Golfer Phil Mickelson “wants a piece of the Padres,” and on Monday he disclosed “his decision to align himself with the O’Malley family’s pursuit” of the team. He “made it clear he was bringing his cash as well as his cachet” (UTSANDIEGO.com, 5/28).
More London Games tickets were released today for "events that organisers previously claimed would be free, but users were once again left frustrated by a faltering website." Many customers purchased over the phone after they were "unable to complete their purchase online" via the LOCOG/Ticketmaster system (TELEGRAPH.co.uk, 5/29).
A source said that the Magic planned to interview former Hornets GM Jeff Bower "shortly after Memorial Day to head their department of basketball operations" after the team parted ways with GM Otis Smith (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 5/26).
Sportsnet today announced it has reached a five-year extension with the NFL through the '16 regular season, continuing as the exclusive Canadian TV broadcaster for "Thursday Night Football." Sportsnet will carry 13 "TNF" games for the '12 season, plus three Thursday games on Thanksgiving Day (Rogers).
English soccer club Leeds United “is talking to potential new owners but the groups do not include Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.” An MLSE source said that there was “no truth to reports in the English media that it is a potential new owner of Leeds United” (GLOBEANDMAIL.com, 5/29).
A source said that Time Warner Inc’s Turner cable networks division “is in talks to acquire sports-news website Bleacher Report.” The site was founded in '06 “by four partners and has been funded by multiple rounds of venture capital” (WSJ.com, 5/25).
A total of 44,438 fans attended the U.S. men’s national soccer team’s 5-1 win over Scotland during an int'l friendly at EverBank Field on Saturday night (JACKSONVILLE.com, 5/26).
Tennis Channel ran a half-page ad in this morning's Wall Street Journal touting its coverage of the French Open. The net's TV coverage and online streaming runs through June 10 (THE DAILY).
