The Bucks today formally announced a "25-year naming rights deal" for their new arena with Wisconsin-based financial tech firm Fiserv. The facility "will now be called the Fiserv Forum," with Fiserv signs to be "attached to the new arena Thursday afternoon." Until now, Fiserv has had "no civic presence" in the Milwaukee area in the "form of sponsorships or its name" on well-known properties. Also today, the Bucks announced plans for a Sept. 4 grand opening concert at the venue "featuring The Killers and the Violent Femmes" (JSONLINE.com, 7/26).

The deal was first reported by THE DAILY in May, then subsequently denied by the Bucks and Fiserv.

Bucks

The proposed college bowl game at Wrigley Field is "off, at least for now." The breakdown in negotiations occurred "because Cubs officials wanted a premier spot in the Big Ten bowl lineup -- the ability to land the league's No. 3 or No. 4 team." When Big Ten officials "queried schools, the response was that they'd prefer a warm-weather destination." The Cubs "had the finances arranged for a bowl game at Wrigley but declined to make a deal for a lower-slotted Big Ten team." The two sides said that they "might revisit down the road." The sides reportedly had made “significant progress” toward a game in '20 (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 7/26).

Puma has officially added Celtics G Terry Rozier to its roster. This summer, the brand "relaunched its basketball category" by signing Suns C Deandre Ayton and Kings F Marvin Bagley III, Nuggets F Michael Porter Jr. and 76ers F Zhaire Smith and Spurs F Rudy Gay (BLEACHERREPORT.com, 7/26). A source said that Rozier "agreed to a multi-year deal to become the first scoring guard in Puma’s portfolio earlier this month." A source added that although Rozier "will not get a signature shoe initially, Puma is considering creating one if Rozier is able to continue to build his brand like he did this year" (THEATHLETIC.com, 7/26).

WELCOME @T_Rozzay3 💪 It’s official #pumafam

vid by @CoreyPorter0 pic.twitter.com/OF1lPSFILZ

— PUMA Basketball (@PUMAHoops) July 26, 2018

HBO has "ordered a handful of episodes" of LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s barbershop talk show "The Shop." The program first aired in '16 on James’ Uninterrupted website. The fist 30-minute episode for HBO, shot last week in L.A., will debut Aug. 28. It features "James and Carter in conversation" with rapper Snoop Dogg, Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr., Saints RB Alvin Kamara, Warriors F Draymond Green, WNBA Sparks F Candace Parker and comedian Jon Stewart. So far, James is "slated to appear in at least the first three episodes" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 7/26).

Pac-12 Networks President Mark Shuken said that the outfit is in "active conversations with AT&T about extending their partnership" through the '18-19 sports season. Carriage on DirecTV for the networks is "not part of the discussion, however." The original contract was signed in '13 -- "one year after the launch of the Pac-12 Networks -- and expires this summer." AT&T "didn’t own DirecTV at the time," as it "acquired the satellite provider two years later and engaged in carriage negotiations with the Pac-12." The "omission of DirecTV carriage from the current discussions means" the impasse will "continue for at least one more year -- but only if the networks and AT&T agree to extend the current deal" (MERCURYNEWS.com, 7/26).

Maryland Heights’ Industrial Development Authority plans to issue $55.65M in bonds to "finance a multipurpose ice complex that will serve" as the Blues’ practice facility. The 277,000-square-foot complex, located on a 25-acre site, will "feature three indoor rinks -- including a primary rink with seating for 2,500 -- and one outdoor rink." St. Louis Legacy Ice Foundation will "retain ownership of the site and facility during construction" and "transfer ownership to Maryland Heights upon completion," expected in September '19. The foundation is "working to secure a 10-year agreement for a naming rights partner for the facility, as well as 10-year agreements with four to six 'foundation partners,' and five to 10 'community partners' with agreements varying between three and 10 years" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 7/26).

Bud Light and the Ravens today made good on a humorous Twitter exchange that started in April. During Round 1 of the NFL Draft back on April 26, the beer brand tweeted out that the Bud Knight was declaring his eligibility for the Draft. The Ravens after the Draft ended tweeted back, making the fictional character a rookie free agent offer. Today, the Bud Knight showed up at Ravens training camp and interacted with players and fans (THE DAILY).

Bud Knight Visits Ravens Camp

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Amber Holm, who is set to replace the retiring Phil Pasci at Bridgestone, will take on the title of VP/Marketing & Consumer & Consumer Engagement. Holm joined Bridgestone in ’14 after spending more than 13 years at General Mills overseeing the Pillsbury, Lucky Charms and Cheerios brands (Ian Thomas, Staff Writer).

3Ball USA will hold its first-ever post-collegiate outdoor three-on-three hoops tournament Aug. 17-19 in Milpitas, Calif. The 3Ball management and advisory team includes Basketball HOFer George Raveling, former A's Exec VP Andy Dolich and BDA Sports Founder & Chair Bill Duffy (3Ball USA).

BFGoodrich Tires has partnered with the World Surf League to become the official tire of the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing, set for July 28-Aug. 5 in Huntington Beach, Calif. (BFGoodrich Tires).

The AHL named New Jersey-based A&R Sports its official accessory partner for the upcoming season (AHL).

ESPN and the Special Olympics on Saturday will kick off a new year-long storytelling initiative with a new 60-minute documentary on ABC at 2:30pm ET. Also included in the initiative are 50 short films to come at a later date (ESPN).

"Ultimately, we pulled back because we thought that we couldn’t build enough shareholder value by making the price at which it seemed, in our judgment, to be possible to buy that, which was increasing" -- Comcast Chair & CEO Brian Roberts, on dropping out of the bidding war with Walt Disney for 21st Century Fox assets (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 7/26).

"It certainly proves you can play here for full FedEx Cup points and get to the site of the British Open in a hassle-free fashion, rested and ready to be competitive" -- PGA Tour John Deere Classic Tournament Dir Clair Peterson, on nine of the 16 players on this year’s charter flight from the tournament making the cut at the Open Championship the next week at Carnoustie, including eventual champion Francesco Molinari (QCONLINE.com, 7/25).

Brian Burke, asked if he'd be interested in becoming President in Vancouver: "No. I'm out. First of all, the Aquilini family wouldn't hire me. They're no fans of mine. Secondly, I promised my daughters I'm getting out. I'm a broadcaster now, and happy to be one." #Canucks

— Sportsnet 650 (@Sportsnet650) July 26, 2018

Today marks the first time I haven’t had a training camp since 1992👀👀👀👀👀
I woke up, had a coffee-did a “booty” workout with my wife and am now going to Dad my face off the rest of the day. 🤣🤣🤗🤗#NFL #TrainingCamp2018

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) July 26, 2018

How is there not a sports gambling show called "The Odds Couple"?

— Paul Pabst (@PaulPabst) July 26, 2018

There’s a guy walking around Patriots training camp selling popcorn and he’s advertising it this way: “Salty like Bill Belichick!”

— Nora Princiotti (@NoraPrinciotti) July 26, 2018

Alabama is expected to announce John Parker Wilson as its new color commentator for football radio broadcasts today. Rashad Johnson on sidelines and Chris Stewart also still on the radio team. More to come at https://t.co/FCKoCraxso

— Cecil Hurt (@CecilHurt) July 26, 2018

This report from Channel NewsAsia examines the status of Tokyo Games venue construction, two years out from the '20 Olympics.

37,000 -- Verified fan registrations for this week's Broncos "onsale." For the promotion, 2,000 single-game tickets were made available at half price. The team used Ticketmaster's Verified Fan program to ensure the discounted tickets would go to fans rather than resale bots (Ticketmaster).