Yankees TV-play-by-play man Michael Kay and YES Network are "putting the finishing touches on a three-year contract with a network option for two more," and the deal "calls for a salary of more than a million dollars per season." Kay "brought in heavyweight baseball agents Casey Close and Jim Murray as his representatives" for the negotiations. While Kay will be back "doing his usual 125 or so games, there is still a chance that Ryan Ruocco could receive more time in YES’ baseball booth" when Kay is off. Kay will also "continue to do his afternoon drive-time show" on ESPN Radio N.Y. (NYPOST.com, 6/12).

ESPN is "closing in on a new deal" with Dan Le Batard. Sources said that the host of "Highly Questionable" and "The Dan Le Batard Show With Stugotz" is "finalizing a long-term contract extension," but the deal is "not signed yet." Le Batard's current deal is "set to expire early this summer." Keeping him would be a "feather in the cap" for ESPN's new management team under President Jimmy Pitaro. Le Batard reportedly has "discussed moving his ESPN radio show to SiriusXM" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 6/12).

Meanwhile, Jeff Goodman is "leaving ESPN and joining the upstart Stadium." Goodman joined ESPN in '13 "after having spent time at CBS and Fox Sports" (THEBIGLEAD.com, 6/12).

J.P. Morgan analyst Doug Anmuth predicts the '18 FIFA World Cup will benefit Twitter's ad sales "as a result of its 'real-time highlights' video partnership with Fox Sports." This comes as J.P. Morgan "raised its price target" for the social media platform's shares, "citing improving conversations with advertisers." Anmuth: "Twitter is uniquely positioned as the real-time broadcast and communications network, making it complementary to all other forms of media, including TV. Twitter is also well positioned to benefit from the large shift in dollars toward mobile and native" (CNBC.com, 6/12). At presstime, shares of Twitter were trading at $43.51, up 5% from the close of business yesterday (THE DAILY).

YouTube has partnered with mobile game franchise "Angry Birds" for an exclusive brand new FIFA World Cup-themed web series called "Angry Birds: BirLd Cup," which will live both on YouTube and the YouTube Kids app. The series from Rovio Entertainment, will combine live action and animation. It will feature appearances by international soccer stars such as Wayne Rooney, Tom Davies, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Cenk Tosun, who will compete against kids in a series of soccer challenges. New episodes will debut twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays through July 13 (THE DAILY).

Eddie Vedder's new 7-inch vinyl single will be "given out to those who buy tickets to the July 6 Cubs-Reds game at Wrigley Field." Pressed on blue and red vinyl, the record feature's Vedder's '07 Cubs song All the Way, while the flip side "features fan Steve Goodman's 1984 tribute Go Cubs, Go." One record "will be given out with each ticket purchased" (AP, 6/12).

BK Racing "will be sold," according to Matt Smith, the court-approved trustee operating the team while it is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Smith after a hearing today said, "We're selling a race team, we're not just selling a charter." Smith "would not reveal any potential suitors." He said, "We're looking at buyers that we could think do right by his team, that would be good for NASCAR, good for creditors and good for the employees." Any sale "would have to be approved by the court and the trustee would have to show that he got the best price" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/12).

The Falcons today announced plans to embark on a USO Tour to Iraq to visit active-duty service members at three military bases. AMB Group CEO Steve Cannon, Falcons coach Dan Quinn, K Matt Bryant, G Ben Garland and C Alex Mack will represent the team. The Falcons are the only NFL team that will conduct its own USO Tour. This comes as the Falcons released a new video in which Owner Arthur Blank and various players talks about the team's offseason social justice and charitable initiatives. See the full video, titled "Protest To Progress," via AtlantaFalcons.com (THE DAILY).

SBD/SBJ Exec Editor Abe Madkour sits down with NFL Players Inc. President Ahmad Nassar to discuss the ongoing challenges and developments he and his staff face as they work to represent and maximize their players’ off-the-field marketability. Nassar also shares a piece of his professional wisdom while recounting some of the most important lessons he has learned over the course of his career. 

Spalding created 2,018 limited edition Warriors NBA Champion basketballs for today's parade in Oakland, available exclusivley on Spalding.com (Spalding).

Former driver Danica Patrick will receive the Legend Award at Nickelodeon's "Kid Choice Sports 2018" on July 21 in recognition of her achievements on and off the racetrack (Nickelodeon). 

The Jaguars announced a partnership with IdealSeat, a "provider of sports fan experience data" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 6/12).

NBA 2K League team Mavs Gaming has partnered with Bedgear following the brand serving as the official performance sleep partner of the Mavericks for the past two seasons (Bedgear).

"We're absolutely nothing without you guys. Finally, we started playing hockey like we can party" -- Capitals C Nicklas Backstrom, to fans at the team's Stanley Cup championship parade (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 6/12).

"The NFL will use this as a tool as well, because the bargaining agreement comes up (after the ’20 season) so that’s another reason to prop these guys up. Because these guys playing, a lot of them weren’t even born yet, so they’re going to put that reality into them that, 'Look, you guys are a bunch of spoiled brats, you can be replaced'” -- Skip Lane, on crossing picket lines in '87 to play for the Redskins (“OTL,” ESPN, 6/12).

I'm laughing today when people tell me to enjoy the parade. You couldn't pay me enough to get within 4 miles of ANY victory parade. Literally could not pay me enough. // I'm genuinely glad people are having a good time, though.

— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) June 12, 2018

Glad the Warriors are racking up the championships while they're still in Oakland and can hold the parades where their real fans are

— J.A. Adande (@jadande) June 12, 2018

Pretty crazy how much more fun the Capitals parade seems than the Warriors parade.

— Rich Hofmann (@rich_hofmann) June 12, 2018

Spent last two days going down the wormhole with Russian World Cup bid. From German gas pipeline deals to money laundering via art. Kim Jung-Un even pops up. Reality is incredible. And us fools told to shut up and watch football as world carved up a little finer in background.

— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) June 12, 2018

NEW: Concussion depositions reveal Devils, Flames and Canadiens failed to follow protocols https://t.co/XbqDf97lxv

— Katie Strang (@KatieJStrang) June 12, 2018

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

Relive some of the highlights of Saturday's Belmont Stakes, from the fashion and merch, to the atmosphere, to Justify's historic Triple Crown-winning finish.

The UFC Fight Pass exclusive, "Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series," returns at 8:00pm ET featuring 10 up-and-coming MMA athletes looking to earn a UFC contract. 

20 -- Number of amateur golfers in the 156-man field for the '18 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, the "most in the U.S. Open since 1962" (N.Y. POST, 6/12).