The U.S.-led bid to bring the '26 FIFA World Cup to North America "looks to be well on track for success," and "support for the bid's proposal to fast-track the awarding of World Cup rights appears broad." Multiple sources indicated that this week's vote by the FIFA Congress is "expected to go strongly in the bid's favor." With the '18 World Cup in Russia and the '22 event in Qatar, FIFA's "current rules prohibit European or Asian countries from bidding" on '26. South America's confederation is expected to bid for the '30 event and "has supported the North American bid" (ESPNFC.com, 5/8).

Meanwhile, Qatar Airways today announced a deal to sponsor FIFA through '22 as the organization's official airline. The deal term covers the '18 Russia and '22 Qatar World Cups (Qatar Airways).

The Las Vegas Stadium Authority today issued a "draft of a preliminary project timeline that shows completion of the 65,000-seat domed football stadium" by June '20, giving the Raiders "three months to move in" before their first regular-season game. The timeline shows a "30-month construction period beginning in January after stadium bonds are issued," with site work "targeted by December." That timeframe is "ambitious when compared with other recent stadium projects." Most of the focus on the draft timeline is on "actions and approvals that must occur in the next nine months" (REVIEWJOURNAL.com, 5/8).

USA Triathlon CEO Rob Urbach has left his position after six years to “pursue other professional opportunities,” effective immediately, USA Triathlon BOD President Barry Siff announced. An interim was not announced and a search for his replacement is underway. Urbach’s departure comes shortly after the BOD finalized a new strategic plan, which has not yet been published. Urbach was hired in February '11, prior to which he was Managing Dir at Cortview Capital Markets and an Exec VP for both Octagon and SFX Sports Group.

Under Urbach’s watch, USA Triathlon won its first Gold Medal, and second medal ever in the sport’s Olympic history, when Gwen Jorgensen won Gold in Rio in '16. Efforts to reach Urbach were not immediately successful. Urbach made $397,248 in compensation in '15, including a $345,000 base salary, according to IRS filings.

The Nationals and Orioles tonight open their annual four-game interleague series, and Nationals flagship radio station WJFK-FM in a new 45-second promo "throws some serious shade" at the Orioles "without even mentioning" MASN or Orioles Owner Peter Angelos. The promo, which will air through Thursday, says in part, "Natty Boh is brewed in Georgia, and 50 percent of crabs served in Maryland are actually from Japan. ... Baltimore brings its massive inferiority complex to DC, a city with more jobs, a lower crime rate and a better baseball team" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 5/8).

NFLPA Assistant Exec Dir of External Affairs George Atallah today addressed comments made last week by Cowboys Exec VP, COO & Dir of Player Personnel Stephen Jones about loosening the NFL's marijuana policy. Atallah: “It’s encouraging to see somebody from management who is interested in a more progressive viewpoint. ... It’s an interesting, certainly, dynamic where you’ve got a member of the management council of the NFL speaking out on an issue like this and then just a few days later obviously the commissioner seemingly contradicting that point of view."

Atallah added while the league is "worried about losing players to discipline and suspensions, we're worried about treating players for ailments that they may have." Atallah said there are no CBA talks "at the moment" (“PFT,” NBCSN, 5/8).

During TNT's coverage of tonight's Warriors-Jazz Game 4, Kevin Garnett for his "Area 21" segments will be joined on-air by his former Celtics teammates Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis. Garnett "has not had more than three guests on Area 21 at any other time, and the net didn't want to push past four guests this time." It will be "interesting to see whether they address" the absence of Ray Allen, who was on the same '08 Celtics championship team, but had a falling out with some players after signing with the heat (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/6).

iHeartMedia has reached a multiyear deal to broadcast San Diego State football and men's basketball games on KGB-FM and XTRA-AM beginning with the '17 football season (iHeartMedia).

Winnebago Industries today announced an exclusive, multiyear deal with Cubs manager Joe Maddon (Winnebago Industries).

U.S. Soccer today formally announced that Orlando City Stadium will host a USMNT FIFA World Cup qualifier against Panama on Oct. 6. The match "will be broadcast live on ESPN and Univision" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 5/8).

Steelers draft pick LB T.J. Watt "has signed with Reebok" (247SPORTS.com, 5/8). His brother, Texans DE J.J. Watt, also endorses Reebok (THE DAILY).

Team #Reebok pic.twitter.com/mFYlHze1tr

— TJ Watt (@_TJWatt) May 5, 2017

“When I was completely honest with myself after thorough and exhaustive evaluation, I really thought I could use more help in our basketball operations, more advice” – Hawks Owner Tony Ressler, on changing the team’s front-office personnel (AJC.com, 5/8).

“I had first hand experience with the foundation while I was here so I know how much they help people and kids specifically” – Former Redskins GM Scot McCloughan, on auctioning off items he wore during his tenure with the team to benefit the Redskins Charitable Foundation (ESPN.com, 5/8).

ESPN just announced that Tim Tebow has signed a multiyear extension with the company. CFB on SEC Network.

— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) May 8, 2017

A special thank you to my @espn family for giving me a platform to share my passion for football.. pic.twitter.com/X050llS3W5

— Jerome Bettis (@JeromeBettis36) May 8, 2017

Hearing from senior @IIHFHockey types that if the @NHLPA re-opens the CBA before the 2020/21 season, a World Cup in 2020 is unlikely.

— Gord Miller (@GMillerTSN) May 8, 2017

There is interest from #Flyers in bringing Dean Lombardi back. Ron Hextall waiting to hear back from him but the potential role is unclear.

— Dave Isaac (@davegisaac) May 8, 2017

#Bills are interviewing #Packers Director of Player Personnel Brian Gutekunst today for the vacant GM job, sources say. He’s highly regarded

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 8, 2017

China-based tech company OnePlus' next flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 5, "will arrive this summer" as a follow-up to last year's OnePlus 3 and 3T. The company opted not to call it the OnePlus 4 because "the number four is considered unlucky in China." But another factor that "did come into play was the number five jersey" of former NBAer Robert Horry, whom a "number of OnePlus employees consider themselves fans of." There are "two paintings of Robert Horry hanging in OnePlus' Shenzhen office" (THEVERGE.com, 5/5).

This video from America's Best Racing goes behind the scenes at the Kentucky Derby with Terry Finley, whose West Point Thoroughbreds owns a minority stake in race winner Always Dreaming.

Golf Channel's David Feherty will appear on NBC's "The Tonight Show" at 11:35pm ET.

25,014,858 – Number of Twitter followers of the NBA's official feed, at presstime. @NBA is the 49th Twitter account to surpass 25 million followers (TWITTERCOUNTER.com, 5/8).