Brands continue to distance themselves from the Clippers amid the controversy over Owner Donald Sterling's alleged remarks. State Farm said that it is "pausing" its Clippers sponsorship. Virgin America is "ending" its sponsorship, while Kia is "suspending its advertising and sponsorship related to the Clippers indefinitely" (TIME.com, 4/28). Red Bull is suspending its Clippers marketing activities, saying in a statement, "We will continue to support our Red Bull athlete, Blake Griffin, his teammates and coaching staff in their pursuit of an NBA title" (THE DAILY). Other sponsors “suspending marketing activity around the team” include Sprint and AquaHydrate. Another sponsor that “could flee” is Mercedes-Benz. The luxury carmaker's Southern California Dealers “have a deal with the team that's advertised on the Clippers Web site” (ADAGE.com, 4/28).

A source said that one "major ad buyer said his firm has asked Turner Broadcasting ... to move some of its commercials out of the Clippers game on Tuesday night" (WSJ.com, 4/28).

The NBA today said that Commissioner Adam Silver will address the media tomorrow in N.Y. regarding an investigation into Sterling (NBA).

The Flames have hired Coyotes VP/Hockey Operations & Assistant GM Brad Treliving to be their new GM. Treliving for the past seven seasons with the Coyotes was "in charge of their AHL affiliate," the Portland Pirates. He also "worked closely with GM Don Maloney on personnel matters." Treliving is also an Assistant GM for Team Canada at the IIHF World Championship. He previously served as President of both the CHL and WPHL (TSN.ca, 4/28).

Timepiece brand Tag Heuer today announced that it has signed Real Madrid and Portugal MF Cristiano Ronaldo to a long-term endorsement deal ahead of his appearance in the FIFA World Cup. He becomes Tag Heuer's first brand ambassador from int'l soccer, as the brand concentrates much of its sports marketing in motorsports. Ronaldo joins other athlete endorsers such as tennis player Maria Sharapova and F1 driver Jenson Button (Tag Heuer).

The Triple-A PCL El Paso Chihuahuas tonight will host their first game at their new ballpark against the Fresno Grizzlies, marking the "beginning of Triple-A baseball" in the West Texas city. The Chihuahuas "have had to play an extended road schedule" while Southwest Univ. Park was being completed. Chihuahuas manager Pat Murphy said, "I want to come in and see it (the stadium) for the first time and be surprised. I hear it is phenomenal" (EL PASO TIMES, 4/28).

Concessionaire menus at the venue "complement the custom-designed menus provided by Ovations Food Services, which will provide their signature Everything's Fresh approach" (ELPASOINC.com, 4/27).

The Goldklang Group has sold the Single-A Florida State League Ft. Myers Miracle to N.J.-based SJS Beacon, an ownership group led by Jason Hochberg. Goldklang owned the club for a quarter century and was the company's first team it owned. Chair Marv Goldklang called the decision to sell "among the most difficult of my years in the game." Financial terms were not disclosed. The Goldklang Group still owns four other teams, including the Single-A South Atlantic League Charleston Riverdogs, Single-A New York-Penn League Hudson Valley Renegades, independent American Association St. Paul Saints and summer collegiate team Pittsfield Suns. The Miracle are a Twins affiliate and play in the club's spring training home of Hammond Stadium.

Bucks play-by-play announcer Ted Davis today on his Twitter feed announced that he "will get a regular sports-radio gig" on WOKY-AM starting May 5. Davis, who has been a regular contributor to "The Big Show" on competing station WSSP-AM, will co-host a show with Mike Heller from 2:00-4:00pm CT (BIZJOURNALS.com, 4/28). Clear Channel-owned WOKY launched about 17 months ago, so landing Davis is an "important addition" for the station "as it looks to gain greater traction in the Milwaukee market" (ONMILWAUKEE.com, 4/28).

Andretti Autosport today unveiled L.A.-based Suretone Entertainment as the primary sponsor of the team's No. 26 Honda entry, which will be piloted by NASCAR driver Kurt Busch, in the May 25 Indianapolis 500. Suretone's client roster includes bands such as Fleetwood Mac and ZZ Top (Andretti Autosport).

EA Sports today announced it will release "Madden NFL 15" on Aug. 26. It will again collaborate with longtime partner ESPN on a fan cover vote. EA’s marketing activities for "Madden NFL" typically start in March, but were delayed this year in part to align with the new NFL offseason calendar (Eric Fisher, Staff Writer).

The Ravens have signed a multiyear sponsorship deal for Utz Quality Foods to be "the exclusive provider of potato chips, tortilla chips and pretzels at M&T Bank Stadium." Utz plans to launch special edition Ravens-inspired products. Frito-Lay previously had been the salty snacks partner of the Ravens (BIZJOURNALS.com, 4/28).

IMG Tennis has launched a Facebook page through which it will announce new deals for players, new sponsors for tournaments, and host Q&A's with agents and tournament directors (IMG Tennis).

The Academy for Canadians in Sports & Entertainment, L.A., has “launched with the goal of promoting Canadian talent” in the U.S. The ACISE-LA is open to Canadian Olympians and athletes “who compete for sports franchises” (VARIETY.com, 4/28).

"There's no place in my town for any racist company and we … absolutely won't tolerate it. Those comments were despicable and I hope that the very strongest sanctions are levied by the league" – L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, on Clippers Owner Donald Sterling's alleged comments ("Street Signs," CNBC, 4/28).

"Sport can change the world, but it cannot change the world alone" – IOC President Thomas Bach, on signing an accord with the U.N. to use sports to promote peace (LATIMES.com, 4/28).

“I’m only in an advisory role, so if he wants to ask me a question, he can do that at his own risk” – Hurricanes President Jim Rutherford, on giving up his GM role and being replaced by Ron Francis (USATODAY.com, 4/28).

Lakers G Kobe Bryant: "In times like this is where we need to appreciate the Buss family!! #DrB #Jeanie #Jimmy #thankyou #LakerNation. ... No. He should not continue owning the clippers. #nochance #noway #nohow"
 
ESPN Senior Communications Dir Bill Hofheimer: "Can't recall the last time ESPN carried a live media conference call. Yet here we are now live on ESPN w/ #Clippers Doc Rivers."

SI's Grant Wahl: "CONCACAF announces press conference for Thursday, expected to be combined 2016 Copa América in US. Terrific if it has best players available."

ESPN.com's Brett McMurphy: "C-USA purchased Bahamas Bowl & will play in it 4 of next 6 years, including this year vs. MAC, source told @ESPN."

Goal.com's Keith Hickey: "With an opening game attendance of 14,124, the Portland Thorns are outdrawing six MLS teams."

If you see a tweet we won’t want to miss, send it to us at editorial@sportsbusinessdaily.com.

ESPN NBA analyst Tom Haberstroh posted this image of late Basketball HOFer Dr. Jack Ramsay meeting then-10-year-old Erik Spoelstra at a basketball camp in '80.

Victor Willis, a member of the band The Village People, is "saying he will ban the use of his hit song 'Y.M.C.A.' during Clippers games," marking further fallout from the Donald Sterling controversy (BILLBOARD.com, 4/27). 

The Jockey Club's fan-focused America's Best Racing digital brand today debuted this video, "A Day At The Races." It encourages fans to attend (and bet on) horse races at tracks around the country.

Former MLBer Mookie Wilson will appear on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" at 11:00pm ET.

Mariners 2B Robinson Cano will appear on NBC's "The Tonight Show" at 11:35pm ET.