Minnesota United MF Collin Martin on Friday announced he is gay, becoming the second MLS player "to publicly come out." Former player Robbie Rogers, who retired after last season, came out in '13. Martin's announcement comes as the club "hosts its Pride Night in support of the LGBTQ community on Friday." Minnesota United is planning "many festivities and displays of support to the gay community" ahead of Friday's match against FC Dallas (TWINCITIES.com, 6/29). Martin "informed the team on Monday of his plan to announce he was gay" ahead of Pride Night. He will be the "only publicly gay athlete currently playing in one of the five major U.S. men's sports leagues" (STARTRIBUNE.com, 6/29).

As part of the club's Pride Night, rainbow scarves will "flank the players' tunnel before kickoff," while uniform numbers will be "rainbow-colored." The stadium LED boards "will show multicolor displays, and there will be a special video pregame" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 6/29).

The Bucks "will mark the grand opening" of their new $524M arena with a "day-long event" on Aug. 26. The team on Friday sent a "'save the date' alert about the event to sponsors and others." The Bucks plan a "block party on the plaza outside the building," while free tours of the arena "will be held throughout the afternoon." The team's ownership group, former team owner Herb Kohl and officials from the NBA, state of Wisconsin and greater Milwaukee area "will attend" (JSONLINE.com, 6/29).

Bucks F Giannis Antetokounmpo stars in a new video for the Greek Tourism Ministry released Friday that is "showcasing the tourism offerings" of the country. Antetokounmpo in the clip speaks "directly to the camera" and "urges travelers to come to Greece for their vacations." The video will be "promoted by Greek embassies abroad, the Greek National Tourism Organization's offices in other countries and the media." Antetokounmpo and his brother, Thanasis, last year were named Greek Tourism ambassadors by Tourism Minster Elena Kountoura (GTP.gr, 6/29).

Chicagoland Speedway for this weekend's NASCAR races will have special activations to make the days water-sports themed. That includes a Wakeboard Rail Jam, a setup where wakeboarders perform tricks on skateboard-style rails before landing in a 50,000-gallon pool. The activation comes as marine-and-watersports equipment retailer Overton’s is serving as a title sponsor for multiple races. ISC-owned Chicagoland wanted to set up water-themed activations as a result.

Overton’s will have signage on the rail jam, which is made by action sports production company Step Up Productions. Chicagoland switched race weekends starting this year from previously holding its annual NASCAR action for the first week of the playoffs in early September. This also marks NBC's first race weekend of the year, taking over for Fox.

Gillette Stadium on Sept. 28 will host its first marathon, featuring 100 runners completing "over 100 laps on the warning track surrounding the field turf." The race, which will "help raise money for homeless shelters" throughout the Boston region, will be certified by USA Track & Field and will serve as a Boston Marathon qualifier. There will be "live performances and music," along with appearances from former Patriots. Fans will be able "to watch the race from the Optum Field Lounge." Participants "will be required to raise a minimum of $5,000" (MASSLIVE.com, 6/29).

All 17 courts that will be used during the U.S. Open later this summer "will have electronic line-calling and video review available," marking the first time that every match in the tournament "will have the technology." Only seven courts "had the capability" during last year's event. The "top four courts ... will have an instant-replay team within the arena this year" (AP, 6/29). The move "likely will be embraced by players, most of whom have come to rely on it over the years, particularly amid questionable calls on critical points" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 6/29).

NBC Sports Regional Networks' second documentary project debuts Friday night across the company’s RSNs. The one-hour documentary, “Fair Play: Youth Sports in America,” looks into the growing organized sports industry. NBC Sports Washington’s Julie Donaldson hosts the show, which also includes interviews with Warriors G Stephen Curry, Giants P Jeff Samardzija, USWNT F Carli Lloyd and UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma. NBC-owned local TV stations also will show the program over the next two months.

Download the Fair play

The Magic have promoted COO Charlie Freeman to President of Business Operations (Magic).

The NWSL Orlando Pride are hosting their "first-ever vegan night" on Saturday with "local vegan food vendors and vegan stadium fare" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 6/29).

"What is wrong with this guy? He can be the face of the franchise and could be one of the faces of the NFL" -- ESPN's Jeremy Schaap, on Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston ("Get Up!," ESPN, 6/29).

"When you get somebody that exploded on the scene the way he did last year, it was hard to know that was about to happen. This year we wanted to get out there early" -- UCF Associate AD Andy Seeley, on launching a Heisman Trophy campaign for QB McKenzie Milton (HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER, 6/29).

The NFL isn’t a legal justice system. They are a sports league. The personal conduct policy (the one I see is from 2016) states a baseline of 6 games for what Winston is accused of. There’s nothing that says you can strike a deal for less time.

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) June 28, 2018

Good luck on the job hunt, @KingJames. Hopefully something will open up for you.

— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) June 29, 2018

CFB considered regionally tribal. But I bump into a surprising number of fans who love teams from far away schools they have no association with. Latest: NYer @Huskers fan. Dude loved Tommie Frazier & stuck with Big Red ever since. I Suspect it’s more common than most think.

— Chris Fowler (@cbfowler) June 29, 2018

I like that to be an NBA fan today, you need to know both about how basketball works, as well as the mathematical intricacies of the collective bargaining agreement.

Really levels the playing field for us nerds.

— Amir Blumenfeld (@jakeandamir) June 29, 2018

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

.@NBPA stars attend @SDABocconi, learning about the iconic branding and super sports car design of Lamborghini. Among them, @KarlTowns, @thats_g_, @TarikBlack25, Jarrett Jack, @damjan_rudez and @donatasmot! Find out more: https://t.co/6sU5Oafgzx #Lamborghini #NBPA pic.twitter.com/NwcOd5LE5P

— Lamborghini (@Lamborghini) June 29, 2018

Saturday

The Capitals will hold their annual Fan Fest at KettlerCapitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va., from 10:00am-2:00pm ET. Fans will have their chance to take their picture with the Stanley Cup.

Sunday

The WNBA Storm will distribute special edition posters featuring Storm G Sue Bird and NWSL Seattle Reign F Megan Rapinoe to the first 3,000 fans at the game against the Sun. The Reign will also distribute posters of the real-life couple, who also recently appeared in the ESPN The Magazine "Body Issue," at its July 7 game against the Houston Dash.

13 --The number of consecutive years the Pac-12 led the nation with the most NCAA championships. Following Oregon State winning the College World Series, the conference claimed 12 titles in the '17-18 academic year (Pac-12).