USOC Chair Larry Probst today was nominated for IOC membership, marking a "big boost for U.S. efforts to expand its influence on the international Olympic stage." Probst was among nine candidates put forward for election to the IOC and the nominees were approved by the body's Exec Board. The candidates will be "up for election – usually a formality – at the full IOC general assembly" in Buenos Aires in September. Probst would be the fourth current U.S. member on the IOC (AP, 7/2).

Hours before the Glendale, Ariz., City Council decides the fate of the Coyotes tonight, facility manager Global Spectrum announced it has partnered with Renaissance Sports & Entertainment in its proposal to buy the NHL team and operate Jobing.com Arena. RSE’s proposal, a 15-year deal under which it would be paid $15M annually to run the arena, is up for a vote at 7:00pm PT. RSE is the managing partner of IceArizona Acquisition Co., the entity seeking to buy the Coyotes. Philadelphia-based Global Spectrum operates Univ. of Phoenix Stadium across the street from Jobing.com Arena. The firm is owned by Comcast-Spectacor, the same company that owns the Flyers.

ESPN at 8:00pm ET will premiere "Venus Vs.," a documentary about tennis player Venus Williams that marks the first installment in the net's "Nine for IX" film series marking the 40th anniversary of Title IX. The film "sets a tone for the series," capturing Williams' "fight to bring equal prize money to women's tennis." VARIETY's Brian Lowry writes the hour-long film is "at its best when focusing on the energy Williams' arrival as a teenage phenom brought to the sport" (VARIETY.com, 7/1). Director Ava DuVernay said that she was "turned down for interviews almost universally by current and former male players, with the notable exception of John McEnroe." NEWSDAY's Neil Best wrote, "If ESPN has ratings expectations for the series, it isn't saying" (NEWSDAY, 6/29).

ABC's Josh Elliott today said of the film series and the impact of Title IX, "There are generations now of young women in this country ... who won't ever know that once upon a time this had to happen and they need to know about the pioneers" ("GMA," ABC, 7/2).

The USTA today announced Esurance has extended its sponsorship of the U.S. Open. The company has sponsored the U.S. Open since '10 and will continue as the official car insurance sponsor of the event through '15. The deal features increased digital activation, as Esurance will be one of three sponsors of the "U.S. Open Social Wall" at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, as well as presenting sponsor of the U.S. Open iPad app. It also will sponsor six Emirates Airline U.S. Open Series events (USTA/Esurance).

The NHRA today announced that Chevrolet will become the title sponsor of the U.S. Nationals race at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. The Labor Day weekend event is one of the NHRA’s signature races and serves as the final event in the 18-race NHRA regular season. The NHRA receives 11 hours of coverage on ESPN2 for the event, and Chevrolet will get commercial inventory during the broadcast as well as onsite signage and display space at the venue. Mac Tools sponsored the race last year.

The Single-A South Atlantic League Charleston RiverDogs as of noon ET today were "almost sold out" for tonight's game featuring a rehab appearance by Alex Rodriguez. The Yankees 3B is "scheduled to play at least three innings" in the South Carolina team's 7:00pm home game against the Rome Braves. A "few general admission tickets remain available," and there "aren't many tickets left for Wednesday night's game." Forecasts call for a 50-70% chance of rain (POSTANDCOURIER.com, 7/2).

Mumm Napa has signed on to sponsor the '13 America's Cup as the event's official sparkling wine (Mumm Napa).

Universal Pictures has released two new int'l posters for Ron Howard's upcoming movie "Rush," which opens on Sept. 20 and tells the true story of former F1 driver Niki Lauda and his most-heated rival, the late James Hunt (THE DAILY). See a trailer for the film.

Wichita State Univ. announced that it has selected CBS Collegiate Sports Properties as its multimedia rights holder for the next 10 years. Also, WSU AD Eric Sexton announced a three-year partnership with Atlanta-based Collegiate Consulting "to assist with ticket sales and fan services" (KWCH.com, 7/1).

Samford Univ. announced the creation of a new multimedia sports marketing division, Samford Sports Properties. SSP has signed its first partnership, a multiyear radio agreement with Birmingham, Ala., Cumulus Media stations WZRR-FM and WJOX-AM (Samford).

Paciolan today announced that Southern Miss has renewed its partnership with the company. The school will be integrating "pick your seat" technology for the upcoming '13-14 basketball season at Reed Green Coliseum (Paciolan).

"It will be. You would want it to be. That's not only how you survive the future, but that's how you lead the future. I applaud Daytona and the folks at ISC for making that big of a move" – NASCAR President Mike Helton, when asked whether the "Daytona Rising" renovation project is a "game-changer" (Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL, 7/2).

"When I became lieutenant governor, I told them, Don't treat me differently. Sometimes I wish I never said anything because now I think they race me a little bit harder" – Vermont Lt. Gov. Phil Scott, a three-time track champion at Thunder Road Int'l Speedbowl short-track speedway in his hometown of Barre, Vt. (SI, 7/8 issue).

Chicago Sun-Times’ Lauran Berta: "Stanley Cup sitting next to me. I don't know what to do with my hands! #cuptracker#whereisthecup #TalladegaNights"

Washington Post’s Dan Steinberg: "RGIII no longer has a parking spot at that Arbys in Richmond, after the Skins (politely) asked the owner to remove it."

Official NBC Sports feed: "The final is on ESPN. RT @BillSimmons 'Radwanska! Bartoli! It's the Wimbledon Finals on NBC!'"

MLB.com A's beat writer Jane Lee: "A's encouraging fans to carpool to Coliseum in light of BART strike. All lots to be open, including off-site options."

The Hockey News’ Ken Campbell: "Since the new CBA came into being, NHL teams have spent a total of $97.9 million on compliance buyouts to players to not play for them."

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

The Astros at 4:30pm CT will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Xfinity Zone and Season Ticket Holder HQs premium areas at Minute Maid Park. Team President of Business Operations Reid Ryan and Comcast VP/Sales & Marketing Carolyne Hannan will be on hand.

Wimbledon's YouTube channel posted this video of highlights and interviews from the London premiere of "Battle of the Sexes," a film about the founding of the WTA and the historic Billie Jean King-Bobby Riggs exhibition match.

4 – Of the top seven highest priced NFL tickets on secondary ticket broker Vivid Seats, the number that involve the Broncos. The Sept. 15 Broncos-Giants game carries the highest average price at $505 (DENVERPOST.com, 6/30).