This weekend's Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix has "enticed sports bettors so much" that the event is expected to set F1 and motor sports wagering records "by leaps and bounds." Both Caesars Entertainment and BetMGM have projected that the event will shatter records. Races "typically draw bettors especially interested in that circuit," but Las Vegas is "attracting more of the casual or cross-over gambler." Even NASCAR, which is far more popular in the U.S. than F1, "doesn’t draw the action this race is getting." Still, some noted "there is more uncertainty with this race" because it is a first-year event and "even the drivers aren’t sure what to expect" (AP, 11/17).

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Kansas State has announced a "lucrative contract extension" for AD Gene Taylor that will "raise his annual salary to $925,000 and continue his services in Manhattan until the conclusion of the 2029-30 academic year." His new deal will also include "retention incentives of $250,000 in each of the next four years" before that number "climbs to $500,000 annually over the final three years of his contract." Taylor has "spearheaded impressive facility upgrades across campus" under his watch, including "major renovations to Bill Snyder Family Stadium … a football practice facility, a new volleyball arena and an Olympic training center. Many outlets "have taken notice," as "some outlets named Taylor as the top AD in the country for 2022-23" (WICHITA EAGLE, 11/17).

The Hornets will become the first North Carolina-based team to unveil a deal with a sportsbook today, announcing a 10-year exclusive agreement that will make Bet365 the team’s official mobile sports betting operator, giving the U.K.-based company access to one of 11 licenses the state is expected to issue next year.

The deal comes in time for Bet365 to see its logo on the baseline aprons and basket stanchions at Spectrum Center for tonight’s NBA In-Season Tournament game against the Bucks, as well as upcoming games against the Knicks on Saturday night and the Celtics on Monday night. Bet365 also will receive advertising and promotion on the team’s TV and radio broadcasts, as well as social platforms once sports betting launches. The deal does not include plans for retail, though it could be added as part of future arena development.

The Hornets are the fifth U.S. pro team sponsored by Bet365, joining the Guardians, Commanders, Rockies and Spurs. This is its first exclusive deal with a U.S. team, and it comes as the global sports betting leader has accelerated its presence in the country this year and is now available in N.J., Colorado, Ohio, Virginia, Iowa and Kentucky. 

Though financial terms were not disclosed, a source familiar with the deal confirmed it will be the second richest sponsorship in the team’s portfolio, behind arena naming rights, and ranks near the top in average annual value.

The D-backs "will take a new look into the 2024 season and beyond" with four new uniforms released today. The D-backs are "keeping a white, gray, Sedona red and black jersey," but "each of the four looks has undergone a transformation." Purple is "not in the colorways," but teal is "much more prominently featured as an accent." The "D" logo with the rattlesnake is also "back in the mix on a red cap and a black cap." All of the new uniforms are designed with a new Nike Vapor Premier fabric, with 25% more stretch and faster drying technology made from 90% recycled polyester. The team also "showed off four hats: two black and two red" (ARIZONA SPORTS, 11/17).

The Stars have broken ground on a "new multipurpose athletic complex" as part of a $25M investment to "develop and grow youth sports across the metroplex." The future StarCenter Multi-Sport Farmers Branch "has been in the works for the past five years," said Farmers Branch Mayor Terry Lynne. The new facility "will serve more than 50,000 young athletes … will feature up to eight basketball courts and 16 volleyball courts" and "plans to host youth sports clubs for children ages 6 to 19." The complex is also part of the team's "strategy to build outside of their robust ice skating business and further expand into youth sports," said Stars President & CEO Brad Alberts. The center is slated to open in December 2024 (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 11/17).

ATP and Dunlop have reached an extension of their global partnership through 2028. Dunlop will continue as the Official Ball of the ATP Tour and will become the Official Racket and Official Tennis Accessories (non-exclusive) of the ATP Tour (ATP).

The Raptors announced a new multiyear partnership with SiriusXM Canada that makes the satellite radio provider the Official Audio Music Streaming provider of the team (Raptors).

The Rugby Network (TRN), an over-the-top (OTT) platform owned by Major League Rugby, has reached a deal to exclusively broadcast the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby in the U.S. and Canada (The Rugby Network).

Michelob Ultra and Williams Racing have collaborated to create "Lap of Legends," a television special that will bring former Williams racers back to the track and fans even closer to the race with a first-of-its-kind real vs virtual adrenaline-pumping 16-lap race (Williams Racing).

“The eyes of the world are on Las Vegas and it gives us an opportunity to show off and to show what we can do to merge the F1 brand with the Las Vegas brand” -- Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority CEO Steve Hill, on what Las Vegas gets in return by catering to the fans of F1 (“Worldwide Exchange,” CNBC, 11/17).

“I didn’t think it was possible to have a race down The Strip in Vegas, but here we are. The track is looking good for us” -- U.S. F1 driver Logan Sargeant, on racing in the Las Vegas Grand Prix (“GMA,” ABC, 11/17).

“The reaction from journalists across the spectrum has been incredible, obliterating” -- CBS’s Vladimir Duthiers, on Charissa Thompson saying she made up quotes from coaches when she was a sideline reporter (“CBS Mornings,” 11/17).

“America certainly has the depth. Where the advantage is there are more opportunities probably at the moment on the American side of the ledger, but it’s not like the French have been doing great at winning majors either” -- Tennis Channel’s Jim Courier, on the 20-year drought since a U.S. men’s tennis player won a Grand Slam title. Andy Roddick is the last one when he took the 2003 U.S. Open (“Tennis Channel Live,” Tennis Channel, 11/16).

🚨NEW: The NCAA showed Michigan evidence that booster "Uncle T" partially funded the sign stealing scandal, @RossDellenger & @DanWetzel report.

The Yahoo story also mentions recently fired coach Chris Partridge attempted to destroy computer evidence😮https://t.co/D1xFtMuilM pic.twitter.com/j3vB9km1he

— On3 (@On3sports) November 17, 2023

Sensing the lawyers told Michigan/Harbaugh to stand down.. https://t.co/1Nz9UaR4RP

— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) November 17, 2023

Today we TAKE A STAND against the NCAA..

LET THEM BOWL #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/HB4KqgheJr

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 17, 2023

Toto Wolff on F1's eventful first night in Las Vegas 👀 pic.twitter.com/awWDZL79e8

— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) November 17, 2023

The BWT Alpine F1 Team has added MNTN as the team's official Performance TV Sponsor. The multiyear partnership kicks off at the Las Vegas Grand Prix this coming weekend, and MNTN Chief Creative Officer Ryan Reynolds unveiled the deal in a new spot.

6 & 4 -- CNBC’s Contessa Brewer noted MGM resorts normally operates six private jets which are “dispatched around the world to bring” their high-end “customers to Las Vegas,” but with the demand by customers to attend the Las Vegas Grand Prix, “they’ve added four extra charter jets for F1” (“Worldwide Exchange,” CNBC, 11/17).