AECOM today parted ways with sports designer Bill Crockett, the principal-in-charge of the Warriors’ S.F. arena project. Crockett confirmed he is no longer employed with the firm. AECOM officials did not return e-mails for comment. Crockett worked for AECOM and its predecessor, Ellerbe Becket, for 25 years, and was one of its first hires after Ellerbe launched its K.C.-based sports practice in '88. Over that period of time, Crockett designed several major facilities, including Barclays Center, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, the Rose Garden and CenturyLink Field. Crockett will remain in S.F. and said he is “fielding several opportunities” to join other firms.

New Balance today announced the signing of Cardinals C Yadier Molina and Dodgers P Josh Beckett, as well as the re-signing of Angels DH Mark Trumbo and Blue Jays P R.A. Dickey to multiyear endorsement contracts. New Balance will be the players' official on-field footwear and off-field athletic footwear and apparel provider (New Balance).

Meanwhile, Salem Five bank has launched a new TV campaign featuring Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia. The humorous campaign stars an animated version of Pedroia, comparing his passion for baseball to Salem Five’s passion for banking. The campaign, via Connelly Partners, Boston, consists of two spots under the theme, “The World According to Dustin Pedroia.” The 15- and 30-second spots will run locally on NESN and Comcast cable (Salem Five).

CNBC's Jim Cramer this morning said Wall Street analysts are "very excited" about the launch of Fox Sports 1 and its potential for the company's stock. Cramer said, "I think ESPN has so much momentum right now this may not be as exciting as people think, but it's incredibly well run. These companies spew a lot of cash. I would never bet against (News Corp. Chair & CEO Rupert) Murdoch." But Cramer said he "believes very strongly this is the one," that FS1 will work and "even though I think ESPN is going to be triumphant, you're going to get a lot of money into this" ("Squawk on the Street," CNBC, 7/1).

The Outdoor Channel tonight at 11:00pm ET will premiere "Ridge Reaper," a 30-minute, documentary-style hunting series that features Under Armour Dir of Outdoor Marketing Bryan Offutt, COO Kip Fulks, Senior Marketing Manager Koby Fulks and full-time hunter Jason Carter. The show follows the group as they "prove their big-game hunting prowess while proudly plastered in Under Armour apparel." Outdoor Channel officials' expectations for the series "are sky-high" and a second season is already in the works (Baltimore SUN, 6/30).

The Breeders' Cup and Jockey Club today announced that the Breeders' Cup will sponsor the America's Best Racing ABR traveling experience tour for "its cross country journey to promote Thoroughbred racing and the Breeders' Cup this year." The 45-foot bus, which will be manned by six young horse-racing brand ambassadors, is part of "a peer-to-peer marketing campaign targeting Millennials." The tour will include stops in Oceanport, N.J., Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Chicago, San Diego and L.A. and conclude with an appearance at the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park in November (BLOODHORSE.com, 7/1).

SportsBusiness Daily is seeking an entry-level Staff Writer at our Charlotte, N.C., headquarters. Qualified candidates will have excellent knowledge of sports and business issues, with equally strong writing and verbal skills. Must also have a solid work ethic and thrive in a team environment. Strong editing and copy-editing skills needed, as well as the ability to work very well under the pressure of a deadline. Computer and Internet skills also required. Interested candidates should provide resume and writing samples to jobs@sportsbusinessdaily.com or fax to (704) 973-1501.

Santander Holdings USA today announced that it will be a platinum-level sponsor of the '13 CONCACAF Gold Cup, with its subsidiary Sovereign Bank leading activation in the U.S. (Santander).

Syracuse-based blueRock Energy has signed a long-term partnership making the company the Official Electricity Supplier of the Bills (Bills).

ESPN today launched a new campaign titled "Happened" to support the '13 ESPYs. The campaign, via 77 Ventures, features Yankees SS Derek Jeter, NASCAR driver Danica Patrick, Redskins QB Robert Griffin III and former NFLer Ray Lewis. ESPN also announced Capital One is returning for a second year as presenting sponsor of the event (ESPN).

NASCAR today announced a multiyear deal making Eaton an official NASCAR Green partner, with the designation of official electric vehicle charging solution provider of NASCAR. Per the deal, 20 Eaton EV charging stations will be installed at NASCAR's HQ in Daytona Beach (NASCAR).

USA Synchro today announced that Agon Swimwear will be the official aquatic national team supplier for its national teams (USA Synchro).

"Our responsibility is to ensure that the employer is creating an environment that is healthy and safe for our players" – NFLPA President Domonique Foxworth, discussing the union's role for when a gay NFL player comes out ("OTL," ESPN, 6/30).

"I think it's sensible to look at the Olympics as this great global brand. What is it Philadelphia is going to do to make people sit up and take notice" – Former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, offering the city suggestions on how to enhance its bid to host the '24 Summer Games (PHILADELPHIA BUSINESS JOURNAL, 6/28 issue).

"The C-USA brand is important. The branding differential (compared to the Sun Belt) is there. Whether it’s fair or not, it’s there. I think it makes us more attractive to a normal student and more attractive as an athletic program" – Middle Tennessee AD Chris Massaro, on the school officially joining Conference USA today from the Sun Belt (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 7/1).

Lakers G Steve Nash: "Flying from NYC to LA. @DwightHoward we're coming for you. You're going to love the statue we build for you outside Staples in 20yrs!"

ESPN L.A.’s Arash Markazi: "TWC is desperate for original programming as it is and if giving Dwight his own show helps the Lakers it's a win-win."

The AP's Rob Harris: "FIFA was due to reveal World Cup ticket prices today. They've suddenly said announcement won't be until later in July. When protests faded?"

L.A. Times' Sam Farmer: "Yes, 27 NFL arrests since the Super Bowl is a big number. No, it's not an unusual number. There were 41 over the same span in 2008."

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

The official Twitter feed from the Univ. of Virginia's athletic department posted images from ACC mascots' tour of N.Y. this morning. The mascots had some fun at the expense of Testudo, the mascot for the Big Ten-bound Univ. of Maryland.

ACC Commissioner John Swofford will be part of a conference contingent that will ring the NASDAQ Closing Bell 4:00pm ET. The group will include Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer, Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim, Notre Dame basketball coach Mike Brey, Florida State football Jumbo Fisher, Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald and UNC basketball coach Roy Williams.

Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient Lenin Hernandez will throw out the first pitch prior to the Padres-Marlins game. Hernandez was invited by Outback Steakhouse and Operation Homefront to take part in the Marlins' "South Florida Heroes Mondays" festivities.

Xavier Univ. will hold a pregame parade around the field prior to the Giants-Reds game at Great American Ball Park celebrating the school's first day as a member of the Big East conference. Xavier baseball coach Scott Googins will throw out the first pitch.

Stanford Univ. over the weekend “traded” its @SUAthletics Twitter handle to Syracuse Univ. in exchange for a collection of local goods to be named later. Stanford was able to part with the handle after its @GoStanford became more popular as the official handle and hashtag (Stanford).

Magic first round draft pick Victor Oladipo offers a glimpse of what it's like to be selected by an NBA team with this footage of the various stages of draft day.

$93,741 – Cost of the three scholarships that Oregon lost as a result the NCAA’s probe into recruiting violations. The figure pales in comparison to Penn State’s 90-scholarship penalty from the Jerry Sandusky case that was valued at $3.15M (WSJ.com, 6/27).