 67,318 "turned out" for last night's Flyers-Penguins Stadium Series game at Heinz Field, the second NHL outdoor game held at the Steelers' home venue. There was "no precipitation of consequence, but there was a strong wind for much of the evening." The Penguins won 4-2 (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 2/26). Gusts at ice level "became so disruptive the NHL decided to have the teams switch sides midway through the third period in an effort to even out the amount of time the teams shot in each direction" (AP, 2/26).

The crowd also "endured 36-degree weather at the opening faceoff, swirling winds and even snow flurries." It "wasn't quite the scene of the inaugural Winter Classic in Buffalo," which the Penguins participated in. But the game "perfectly captured the second chapter" of Penguins C Sidney Crosby's career, the "post-concussion Crosby who leads the league in goals" (TRIBLIVE.com, 2/26). It was the "most ideal evening for an outdoor hockey game" (TRIBLIVE.com, 2/26). 

Sources: Turner Picks Up UEFA Champions League Rights In '18

Sources said that Turner Sports has "picked up the U.S. English-language media rights to the UEFA Champions League" starting in fall '18. Turner, which has not carried soccer programming of any kind for at least 27 years, was a "surprise bidder and aggressively committed" more than $60M per year as part of a three-year deal that runs through the spring of '21, "largely taking over a package that Fox Sports has held for nine years." Turner will be "joined by Univision, which agreed to pay" around $35M per year for the Spanish-language rights, giving UEFA a haul of close to $100M per year for the U.S. rights (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 2/27 issue).

ACC's Swofford Encouraged By New Bill That Could Replace N.C.'s HB2

ACC Commissioner John Swofford yesterday said that he is "hopeful North Carolina could once again host ACC tournaments if newly proposed bipartisan legislation replaces" the controversial HB2. Swofford: "If legislation is passed that resets the law as it was prior to HB2, it will present the opportunity to reopen the discussion with the ACC Council of Presidents regarding neutral site conference championships being in the state of North Carolina" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 2/26).

Orlando City SC Draws 10,000 Fans For New Stadium's Open House

Orlando City SC’s new downtown stadium yesterday drew an announced 10,473 visitors "during an open house," as a "hot and crowded concourse simulated a game-day atmosphere." The event began shortly after 9:00am ET, and the main entrance was "mobbed until doors closed" at 1:00pm. Noise from construction crews "hustling to finish the stadium" before the March 5 opener filled the air, and the remaining work "looks daunting to wrap up." However, Orlando City Owner Flávio Augusto da Silva and CEO Alex Leitão said that it will "come together in time" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 2/26). 

Cuban Calls Out Bleacher Report For Twitter Joke About Nowitzki

Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban yesterday "called out" Bleacher Report for posting a video clip of Mavericks F Dirk Nowitzki air-balling a shot on its Twitter feed "under the header: DIRK FOREVER." Bleacher Report has "since removed the tweet." Cuban -- who "tweeted out screen grabs of a back-and-forth with the folks at Bleacher Report -- called on the sports website to 'Delete Your Account.'" Cuban later "got an email response" from Turner President David Levy (NYDAILYNEWS.com, 2/26).

Warriors Reportedly Contact Turner Over Shaq's Criticism Of McGee

Sources said that the Warriors have "reached out to Turner Sports" to discuss Shaquille O'Neal's ongoing coverage of C JaVale McGee on TNT. Sources said that the Warriors "contacted Turner officials to express concern about TNT's years-long McGee coverage on the 'Shaqtin' a Fool'" segment on "Inside the NBA." The team is "contending that the ongoing negative portrayal of the veteran center is doing unnecessary damage to McGee's reputation." A Turner source "confirmed the discussions with the Warriors and told ESPN that 'the matter has been discussed internally' after a Twitter feud erupted Thursday night between O'Neal and McGee" (ESPN.com, 2/24).

Speed Reads....

Central Michigan AD Dave Heeke "has accepted" the VP/Athletics job at the Univ. of Arizona. Heeke, who has held the AD job at CMU since January '06, "will replace" Greg Byrne in Tucson after Byrne left for the AD position at Alabama (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 2/26). 

Hooters will air its "first NASCAR commercial in 25 years" during today's Daytona 500. The spot features driver Chase Elliott, "chicken wings, beer and women" (FOXSPORTS.com, 2/25). 

La Liga club FC Barcelona and EPL club Manchester United "appear to be planning a summer match" in the DC area as part of the '17 Int'l Champions Cup. The "suggested date is July 25" and the match would "take place" at FedExField (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 2/24). 

Villanova's Pavilion yesterday hosted its final college basketball game before being "closed for renovation" until the '18-19 season (PHILLY.com, 2/25). 

Boxer Deontay Wilder last night "knocked Gerald Washington down in the fifth round" to retain his WBC heavyweight title. Attendance at Legacy Arena in Birmingham was "announced as 12,346 -- the largest for a heavyweight fight in Alabama" (BIRMINGHAM NEWS, 2/26). 

A source said that the '17 NFL salary cap is "expected to be in the range" of $166-169M (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 2/25).

Quick Hits....

"You can't do big things in any industry in sports, or you pick it, if there's some big dissension going on. It's impossible. You can't accomplish things -- especially when there's a headwind, by the way -- without good collaboration and people going in the right direction. It's impossible" – NASCAR Chair & CEO Brian France, denying reports suggesting he and his sister, ISC CEO Lesa France Kennedy, do not agree on all matters (Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL, 2/26).

“I was ready to go back to Mexico. This program gave me the opportunity to give myself another shot.” – Mexican-born NASCAR driver Daniel Suárez, on NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program (“Sunday Today with Willie Geist,” NBC, 2/26).

"He won't get through the highway if the fans saw him. I don't even think he can even land in the airport in Boston because Patriot fans are the best fans, they're the most loyal fans. I'm telling you, they might just carry out Roger themselves. They couldn't even get to the stadium in Foxboro if he landed in Boston" – Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski, on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell possibly attending a game at Gillette Stadium next season (ESPN.com, 2/24).

"The scarier thing for me is: What's going to happen in 10 or 20 years? If they're doing this stuff now, what's really going to change? We have to protect our necks. We have to take a stance" – Phillies P Pat Neshek, expressing concern regarding changes made to speed up MLB games (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 2/26).

"I thought it was time to start over. There was a lot of bad stuff happening here the last five years, a lot of bad habits. There were always issues, many you don’t even know about. Now I believe strongly this was the right thing to do for our future. Now I have a clear vision" – Kings VP/Basketball Operations & GM Vlade Divac, on the decision to trade C DeMarcus Cousins to the Pelicans (SACRAMENTO BEE, 2/26).

Sunday Comic....

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

Weekend Hot Reads....

The CHARLOTTE OBSERVER's Jourdan Rodrigue writes about Mexican-born NASCAR driver Daniel Suárez "finding his place in racing" with the recent election of President Trump. As a rookie Suárez has "the personality and potential to be NASCAR's next star." However, NASCAR fans "lean hard right" politically, which could be problematic for the "immigrant with a work visa." 

The BOSTON GLOBE's Dan Shaughnessy writes the Red Sox of the 21st century "are three-time champions with a global brand." But "none of this happens" without Baseball HOFer Carl Yastrzemski and the '67 season, which saw the team appear in its first World Series in 21 years. Shaughnessy: "None of it happens without Yaz." The '67 season "forever changed the image and perception of the Red Sox." 

Elsewhere:


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Today's 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 Feb. 27-March 5

MONDAY
  • ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships begin (Dubai)
  • ATP/WTA Abierto Mexicano Telcel begins (Acapulco, Mexico)
  • ATP Brasil Open begins (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
  • Alya WTA Malaysian Open begins (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
  • 4th Annual Sports Fan Engagement Conference (Atlanta)
WEDNESDAY
  • IFSC Plenary Assembly 2017 (Quebec City)
THURSDAY
  • WGC-Mexico Championship begins (Chapultepec, Mexico)
  • HSBC Women’s Champions begins (Singapore)
FRIDAY
  • MLS Season begins
  • MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference begins (Boston)
SATURDAY
  • NASCAR Xfinity Series Rinnai 250 (Atlanta Motor Speedway)
  • NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Active Pest Control 200 (Atlanta Motor Speedway)
  • UFC 209: Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen Thompson (T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV)
SUNDAY
  • Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500  (Atlanta Motor Speedway)
  • UEC Ordinary Assembly (Brussels)

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