Cowboys TE Jason Witten is "on the brink of retirement after 15 seasons to join ESPN as an analyst" for "MNF," according to sources. Witten had a "meeting scheduled" on Friday with Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones to "inform him of the decision." Sources also said that Witten has been "engaged in talks to become a game analyst with multiple networks, including ESPN, for several weeks." If the deal is "finalized, as expected," Witten will be the "third former Cowboys player to work as a lead network broadcast analyst, joining Troy Aikman (Fox) and Tony Romo (CBS)" (ESPN.com, 4/27).

Mike Francesa, Entercom and CAA Sports have reached a multiplatform partnership that will see Francesa return to WFAN-AM, with the new "Mike's On" radio show to air Monday-Friday from 3:00-6:30pm ET starting Tuesday. The deal also includes the launch of a mobile app and online destination by the same name, "Mike's On," which will feature exclusive video streaming Francesa's weekday radio program. The new app and website also will be the exclusive home of the "Mike's Football Sunday" show, beginning with the '18 NFL season (WFAN).

NASCAR has acquired the ARCA racing series in a move that further solidifies its hold on motorsports and could provide the sanctioning body greater flexibility in the future. Financial terms were not disclosed for the deal, which will see ARCA continue to operate under its current structure for the rest of ’18 and all of ’19 before it falls under NASCAR’s full control in ’20. ARCA is a Michigan-based stock-car racing series that holds events mostly in the Midwest. NASCAR and ARCA have had a close connection for more than 60 years, but the move to buy the series represents a new level to the partnership.

NASCAR is increasingly facing calls from fans, drivers and media to diversify some of its series’ schedules and get away from having the Camping World Truck Series run mostly companion events with the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series at sprawling venues with capacity often at or above 50,000. Buying ARCA could allow NASCAR to help get the Truck Series racing at smaller short tracks where ARCA often holds its events, such as Nashville’s Fairgrounds Speedway, Salem Speedway and Toledo Speedway.

Jaguars Owner and prospective Wembley Stadium buyer Shad Khan "wants to host" FIFA World Cup matches at the venue and "has assured the English Football Association the national stadium can remain the centerpiece of major tournaments if the sale is completed." England has been "exploring a bid" for the centenary World Cup in '30 but is "yet to say if it will challenge the early applicant from maiden host Uruguay, which has launched a joint campaign with Argentina and Paraguay." Khan said that "'very preliminary talks' have been held with the FA about bidding for the FIFA tournament." Khan: "All of us will be aligned to use it and build on the heritage of the place" (AP, 4/27).

nflshop.com

Newly drafted Giants RB Saquon Barkley has "sold more jerseys than any other player selected in the first round," according to Fanatics, which operates the NFL's online shop. Fanatics "won't divulge specific numbers." But a company official said that Barkley "sold more jerseys on draft night than any other player in its history." Fanatics on Thursday night "started selling jerseys of players just drafted within minutes" (ESPN.com, 4/27).

Fox for the second year in a row is "letting drivers take over one of their NASCAR broadcasts," lining up the "Drivers Only" feature for Saturday's Xfinity Series race. Like last year, Kevin Harvick is "taking on play-by-play duties along with Clint Bowyer and Joey Logano in the booth with him as analysts." Ryan Blaney and Erik Jones "reprise their pit reporter roles from last year" and have added Bubba Wallace in the pits. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. "moves from pit road to the Hollywood Hotel as an analyst," while Brad Keselowski is "on as the host inside." Regular Fox broadcasters Shannon Spake, Larry McReynolds and Michael Waltrip will be on the pre-race show (AWFULANNOUNCING.com, 4/26).

The Golden Knights and Levy Restaurants have new food, beverage and retail items at T-Mobile Arena for the team’s Western Conference Semifinals series against the Sharks, which begins Saturday night. That includes posters where fans can pose in front of green screens, get their picture taken and have a customized 11x17 poster of themselves with a Golden Knights background for $30. The feature is run by Levy Restaurants’ Rank + Rally retail subsidiary at T-Mobile Arena. The team handed out posters for home games during the season, and T-Mobile Arena GM/Retail Jared Gery said the move for the playoffs is a personalization of that program.

The Golden Knights and Patron also have a new pop-up bar outside the arena for the series, said Jim Kohler, Levy’s division president. The 32’-by-32’ bar was built in 24 hours and features an ice sculpture the size of a hockey goal. Levy and Budweiser had a pop-up bar in the same plaza for the first-round series win over the Kings. Rank + Rally also has opened a new Adidas-themed pop-up store in the arena plaza near the Las Vegas Strip for the playoffs.

Univ. of Pittsburgh AD Heather Lyke has signed a six-year contract with the school, allowing her to "serve in the leadership position through at least" '24 (BIZJOURNALS.com, 4/27).

Former MLBer Jeff Bagwell on Saturday will make his season debut as an Astros guest commentator on AT&T SportsNet. This will be the first of several appearances this season for Bagwell (Astros).

“This will be beneficial to the Jaguars in Jacksonville, as well as giving us some more scheduling options in London. That's a positive force as we look to play more games there” -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, on Jaguars Owner Shad Khan’s attempt to buy Wembley Stadium (“Golic & Wingo,” ESPN Radio, 4/27).

"Let's just get through the day" -- WFAN-AM's Chris Carlin, on he and his co-hosts losing their time slot to the return of Mike Francesa beginning Tuesday ("The Afternoon Drive With Carlin, Bart and Maggie," WFAN, 4/27).

Canada is fully behind the North American bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup – and we’re ready to welcome the world for an amazing tournament. Great to be partnered with @EPN and @RealDonaldTrump for this one.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) April 27, 2018

Speaking of future TV stars, ex-#Dolphins QB Jay Cutler is expected to retire (again), as well. He may be coming to a reality show near you, as will his wife. And of course, there is the Fox interest to join the broadcast booth.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 27, 2018

If Jason Witten had the exact same career but did it with the Bills, or Cardinals or Lions or Vikings he's not getting near the Monday Night Football Booth. The power of the Cowboys brand in full effect.

— Jason Smith (@howaboutafresca) April 27, 2018

Lou Lamoriello declines to say if he wants to be #leafs GM next season.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 27, 2018

As part of a series of podcasts with the 2018 Forty Under 40 honorees, Turnkey Sports interviewed Lagardère Plus' Brendan Moynihan.

For their final game of the year, Liga MX team Club Tijuana Xolos has replaced the Bud Light logo on the back of their jerseys with “Dilly Dilly.” pic.twitter.com/Dg4rAhGDz0

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) April 27, 2018

Saturday

The Univ. of Nevada will break ground on the Donald L. Jensen Plaza, the new grand entrance at Mackay Stadium's north end, prior to its spring football game.

ESPN analyst and former NFLer Charles Woodson will deliver the Univ. of Michigan's spring commencement address.

This trailer for the new season of CBS' "Undercover Boss" highlights appearances by Deion Sanders and Gabby Douglas.

$12.1-14.4M -- Range in annual revenue for the PGA Tour Wells Fargo Championship from '12-16. The event next week returns to Charlotte's Quail Hollow Country Club after a one-year hiatus due to PGA Championship preparations. Revenue "last year in Wilmington dropped" to $11.7M (BIZJOURNALS.com, 4/27).