In response to MLS' threat of a lockout, players from around the league "declined to show up for training" today. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Atlanta United players "didn't turn up for the voluntary, in-person workouts," while the Minneapolis Star Tribune "reported the same for Minnesota United." A source said that players from the Crew also "didn't attend practice." FC Cincinnati issued a release stating that players "did not attend voluntary workouts." Some clubs, like Nashville SC, "didn't have training scheduled for today" (ESPN.com, 6/1).

NASCAR is evaluating allowing fans back at its races as soon as later this month, possibly at Homestead-Miami and/or Talladega, sources say. The stock car series has held five Cup Series races plus a handful of lower-level events since returning in mid-May, all of which have been behind closed doors. NASCAR originally announced that all events in June would be held without fans, which made Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 4 weekend the presumed first possible event back with fans.

However, sources said in recent days that NASCAR is now studying whether to allow a reduced capacity into events later this month where local rules would allow for it. NASCAR will continue with no fans at least through this weekend at Atlanta and a midweek event the following Wednesday at Martinsville. The series then goes to Homestead, Talladega and Pocono to close out the month. Pocono already announced that its event will be without fans due to a requirement by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf.

The Nationals today changed course and told minor leaguers that "they will receive their full weekly stipends of $400 at least through June" after P Sean Doolittle tweeted that the team's major league players would cover a planned cut. News broke yesterday that the club "would be releasing more than two dozen minor league players and reducing stipends for players in the minors from $400 to $300 per week." Minor leaguers not on the 40-man rosters were "promised $400 per week through Sunday by a policy drafted by MLB." At least 16 MLB teams now "have promised to extend those allowances through the end of this month" (AP, 6/1).

The bankruptcy sale of the XFL’s assets will be allowed to proceed this summer, a judge ruled late last week, splitting the difference between the wishes of the XFL and a group of creditors that sought a delay. U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Laurie Selber Silverstein set an auction date for the XFL’s assets as Aug. 3, with a hearing to confirm that sale on Aug. 7. That is roughly four weeks later than originally proposed by the bankrupt league, but five weeks earlier than the creditors wanted. Bids are due July 30.

Investment bankers for XFL parent Alpha Entertainment, owned by Vince McMahon, last week said there were already 20 potential buyers that had signed non-disclosure agreements to proceed with evaluating the purchase. McMahon said he would not be among the bidders to buy the league back. Alpha’s lawyers argued that a quick sale -- to be concluded as soon as July 13 -- would be necessary to give the new owners a chance of executing a '21 season.

The creditors argued that the original timeline was counterproductive to the goal of maximizing the value of the bankrupt estate and sought for a push to September, when the fallout of the pandemic would be more clearly understood.

Today marked the first day of the Dolphins’ one-year, $4M project to "deliver hundreds of thousands of meals to those in need." Dolphins President Tom Garfinkel, GM Chris Grier, coach Brian Flores and other team officials today were “distributing meals in the stadium’s parking lot,” which the team "will do six days a week for the next year.” The franchise will distribute “at least 1,000 meals on stadium grounds every weekday during the next year and another 1,000 on Sundays in conjunction with local restaurants and church groups.” Garfinkel said that this “was owner Stephen Ross’ idea” (MIAMI HERALD, 6/1).

WWE today unveiled a new free Version of its WWE Network streaming service, making more than 15,000 action-packed WWE titles now available for free, no credit card required. The free version includes new shows such as "Raw Talk," streaming Monday nights after "Raw." It also features original series; recent episodes of WWE’s flagship programs "Monday Night Raw," "Friday Night SmackDown" and "NXT"; select historical PPV events; and weekly highlights (WWE).

In our first virtual roundtable, crisis communication specialists talk about how to have their organizations’ public facing leaders out front and available to talk to the media and share their message during the pandemic.

Longtime NFL reporter/insider Josina Anderson is "out at ESPN." The move with Anderson has been "anticipated since the Super Bowl when it was first reported that she and ESPN could be parting ways" (N.Y. POST, 6/1).

Former Auburn football coach and AD Pat Dye died today at age 80. Dye is widely considered to have "built Auburn’s modern era" (OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS, 6/1).

The Grizzlies in a recent statement opposing injustice and racism announced that they have "created a new Paid Time Off (PTO) category for members of organization to use in order to vote during national and local elections" (TWITTER.com, 6/1).

USA Hockey announces it has "canceled ALL player development camps for this summer." The full schedule "will return" in '21 (TWITTER.com, 6/1).

The Bulls formally named Adam Amin their new primary TV play-by-play broadcaster, replacing the retiring Neil Funk. Amin will call Bulls games on NBC Sports Chicago beginning in the '20-21 season (Bulls).

“We need to first and foremost help our 49ers family feel comfortable and feel safe. But when we look at the community at large, I do believe that we have an obligation to serve our community and be a beacon of hope and light and really work together with people that can effectuate change” -- 49ers CEO Jed York, on the team's role regarding social issues (“NFL Now,” NFL Network, 6/1).

"We’ve gotten to know our partners and season-ticket holders more without seeing them than we did when we saw them three, four or five times a week" -- Predators President & CEO Sean Henry, on the team staying connected with stakeholders during the coronavirus shutdown (BIZJOURNALS.com, 6/1).

The @LPGA released a message.

— LeslieAnne Wade (@LeslieAnneWade) June 1, 2020

If it’s true that your customer base doesn’t like political and social content when games are being played, why would they want it now? Wouldn’t that force the key demo tuning in to tune out? Just trying to understand.

— Nate Jones (@JonesOnTheNBA) June 1, 2020

This weekend has been filled with messages of change and unity. But one problem with the past is after immediate hysteria, things go back to “normal.” That’s unacceptable. These messages must translate to a collective effort to change, and to do so together - immediately.

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) May 31, 2020

Just FYI for all @fuboTV subscribers -- the app is now available on @Xbox.

Great timing ahead of La Liga and Premier League returning.

— Roger Gonzalez (@RGonzalezCBS) June 1, 2020

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

Last week we released the final version of our 2020 schedule poster. However, it was a close vote for this year's poster design so we thought it was important to share the runner-up version...#BlackBearNation | #ChampionshipMentality | #CAAFB pic.twitter.com/SG4FjhtTqO

— Maine Football (@BlackBearsFB) June 1, 2020

Source: A very cool comeback story at Louisiana Tech. The school will host the 2021 Conference USA baseball championships. They will be held in the new J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park, completely rebuilt after tornados devastated Ruston in April of 2019. pic.twitter.com/jRqYUFRjk2

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) June 1, 2020

The NHL created a short animated video to break down its return-to-play plan.

C$5M -- Amount the Canadian Olympic & Paralympic Committees and Own The Podium are pledging to get the country's Olympic athletes "back to training in their facilities as some COVID-19 restrictions begin to lift" (CP, 6/1).