NBCSN on Sunday will air the "country's first NHL game broadcast and produced exclusively by women," a move that coincides with Int'l Women's Day. Coverage of Blues-Blackhawks will feature Kate Scott on play-by-play, AJ Mleczko as analyst and Kendall Coyne Schofield inside the glass, with Kathryn Tappen and Jen Botteril in the studio. Tappen: "It's a one-of-a-kind broadcast, on a day that everybody's going to be celebrating women and all the milestones women have achieved in recent years" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 3/6). Scott said, "It's so awesome because it's so rare that I get to work with other women" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 3/6).

Likewise in Canada, Sunday's Golden Knights-Flames game will feature the "first all-female NHL broadcast on Sportsnet." Leah Hextall will call play-by-play, with Cassie Campbell-Pascall as the analyst and Christine Simpson rinkside. It also will have "mostly women behind the scenes in production roles" (THEATHLETIC.com, 3/6).

Modell's is reportedly "preparing to file for bankruptcy as soon as Sunday." CEO Mitch Modell confirmed that the sporting goods retailer "has stopped shopping for a white-knight investor" and is "likewise giving up on renegotiating terms with its vendors." Modell added that "landlords and vendors alike have balked as Modell’s sales have steadily fallen amid increased competition with Amazon and a slew of big-box retailers." A source indicated that Modell's is "hoping that JackRabbit -- a Denver-based sportswear retailer that bought Olympia sports brand last year -- will buy it out of Chapter 11" (N.Y. POST, 3/6).

A Spanish court on Friday "backed the decision by the country's soccer federation to decline to authorize the league's plan to play a match" in the U.S. LaLiga had wanted to host a Barcelona-Girona game at Hard Rock Stadium in January '19. The federation blocked the move, and LaLiga went to court, leading to this ruling that the league "must come to an agreement with the federation in order to pursue its plan." LaLiga said that it would "appeal the decision to a higher court" (AP, 3/6).

Next week's ATP/WTA BNP Paribas Open is "implementing new measures to reduce the risk of coronavirus from spreading." At the event, which begins Monday, ball kids will "all wear gloves this year and players will be required to manage their own towel." Volunteers taking tickets at entrances will also "wear gloves, as will all restaurant and food supply workers." More than 250 hand sanitizing stations also "have been placed throughout the Indian Wells Tennis Garden." Additionally, those with tickets who "may still have concern, may request a refund for the 2020 tournament, or receive a credit for the 2021 event" (Palm Springs DESERT SUN, 3/6).

The FIS Alpine Ski World Cup finals weer canceled on Friday due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Italian Winter Sports Federation was "hoping to host the finals, scheduled for March 18-22 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, without fans." But during an emergency FIS board meeting on Friday, "every nation besides Italy voted to cancel the event." World Cup rules "prevent the finals from being moved to another location" (AP, 3/6).

To keep up with the latest on how the virus is impacting sports business, listen to the latest "SBJ Unpacks" podcast. In this installment, Bill King and Michael Smith focus on the college space: 

Phoenix Raceway unveiled a new logo for NASCAR Championship Weekend at the track (Phoenix Raceway).

The Galaxy have sold out Dignity Health Sports Park -- where capacity is around 27,000 -- ahead of the club’s home opener Saturday against the Whitecaps, in which F Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez will make his debut (Mark J. Burns, THE DAILY). 

The NBA fined Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban $500,000 for his public criticism and detrimental conduct regarding officiating (NBA).

“Well, I wouldn’t come out and say I’m not going to [do] it right away, and lose all your leverage" -- Phil Mickelson, on Rory McIlroy saying he does not intend to participate in the Premier Golf League (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 3/6).

"Given the changes to the Arnold Sports Festival, we wanted to ensure that all visitors coming to Columbus for the event still had a great experience" -- Experience Columbus VP/Tourism Kari Kauffman, whose organization worked with several Columbus attractions to secure free or discounted admission to those in town for the now-canceled Arnold Sports Festival (BIZJOURNALS.com, 3/6).

⚾️📺
ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro during panel on future of sports biz at the @SloanSportsConf unveiled that ESPN will bring popular Statcast-driven alternate presentation to select editions of Sunday Night Baseball in 2020, airing as additional viewing option to main telecast.

— Ben Cafardo (@Ben_ESPN) March 6, 2020

I know Gary Bettman has vehemently disagreed with me on this but the parity again in the standings screams creating a best-of-3 play-in either involving 4 teams for the 2 wild-card spots on each side or at least No. 8 vs No 9 on each side. Could play it over 3 days. Way overdue.

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 6, 2020

Christian Yelich will have $28 million deferred in contract-$4 million per year beginning in 2022, and paid back beginning in 2029

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 6, 2020

Well, at least we know who the NFL's real bosses are.

A peacock and a mouse. https://t.co/IUoCDbFTZj

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 6, 2020

With $120,660,780 in PGA Tour career earnings, Tiger Woods could give everybody in America $1,000,000.*

(*based on national population of 120 or less)

— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelTAN) March 6, 2020

“It’s great to be alive,” @RyanJNewman told us with a grin. “After looking at my car, it’s a miracle.”

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) March 6, 2020

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

Saturday

The NHL Black Hockey History Tour mobile museum begins a two-day visit to the expansion city of Seattle.

See more of this week's events.

Dear future me, pic.twitter.com/2wIXpWDL72

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) March 5, 2020

HBO will air the latest episode of "The Shop" at 10:00pm ET, with host Maverick Carter joined by Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, actor Chadwick Boseman, Hawks G Trae Young, musician Roddy Ricch, comedian Tiffany Haddish, Knicks consultant Steve Stoute and marketing exec Paul Rivera.

49% -- Increase in ratings for Bruins games on NESN compered to the same point (56 telecasts) in the '18-19 season. Bruins games are averaging a 3.49 household rating on the net. The telecasts have seen "even more growth" in several demos such as adults 18-34 and women 25-54 (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/6).