ESPN is closing its Content Development department, which will lead to the loss of around 20-25 jobs. Company officials say it was not a cost-cutting move; many of those employees will find other positions in the company. The department, which was headed by Senior VP/Content Development & Enterprise Keith Clinkscales, was based in Bristol, L.A. and N.Y. The department's responsibilities will be taken over by the Bristol-based programming and studio and event production groups led by ESPN Exec VP/Programming and Acquisitions John Wildhack and ESPN Exec Senior VP/Studio & Event Production Norby Williamson. "This is a more efficient and better model," said ESPN Exec VP/Content John Skipper. "We're eliminating specific jobs. But we're not going to have a smaller workforce."

It is hard to pin down exactly how many jobs are being cut since some of employees will have the opportunity to find other jobs at the company. Skipper told THE DAILY that he had been considering making this move for six-eight weeks, finally deciding to pull the trigger with the recent launch of studio shows like "NFL 32," "Numbers Never Lie" and "Dan LeBatard Is Highly Questionable." "That was the event that got me over the hump," Skipper said.

The highest profile exec to leave ESPN as a result of this move is Clinkscales, who launched the group in '07. He is leaving to become an independent producer; ESPN will be his first client. He plans to develop documentaries and Web-based shows for ESPN. His group developed shows like "SportsNation," "E:60" and Rick Reilly's "Homecoming." It also developed ESPN's acclaimed "30 for 30" documentary series, which will now be part of ESPN Films. Skipper said ESPN Films will not be affected by the moves.

Clinkscales said he understood the move. He said, "What's best for the company is to consolidate and run this through Bristol. Norby's group has been able to develop shows, so the need for our group has changed." During his time overseeing the content development group, Clinkscales said he is most proud of being involved in the creation of ESPN Films, as well as developing event programming like the New Year's Eve shows and "The Decision." "It was interesting to see something like 'The Decision' come together," he said. "To see the whole world stop as an athlete makes a choice and watching it move across all our platforms was unique."

Showtime today confirmed that Sports Exec VP & GM Ken Hershman "has left the company," and sources said that HBO is "expected to formally name him to replace" HBO Sports President Ross Greenburg. Showtime said it has "no announcement about a successor at this time." Hershman had been in his most recent position since '10 and has been with the network since '92. Greenburg left HBO in July after 33 years at the network, 11 as head of the sports division (BROADCASTINGCABLE.com, 10/13).

Nissan will receive naming rights over Bridgestone Arena’s main entrance and atrium area as part of a multiyear partnership with the Predators that was announced today. The two areas of the arena will become the Nissan Entrance and Nissan Atrium and will feature branding from the auto manufacturer. Nissan also will receive branding space on one of the facility’s Zambonis, as well as on ice-level signage. The partnership, which sees Nissan become the team’s official non-luxury import automotive partner, was announced at an event at Bridgestone Arena. Fans at tonight’s home opener against the Coyotes also received Nissan merchandise to commemorate the partnership.

The Cavaliers today unveiled the name and logo of their new NBA D-League team called the Canton Charge. The teams will play at the Canton Memorial Civic Center beginning on Nov. 25. The Cavs this past summer bought the D-League’s New Mexico Thunderbirds and relocated the franchise to Canton. The Cavs are the fifth NBA team to own and operate their D-League affiliate franchise.

Dollar General today formally announced that it will sponsor Joe Gibbs Racing rides across several NASCAR series next season, including 12 races as primary sponsor of the No. 20 Sprint Cup Series Toyota driven by Joey Logano. This is the "first time Home Depot hasn't been a full-season sponsor of the No. 20 car since the Tony Stewart days." Dollar General will also sponsor JGR driver Brian Scott for 10 Nationwide Series races as well as Kyle Busch's No. 18 Camping World Truck Series ride.

This "leaves Turner Motorsports without a major sponsor." Also, this means Dollar General has "rerouted the money it had allocated" to Sarah Fisher Racing's Izod IndyCar Series team and driver Ed Carpenter "into the various NASCAR series" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/13).

Learfield Sports, Mississippi State and NeuLion today announced that the audio from Saturday's college football game against the Univ. of South Carolina will be streamed live on Facebook. It will mark the first time that audio from a college sporting event has been streamed live on the social media site (Learfield Sports).

President Obama has accepted an invitation to attend the North Carolina-Michigan State Carrier Classic men's basketball game on the USS Carl Vinson on Nov. 11 (AP, 10/13).

Hurricanes Owner Peter Karmanos today announced AHL Charlotte Checkers Owner Michael Kahn has joined the NHL team's ownership group (Hurricanes).

ESPN today announced that its coverage of the '11-12 men's college basketball season will include more than 300 regular-season nonconference games starting Nov. 7. At least one game from all 31 conferences will be televised on an ESPN network as part of the nonconference coverage (ESPN).

Ignite Game Technologies today announced that it has signed IndyCar driver Dario Franchitti to work on its upcoming racing video game, "Simraceway" (Ignite Game Technologies).

Hockey HOFer Mark Messier today took part in an event in N.Y. in which the Empire State Building was lit in red, white and blue to honor the N.Y. Police & Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund (N.Y. Police & Fire Widow's and Children's Fund).

“Bud Selig makes up his mind” – San Jose Downtown Association Exec Dir Scott Knies, listing a decision by MLB on a possible A's move to San Jose as one of the ways to redevelop the city's downtown (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/13).

"Baltimore needs events like this. Like this summer's Grand Prix, downtown comes alive. (And) I think every year, we get a little better at the coordination" – Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, on Saturday's 11th annual Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/13).

Newsday's Neil Best: "Wouldn't it seem more real if MLB removed cap on at least one of the Gatorade bottles planted in front of cameras during press conferences?"

AP's Jenna Fryer: "Dollar General is in here, looks like 10 races in Trucks for KBM, 12 races in Cup for Joey, full season in Nwide with Brian Scott. … Gibbs says 'it's a big day for NASCAR' which I don't agree with. JGR gets richer, Turner Motorsports out in the cold."

CBS Sports' Pete Pistone: "@JennaFryer I agree with you 100 percent and in fact see this as a negative for the overall health of the sport."

Raptors play-by-play announcer Paul Jones: "I can report that @Eric__Smith would only love to be having a beer and eating chicken during this commercial...lol"

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

SceneDaily.com's Bob Pockrass posted this shot of Wood Brothers Racing crew members wearing the "old school" gear they plan to don during NASCAR events this weekend.

Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan will host the 17th Jimmy V Basketball Classic New York Dinner Auction to benefit The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

This lighthearted video from a Taiwan-based news/commentary site uses computer animation to explain the NBA lockout in an entertaining way.

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30% – Number of smartphone and tablet users who check sports scores while watching TV at the same time, according to data from Nielsen. While 44% of male smartphone/tablet users said that they check sports scores, only 17% of female respondents did the same (NIELSEN.com, 10/13).