YAHOO SPORTS' Jack Baer noted Fox Sports soccer analyst Alexi Lalas issued an apology yesterday for a "since-deleted tweet posted in reaction" to NWSL players kneeling before matches. Lalas’ "original tweet read 'Now it takes courage to actually stand for the national anthem,' followed by an American flag and soccer ball emoji." Lalas an hour later posted a statement on Twitter "praising the players’ protest and apologizing." The NWSL "quote-tweeted Lalas, saying 'If this is your takeaway from the organized action by our players, you clearly haven’t been listening, Alexi'" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/28).
POLICY IS POLICY: In Indianapolis, Nathan Brown noted although IMS plans to cap attendance for the Aug. 23 Indianapolis 500 at 50% of capacity, Penske Entertainment President & CEO Mark Miles said that the track does "not plan to lift the blackout that prevents fans in the Central Indiana market from watching the race live on NBC." Local fans have been able to watch the race live on TV "only three times -- 1949, 1950 and 2016." Four years ago, the blackout was lifted during race week after IMS President Doug Boles "announced the entire track 'at capacity'" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 6/27).
BUSINESS, BUT NOT AS USUAL: In Boston, Matt Porter noted if "all goes according to plan, the NBC hockey team will report to its Stamford, Conn., studio" at the end of July. NBC hockey analyst Mike Milbury "expects the broadcast to emanate from there, with drastically reduced staffing and social distancing, though it’s possible they could travel for the conference finals and Stanley Cup Final." NESN's Andy Brickley said that for "as long as the league allows local coverage, he expects to broadcast" from the net's Watertown, Mass., HQ (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/28).
