NASCAR confirmed that it will allow select fans at Homestead and Talladega this month. Homestead-Miami Speedway, site of this weekend’s NASCAR races, will invite up to 1,000 guests of the military, while Talladega Superspeedway will allow up to 5,000 fans for its event weekend later this month. THE DAILY first reported last week that NASCAR was considering bringing back fans at these two venues. All fans will have to be screened before entering, wear a mask, keep six feet between one another and will not have access to the infield.

The military will help pick those who attend the Homestead race, while the 5,000 who attend the Talladega race will be chosen on a first come, first serve basis for those who already had a ticket to the track’s spring race. NASCAR Exec VP and Chief Operations & Sales Officer Daryl Wolfe: “We have tremendous respect and appreciation for the responsibility that comes with integrating guests back into our events. We believe implementing this methodical process is an important step forward for the sport and the future of live sporting events."

Athletes at next year’s Tokyo Games "face a ban on ‘taking a knee’ in solidarity with anti-racism movements." The IOC in January published guidelines "banning any form of protest at the Tokyo Games," including taking a knee or raising a fist. The body today confirmed “the guidelines are still in place.” Athletes are "allowed to express political opinions in official media settings or on social media accounts," but not "on the field of play, at ceremonies or in the Olympic Village." The IOC said disciplinary action “will be taken on a case-by-case basis” (London TELEGRAPH, 6/9).

Several members of the Texans organization were spotted "attending the funeral of Houston native George Floyd on Tuesday at Fountain of Praise Church." The contingent included Texans Chair & CEO Cal McNair, Texans Foundation VP Hannah McNair (Cal's wife), coach Bill O'Brien, DE J.J. Watt and Exec VP/Football Operations Jack Easterby. This comes after O'Brien last week "encouraged players to attend the funeral and canceled team meetings" for today. The McNair family last night hosted the first of its "Conversations for Change" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/9).

Meanwhile, Trail Blazers G Damian Lillard today released a new music/spoken word track titled "Blacklist," addressing the current social protest movement against racial injustice and police brutality (Mult., 6/9). Listen to the track (contains profanity) on Soundcloud.

MLB Cardinals Chair & CEO Bill DeWitt today said baseball "isn’t very profitable" while discussing the economics of MLB's return-to-play talks with the MLBPA. DeWitt: “This could be a great opportunity for us to help bring the country back. On the other hand, we’ve had difficulty making an agreement with the union. But having said that, we certainly plan on playing baseball this year."

DeWitt was asked about MLB having record revenues in '18 and '19 while the average salary dropped. He responded, “Take a look at the deal the players have, and don’t think for a minute that the reduced payroll added money in the pockets of the owners, because it didn’t.” With increased franchise expenses, "it’s a bit of a zero-sum game.” The players have “by far the best deal of any players in any sport." DeWitt: "The industry isn’t very profitable, to be quite honest, and I think they understand that” (“Hollywood Casino Press Box,” KFNS-AM, 6/9).

UFC President Dana White revealed that his "mysterious Fight Island is located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi." The island will "help the company promote some of its international athletes who have a hard time entering" the U.S. due to travel restrictions caused by the pandemic. The UFC will "host four events on Fight Island next month," starting with the UFC 251 PPV on July 11. UFC Fight Night cards will "take place on July 15, 18 and 25." The island facility "includes an arena, hotel, training facilities and dining establishments" (ESPN.com, 6/9).

White: "We’re the only ones pulling off live sports right now, and if I can continue to do fights in the United States, I'm going to burn out all of my American talent. So now we've got Yas Island ready to go, it's set up. ... And yes, there is an octagon on the beach" (“First Take,” ESPN, 6/9).

Wanda Sports Group today reported Q1 earnings of $180.3M, a decline of 25.6% from the year-ago period. Amid the pandemic, there were big drops in the spectator sports (-28%) and mass participation (-78%) segments. However, gross profit increased 8% to $63.7M, "mainly due to a favorable sports events calendar." The company is "expecting to further increase liquidity position" from closing the sale of Ironman Group (SEEKINGALPHA.com, 6/9). At presstime, sales of Wanda Sports Group were trading at $2.34, down 13.65% (THE DAILY).

World Golf HOFer Gary Player will get $5M and the "rights to his name and likeness back from a company operated by one of his sons, according to court documents filed in Florida." Player and South Carolina-based Gary Player Group "reached a settlement last month as the dispute was being arbitrated." The group is "operated by Marc Player, one of the golfer's six children." Player "designs golf courses and sells golf equipment, sportswear and wine under 'The Black Knight,' his nickname." There are "no details on what caused the dispute" (AP, 6/9).

Franklin Sports today signed a multiyear deal with USA Softball national team member Janie Reed, who becomes Franklin's first-ever athlete endorser in fast-pitch softball (Franklin Sports).

The PGA Tour has set aside an 8:46am tee time "that will feature no players" for its return event, the Charles Schwab Challenge starting Thursday. 8:46 has become a "universal symbol" of "racial and social injustice" for the racial injustice faced by the black community" (PGATOUR.com, 6/9).

The USL has "entered a partnership with Passage, a payments and customer engagement platform that will become the official ticketing partner of USL League Two" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 6/9).

Puma today revealed its collaboration with Arnold Palmer Enterprises, the Puma Golf x Arnold Palmer Collection. It includes tops, bottoms, headwear and footwear (Puma).

puma

“I still don't think they’ve gotten it right. Until they apologize specifically to Colin Kaepernick or assign him to a team, I don't think they’ll end up on the right side of history” -- Saints S Malcolm Jenkins, on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s video statement (“CBS This Morning,” 6/9).

"I would not wear a mic, no. That's not me. What I talk about with [caddie Jimmy Johnson] and what I talk about with the guys in my group is none of anybody else's business, no offense" -- Golfer Justin Thomas, on if he would wear a mic regularly on the PGA Tour. Some players will be mic'd up this week at the Charles Schwab Challenge (TWITTER.com, 6/9). 

Brian Kelly, on Mike Tirico’s show, says that Notre Dame is exploring moving games from NFL stadiums back on campus.

He references games against Wisconsin, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh.

Moving Wisconsin to campus would mean Notre Dame, for what it’s worth.

— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) June 9, 2020

Sammy Sosa, who’s been estranged from the Cubs (not his choice) on Espn 1000: “I don’t see why I can’t be invited (back) to Chicago.”

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) June 9, 2020

Enjoyed a 20-minute conversation with @NickFaldo006 about @TheMasters earlier today. The guy always is fascinating, and I always learn quite a few things talking to him. Sir Nick can break down ANGC as well as anyone. Knows his stuff thoroughly.

— Dave Shedloski (@DaveShedloski) June 9, 2020

I heard that fish didn't say hi to Michael Jordan at a dinner one time.

That's when it became personal. https://t.co/ZXH2Yp0MZa

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) June 9, 2020

Today I am 81 yrs young / heck only 19 yrs away from my goal of being 1st announcer to do a game on @espn at 100 .My dream & wish on my 81 st is to see LOVE among ALL people in our nation.Can happen if we simply treat ppl like we want to be treated God Bless All !

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) June 9, 2020

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

“When you see something that is not right, not fair and not just, you have to say something. You have to do something.”

This past week, @repjohnlewis spoke to the entire Blank Family of Businesses. pic.twitter.com/47ysiNabTM

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) June 9, 2020

Former NFLer Emmanuel Acho will appear on CBS' "Late Show" at 11:35pm ET.

Former NFLer Victor Cruz appears on the syndicated "Tamron Hall Show" (local listings vary).

4.3 million -- Views of UFC's "Quick Hits" segment on Facebook for Saturday's UFC 250 PPV event. The segment was produced using cloud video platform Grabyo, which began working with the MMA promotion earlier this year (Grabyo).