Arizona State AD Ray Anderson has resigned from his role effective immediately. Anderson will remain at ASU as a professor of practice and senior advisor to help expand the sports law and business program. ASU SVP/Educational Outreach & Student Services Jim Rund will serve as interim AD. Anderson was named AD in Jan. 2014. This year he oversaw the school signing a 15-year, $50M naming rights deal with Mountain America Credit Union, renaming the school's football stadium Mountain America Stadium, along with ASU agreeing to move from the Pac-12 to the Big 12 in 2024 (SBJ).

Anderson leaves his role with "three years left on his contract." He has been "under fire since the hiring" of former football coach Herm Edwards, who left in 2022 with a "cloud of an NCAA investigation into recruiting violations hanging over the program." The call for Anderson to step down "intensified" this football season, as during the first three home games, mobile billboards "circulated the campus advocating for his removal" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 11/13).

Reaction came in on X to Anderson's resignation:

• Phoenix-based 12 News' Cameron Cox: "He created a massive divide among the fan base… pushed many away and his leadership set the program back years. ... ASU gets a much needed fresh start."
• ESPN's Pete Thamel: "ASU president Michael Crow hung on to Ray Anderson through scandal after scandal. That finally ended today with his resignation."
• Former Arizona Republic sports writer Jeff Metcalfe: "Plenty of negatives during #ASU Ray Anderson AD era ... but also greatest improvement of athletic facilities since Fred Miller was AD in 1970s ... and sport additions of hockey, lacrosse, triathlon plus reinstatement of men's tennis largely thanks to Anderson $1 million donation."

Ray Anderson had led Arizona State's athletic department since 2014Getty Images

The Massachusetts Legislature will take up a measure this week that could "finally enable the Kraft Group to build a soccer stadium" for the Revolution along the Mystic River in Everett. The provision is included in a "supplemental budget measure that Senate leaders filed" today. The House has "already passed its version of the budget without the stadium language," but "approved similar legislation last year." Lawmakers hope to "resolve any differences in the supplemental budget bills this week, as they wrap up formal sessions for the year." The legislation is considered "crucial for the soccer stadium development to proceed" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/13).

Olympic sports bodies "want urgent talks with the IOC" about the "risk of cuts in their revenue shares and medal events" at the 2028 L.A. Games because cricket and other newcomers were added to the program. The umbrella group of current Summer Games sports, known by the acronym ASOIF, said today the decision to increase to a record 36 sports "has raised several questions" among its members, who collectively shared $540M of IOC-allocated money at each of the past two Olympics. Adding four team sports in 2028 also is set to "break the IOC’s preferred limit of 10,500 athletes at a Summer Games" and "likely will put pressure on the core Olympic sports to cut their quotas of athletes or even medal events." ASOIF’s ruling council agreed "to raise these urgent matters with the IOC leadership" after meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland (AP, 11/13).

“SportsCenter” host Scott Van Pelt will appear in an ESPN Bet ad campaign with Elle Duncan.ESPN

Penn Entertainment flips the switch on the rebrand of its Barstool Sportsbook app to ESPN Bet tomorrow, and the first content integration branded under ESPN Bet will appear during tonight's “Monday Night Countdown” pregame show hosted by Scott Van Pelt. Penn had to join FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars and BetMGM as NFL-authorized operators in order to develop integrations for the show and air spots during NFL games.

The finer line to walk around picks and integrations will come in the college realm, where ESPN long has included picks against the spread on its “GameDay” show, which emanates from campuses with a live audience stocked with students, many of whom presumably are not old enough to bet legally. Still to be determined are the ways ESPN and Penn will handle murkier calls, such as branding and promotion around NFL picks Pat McAfee makes during his Friday show, which typically has him on the campus that hosts “GameDay,” though not always in front of a live audience.

Some of D.C.'s top sports franchise attorneys spoke to a full ballroom of professors, alumni and future lawyers this afternoon on how up-and-comers can find their way in sports law.

The panel was with the American Univ. Washington College of Law: “The GC Forum: A Conversation with DC Sports Teams’ Top Lawyers.” It featured four panelists discussing how skills such as relationship building, problem solving and involvement are keys to being a great general counsel in an organization.

The panel was moderated by Jasper Advisors founder & co-CEO and former Commanders SVP/External Engagement & Communication Julie Jensen and featured Commanders Chief Legal Officer & SVP/Business Affairs Mali Friedman, Washington Spirit VP & General Counsel Shameeka Quallo, Monumental Sports and Entertainment EVP & General Counsel Abby Blomstrom and Nationals SVP & General Counsel Betsy Philpott.

They expanded on not just the impact they have at their organizations, which is vast and significant, but also emphasized how those interested in being general counsels can succeed in the role by using soft-skills, getting involved in all aspects of their organizations business and being flexible in career paths.

The panel, made up of an all-female group, also discussed how being a woman in the C-Suite has helped them shape their organizations. Quallo said she uses it as an opportunity to think about who she is bringing up with her in the journey as it was that mentality that helped her advance into her current role.

When asked where students should focus their learning in law, the group consensus was that while students should be a generalist, certain areas are going to be important on a daily basis.

Blomstrom said having a great understanding of transactional law is a needed strength as the GC will work on all transactional deals that the organization does. Beyond that, Quallo said having an understanding of labor, IP, litigation and data privacy are also great skills to have as the industry continues to evolve.

The Nationals' Betsy Philpott, Commanders' Mali Friedman, Jasper Advisors' Julie Jensen, MSE's Abby Blomstrom and Washington Spirit's Shameeka QualloAU Washington College of Law

The Golden Knights "were welcomed at the White House" this morning to celebrate the team’s 2023 Stanley Cup victory ahead of their game against the Capitals tomorrow. President Biden and Golden Knights RW Mark Stone "spoke at the event," while Stone and Golden Knights President of Hockey Operations George McPhee gave Biden a "gold jersey and gold stick." Vice President Kamala Harris was also in attendance for the event (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 11/13). 

Blue seats have now "spread into the east stand of Everton Stadium" at Bramley-Moore Dock and the contractors' aim is to "have the whole of the upper tier filled with seats by Christmas." The upper tier of the north stand "has been infilled," and "work continues to prepare the lower tiers of both the west and east stands for the concrete terracing." Externally, the western terrace "continues to take shape," with the steel framework built "to support the first level supporter walkway." The south stand has "taken delivery of double escalators," and the first boxes "containing digital panels that will make up the two giant screens" have also arrived on site, "ready for installation." Finally, the north west access tunnel is now "operational as the primary vehicular route into the bowl," both "now and once the stadium is complete" (LIVERPOOL ECHO, 11/13).

November 13, 2015 -- Russia’s track federation is suspended by the sport’s international governing body and its athletes are barred from international competition for a widespread and state-sanctioned doping program. The move barred Russia from all international track and field competition for an indefinite period, including the 2016 Rio Games. It is the first time the IAAF bans a country for doping.

Also happening this week:

• November 14, 1973 -- Canada begins production of Olympic coins.
• November 15, 2018 -- LeBron James passes Wilt Chamberlain for 5th on the NBA's career scoring list.
• November 17, 1940 -- The Packers become the first NFL team to travel by plane.
• November 17, 1953 -- The St. Louis Brown officially become the Baltimore Baseball Club.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow joined the ownership group of Pro Volleyball Federation team the Columbus Fury. Burrow was initially a founding partner of the league (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 11/13).

UFC returned to Madison Square Garden for the seventh time in the last eight years on Saturday, and the event attracted more than 19,000 fans and produced a gate of $12.4M, making it the second-highest-grossing event in MSG history and fourth-highest-grossing event in UFC history (UFC).

Klutch Athletics, the sportswear brand founded by Rich Paul and co-authored with New Balance, has added Univ. of Kentucky G Justin Edwards to its athlete roster. Edwards becomes the brand’s first NIL athlete and first basketball player (Klutch Athletics).

The Magic signed a partnership with rental laundry services company Alsco Uniforms that will see its branding displayed during Magic home games on mops and the mop crew. The partnership also includes in-arena signage and as the featured partner for the Magic's halftime score on the team's social platforms (Alsco Uniforms).

MSG Sports signed a marketing partnership with Nexen Tire, naming it an official partner of the Rangers. Nexen Tire will receive brand promotion during Rangers games at MSG, including digital dasherboard signage, virtual blue line signage and ribbon LED signage (MSG Sports).

Amazon is "exploring making a major push to expand their broadcast coverage" of the Premier League in a move that "could help drive up the price for the next cycle." The streaming service is "weighing up a move to seriously challenge the dominant presence of Sky Sports" -- the EPL's main broadcast partner since the league was formed in 1992 -- and the "recently rebranded TNT Sports, formerly BT Sport" (LIVERPOOL ECHO, 11/13).

EFL Chair Rick Parry has "warned the gap between the Premier League and Championship is getting wider," and the need for a financial regulator for English soccer is "more urgent than ever." Parry believes that the Football Governance Bill discussed in King Charles III's speech is "a 'step in the right direction'" (YORKSHIRE POST, 11/10).

Manchester and the wider soccer world today "came together to say their final goodbyes" to the late Sir Bobby Charlton, who died last month at 86. The service was "attended by United players past and present, other football dignitaries and even the Prince of Wales" (SKY SPORTS, 11/13).

Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock is "aiming to revert to a grass pitch at Rugby Park for the star of the 2025-26 season." Majority shareholder Billy Bowie "hopes final planning approval" for their Bowie Park training facility "will be granted so work can begin in the spring." The center will have "two full-size pitches, a training complex and a 250-seat stand, and be the youth academy's home as well as Kilmarnock Women's" (BBC.com, 11/13).

More: 

• Stadium unrest clouds several weekend Bundesliga games.
• Paris tests dismantling of ironic bookstalls ahead of 2024 Olympics ceremony.
• Premier League's success not really a problem for the League of Ireland.

Future CFP executive director Lt. Gen. Richard Clark: "Having a Group of 5 school have a chance into the playoff is huge. It gives everyone hope. … It's vitally important."

Clark played on the 1986 Air Force team that went 12-1 and finished ranked in the top 10.

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) November 13, 2023

The media room at the Auerbach Center has been named the Heather Walker Media Center, after the unforgettable PR Director who we all miss dearly.

One of the best people you would ever come across, she had a passion for shining a light on the important things in life. pic.twitter.com/MzjARDWkHe

— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) November 13, 2023

Tell a friend, Cooperalls are back 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/952qXVnJXV

— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) November 13, 2023

Jim Harbaugh just said that Michigan should be “America’s team” because it has been through adversity and criticism and the naysayers.

— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 13, 2023

Netflix Cup Odds have been released:

+225: Max Homa/Alex Albon
+250: Collin Morikawa/Pierre Gasly
+275: Justin Thomas/Carlos Sainz
+300: Rickie Fowler/Lando Norris

— Rick Gehman (@RickRunGood) November 13, 2023

ESPN BET is launching tomorrow and ESPN recently sent out guidelines to employees regarding sports betting.

These include:

-No insider or team reporter can place a bet on the team they cover

-No employee can place a bet on a game they're assigned to work

(cont)

— RLinnehanXL (@RLinnehanXl) November 13, 2023

A detailed look 🥣 https://t.co/K7iS8zqFC7 pic.twitter.com/LX6fPaywkx

— Complex Sneakers (@ComplexSneakers) November 13, 2023

NFL Films is in the house for Hard Knocks filming pic.twitter.com/im1cOmGL4f

— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) November 13, 2023

Ahead of tomorrow's Netflix Cup, Netflix's first foray into live sports, the streamer released an introduction to the team pairings and matchups. The Netflix Cup will be live from The Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas at 6pm ET tomorrow.

$5.5M -- The winnings from a $500,000 four-leg parlay with the newly reopened Hard Rock sportsbook in Florida, "one of the largest payouts on a parlay bet ever reported by a U.S. sportsbook" (ESPN.com, 11/12).