The Fiesta Bowl has hired former Coyotes President Mike Nealy as Exec Dir replacing Robert Shelton, “who resigned in January after the board asked him to step aside.” Nealy, who began his new job today, agreed to a three-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed, but Nealy said that his “base pay was lower than the $455,000 base compensation that Shelton made” (AZCENTRAL.com, 5/5).

The Verizon IndyCar Series today formally announced that it is exploring a race at NOLA Motorsports Park outside New Orleans. The potential three-day festival would culminate with the Grand Prix of Louisiana. Andretti Sports Marketing would organize the event. The state of Louisiana, upon approval by its Legislature, would commit $4.5M for necessary enhancements to the track (IndyCar).

Organizers were "confident enough in the event's success that they launched" a Grand Prix of Louisiana website, indynola.com, which referred to the event as "inevitable" (AP, 5/5).

Michael Waltrip Racing today announced that NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer has signed a multiyear extension to remain with the team and sponsor 5-hour Energy. Bowyer's No. 15 Toyota will be sponsored by 5-hour Energy for 24 of the 36 races each season of the deal, "with additional sponsorship from Peak and AAA Mid-Atlantic" (USATODAY.com, 5/5). The extension is a three-year deal (AP, 5/5).

Regions Bank and ESPN today announced that Regions will continue its 21-year position as the official bank of the SEC in a six-year extension. Regions’ deal includes category exclusivity at all SEC Championship events and sponsorship of the Regions Bank SEC Coaches Luncheon in the run-up to the conference's football championship in Atlanta.

Regions also signed on as a sponsor of the SEC Network, which launches Aug. 14, and will have heavy involvement in the net’s “SEC Nation” traveling campus-based football pregame show (ESPN/Regions Bank).

adidas is reportedly “looking to sell its Rockport brand,” which the German apparel and footwear company inherited in ’05 with the deal to acquire Reebok. adidas has retained Guggenheim Partners to “start pitching Rockport to potential buyers.” Rockport could command more than $300M (WSJ.com, 5/5).

EA, the NHL and the NHLPA today announced the launch of its NHL Cover Vote online campaign, again giving fans the chance to pick the cover athlete for the "EA Sports NHL 15." A pool of eight players will advance through weekly elimination rounds with the winner being revealed at the ’14 NHL Awards in Las Vegas on June 24 (EA Sports).

Newly released sales-tax distribution numbers show the Miller Park stadium district took in $2.2M, up 25.8% from April '13. The figure represents the “second highest sales-tax distribution in April since the 0.1% Miller Park sales tax was enacted in 1996.” Year-to-date, the amount of sales tax collected so far this year is 8.2% higher than the same period last year (JSONLINE.com, 5/5).

Alchemy Global, a crowdfunding platform for accredited investors, today formally launched with the closing of its investment round. Investors/advisors in the venture include Greg Norman, Jim Courier and Boris Becker (Alchemy Global).

Skechers Performance Division today announced a multiyear endorsement deal with long-distance runner Kara Goucher, who will wear Skechers footwear and appear in marketing and ad campaigns (Skechers).

ABM today announced a multiyear deal to become the cleaning services partner for Dodger Stadium (ABM).

"What's wrong with seven rounds in seven nights? Our focus is, when we moved to prime time it was a great change for us. It's probably a three- or four-day draft and seven rounds in that time period" – NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, on the league possibly expanding its draft to four days (NFL.com, 5/5).

"I did get a call from a team that had interest. Offered me a box of old tube socks and I said no thank you. Other than that, there's been no conversations" – Lions GM Martin Mayhew, saying the team has no interest in trading DT Ndamukong Suh, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract (ESPN.com, 5/5).

"They're playing for something greater than themselves and I think this is a team that America can get behind" – ESPN's Michael Smith, on the Clippers advancing in the playoffs ("Numbers Never Lie," ESPN2, 5/5).

Twins President Dave St. Peter: "Sorry no second show RT@KarleeKanz: @TwinsPrez are there talks about adding a second McCartney show? Because it sold out in 20 mins."

Mets VP/Media Relations Jay Horwitz: "‏Nets are staying at our hotel in Miami. Saw Paul Pierce in lobby and challenged him to block my shot. He declined."

FCC Commissioner Ajit Pa: "Congratulations to @CowherCBS on being named Broadcaster of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters!"
 
Predators LW Rich Clune: "Im grateful to be celebrating 4 years clean and sober today. Living one day at a time is what it's all about kids. Alright alright alright."

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

Tigers P Joba Chamberlain posted an image of some Tiger-themed pants that Zubaz sent the players. Chamberlain wrote, "They have arrived. @zubaz came through. Can't wait til we get to rock these bad boys."

The National Football Foundation’s Rhode Island Chapter will honor IMG Sports & Entertainment President George Pyne with its Distinguished American Award during the 27th Annual Scholarship Athlete Awards Dinner in Warwick, Rhode Island.

Red Sox GM Ben Cherington will be honored during The Turnaround Management Association and the Commercial Finance Association’s ’14 Turnaround of The Year Awards Gala at the Seaport Boston Hotel.

ESPN today debuted a TV spot for the inaugural Verizon IndyCar Series Grand Prix of Indianapolis, which will air on ABC this Saturday.

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

Broncos QB Peyton Manning will appear on CBS' "Late Show" at 11:35pm ET.

17,414 - Attendance for Saturday's USL Pro Orange County Blues FC-Sacramento Republic game at Hughes Stadium, an attendance figure that "outdrew three of the seven MLS matches played" that night (SACRAMENTO BEE, 5/4).