Magic CEO Alex Martins said that the NBA is "determined to resume play and is willing to wait until September to complete the 2019-20 season." Reports after the initial shutdown indicated the league was hoping for a return in mid-June, but Martins today said that the NBA’s "calendar has shifted." Martins said, "Our league has decided that we’re going to try to get in as much of our season and playoffs as the data will allow us to. We’ll play as late as Labor Day if we have to and even delay, as was reported this past week, we’ve been having initial discussions about even delaying the start of next season based on trying to get as much as this season in as possible" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 5/5).

MLBPA Exec Dir Tony Clark said the union has “not received anything formal that details an actual plan” from the league about a return despite “all that has been floated and all the rhetoric that is out there.” He said, “Unless or until we see and receive an actual proposal with a plan or plans -- because my guess is there's going to need to be flexibility in whatever is going to be considered -- it's all assumptions.” Clark did say the players want to play, but added it is “unfortunate that there are things that keep finding their way into the conversation and are being represented as proposals when they aren't.”

Meanwhile, Clark said the “lines of communication are open” with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred regarding the league’s CBA. Clark: “As long as they are open, there's an opportunity to work through and try and find common ground despite our differences” (ESPN.com, 5/5).

ESPN's Bomani Jones and Pablo Torre both have "new contracts to stay" with the net after ESPN "pulled the plug on the duo’s debate program, 'High Noon,'" according to sources. Jones and Torre "will not be a tandem, but their roles will be similar with components that include contributing on video and audio." They will contribute to certain shows and "have some radio opportunities, as well as podcasts and writing." A source said that Jones’ contract "will be a two-year deal." Torre’s is a "multi-year contract, but it is unknown if it is two or three years." It is "not expected at this time that they will be a part of a potential new national lineup, though it can’t be entirely ruled out" (N.Y POST, 5/5).

The Big3 will "delay a quarantined, reality show 3-on-3 pre-season basketball tournament from this month to either August or September," according to a source. The source said that the Big3, which originally planned to begin its fourth season on June 20 in Memphis, is "aiming to start the season in either the fall or the winter." The Big3 and media company Endemol "planned to test the participating 16 players and officials before quarantining them in a newly constructed home in L.A. and then playing in a local to-be-determined venue." Though L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti last week said that free tests are available for those that live in L.A., Big3 and Endemol "still remained sensitive to the testing shortages elsewhere and safety concerns for those traveling out of state" (USA TODAY, 5/5).

Authentic Media Brands and 101 Studios will "launch Sports Illustrated Studios as part of a joint venture between the two companies." The studio's first project "will be a docu-series entitled 'Covers.'" It will "explore the stories behind the magazine's most memorable covers and what went into creating them." Five additional projects are "expected to be announced over the next four weeks." Authentic Media Brands Chair & CEO Jamie Salter said that creating a film and television studio "represents another key development toward building Sports Illustrated's brand for the future" (AP, 5/5).

North Carolina men’s basketball coach Roy Williams said he is not a fan of the G League taking players straight out of high school, but said the NBA is “making rules that they think are best for their sport.” Williams said, “They don’t really care about college basketball. We say all nice things, but they’re not really our partner. And I’m not saying they should be. We’ve provided a great farm system for them for many years, but times change.” He added he personally does not feel that is the “best way to go” for the NBA, but he said, “They don’t call Roy Williams and ask what the crap I think. They make the rule that’s best for the NBA” (“Lunch Time Live,” NBCSN, 5/5).

The final installment of the CAA World Congress Comes To You virtual event is tomorrow. We’ll have interviews with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, CAA co-Head Howie Nuchow, Fanatics Executive Chair Michael Rubin, NBPA Exec Dir Michele Roberts, Activation Blizzard Chief Executive Pete Vlastelica, Sports Medicine Research President Dr. Daniel Eichner, and top executives from Learfield IMG College, NHL, CAA Sports and Luker on Trends. New time: Program starts at 1:45pm ET and ends with a Happy Hour via Zoom from 4:00-5:00pm ET.

Go to www.WorldCongressOfSports.com to register and gain On-Demand access to dozens of interviews and sessions from the previous three World Congress episodes.

The ATP, WTA, ITF and the four Grand Slam tournaments have come together to raise in excess of $6M to create a Player Relief Program aimed at supporting players who are particularly affected by the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (WTA).

Male grooming brand Manscaped signed a two-year exclusive partnership with the UFC and will become the official electric trimmer of the MMA outfit (UFC).

Circuit of the Americas on Sunday will open the track to support those in need on behalf of Central Texas Food Bank. COTA will collect donations and allow guests to take a drive on the track (COTA).

The Brewers today signed a partnership with fantasy sports gaming platform Monkey Knife Fight. As the Brewers’ official and exclusive Daily Fantasy Sports site, MKF will be prominently displayed throughout the Brewers’ Miller Park branding and online assets (Brewers).

Licensing and merchandising students at NYU tonight 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.

"I would sign up right now just to being ready for 2021. I'm more concerned with the Australian Open than with what happens later this year. I think 2020 has been practically lost. I'm hopeful of being able to start next year" -- Rafael Nadal, on when tennis may return (AP, 5/5).

“It is looking like a possibility that this could really start to happen, bring players back maybe by the end of May and start training camps in June” -- NBCSN’s Kathryn Tappen, on the NHL’s potential return to the ice (“Lunch Time Live,” NBCSN, 5/5).

“This would be an opportunity to capitalize and bring in some viewership for the league and I still stand by that. I think with us going into the season, for all the NBA fans that don’t have any NBA to watch right now, they can come over and watch us" -- NBA 2K League player Artreyo “Dimez” Boyd, on the league's return tonight after having its season delayed for almost two months (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/5).

#Falcons officially announce that they will be playing 10 home games this season. Season ticket members will have first option to buy tickets to extra game on Friday. Specific seats will be reserved to buy until Oct. 1 deadline.

— Eric Jackson (@epjackson) May 5, 2020

We can debate about who’s the GOAT on the court but when it comes down to who’s the GOAT off the court it’s not even a DEBATE!!! LeBron James is the Greatest Athlete off court EVER.

— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 5, 2020

The alleged July 1 start date for an MLB season would be wonderful; they’d love to begin then (or close to then), but while there’s hope, things aren’t as certain as that. MLB is still hearing conflicting info from politicians and doctors, and health concerns remain the priority.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 5, 2020

Texas AD Chris Del Conte full quote on A&M game: "Those type of games that make you visceral hate each other are what make college football great. I do believe the game should be played ... I really do."

— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) May 5, 2020

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

If you could have a catch with one MLB Network analyst, who would it be and why? pic.twitter.com/5hL13TTVE9

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 5, 2020

$32,000-37,000 -- Average annual salary for an NBA 2K player (THEATHLETIC.com, 5/5).