MSG today announced internally that MSG Sports President Dave Howard is "exiting the company." Howard was viewed "as a contender for the top MSG CEO position that went to Tad Smith," after Hank Ratner stepped down in February. Howard had been in his position at MSG for one year and previously served as Mets Exec VP/Business Operations (NYPOST.com, 6/2).

The Earthquakes and the 49ers, on behalf of the Santa Clara Stadium Authority, have partnered to promote their two new stadiums as a regular host of top-tier soccer events over the next five years (49ers). The two teams will share "financial risk for booking international matches and U.S. men's team events." Earthquakes President Dave Kaval and 49ers President Paraag Marathe have "a close relationship dating to their days as Stanford business school classmates" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 6/2 issue).

Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban today in a series of tweets criticized the media for its treatment of Phil Mickelson in light of FBI agents approaching the golfer last week with regard to insider trading. Cuban tweeted, “Carl Icahn has never met or spoken to Phil Mickelson, yet he is in the middle of a media firestorm re Insider Trading. #headlineporn … Nov 2008 I found out I was being charged w Insider Trading by turning on @cnbc. ESPN couldn't cover it enough. They had it 100% Wrong. … I went to a Mavs gm shortly thereafter and heard chants of 'Insider Trading' the process matters. Ethics matter. #headlineporn doesn't. … I looked at the bus that people were throwing me under and it had every major media logo on it" (TWITTER.com, 6/2).

The NBA today announced it will launch a limited-edition shoe, the “NBA Anniversary 2014,” on Friday, which coincides with the start of the NBA Finals. Only 1,946 pairs will be available to commemorate the league’s first year in ’46. The shoe features a red, white and blue design inspired by the NBA logo, while 30 stars on the heel represent the league’s 30 teams. The shoe will have a suggested retail of $119 (NBA).

Pistons President and coach Stan Van Gundy is "making is first major front office hiring, finalizing an agreement" with Marist College basketball coach Jeff Bower to become GM. Bower is "expected to start immediately" with the Pistons, "preparing for the draft and July free agency." Before joining Marist in '13, Bowers spent seven seasons as Pelicans GM (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/2).

Eastland Shoe Corp. today announced a new licensing agreement with MLB Properties for a line of shoes. The Eastland MLB collection is comprised of two styles -- a boat shoe that retails for $70 and a moccasin-style slip on that retails for $55. The introductory release will include offerings for the Braves, Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers and Yankees. The shoes are available on Eastland's website and MLB.com (Eastland Shoe Corp.).

NFL Giants Treasurer and Loews Hotels Chair Jonathan Tisch today was in attendance for the 36th annual NYU Int'l Hospitality Industry Investment Conference and appeared on CNBC to discuss whether N.Y. Mayor Bill de Blasio should have pursued the ’24 Summer Olympics. Tisch said, "There's a difference between Super Bowl and the Olympics. I was very involved in the last effort to get the Olympics … (and) a lot of what the Olympics would have brought to New York we've done now. We've improved our infrastructure. We've done some housing." Tisch said the city wants "more hotel development" and "more of the travel and tourism community to expand, (but) I'm not sure we need to do it with something that is as complex and expensive as the Olympics" ("Street Signs," CNBC, 6/2).

NYC FC today "made its first official signing a big one," inking Spain F David Villa to a three-year deal as the team's first Designated Player. The MLS club starts play next March, and "plans to loan him to an unspecified club to keep him in shape until training starts" in January (AP, 6/2).

George Mason Univ. today announced former NFLer Brad Edwards as its AD, replacing Tom O'Connor, who announced his retirement in March. Edwards had served as Jacksonville Univ. AD since '12 (George Mason Univ.).

The Orlando City Council today is “set to approve changes” to the site of the Magic’s $200M downtown entertainment complex. The council’s vote is “just one of several more approvals needed to finalize the project” (BIZJOURNALS.com, 6/2).

Heat F Shane Battier reportedly has agreed to "a multi-year TV deal with ESPN to be a college basketball analyst next season" (THEBIGLEAD.com, 6/2).

"People have been predicting my burnout for a very long time. It hasn’t happened yet – I don’t see it happening" - UFC President Dana White, discussing the merits of UFC fighter Chael Sonnen as his possible successor (MMAJUNKIE.com, 6/2).

"What I can promise you, one of the things we're working on most, is when you come see us at ball games, starting with High Point Solutions Stadium, you have a world-class, Disney World experience" - Rutgers AD Julie Hermann, on improving the fan experience at games (NJ.com, 6/2).

"I believe that even on paper before the event it looks extremely good to break the records we have" - FIFA TV Dir Niclas Ericson, predicting this summer's World Cup will set a global TV audience record thanks to new technology and fan-friendly scheduling (REUTERS, 6/2).

ESPN's Paul Finebaum: "Watching Bama-Kenn St NCAA game on ESPNU. I just saw more people in the drive-thru line at Chick-fil-A than in the stands."

Miami-based WINZ-AM's Andy Slater: "Staff let go from Florida Panthers include almost entire sales team and many building ops personnel, among others - source says."

Media consultant Ben Grossman: "Last week I wrote in the @sbjsbd @MLS had to keep improving the product to justify big TV $. Today, @NYCFC inks David Villa. Huge coup."

Philly.com's Jonathan Tannenwald: "I think it’s important that NYCFC signed a Spanish-speaker as their first player. Hope it helps get the Hispanic audience on board."

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

The official Twitter feed for Circuit of the Americas posted an image of preparations for this week's X Games with the copy, "Turn 12's Moto X remodeling is almost finished."

The Summit County (Ohio) council will hold a public hearing to give residents a chance to discuss a proposal to increase the sales tax to help fund a $76M downtown Akron arena that would house the Univ. of Akron’s basketball program.

As World Cup organizers and sponsors wrap up preparations for this summer's tournament, the Guardian has created an interactive guide to every kit for the 32 competing teams since the competition began in '30.

Dream F Swin Cash, Fever F Tamika Catchings, Sky F Elena Delle Donne, Sparks G Lindsey Harding and F Nneka Ogwumike will appear on ABC's "The Bachelorette" at 8:00pm ET. The WNBAers will play the contestants in a game of basketball.

U.S. gymnast Jon Horton and U.S. bobsledder Johnny Quinn will compete in NBC's "American Ninja Warrior" at 9:00pm ET.

ESPN's Sage Steele will appear on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" at 11:30pm ET.
 
Indianapolis 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay will appear on CBS' "Late Show" at 11:30pm ET.