The BIG3, the three-on-three league featuring former NBAers, is on pace to sell more than 11,000 tickets for its first slate of games, which is set to take place today at Barclays Center. The arena is expecting a sellout before the event begins based on the layout of the venue. Four games are part of every game day (John Lombardo, Staff Writer). BIG3 co-Founder Ice Cube said, "I watched the XFL ‘30 for 30’ four times, and I’m like, ‘What were the mistakes in the past that we could avoid?’ I think what stands our league apart over most startup leagues is the fact that our players are already superstars. You don’t have to build these guys into household names." The games for the eight-team league will be "broadcast the following night" on FS1 (N.Y. POST, 6/25). ESPN has promoted the start of the BIG3 season during its Sunday morning "SportsCenter" programming. For a look at team rosters, click here (THE DAILY).

Bellator made its "biggest and boldest move" as an MMA promotion last night by coming to N.Y. and "putting 12,133 fans" in MSG, with the fight card headlined by Chael Sonnen-Wanderlei Silva and Matt Mitrione-Fedor Emelianenko as the co-main event. It is the "biggest venue they've ever been in." Many of the fighters, both winners and losers, "trended on Twitter throughout the night, which has to please those monitoring such things" (NEWSDAY.com, 6/25). But YAHOO SPORTS' Kevin Iole writes the Sonnen-Silva headliner was a "dreadful affair" in which Silva, who had not fought in more than four years, "showed no semblance of cage presence." It was "fun at times and dreadful at others, particularly in the main event" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/25).

The NBPA BOD has re-elected Clippers G Chris Paul as its President. Paul will begin his new four-year term immediately. Kings G Garrett Temple was elected to a three-year term as NBPA VP. Temple replaces Cavaliers G Kyle Korver, who served three years as VP on the Exec Committee. The other members of the Exec Committee are LeBron James (First VP), Cavaliers G James Jones (Secretary-Treasurer), Knicks F Carmelo Anthony, Warriors G Stephen Curry, Spurs C Pau Gasol, Warriors F Andre Iguodala and free-agent F Anthony Tolliver (VPs) (NBPA). During his first term, Paul "most notably helped the players and the NBA come together" on a new CBA that goes into effect on July 1 (AP, 6/23).

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has "joined forces with Tagg Romney and Wayne Rothbaum to make a bid" of more than $1.1B for the Marlins, according to sources. The offer "threatens Derek Jeter’s hope of landing the baseball team." Until a month ago, Bush and Jeter "were partners" in a winning $1.3B bid for the team. Sources said that Bush adds his "national profile to the deep pockets of Rothbaum and Romney, who will provide the bulk of the capital." Jeter is "still seeking investors separately," and Miami businessman Jorge Mas is "also considering a bid" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 6/23). Under the restructured Romney/Bush/Rothbaum bid, Rothbaum "would stand to be the 'control person,'" a source said. There is "still a possibility Romney could be the 'control person,' but it won't be Bush" (MIAMI HERALD, 6/24).

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has signed with CAA Sports for all off-the-field endeavors, including film, television, endorsements, speaking, business development, digital marketing and philanthropy. A team of agents across CAA will represent Rodgers. He was formerly represented by Excel Sports Management for endorsements and other off-the-field work. Rodgers is represented on-the-field by Athletes First. "Aaron has a clear vision for growing his brand and business off the field,” said Michael Levine, CAA Sports co-Head in a statement. 

The WNBA Liberty today had a float in the pride parade in N.Y., the "first for a sports franchise in the city." Liberty players, coaches and front-office staff will be "on the float rolling down Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, ending in the West Village." The WNBA said that many players have "marched at pride parades before, but no teams have had a float." The NBA and WNBA had a float in the parade last year, with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and WNBA President Lisa Borders "both attending." The two leagues did so this year (AP, 6/24).

The Blackhawks on Friday "offered a sneak peak at their nearly-completed, double-rink practice facility that will double as a West Side recreation center." The 125,000-square-foot, $65M center is "expected to open in November on the site of the old Malcolm X College." The 11-acre site is "being shared by the Hawks, with four acres," and Rush Univ. Medical Center, which is building a $500M "academic village on its seven acres." Together, the Blackhawks and Rush paid $26.7M for the land. The Blackhawks "estimate that the community would have access to the two-rink facility" 50% of the time (SUNTIMES.com, 6/24). Meanwhile, the NHL Draft and its affiliated "Fan Fest" in Chicago "brought in a record 47,514 fans" (SUNTIMES.com, 6/25).

Former MLBer David Ortiz’ No. 34 was retired at Fenway Park on Friday, "joining nine Red Sox legends whose numbers are untouchable." Ortiz’ number was "on signs, jerseys, game programs, and videoboards." The Red Sox team shop had "sold so much Ortiz apparel that the store needed to restock after the game had started." Fenway Park looked "filled to capacity nearly 45 minutes before game time, with the jersey retirement ceremony set to begin." No. 34 was "plastered on both on-deck circles and in center field." The three World Series trophies that Ortiz was "instrumental in bringing to Boston were put on display." In his speech that "lasted about 10 minutes, Ortiz showed the confidence, wit, light-heartedness, and sincerity that endeared him to so many" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/24).

Former MLBer Mark Buehrle and the White Sox "celebrated 'Mark Buehrle Day' and retired his No. 56 during a pregame ceremony at Guaranteed Rate Field." White Sox Chair Jerry Reinsdorf said, "In case you weren't aware, we don't draw 40,000 people every day" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/25).

The Orange County advisory board "voted Friday to support" bringing the MLS All-Star Game to the Orlando City Stadium, but "stopped short of recommending how much money should be given." Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs said that if money is approved, it would be the first time the 6% tax on hotels and motels was "used to support an event run by a private group." Orlando City "privately financed construction for the new stadium that opened in March." With the vote, hosting the MLS ASG in the stadium "could become a reality" as early as August '19. But first, government leaders have a "narrow window to vet a request for spending $350,000 of tourist tax money to offset the cost" of bringing the event to Orlando (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 6/24).

Alon Day, driving the No. 23 Toyota for BK Racing today in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway, will "become the first competitor from Israel -- where auto racing was banned" until '11 -- in the sport's top circuit. Day "specializes in road courses" and will start 32nd in a 38-car field. NASCAR Exec VP & Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O'Donnell said, "We want to represent everybody. Alon carries in a whole new fan base." Day hopes to do well enough to "secure a ride at the other top-series road-course race" at Watkins Glen Int'l in August (N.Y. TIMES, 6/25).

Meanwhile, Fox Sports announced driver Danica Patrick will debut its helmet visor camera today at Sonoma Speedway. It will be the first time in NASCAR's modern history a live race telecast will feature a driver helmet visor camera (Fox Sports).

Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban "took no chances" when it came to the team's selection of N.C. State G Dennis Smith Jr. with the No. 9 overall pick in Thursday's NBA Draft. Cuban said of the draft room, "I said, 'OK, two things. One, when I'm on the phone, everybody shut up. Two, if this gets to (Adrian Wojnarowski) before our pick, whoever we find out did it is fired'" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/24). A look back at Wojnarowski's Twitter timeline shows he "tipped every lottery pick except for No. 1, No. 2 and No. 9." The first two picks were "somewhat obvious," while the Mavericks pick was the result of Cuban "practically locking his employees in a bunker" (WASHINGTON POST, 6/25).

T-Mobile Arena will host its first-ever college hockey games with the inaugural Ice Vegas Invitational on Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. Boston College will face Michigan Tech, followed by Arizona State and Northern Michigan (Michigan Tech).

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor attended Friday night's Nationals-Reds game (POLITICO.com, 6/25).

LSU will face Florida in the College World Series championship series after defeating Oregon State 6-1 yesterday "in front of 15,618" (OMAHA.com, 6/24).

“When I was growing up, you probably watched more of your local teams’ games because there was less other stuff to do. You didn’t have your Netflix shows or your Amazon this and that” — Bleacher Report CEO Dave Finocchio, on how entertainment options have changed the role of sports in society (GEEKWIRE.com, 6/23).

 "I’ve been talking to a bunch of people and weighing my options -- no, just kidding. No, not at all. I haven’t talked to anyone and I haven’t even considered coming back. Not right now."  – Former NASCAR driver Carl Edwards, on potentially returning to racing (JEFFGLUCK.com, 6/24).

NHL: A total of 217 players from 14 countries and 29 leagues were selected in the 2017 NHL Draft pic.twitter.com/HhdSdHuoyA

— Liz Mullen (@SBJLizMullen) June 24, 2017

Last day @USASwimming before new chapter (details next week). Thx to staff, athletes, coaches, volunteers for support. So many good memories

— Scott Leightman (@scottleightman) June 23, 2017

Final traffic stats for the DX 2017 NBA Draft. Page views up 23%. Unique users up 36%. Thanks to NBA Draft geeks worldwide for your support.

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 24, 2017

The Kansas City Chiefs have not contacted me and there is no interview set up for this week. Source? Me.

— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) June 25, 2017

If you see a tweet we will not want to miss, send it to us at editorial@sportsbusinessdaily.com

Luv to @neweracap for giving me this opportunity, the collection drops 6/29 in select @lids nationwide. pic.twitter.com/dGpnKo1Ts0

— Sean Don (@BigSean) June 23, 2017

In a special feature for the LONDON TIMES, John McEnroe discusses his new book detailing his "rivalry and friendship" with Bjorn Borg, who "pushed him to another level." McEnroe: "You might think Bjorn’s retirement would have been good news for me, as it left the way open for me to consolidate my position as the number one player in the world, but it actually worked out pretty badly. In a strange way I felt that something was taken away from me: an opponent strong enough to push me on to better things." 

ESPN.com wrote under the header, "10 Years After NFL Europe's Demise, Alumni Remember League Fondly." The developmental league was a "springboard for some of the best performers to step foot on NFL fields." Among the leagues alumni were Super Bowl QBs Kurt Warner, Brad Johnson and Jake Delhomme. However, ultimately the league did "not yield the revenues owners wanted."

Elsewhere: 

• Two "cutthroat GMs" impacted Arizona sports this week.
• How the Lakers prepared to draft Lonzo Ball.
• Calculating a soccer players worth is "confounding."