Fox Sports "paid bribes to win the rights to broadcast international soccer matches as the network sought to expand its audience through North and South America," a N.Y. jury was told today. Alejandro Burzaco, former CEO of sports marketing company Torneos y Competencias SA, testified about the "bribes paid by Fox Sports and other broadcasters" at a trial of three former FIFA execs "charged in a wide-ranging international probe of corruption in the sport." Burzaco is the "first of several cooperating witnesses who’ve pleaded guilty and are testifying for the U.S." in the trial (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 11/14).

ESPN "has extended" Scott Van Pelt's contract with another multiyear deal. Van Pelt is among ESPN's "best-known personalities," and his primary role is hosting the midnight ET version of "SportsCenter." The show is "routinely the top-rated program among young men in its time slot," averaging 181,000 male viewers aged 18-34. Van Pelt's show also is up 20% "year-over-year among total viewers." He is also "integral to the network's golf coverage" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 11/14).

Atlanta United today announced plans to own and operate a second-division team that will join the USL for the '18 season, with the new club's name and crest to be released in the coming months. The club will play its home matches at Coolray Field, home of the Triple-A Int'l League Gwinnett Braves. The ballpark will have a soccer capacity of 10,427, and ticket information will be announced at a later date (Atlanta United).

Meanwhile, the USL confirmed that it has "sanctioned a USL Memphis club" to begin play in '19. League President Jake Edwards "did not disclose the composition of the ownership group" because members "were still being finalized" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 11/14).

Pennsylvania's Aronimink Golf Club "will host two PGA Championship tournaments during the next decade," the men’s '27 PGA Championship and the '20 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. The last time the men’s championship was held at Aronimink was back in '62. The Delaware County course in '10 and '11 was the "site of a stop of the PGA Tour, the AT&T National." The BMW Championship "will be held at Aronimink" next year (BIZJOURNALS.com, 11/14).

Dick’s Sporting Goods "topped Street expectations" in its Q3 earnings report, but "forecast a big drop in profit next year" as it "makes significant investments in e-commerce and other parts of its business." The retailer reported consolidated net income of $36.9M for the quarter ending Oct. 28, down from $48.9M in the year-ago period (CHAINSTOREAGE.com, 11/14). Net sales climbed 7.4% to about $1.94B, while online sales rose about 16% (POST-GAZETTE.com, 11/14).

A proposed Grand Prix of Nashville outside Nissan Stadium is "no longer in the works" due to "logistical issues." Metro Sports Authority Dir Monica Fawknotson, speaking for Nashville Mayor Megan Barry's administration, today said that "Metro has halted talks with the race's promoters and has stopped pursuing the event." The race was proposed by former Pocono Raceway President Joe Mattioli and former Baker Curb Racing CEO Matt Crews. The group had said that they were "interested in partnering with either IndyCar or IMSA" (TENNESSEAN.com, 11/14).

Two MLS clubs will face off with two teams from the Japanese Professional Football League -- or J.League -- at a new tournament in Honolulu in February. The event, called the Pacific Rim Cup, will feature the Crew and Whitecaps. It is somewhat of a revival of the ’08 Pan-Pacific Championship, an event also held between J.League and MLS clubs. Blue United Corporation, the host origination for the event, says the goal is to make the tournament an annual event. DOME Corp., the exclusive partner of Under Armour in Japan, is the title sponsor of the event.

The four drivers eligible for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series title appeared on CNBC this afternoon. Host Brian Sullivan said NASCAR’s business is a “cruel game,” as some cars have “different vinyl and paint schemes every week.” Martin Truex Jr. said of what a championship provides as far as sponsor stability, particularly for his smaller Furniture Row Racing team, “We’re solid through next year. But a championship this year would make putting together 2019 a whole lot easier.”

Kevin Harvick said his team is in a “fortunate position” with Busch, Mobil 1 and Jimmy John’s on the car through ’19, but a "lot of the reason we got to this point is because we won the championship in 2014.” Brad Keselowski noted it takes about $1M to run a race, and “when you look at the revenues, from what you earn on the race track, about 25% comes off of purse winnings. ... You have a lot of Fortune 500 companies to make the wheels go ‘round, and when you can show success to them, that solidifies your future” ("Power Lunch," CNBC, 11/14). 

Sources said that "more than half of NFL owners want to wait before extending Commissioner Roger Goodell's contract because the timing could be a public relations disaster" (CNBC.com, 11/14).

WFAN-AM tomorrow morning will announce that Gregg Giannotti will "replace Craig Carton alongside Boomer Esiason" in the station's morning slot. Esiason and Giannotti's program, as well as the station's new afternoon program following Mike Francesa's departure, will both "premiere on Jan. 2" (NEWSDAY.com, 11/14).

VH1 has "formally greenlighted 'Teyana & Iman,' a new reality series" starring the newly married couple of singer/model Teyana Taylor and Cavaliers G Iman Shumpert. It is "set to premiere" on Feb. 19 (DEADLINE.com, 11/14).

USA Triathlon announced that the Univ. of South Dakota will launch a varsity women’s program, becoming the 20th NCAA school to take that step (Ben Fischer, Staff Writer).

Nutrition/wellness company ProSupps has signed Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster and Chargers DE Melvin Ingram as brand endorsers (ProSupps).

NBC has selected China-based Leyard to provide LED video walls for its production of the PyeongChang Games (NBC).

"This came down to fit and fee, but fee was before fit" -- MKTG Canada CEO Brian Cooper, on negotiating Scotiabank's US$639M naming-rights deal for the home of the Raptors and Maple Leafs (SPORTSNET.ca, 11/14).

“I’m led to believe this is not an issue of not wanting Goodell, it’s an issue of not wanting to do it now" -- CNBC's Scott Wapner, on some NFL owners wanting to wait to extend the contract of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell ("Fast Money Halftime Report," CNBC, 11/14).

#Vikings’ request to have Greg Olsen work a different game was declined. Olsen won’t be in production meeting or at walkthrough, but will be in booth Sunday. NFL says it did not object.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 14, 2017

NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said issue with Russell Wilson and the concussion protocol is being "formally investigated" by NFL + NFLPA.

— Lindsay Jones (@bylindsayhjones) November 14, 2017

24% of Americans listen to podcasts and the majority of listeners are male. Why hasn't the sport industry more widely adopted podcasts to promote its products?

— Alicia Jessop (@RulingSports) November 14, 2017

I get to watch games in arenas all across the league and MSG is just different. Fans and setting (PA, organ, lighting, arena size) are great. Ask most players their favorite place on the road to play and majority will say MSG https://t.co/cmguWS2LBz

— Nate Jones (@JonesOnTheNBA) November 14, 2017

If Saints-Rams won't be SNF game -- and that almost certainly won't happen -- NFL could show that game to a lot more of the country by cross-flexing it from Fox to the marquee afternoon CBS slot. From where I sit, that's the best move.

— Sam Farmer (@LATimesfarmer) November 14, 2017

It. Keeps. Getting. Closer.

Our new stadium looking really good from the air as you can see outfield seating berms, dugouts, concourse, etc. #WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/vEaa32lqO2

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) November 14, 2017

Aspen Dental created this online video recognizing Danica Patrick's contribution to NASCAR. This comes as both the sponsor and driver near their final race with Stewart-Haas Racing this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Thank you for being an advocate and an inspiration, @DanicaPatrick. pic.twitter.com/7mC5uzGZ3Z

— Aspen Dental (@AspenDental) November 14, 2017

10.4% -- Average attendance increase the 21 MLB clubs saw this past season when they staged a "Game of Thrones"-themed night at their ballpark (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 11/13 issue).