The Predators beat the Penguins 5-1 last night in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, and there was an atmosphere in Nashville the Final "has never experienced." More than 50,000 fans "stuffed Broadway" in downtown, with 17,283 "cramming into Bridgestone Arena" for the first ever Cup Final game there. Most fans were "in place when warmups began, continuing the city-wide celebration" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 6/4).

Country music star Alan Jackson played a pregame concert downtown, and the strip was "closed off to traffic for the special free concert." It was "packed with Predators fans nestled shoulder to shoulder in a sprawling, seemingly endless sea of gold." The city's "countless famous watering holes ... were absolutely bustling." ESPN NFL analyst Rex Ryan, who attended the game with his brother Rob, said, "This is the best building in the league" (ESPN.com, 6/3).

#Smashville does the #StanleyCup BIG. #Preds pic.twitter.com/wmia6XUzx4

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) June 3, 2017

The NFL this season will "allow its television partners to accept commercials for distilled spirits," marking a "change of its advertising policy." The NFL said that it will "accept no more than four 30-second hard liquor spots per game with a limit of two such spots in any quarter or during halftime." In addition, broadcast partners "can run two spots in pregame and postgame programs." The ads have to "include a 'prominent social responsibility message' and can’t have a football theme or target underage drinkers." While described as a one-season test, an NFL source said that the policy is "expected to become permanent" (WSJ.com, 6/2). 

The Cavaliers' watch party tonight for NBA Finals Game 2 against the Warriors is "sold out," with approximately 20,000 tickets sold. The party inside Quicken Loans Arena will include "basically the same experience" as a Cavs home game, with concession sales and in-game entertainment. One-hundred percent of the proceeds will "go to Habitat for Humanity." The Cavs also are hosting a "private party at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank," with about 200 attendees expected ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 6/4).

The cheapest ticket on StubHub for tonight's game at Oracle Arena is going for $661.54 in the upper level. A pair of VIP courtside seats are currently listed at $11,300 each. The cheapest ticket on Ticket IQ was $622 for an upper-level seat, while the most expensive was a set of four courtside for $16,950 each (THE DAILY).

Sources said that the Bucks "continue to reach out" to potential GM candidates and "plan to begin" formal interviews tomorrow. Sources said that the Bucks were "granted permission to speak with several more GM candidates late this week," including Trail Blazers Assistant GM Bill Branch, Heat Assistant GM Adam Simon and Pistons Assistant GM Pat Garrity. Sources said that another candidate "whom the Bucks have contacted" is Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/1).

Meanwhile, the Hawks introduced new GM Travis Schlenk on Friday. Hawks Owner Tony Ressler said of Schlenk, "He runs basketball operations. I did not bring him in here for me to make basketball decisions. ... Yes, every ownership has to sign off on numbers, on (salary) caps, on (luxury) tax. Yes, I will sign off on the business. I promise you I did not bring Travis in here so I can make basketball decisions" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 6/3).

Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh on Friday confirmed that alternate uniforms "are coming back" for at least one game this year. Harbaugh: "When we first signed up with Nike we said that's something we'd be interested in, they were interested in it. It's been designed. (They'll be used) at least once this year. ... I don't know if I'm at liberty to say which game." UM has "not worn an alternate jersey" since a home win over Penn State in '14. Harbaugh said that he "helped design" the uniforms (MLIVE.com, 6/2).

Harbaugh last year hinted that an all-maize uniform "was an idea that intrigued him." UM's previous apparel provider, Adidas, "came up with four or five" alternate uniforms under the former administration led by AD Dave Brandon and football coach Brady Hoke (FREEP.com, 6/3).

Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s retractable roof yesterday was "moved to the closed position" for the first time. The roof’s eight motorized steel panels, each weighing 500 tons, were "moved from open to closed in a construction highlight eagerly awaited by stadium officials" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 6/4).

The #MBStadium roof is officially closed! Another huge milestone and an engineering marvel! pic.twitter.com/zPdAvdiYkL

— Steve Cannon (@SteveCannonCEO) June 3, 2017

A Boston Globe photographer on Friday was "not allowed to cover" Patriots QB Tom Brady's Best Buddies football game at Harvard Stadium. Many "assumed it was connected to the Globe publishing a piece in April where it revealed Best Buddies has given Brady's charitable fund" $3.25M over the years. But Best Buddies yesterday apologized and said that Brady had "nothing to do" with the photographer being turned away. Best Buddies Int'l Senior Manager of Sponsor Development & Communications Nicole Maddox called the incident "unfortunate" and said it was 100% "not related" to the Globe story (WEEI.com, 6/3).

The Mets, MLB, and the town of Little Ferry, N.J. honored late Mets PR exec Shannon Forde on Friday by "dedicating a baseball/softball field that was built in her name." Forde last year "died at age 44 from breast cancer" and was "still living" in Little Ferry at the time of her death. The ceremony was a "fitting tribute" to the impact she had on "so many people during her 22 years with the Mets." Several ex-players, managers, GMs, execs, friends, family and town officials "showed up to celebrate her memory" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/3). The field was "funded and built with the over $240,000 raised by an MLB auction last winter." Forde made a "deep and lasting impression on all who worked with her" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/4).

Relevent Sports will produce an MMA event in Miami on July 27 called "Combate Clasico." Abner Lloveras and Javier Fuentes will fight in the main event for the card that is two days before the Barcelona-Real Madrid El Clasico Miami. The match is the clubs' first meeting in North America (Relevent Sports). 

Former NBAer Charles Oakley "rejected a plea offer from the Manhattan district attorney's office to dispose of the charges" stemming from his February incident at MSG with Knicks Owner James Dolan. Oakley instead insisted that he "wanted to go to trial," which would start Aug. 4 (N.Y. TIMES, 6/3). 

Harriette Thompson, 94, "plans to run in the Rock 'n' Roll San Diego half marathon" today to become the oldest woman to ever run a half marathon (SACBEE.com, 6/3).

ESPN MLB analyst David Ross tonight will work with the No. 1 crew on "SNB," less than three weeks "after his debut" on air. The broadcast crew will "call the Cardinals and Cubs from the stands at Wrigley Field" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/2).

The MLB Rangers have been "giving away a cape-and cowl Cole Hamels bobblehead" as part of superhero weekend at Globe Life Park. With each at-bat, the main video board "shows a graphic with each player depicted as a superhero" (DALLASNEWS.com, 6/3).

A sellout crowd of 15,412 attended UFC 212 last night at Jeunesse Arena in Rio, which featured Max Holloway-Jose Aldo (UFC).

Today's Red Sox-Orioles matinee will be the "final game of longtime Orioles radio broadcaster Fred Manfra's career." He "retired from full-time broadcasting after last season, and returned" for a brief schedule this season (BALTIMORESUN.com, 6/3).

"It's the second hardest job in the league. I'll give Roger (Goodell) the toughest job. As Commissioner, he deals with everything, plus 32 owners. But it's hard. There's so much volatility. You don't make friends in that post. You make enemies" – Fox rules analyst Mike Pereira, on the challenges recently named NFL Senior VP/Officiating Al Riveron faces (USATODAY.com 6/3).

"We have no choice. The economics of the situation are such, they feel it's a necessity. It pays well" – WNBA Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer, on players going overseas to capitalize on more lucrative salaries than those available in the WNBA (N.Y. TIMES, 6/3).

"Obama is a huge sports fan, especially the NBA. At the time, the Dos Equis commercials were all over ESPN" – Actor Jonathan Goldsmith, who portrayed The Most Interesting Man in the World, on part of the origins of his friendship with President Obama (POLITICO.com, 6/2).

"I've never seen anything like this at any sporting event" – NBC Sports' Jeremy Roenick, on the excitement around Predators-Penguins Game 3 in Nashville (TWITTER.com, 6/3).

“We have a vision, make the building smaller. We have 19,500 at Oracle Arena, only 18,000 here. The people make that environment” – Warriors President Rick Welts, on losing the charm of Oracle Arena when the team moves into the Chase Center (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 6/4).

As a multi sports fan I have to say that @NHL playoff hockey and especially the #StanleyCupFinal is as good as it gets!! #Energy #Passion

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) June 4, 2017

Black Eyed Peas without Fergie are even worse than Manchester United without Fergie

— roger bennett (@rogbennett) June 3, 2017

Per source, the #Lakers would pass on Lonzo Ball if #nbadraft was today. Team isn't convinced he's a star and remains concerned about LaVar.

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) June 3, 2017

Since I'm also skipping this year's US Open, I'll just tell people I'm attending Phil's daughter's graduation.

— Scott Michaux (@ScottMichaux) June 4, 2017

He doesn’t have the visibility of Hicks or Nantz, but I’m not sure that there’s a better play by play man in golf than Terry Gannon.

— Adam Sarson (@Adam_Sarson) June 4, 2017

Waiting at seat for every member of the working press in Nashville.#BecauseItsTheCup pic.twitter.com/gISgdpM3CI

— Steve Levy (@espnSteveLevy) June 3, 2017

The TAMPA BAY TIMES examined the "concussion battleground for children" and discussed whether kids should play tackle or flag football. While the NFL has been "battling high-profile lawsuits and headlines connecting football and concussions," youth leagues have been "left with their trickle-down effects." Experts say the "heightened awareness" of concussions is "one reason the number of kids playing tackle football has dipped" 14% since '05.

FAST COMPANY looks at how Intel is using VR to change the way fans view sports. Intel, the Sports Business Award winner for Best in Sports Technology, has "grand ambitions and thinks that fully immersive live sports is the key to giving fans what they want -- someday." Intel said that "no more than 1%" of the millions of sports fans in the world "ever get to see their favorite team in person." That "massive experience gap is at the center" of Intel's efforts.

Elsewhere:

• How South Carolina AD Ray Tanner's approach was shaped by coaching.
• The future is uncertain for Cavs GM David Griffin.
• Former NBAer Jerry Stackhouse preserves his career through film.
• How the craft beer scene around Coors Field has exploded.

110.1 – Decibel level in Bridgestone Arena last night when C Craig Smith scored to give the Predators a 4-1 lead over the Penguins in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final (TENNESSEAN.com, 6/3).