The ATP Tour BOD did not renew the contract of President & Exec Chair Chris Kermode, and he will depart at the end of the year. Kermode was hired in ’14 and oversaw record prize money and revenue increases. However, he also at times alienated his tournament constituents, then fatally, as it turned out, players. Players were unhappy with the recent size of prize money increases, while previously tourneys thought they were too high. The BOD is comprised of three player reps and three tournament reps, with the president the seventh vote. But the president cannot vote on his or her own contract, so it appears the board was deadlocked.

Read more on the events leading up to today’s move.

ESPN's much-talked-about "BoogerMobile" feature "will not return" to the network's "MNF" broadcasts next season, according to sources. Booger McFarland himself could "still be part" of the "MNF" crew alongside Joe Tessitore and Lisa Salters. ESPN "declined comment" on the "BoogerMobile" and the broadcast team's makeup for '19. The question now is "whether ESPN will just go with a two-person booth" with McFarland and Tessitore or try a three-person booth (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 3/7).

Florida attorney Jack Goldberger said that his client Robert Kraft "will not" appear in person at a March 28 arraignment on charges he "solicited prostitution at a Florida spa." This comes "despite a court notice issued requiring" the Patriots owner to appear. The hearing was set for 9:00am ET in Palm Beach Gardens. Goldberger: "The lawyer appears for the defendant in a misdemeanor case. The defendant does not appear" (TCPALM.com, 3/7).

Meanwhile, the Miami New Times examines why Kraft "might beat" the criminal charges due to "police overreach and privacy issues" (MIAMINEWTIMES.com, 3/7).

MLB Network announced that it will televise Bryce Harper's Spring Training debut with the Phillies on Saturday afternoon against the Blue Jays. The 1:00pm ET game will be blacked out locally on MLBN in the Philadelphia and Toronto markets (MLBN). Phillies fans can "still watch it" on NBC Sports Philadelphia locally (TWITTER.com, 3/7).

A bill to legalize sports betting in Minnesota today "cleared its first test at the Legislature" but faces an "uncertain future amid tribal opposition." State Sen. Roger Chamberlain's bill now "goes to the Senate state government committee," but Chamberlain acknowledged it "may not pass this session." The bill "would allow sports betting only at the state's two horse-racing tracks" or "via mobile device apps linked directly to the tracks or participating casinos." It is "not clear how much tax revenue the state could collect from legalized sports betting" (AP, 3/7).

Fire

The Fire today held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for SeatGeek Stadium outside Chicago. The venue had been known as Toyota Park since '06 (THE DAILY).

Jazz G Donovan Mitchell, in partnership with essential oil brand doTERRA, has launched Spidacares, a new foundation dedicated to empowering women (doTERRA).

TIAA has signed on as the presenting sponsor of the Ivy League men's and women's hoops tournaments (TIAA).

NBC Sports' latest documentary will be titled "Drive Like Andretti." The film on Mario Andretti will premiere on May 11 on NBC and lead into the IndyCar Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (NBC Sports).

"This is truly the biggest event our community has ever coveted but hasn’t had the chance to host. Fans from more than 50 countries, and 50 states across the country, are gonna descend upon our community" -- Tampa Bay Sports Commission Exec Dir Rob Higgins, on WWE's WrestleMania coming to Raymond James Stadium in '20 (TAMPABAY.com, 3/7).

"All you have to do is pick up the phone and he’s always there to answer" -- Free agent DT Ndamukong Suh, on his relationship with Berkshire Hathaway Chair & CEO Warren Buffett. Suh also said he owns "plenty" of Berkshire Hathaway shares (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 3/7).

Mookie Betts is mic'd up live in right field on ESPN right now during a game talking about changing diapers. Can we do this for 9 innings? Mookie rules.

— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) March 7, 2019

Really bizarre PGA Tour wouldn’t ask players to self report injuries before tournaments given the prominence of daily fantasy games and the growth of gambling in the sport.

If you’re required to report a penalty on yourself, you should be required to report a major back injury.

— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) March 7, 2019

This is the NFLPA's regular annual board meeting. More players will attend than usual, though. Topics on agenda include guaranteed contracts, personal conduct policy, CBA prep, benefits, etc. Some agents also will attend an auxillary session. Lot of eyes on 2021. https://t.co/APNH9bC5xk

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 7, 2019

It's very touchy when an analyst/reporter has financial dealings with athletes they cover. Some handle the conflicts better than others. But running down a kid's combine interviews in the same breath you're talking about your paid job prepping kids for combine interviews? Skeevy. https://t.co/2Pn0YQAS8p

— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) March 7, 2019

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

IFC released the official trailer for season 3 of "Brockmire," the baseball-themed series starring Hank Azaria. Season 3 debuts April 3.

$164.4M -- The 12-month gross for T-Mobile Arena from concert business between June, 20, 2017 to June, 17, 2018. That figure was tops among all sports venues across the U.S. (SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 3/4 issue).