NHLPA Exec Dir Don Fehr does not have any current plans to leave the hockey union and rejoin the MLBPA, a source familiar with the situation said on Friday. A Yahoo Sports report stated MLBPA officials have discussed the possibility of Fehr, who was MLBPA Exec Dir for more than 25 years, returning to the baseball union. Fehr's successor, MLBPA Exec Dir Michael Weiner, is currently battling brain cancer.

"No doubt, if contingency plans are being considered by the MLBPA, it isn’t a surprise that Don’s name would come up as part of the conversation," the source said. "Don of course has strong ties to the MLBPA having spent many, many years at the MLBPA. And, if he was asked to consult and/or advise the players during a difficult period, he would certainly do so. But he is not looking to leave his ED position with the NHLPA." An MLBPA spokes person declined comment.

The Celtics took out an ad in Friday morning's Boston Globe thanking players Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, who are departing for the Nets, for their time with the team. The accomplishments mentioned in the ad include the franchise's 17th NBA championship (THE DAILY).

Meanwhile, the Nets' signing of Andrei Kirilenko for the team's $3.1M "mini-midlevel exception has transformed rival owners and front office executives into an angry mob of disbelievers." Kirilenko, who played for Russian club CSKA Moscow formerly owned by Nets Owner Mikhail Prokhorov, made $10M last season with the T'Wolves. Around the league, there are "calls for the commissioner's office to investigate the possibilities of side deals." One NBA owner said, "Let's see if the league has any credibility. It's not about stopping it. It's about punishing them if they're doing it" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 7/12).

New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Camping World RV Sales 300, and track Exec VP & GM Jerry Gappens said that while he "isn't sure what to expect for attendance," the track "will be pushing capacity, which is about 105,000." Gappens said, "We're going to be pretty good. ... It's going to be comparable to last July." Last year's crowd was "about 3,000 less than a sellout" (New Hampshire UNION LEADER, 7/12).

The Int'l Tennis HOF in Newport, R.I., on Saturday will hold its '13 induction ceremony, enshrining several icons from the business of tennis in Cliff Drysdale, Charlie Pasarell and Ion Tiriac, as well as players Martina Hingis and Thelma Coyne Long. Drysdale was the ATP's first President but is best known as an ESPN commentator since '79. Pasarell, also an ATP co-founder, served as PM Sports CEO for more than 30 years and elevated the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells into one of the sport's premier combined tournaments. Tiriac has served as a tennis agent and has owned the Madrid Open since '06 (THE DAILY).

As a prelude to the July 16 Warner Home Video DVD launch for the Jackie Robinson movie “42,” the Dodgers are showing the film at Dodger Stadium after Saturday’s game against the Rockies. Prior to the screening of the film, which has grossed nearly $100M since its release in April, director Brian Helgeland, actors Chadwick Boseman and John C. McGinley and former MLBer Don Newcombe, a teammate of Robinson’s, will participate in a question and answer session.

Planet Futbol, promoters of Saturday's soccer friendly at Sam Boyd Stadium between Liga MX club Monarcas Morelia and Salvadoran club Luis Angel Firpo, are "taking added steps to make sure there is no repeat" of the July 3 rioting around the Chivas de Guadalajara-Club America match. There will be "added security," bags will be "carefully checked" and fans will be scanned to keep out flares and fireworks. There "won't be dedicated entrances segregating fans of the two teams." Planet Futbol President Eduardo Beltramini said that there "was no discussion of canceling" the match (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 7/12).

Official MLB All-Star Game retailer Modell’s will be in the unusual position of selling merchandise at a concert in N.Y. on Saturday night. As part of its All-Star Game rights, Modell’s will sell in and around the Great Lawn in Central Park, where a concert to benefit Hurricane Sandy relief efforts will feature the New York Philharmonic and Mariah Carey. Among the items being sold are concert specific event T-shirts from VF’s Majestic brand, along with various All-Star Game merchandise at six different temporary stores in and around the Great Lawn. “Modell’s has a huge commitment across All-Star, which is impressive in a market as busy and challenging as this one," said MLB licensing chief Howard Smith.

TaylorMade Golf has named Eleven, S.F., its new global creative agency "after a review that included 12 agencies, including incumbent NYCA" (ADWEEK.com, 7/12).

Several elite female cyclists have "started an online petition to include women in the Tour de France starting in 2014" (LATIMES.com, 7/12).

IndyCar on Friday announced that it has reached an agreement for Andersen Promotions to license and operate the Firestone Indy Lights series beginning in '14 (IndyCar).

A '54 Mercedes-Benz F1 race car driven by Juan Manuel Fangio on Friday sold for US$29.6M to an anonymous bidder, making it the "most expensive car ever sold at auction" (REUTERS, 7/12).

“I think the Yankees want Alex Rodriguez to give up his $100 million and go to Russia” – CNBC’s Tyler Mathisen, on Devils RW Ilya Kovalchuk retiring and giving up $77M in order to return to his native Russia (“Power Lunch,” CNBC, 7/12).

"I understand his point of view. I totally get that. I’m all about wins and losses as well" – Lions QB Matthew Stafford, responding to criticism from former NFLer Donovan McNabb that he had not earned a recent three-year, $53M contract extension (FREEP.com, 7/12).

The official ESPN Twitter feed: "Hey @SanJoseSharks, thoughts on changing your name to the San Jose #Sharknados?"

The official Sharks Twitter feed: "Hey @espn, thoughts on showing more hockey highlights?"

CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon: "Had a great time last night going around visiting fans who tweeted me their seat locations. Will do it more often. #CFL"

NJ.com's Alex Raskin: "Clippers-Nets would be an interesting Christmas Day matchup, and yes, that looks weird on my screen."

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

SUNDAY

Citi Field will host the '13 Taco Bell Legends & Celebrity Softball Game as part of MLB All-Star festivities. Participants will include Chris Rock, Kevin James, George Lopez, Mike Piazza, Rickey Henderson and Bernie Williams.

The Dodgers will hold a sale of premium tickets in celebration of RF Yasiel Puig's NL Player of the Month Award, with preferred Loge Box, Reserve MVP or Infield Reserve seats available for $66. The sale will be held from approximately 2:24pm PT to 3:30pm.

The latest Geico TV ad featuring Bryce Harper plays off the Nationals CF's penchant for hitting the longball.

20 – Number of times Joe Buck and Tim McCarver will have called a game between the Cardinals and Cubs for a Fox national broadcast, following Saturday's coverage of the game at Wrigley Field (TWITTER.com, 7/8).