ISC expects its $400M renovation of Daytona Int’l Speedway to boost annual revenue at the track by $20M. The project, which is set to begin next week, will improve the track’s hospitality offerings, concessions and corporate sponsorship inventory enough to boost EBITDA by $15M. ISC projects annual mid-single-digit growth after the renovation’s completion. During an earnings call Wednesday, ISC CFO Dan Houser described those projections as conservative and added, “This doesn’t include the long term benefits to our sport.”

Execs declined to detail how ticket prices would increase after the renovation. ISC CEO John Saunders said the track would continue to offer Daytona 500 tickets for less than $100, but said that final pricing would be shared with fans in the future before it is shared with investors. Saunders reassured investors that the two-year renovation would not disrupt any events at DIS. He added, “We’re very confident when you look at the entire portfolio of events across the ISC facilities, we’re not going to see any loss of events through this construction period.”

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MLB on Wednesday announced that it has hired S.F.-based attorney John Keker to serve as its lead counsel in the federal lawsuit filed by the City of San Jose over the A's effort for a new ballpark. Keker specializes in antitrust, commercial and intellectual property cases, as well as securities cases. Keker in '89 was the chief prosecutor in the Iran-Contra trial involving Oliver North. Keker will work with MLB's longtime counsel, N.Y.-based Proskauer (MLB).

The San Jose Mercury News’ John Woolfork wrote, “will be legal battle for the ages: for SJ, Joe Cotchett, who sued Charles Keating; for MLB John Keker, who prosecuted Ollie North.” Freelance writer Wendy Thurm wrote, “I was proud to be John Keker's law partner for 10 years. One of the best legal minds in the biz. The battle vs. Joe Cotchett will be epic.”

Organizers expect "nearly 30,000 fans" for Wednesday night's preseason match at Sam Boyd Stadium between Liga MX clubs Club America and Chivas de Guadalajara, a matchup traditionally called "El Super Clasico." Tickets range from $28-$128. The night will resemble "midweek evenings in Mexico" when the two rivals meet, with "street vendors selling authentic food, fans drinking more than their share ... [and] everyone wearing gear from their team" (LAS VEGAS SUN, 7/3). This is the "first such exhibition between the two teams" in Las Vegas (LAS VEGAS SUN, 7/1).

Meanwhile, EverBank Field will host another pair of Liga MX clubs: Cruz Azul and Tigres UANL. It is the "latest highlight in an eventful year for" Jacksonville-area soccer, following a U.S.-Scotland women's match and an MLS Union-Impact preseason game. Sunshine Soccer Group President Dario Sala: "We want to create this kind of opportunity to bring in tournaments, international friendlies, and to convince big teams to do their preseason here" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 7/3).

The Double-A Southern League Huntsville Stars have canceled the raffling of guns at Wednesday night's home game against the Chattanooga Lookouts after the promotion gained "national attention." The Stars are "still calling it '2nd Amendment Night' and are expecting 6,000-8,000 fans – compared to average attendance of 1,900" (USATODAY.com, 7/2). The HUNTSVILLE TIMES' Mark McCarter writes, "This isn't the first promotion Minor League Baseball has discouraged. It won't be the last." The Stars "should have been acutely aware this would lead to negative publicity" (HUNTSVILLE TIMES, 7/3).

MLB clubs on Thursday will wear specially designed "Stars & Stripes" caps from New Era for the sixth consecutive year in honor of Independence Day, once again donating 100% of its net proceeds from sales of the caps to Welcome Back Veterans. A total of 106 Minor League Baseball clubs also will wear "Stars & Stripes" caps. This is the fourth consecutive year that MiLB clubs have taken part in the program (THE DAILY).

NASCAR Chair & CEO Brian France appeared on CNBC's "Mad Money" Tuesday night and said the sanctioning body's partners are "more cautious now" because of uncertainty in the economy, but "they're making bets and we're very happy that they're making bets with us." France added TV ratings are "going to go up and down," and sponsors "know that ratings are going to be ratings, but the value is always there because they get to brand right into the playing field." France also said driver Danica Patrick has "certainly been a big help" in increasing female viewership and participation. France: "We're the most gender-neutral of all sports."

Cramer asked about NASCAR's next round of TV contracts: "Will you be able to ask for a little bit more money?" France: "Well, we're going to try. That's what we do. No, those discussions are going on now and we feel good about those" ("Mad Money," CNBC, 7/2).

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race is scheduled for Thursday morning, but the "threat of lightning on race morning" has organizers "on alert." The Atlanta Track Club has set the race to its "moderate alert level," defined as "less than ideal conditions." Cancellation and delays "are possibilities," but ATC spokesperson Tracy Lott said that she "could not speak on the possibility of postponing the race." The 60,000-person race is the "largest 10K in the world" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 7/3).

BDA Sports Management has signed Rockets F Thomas Robinson for representation. BDA Sports Management NBA player agent Kevin Bradbury will represent Robinson, who is slated to be traded to the Trail Blazers July 10, when trades are made official. Robinson, the No. 5 overall pick of the '12 NBA Draft, was formerly represented by NBA player agent Tony Dutt.

Online military/government discount retailer GovX has partnered with MLBAM to launch an online verification ticketing service for current and former members of the U.S. military and government first responders. The service will allow MLB teams to more easily create privileged ticketing programs (GovX).

Insurance company Allianz announced it is partnering with golfer Beatriz Recari and the '13 Ricoh Women's British Open (Allianz).

The CFL Winnipeg Blue Bombers are teaming with Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries for the second edition of the Blue Bomber Scratch 'N Win Lottery (Blue Bombers).

USA Triathlon and EC3D Sports have agreed to a partnership that designates the compression apparel manufacturer as a Silver-Level Sponsor of the NGB through June '17 (USA Triathlon).

EA Sports' "NHL 14" has been named Best Sports Game in the Game Critics Awards Best of E3 2013 (THE DAILY).

This week's issue of SI, a summer double issue, features Basketball HOFer Dennis Rodman on the cover to highlight its "Where Are They Now?" theme. The headline reads, "Free Bird: Dennis Rodman Tries to Save the World One After-Party at a Time" (THE DAILY).

“Right now we’re concentrating on the Sheriff Center, trying to get it ready for the upcoming season” – Univ. of Hawaii AD Ben Jay, who said the school is working with its TV partner Oceanic Time Warner to offer WiFi at UH athletic facilities (HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER, 7/3).

“It's stupid. It's absolutely stupid. Don't let anyone ever try to justify the costs of owning a plane. ... But it sure is convenient” – NASCAR driver Mark Martin, on having a personal jet (USATODAY.com, 7/3).

Ventura County Star's Jim Carlisle: "ESPN's Sage Steele just said 'the waiting game for Dwight Howard is under way.' How do you start a waiting game? 'Ready... Set... Wait!'?"

ESPN's Bonnie Bernstein: "Great to see the legendary @TheBobbyBowden re-engaging with FSU. The 2 really are 1 and the same."

TSN's Sara Orlesky, after covering the meeting over the Coyotes in Glendale: "To top off a long night at city council, I had an older man come up&whisper in my ear 'Whose trophy wife are you?' No, seriously."

Hockey blogger Ty Anderson: "I'll never understand everyone's hatred for the Coyotes. I feel bad for their fans. Biggest mistake: An arena in Glendale, not Phoenix."

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

Scottish National Party Strategic Communications Dir Kevin Pringle posted an image of this scene of jubilation at SNP HQs after Andy Murray's five-set comeback win Wednesday in the Wimbledon quarterfinals.

Sources said that former Time Inc. CFO Michael Klingensmith is “a leading contender” to become CEO of the company, “which is due to be spun out of Time Warner Inc. around the end of the year” (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 7/3).

Olympic.org has compiled the promotional videos from the three '20 Games bid cities – Istanbul, Tokyo and Madrid – into this single clip.

$33,400 – Amount U.S. speedskater Emily Scott had raised, as of Wednesday morning, via crowdfunding website GoFundMe.com. Prior to USA Today publishing a story on Monday about her difficulty in funding her training for the '14 Sochi Games, Scott had raised $190 in two months (USATODAY.com, 7/3).