The Kentucky Derby will not run on the first Saturday in May for the first time since ’45, and “all scenarios are on the table” for the three Triple Crown races, with talks “ongoing among the host tracks and broadcaster NBC.” The Derby has been rescheduled for Sept. 5, and Churchill Downs has “no problem bringing up the rear in the Triple Crown series” if that is the case. Both the Maryland Jockey Club and NYRA “have yet to announce new dates” for the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, respectively. Saturday's scheduled Derby date “won't pass unnoticed,” as NBC will “mark the occasion with three hours of coverage ... including re-airing American Pharoah's Derby win in 2015” (AP, 5/1).

The AP also takes an individual look at the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes in a series titles "Uncertain Triple Crown."

With no Kentucky Derby until September, "savvy racing officials at Oaklawn Park seized the opportunity to move the Arkansas Derby to the vacated date" on Saturday. The race "drew so much interest that it will now be run in two divisions," and it will be televised on FS1 and streamed on the NYRA YouTube channel (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 5/1). The Arkansas race was first scheduled for April 11. Instead of limiting the field to 14 horses running for $1M, Oaklawn "accepted 22 entries and split the field," with each division racing for $500,000 (USA TODAY, 5/1).

Rockets Owner Tilman Fertitta “remains confident that he’ll come out of this perilous period” in good economic shape despite “constant rumblings that he’s under duress.” Also, the idea of Fertitta “taking on minority owners to ease the economic pain or perhaps even selling the Rockets at some point is simply not happening.” He said, “The Rockets would never be sold, unless the whole world came to an end and then it wouldn’t matter, ok? If I ever sell the Rockets, it’s because we don’t exist anymore as a country with the rule of law.” More Fertitta: “I don’t need partners so I don’t have partners. There’s just no interest in having partners” (THEATHLETIC.com, 5/1).

IndyCar and Texas Motor Speedway are negotiating to reduce the track’s annual sanction fee, sources say, in order to allow next month’s race to go off with little to no fans. Tracks pay IndyCar an annual sanction fee that is typically at least in the high six figures, allowing the venue to keep ticket and hospitality revenue. But with empty stands expected for next month’s prospective IndyCar season opener at TMS, sources say that the sides are now discussing a significant reduction. TMS and IndyCar both declined to comment specifically on the sanction fee.

Track President Eddie Gossage did reaffirm to media Thursday night that the race is still on, and he told the FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM officials were considering running with 25-50% capacity. IndyCar said: "As previously announced, our plan is to begin our season June 6 at Texas Motor Speedway. We’re watching the situation closely in coordination with our event promoter and will provide further updates."

Epic Games canceled the '20 Fortnite World Cup, and "all remaining Fortnite competition in 2020 will be played remotely online." The World Cup cancellation led Epic Games to the "decision to bring back" official streaming broadcasts of competitive play that "previously could only be seen by watching streams of the competitors or amatuer casters" (ESPORTSOBSERVER.com, 5/1).

Elsewhere in esports, Dota 2’s "largest annual tournament," the International, has been delayed from its original September date. Valve Corp. stated that it "was 'likely' that the event would need to happen in 2021." The change in dates "will require a restructure of the Dota Professional Circuit (DPC) for the fall, which will be communicated in the future" (ESPORTSOBSERVER.com, 5/1).

NFLPA President and Browns C JC Tretter is "calling for a re-examination of a portion of the labor agreement with the league affecting disability coverage for former players." Tretter wants the NFLPA Exec Board and leadership of former players to "come together to discuss some offsets" in the CBA approved by the players in March. There is ongoing controversy over whether language the union voted on is "not the same as what wound up in the deal." The changed language "affects about 400 retired players who face a cut" in disability coverage (AP, 4/30).

The All In Challenge now sits at more than $27.5M raised and over 300 Challenges accepted. The 30 sweepstakes/auctions closing Friday include a one-day contract with Mavericks and throwing out the first pitch at the next World Series. New participants include:

• Brad Stevens Celtics gameday experience and signed basketball
• Meet Snoop Dogg, shopping spree, Lakers & Chargers suite tickets
• Travel on the road with the Nuggets
• N.Y. dinner with Mark Teixeira, personalized Cartier watch
• Glamping trip for three with Kevin VanDam, Martin Truex Jr. and Boyd Duckett
• Pearl Jam birthday package

MLB has "come to an agreement with umpires for the rest of 2020," according to a source (TWITTER.com, 5/1).

Pool equipment manufacturer Hayward Industries announced a sponsorship deal with Gold Medal-winning U.S. swimmer Kathleen Baker (Hayward Industries).

Simmons Bank has signed deals with four Korn Ferry Tour golfers. Brand ambassadors Will Zalatoris, Braden Thornberry, Kevin Dougherty and Dawson Armstrong will collectively be known as Team Simmons Bank (Simmons Bank).

Licensing and merchandising students at NYU next Tuesday night will present their ideas for generating merchandise sales and licensing revenue during a time with no live sports. The students are inviting sports execs to attend via Zoom. The event begins at 7:00pm ET. Those interested in attending can click here to register.

Karnisovas said he was "so emotional" watching Eps 3-4 of "The Last Dance" that he called Eversley late Sunday night to hire him instead of calling him as planned Monday AM.

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) May 1, 2020

After 23 years the Parting Glass was raised to me at NYPost. Blessed run, 44 years total. From Thurman, Goose, Reggie, LT, Bernard, Bird, Magic, Michael, Patrick, Doc, Gwynn, Seau, Eli, Derek, A-Rod, Piazza, Wright, deGrom, Judge, Alonso, AMBS delivered. Thanks for being there.

— Kevin Kernan (@AMBS_Kernan) May 1, 2020

If no stage points, I think people would be more OK with lining up by owner points every week. But with stage points, those outside the top-15/20 likely would have a hard time gaining ground b/c difficulty of earning significant stage points in opening stage. https://t.co/L5TY7pEord

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 1, 2020

The #PayItForward Speaker Series.

— BY THE NUMBERS —
• 10 hours across four nights
• 33 #sportsbiz speakers
• ~1,000 total viewers
• $2,073.50+ to be donated to @FeedingAmerica

Will make FINAL donation Sunday PM. ⤵️#smsports #sportspr https://t.co/jFip0lt1BF

— Max Strauss (@StraussMax) May 1, 2020

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

"It was really weird. You could hear a pin drop no matter what happened during the play" -- Lightning GM Julien BriseBois, on an AHL playoff game in '12 being played in an empty venue due to the circus taking over the XL Center in Hartford. At the time, BriseBois was GM of the Norfolk Admirals (THEATHLETIC.com, 5/1).

"As an economist, you stand back, you look at the carnage that's taking place -- dumbfounded, awestruck, mind-numbing" -- Washington Univ. Dir of Sports Business Program Patrick Rishe, on the impact of the coronavirus on sports business (ESPN.com, 5/1).

Friday

Mercedes-Benz USA at 5:00pm ET will host the first "Concours de Zoom," a virtual event featuring iconic Mercedes-Benz vehicles and their high-profile owners. The event will end with a donation to the American Red Cross on behalf of participants including Rickie Fowler, Jay Leno and Martha Stewart. Find the Zoom link here.

Legends Global Sales' exec team has been looking at innovative ways to keep in touch with partners and the industry at large during this unique crisis. This video is intended to foster community while helping partners strategically think through their options for when live sports and entertainment return.

3 -- Number of Webby Award nominations Fox Sports received for its digital coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Nominations came in the categories "Social Content Series & Campaign --Sports," "Events & Live Streams -- General" and finally "Social Video -- Sports" for a 20 years later feature on '99 USWNT hero Brandi Chastain (THE DAILY).