NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman tops the "latest class" for the Hockey HOF in the "Builders" category. Bettman has been in his current post since '93, "during which time the NHL has expanded its footprint across North America and increased to 31 teams." During Bettman's tenure, the league also has gone from a $437M business to one with almost $5B in revenue. Also voted into the HOF today were Willie O'Ree, the "first black player in the NHL" who now works for the league as a diversity ambassador, and longtime G Martin Brodeur (AP, 6/26).

Bettman’s induction was not widely embraced on Twitter. Toronto Star’s Bruce Arthur: “Willie O’Ree in the Hockey Hall of Fame: finally. Gary Bettman? How very hockey.” TSN Radio Toronto’s Bryan Hayes: “Booing at the Hall of Fame inductions? Is that even remotely possible? #Bettman.” Hockey writer Ian McLaren: "Probably worth waiting for Bettman's tenure to be over before putting him in the Hall. Response to recent social issues has been poor at best, and concussion issue will not look kindly on him in hindsight.” ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski: “I think the Hockey Hall of Fame announcement on TSN is geo-locked. Yet a digital streaming blackout for U.S. fans is wholly appropriate for what's expected to be a Gary Bettman induction.”

Colin Cowherd is "closing in on a new four-year deal with Fox Sports and iHeartRadio," according to sources. Cowherd's current deal is reportedly worth more than $6M annually, and since Cowherd is "continuing his ownership stake in his content, the exact total of his new deal is likely more." Sources said that Cowherd "has a salary from iHeart, but then receives a share of the net revenues above what iHeart already pays him." Cowherd’s original deal, signed in '15, "still had another year left, but he and they are apparently satisfied" with his show’s production. He will "continue to do his syndicated radio show for iHeart," which is simulcast on FS1. However, he "will soon no longer co-host his afternoon TV with Jason Whitlock, 'Speak for Yourself'" (NYPOST.com, 6/26).

Homestead-Miami Speedway has confirmed that it has had recent talks with IndyCar, while Richmond Raceway did not deny talks, amid both tracks being mentioned as ISC venues that could host a race with the series in '19. ISM Raceway will drop its IndyCar race amid attendance issues, and track President Bryan Sperber indicated that IndyCar and track owner ISC were discussing possibly shifting the date to another of ISC’s 13 venues next year. Sources close to ISC and IndyCar then indicated over the weekend that Homestead and Richmond were among the top possibilities.

Homestead in its statement told THE DAILY: “We have had recent conversations with representatives from IndyCar, which we do from time to time. At this point, it is nothing more than that.” For its part, Richmond -- which is wrapping up a $30M renovation this fall and is likely eyeing added events to help generate further ROI on the revamp -- said, “We are always open to talking with sanctioning bodies about events, but nothing to report right now.”

Precourt Sports Ventures today released a "new proposal for a stadium site" for the Crew at the North Austin McKalla Place location. After several Austin City Council members said that they "wanted to open up the site to other ideas as well," PSV's business arm MLS2ATX released the new plans. They include "additional parking and 130 affordable housing units." It also "includes a 600-car parking garage and the housing units." There are "no changes on the size of the parcel or stadium itself" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 6/26).

Senior execs from Riot Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Twitch and Intel will be among the attendees at the IOC’s upcoming esports forum July 21 at IOC HQ, the companies confirmed. Intel VP/GM Esports & Gaming John Bonini will give the keynote address, titled “Spotlight on Intel Extreme Masters Pyeongchang.” Intel is signed as a global IOC sponsor through '24 and organized the experimental Starcraft II tournament that coincided with the Winter Games in February. Riot said it is sending CEO Nicolo Laurent and co-Head/esports Jarred Kennedy, who will both participate in panel discussions.

Blizzard is sending President and co-Founder Mike Morhaime, Overwatch League Commissioner Nate Nanzer and Senior VP/Live Experiences Todd Pawlowski, a spokesperson said. Twitch Head of Esports Justin Dellario said he will attend. Their roles are not yet known and the IOC did not detail any other participants.

The Buccaneers are "making changes to their fan access for training camp this season, with 15 practices open for limited groups such as season-ticket members but just six open to the general public." Admission and parking for practices at One Buc Place are "still free, but the team is making training-camp access a perk and incentive for more fans to buy season tickets." Fans will be "asked to go online and register for free tickets." Six practices open to the general public are "less than half of the 13 that were available to all fans last season." One practice is "open to all season-ticket members, one only for luxury-suite holders and one for fans with seats in the new 'stadium club' areas" (TAMPABAY.com, 6/26).

The NFL Panthers and Triple-A Int'l League Charlotte Knights "will get big tax breaks" after North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper "let a bill become law without his signature." The Panthers "stand to save more than $350,000 a year," and the Knights "could save more than $170,000." The bill became law today when Cooper "declined to sign or veto it." It "exempts entities from property taxes on public land leased at below-market value." Tax records show the Panthers in '17 paid $377,166 in property taxes on the land they lease (CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.com, 6/26).

The Audience Network has picked up a third season of "Religion of Sports," set to premiere Nov. 21 at 8:00pm ET. The show is co-produced by Tom Brady and Michael Strahan (Audience Network).

CBS Sports has officially added former NFL and NCAA hoops referee Gene Steratore to its broadcast team as a rules analyst for the NFL and college basketball, including the NCAA Tournament (CBS Sports).

The Packers announced they will be creating more mobile ticket options for fans this year as the team discontinued its print-at-home option. The team will still continue to mail paper tickets to all season-ticket holders in July for fans that prefer that method (Packers).

Golfer Charley Hoffman has agreed to a new partnership with Halo Neuroscience (Halo Neuroscience).

JR Motorsports announced mobile platform Takl will be the primary partner for driver Tyler Reddick and the No. 9 Chevrolet in upcoming NASCAR Xfinity Series races at Chicagoland Speedway (June 30), Daytona Int'l Speedway (July 6) and Iowa Speedway (July 28) (JR Motorsports).

“If you’re judging us on one summer, that’s ridiculous. ... She won’t have to fire me" -- Lakers President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson, on whether team President Jeanie Buss expects him to lure top-market free agents to the team within two years (TWITTER.com, 6/26).

"Brand-wise, outside of acting, it was basketball and then you had to kind of dive back into what was in front of you, which was the movie" -- Kyrie Irving, on being traded from the Cavaliers to the Celtics while starting production on his "Uncle Drew" film (NEWSDAY, 6/26).

“What we want to create is a World Cup of 3-on-3 basketball” -- Big3 co-Founder Ice Cube (“Today,” NBC, 6/26).

FIFA should just randomly draw first-place teams against second-place teams to build the knockout stage bracket. There are too many situations now where teams have an incentive to finish second rather than first.

— Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) June 26, 2018

Wonder how long before #Mets are on the Tebow clock. Alderson probably can’t wait to get him to Citi Field. Hitting .315 (17-for-54) with an .844 OPS this month in 19 games for the Rumble Ponies. #Mets

— David Lennon (@DPLennon) June 26, 2018

Raptors president Masai Ujiri is spearheading building basketball courts across Africa this summer through his not-for-profit organization, Giants of Africa. The first facility will open on July 16th in Kenya.

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) June 26, 2018

In the US, less than 2% of sports gambling happens after a game has started (“in-game”) -in Europe, where sports gambling has been legal for a while, that number is closer to 70%. This is a huge opportunity which is going to drive changes to the game & broadcast experience #HS18

— Dan Moriarty (@iamdanmoriarty) June 26, 2018

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

Our 2018 Green Sports Alliance Summit is in full swing!! We have had many amazing speakers already and look forward to more today and tomorrow! #greensports #PLAYGREENER pic.twitter.com/IQMK3lX7Bk

— Green Sports Alliance (@sportsalliance) June 26, 2018

The steel beam that will be added to the top of the Inglewood stadium today has been signed by all the construction workers on site.

Ironworkers Victor Tabora and Paul Graham, who commute together every day from Simi Valley, will put the beam in place. pic.twitter.com/SlyDu7u0Cx

— Jack Wang (@thejackwang) June 26, 2018

Srixon posted this video of some its top golf endorsers having some fun on the course on a day off.

What happens when 4 #PGATOUR pros take a day off?
Luckily, the cameras were rolling.
Watch @shanelowrygolf, @graysonmurray, @smyliekaufman10, and @samrydersu in #SrixonVS. pic.twitter.com/C4LJwQgmZ7

— Srixon (@SrixonGolf) June 25, 2018

The stars of "Uncle Drew" continue to make the media rounds ahead of the film's Friday release. Celtics G Kyrie Irving will be a guest on CBS' "Late Show" at 11:35pm ET, while Shaquille O'Neal will appear on NBC's "The Tonight Show" at 11:35pm.

$4.6M -- Amount three non-conference football games this season are "going to cost" the Univ. of Michigan (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 6/26).