NASCAR this afternoon announced that Chair & CEO Brian France has taken an indefinite leave of absence, with his uncle, Vice Chair Jim France, now assuming the role of interim Chair & CEO. The news comes after Brian France was arrested last night for alleged DUI, as first reported by TMZ. Brian France in a statement said, "I apologize to our fans, our industry and my family for the impact of my actions last night. Effective immediately, I will be taking an indefinite leave of absence from my position to focus on my personal affairs."

Jim France had already become more involved again in the family’s businesses in recent months, negotiating the purchase of ARCA and going to Le Mans, France, to work on a project for IMSA. The brother of Bill France Jr., Jim brings years of knowledge and a traditional approach to the business (Adam Stern, Staff Writer).

NASCAR Chair & CO Brian France was arrested in the Hamptons last night for "aggravated driving while intoxicated and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree," France, who had oxycodone pills on him, was "arrested and held overnight for arraignment" this morning. He was arraigned in Sag Harbor Village and "released on his own recognizance" (NBCSPORTS.com, 8/6). Under NASCAR's substance abuse policy, France could be "required to go through a recovery program, or he could be subjected to drug testing" (ESPN.com, 8/6). Jeff Gluck writes, "This is a major black eye for the sport." Instead of a "feel-good, racing-related storyline that seemed to give NASCAR momentum on Sunday, all the talk nationally will be about France's arrest" (JEFFGLUCK.com, 8/6).

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are "proceeding with plans to create a series of high-stakes head-to-head matches featuring many of the world's top-ranked players," and TNT has "agreed to broadcast" the showdown. Following the $10M Woods-Mickelson match on Thanksgiving weekend, similar events would take place "perhaps" twice per year. Two-man teams are "being contemplated." Many "pieces to the puzzle are still missing," such as avoiding a conflict with the World Cup of Golf, scheduled for Nov. 21-25 (GOLFDIGEST.com, 8/6).

Bucks President Peter Feigin today said the team's deal with Fiserv for naming rights to its new arena is "literally generational." Feigin: "You don't see too many 25-year deals coming around anymore.” CNBC’s Joe Kernen said longer naming-rights deals “work” because the name “becomes synonymous with everything that goes on” in that building. Feigin: “It's a way to elevate both of our brands. It's the brand on the building, it'll be the brand across sports, the brand across events.”

Feigin also said legalized sports gambling represents a "big revenue opportunity, no question, for the league and for all the franchises." He added legalized gambling helps create "total engagement" for the fans, and "you're really capitalizing on something that's already happening, and part of this is how we can capitalize … on the revenue side” (“Squawk Box,” CNBC, 8/6).

Hard Rock Stadium will host the "Clasico del Pacifico," a match between "fierce South American rivals Peru and Chile," on Oct. 12. The winner "earns bragging rights as the best team of South America’s Pacific coast." The two countries last met in '16. Hard Rock is also set to host Colombia-Venezuela on Sept. 7, which was previously announced in June (MIAMIHERALD.com, 8/6).

The ATP/WTA Rogers Cup got underway today in Toronto and Montreal, and the event tonight will honor late volunteer Anne Marie D'Amico, who died in April's Toronto van attack. Rogers Cup volunteer David Catalfo, a friend of D'Amico, said, "Monday night will be very emotional." Tennis Canada has "established two annual awards in D'Amico's name: one for exemplary volunteer customer service; and a $2,500 scholarship for a ball kid in both Toronto and Montreal." Staff and volunteers "will wear red bracelets inscribed with the phrase 'What would Anne Marie do?' as a reminder of D'Amico's loyalty, generosity and helpfulness" (GLOBE & MAIL, 8/4).

Former Browns GM Tom Heckert has died at the age of 51. Heckert "had spent the last five seasons in the Broncos' personnel department," serving as Senior Personnel Advisor in '17 after four years as Dir of Pro Personnel. Heckert was Browns GM from '10-12 (CLEVELAND.com, 8/6). Heckert spent 27 years in the NFL, "beginning his career" in '91 as a Dolphins scout. He also served as Eagles GM from '06-09. After last season, Heckert, who "had battled amyloidosis for several years, stepped away from the team for health reasons" (ESPN.com, 8/6).

We're very saddened to learn that former personnel executive Tom Heckert passed away peacefully last night in the company of his family.

📰 » https://t.co/TaW8H40pel pic.twitter.com/InLQCVuBad

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 6, 2018

Our sister publication, The Esports Observer, runs a weekly briefing recapping the week that was in esports. This week: The next two Overwatch League cities are confirmed, Huya snaps the exclusive Chinese streaming rights to the WESG and another EPL player launches his own esports team.

Detroit police said that a local man "damaged a door and smashed several windows at Comerica Park overnight." The suspect reportedly used a sledgehammer and then "fled the scene on foot." The Tigers "won't be playing at Comerica for awhile -- they are on a West Coast trip this week" (FREEP.com, 8/6).

Crossover Media Group Sales will handle ad sales for four sports shows starting this football season. Buccaneers WR DeSean Jackson, Baseball HOFer Joe Morgan and former NFLer Charles Arbuckle will each launch weekly podcasts. CMGS also will syndicate "VSiN Action Update," a series of sports betting vignettes (CMGS).

Alabama coach Nick Saban this week appears on the cover of ESPN The Magazine's college football preview issue (THE DAILY).

"In every other situation it kind of bites you in the butt if you’re looking to explore other options. It’s something I think needs to change, and I know for a fact that our union is working hard to get those rules changed, really as soon as possible" -- Sporting KC MF Graham Zusi, on MLS free agency restrictions (THEATHLETIC.com, 8/6).

“That committee is investigating this. So are a whole of bunch people who work in our business and they are now in a race with them to get the information first" -- ESPN's Bomani Jones, on Ohio State's investigation into alleged domestic abuse incidents and what athletic department officials and coaches may have known ("High Noon," ESPN, 8/6).

"Thank you to the Spurs organization, from top to bottom, for the most amazing opportunity of my life -- and for 17 years of the greatest job on earth" -- Hornets G Tony Parker, in an open letter to his former team and its fans posted on The Players' Tribune (THEPLAYERSTRIBUNE.com, 8/6).

Washington's Markieff Morris and Boston's Marcus Morris have signed with agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group. Both will enter free agency next summer.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 6, 2018

The Alliance of American Football released the names of the first 100 players they've signed. At a quick glance, I recognize exactly zero of these names.

— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) August 6, 2018

Ohio State allowing media to shoot photos and videos at practice tomorrow, but no player or coach interviews. Per the statement “We are unable to comment on the investigation into Coach Meyer.”

— Bill Bender (@BillBender92) August 6, 2018

Favorite Twitter conspiracy of today: I’m being accused of writing nice things about Nick Saban in an *obvious* attempt to make Urban Meyer look bad, a story idea my editor and I came up with in April.

— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) August 6, 2018

#UNC’s Bubba Cunningham says athletic dept. found out about shoes sales via social media.

Reporting to NCAA began 12 hrs after UNC found out, was complete in 4 days
Total of 150 pairs of shoes were sold, 9 pairs are still out/not able to be brought back to university yet.#WRAL pic.twitter.com/dqWy4uU45Z

— Marilyn Payne (@marilyn_payne) August 6, 2018

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

The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales & @Cardinals Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith deliver the 🏆 to Bellerive! #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/rWHyIILMfB

— PGA of America (@PGA) August 6, 2018

Using the familiar mascot-as-office-worker trope, the Golden Knights created this video about bringing Chance the Gila Monster with them on their offseason road trip.

40,000 -- Number of tickets that have already been sold for West Virginia-Tennessee at Bank of America Stadium Sept. 1. A sellout is "likely" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/6).