The Braves today confirmed that John Coppolella "has resigned" as GM in an "unexpected and stunning development." The team in a statement said, "Coppolella has resigned from his position, effective immediately. The resignation comes as a result of a breach of Major League Baseball rules regarding the international player market." The franchise "will begin an immediate search" for a new GM, and Braves President of Baseball Operations John Hart "will perform the GM duties until a replacement is named." Coppolella held the GM title for two years and "served as the de facto GM for a year prior to that" (AJC.com, 10/2).

ESPN is rolling out a new "tailgating hour" ahead of tonight's "MNF" Redskins-Chiefs matchup, and a "number of network personalities will be in the Truman Sports Complex parking area" in K.C. The net "will have a 24-foot by 24-foot demo field set up" in the same lot that is hosting the "Monday Night Countdown" pregame show. ESPN’s Suzy Kolber, Matt Hasselbeck, Randy Moss, Charles Woodson and Steve Young will be on site. Senior Coordinating Producer Seth Markman said that ESPN officials "want the country to see Chiefs fans." The “tailgating hour” will be done "just four times this season," including another Chiefs home game Oct. 30 (K.C. STAR, 9/29).

The Jazz tonight open their preseason schedule with a home game against the NBL Sydney Kings, marking the NBA team's "first-ever home game against a non-NBA foreign professional team." It also will be the "first game in the refurbished Vivint Smart Home Arena." This will be one of "three preseason NBA games involving Australian professional teams," with the Thunder and Suns hosting the others this month. Utah has a "strong Australian connection" with F Joe Ingles and G Dante Exum, who "both grew up in Australia," on the roster (DESERET NEWS, 10/2).

NHL Network tonight at 8:00pm ET will air “The Mighty Ducks” in celebration of the movie’s 25-year anniversary. As part of the celebration, the net will air special features during the movie about how it was created and the birth of the Ducks organization in ’93. That will include interviews with former Disney Chair & CEO Michael Eisner and screenwriter Steven Brill, as well as members of the original cast. It will also feature NHLers such as Oilers C Connor McDavid, Stars LW Jamie Benn and Capitals RW T.J. Oshier discussing the lasting legacy of the movie. NHL Net, the league and its clubs will also be sharing information about the movie on social media, using the hashtag #NHLMovieNight.

Palace Sports & Entertainment last week "filed for federal trademark protection for the 'Motor City Soccer Club' name" and "made a grab for five corresponding web domain names" (CRAINSDETROIT.com, 10/2).
 
Broncos LB Brandon Marshall has signed on to endorse Denver-based Recoup Fitness' Cold Roller (Recoup Fitness).

The Spurs have agreed to a partnership with San Antonio-based Rebecca Creek Distillery. The deal includes TV signage and a "Hometown Highlights" digital campaign across the team's social platforms (Rebecca Creek Distillery).

Keystone Sports & Entertainment, owners of the Union, have "signed a three-year agreement with Leidos to serve as the local presenting sponsor" of the Army-Navy Cup, the annual men's soccer matchup between the two service academies (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/2).

"A lot of fans out there have looked at players less like people because of fantasy football. ... Your fantasy team may not win and hey, guess what? You’ll live the next day. This is their well-being" -- Seahawks CB Richard Sherman, after his teammate, rookie RB Chris Carson, was injured in yesterday's game (SEATTLE TIMES, 10/2).

"I was, just like everybody else, I was kind of depressed" -- Tigers Exec VP/Baseball Operations & GM Al Avila, on the team's 64-98 season (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 10/2).

FC Barcelona joins the country wide strike called for by Table for Democracy and therefore the Club will be closed tomorrow.

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 2, 2017

Not that this matters right now, but no changes to Lakers plans to play Sunday in Vegas. They'll be in touch with Las Vegas police today.

— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) October 2, 2017

Jeffrey Loria is removing his huge Bobbleheads collection from Marlins Park & donating to Hall of Fame/Cooperstown. Not part of $1.2B sale.

— Greg Cote (@gregcote) October 2, 2017

There is significance of a GM resigning over int'l signings. Int'l cheating has not carried these repercussions before.

— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) October 2, 2017

This video from Red Bull shows off a racing drone's speed and maneuverability with a lap around the Red Bull Ring F1 track in Austria.

Fox' Alex Rodriguez will appear on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" at 11:35pm ET.

Fox' Michael Strahan will appear on NBC's "Late Night" at 12:35am ET.

$1.5M -- Approximate amount the Golden Knights have spent to "add on-ice projections and lights" to their game presentation at T-Mobile Arena. Team Owner Bill Foley said that "they’re working on plans to make their ice crew, dance crew, national anthem singers and other elements of in-game presentation stand out in the league" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/2 issue).