• World Congress Of Sports: Soccer, LA2024 Highlight Day 2
• 76ers/Devils Co-Owner Blizter Calls E-Sports The "Wild West"
• Raiders Execs Set To Talk With Las Vegas Stadium Authority
• MLB Teams Up With DePaul Univ. On Sustainability Efforts

It's Day 2 of the CAA World Congress of Sports today, and this morning's sessions are highlighted by talks on the future of soccer and a look at L.A.'s bid for the '24 Games. The day gets started with a panel discussion involving MLS Commissioner Don Garber, U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani, who will discuss rights, reform and expansion within the sport. Following that talk, USOC CEO Scott Blackmun and LA2024 Chair Casey Wasserman will chat about the opportunity the U.S. and L.A. have in seeking another Olympic bid. See the full agenda.

HOW TO KEEP UP: Watch our social feeds for all the latest from the conference, including how to catch our streaming interviews with top newsmakers. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/sbjsbd, and on Twitter at @SBJSBD and using the hashtag #sbjwcs. Also check out our Instagram feed. And look for more coverage later today and tomorrow in THE DAILY.

The first pro team to buy an e-sports franchise was the 76ers, but the team's co-owner said it is still very unclear what was bought. David Blitzer, co-Owner of the 76ers, as well as the Devils and EPL club Crystal Palace, at the CAA World Congress of Sports called e-sports the Wild West. “It’s buying a place within this new ecosystem where you don’t know exactly how it will turn out over time,” he said. Blitzer first learned about e-sports by reading an article about a sold-out event at Madison Square Garden. Asked how he will measure success in three years, Blitzer replied: “Absolutely no idea.” He added that e-sports is about “growing our brand to the point where it is relevant.” Blitzer is known for risks. The 76ers have essentially tanked seasons to secure valuable draft picks. Asked if he ever questioned the process, he replied, “Every day. It was brutal, let’s not mince words.” The club did show a competitive pulse this past season, though the jury is still out as to whether the plan will work.

Raiders execs today are expected to "provide new details to the Las Vegas Stadium Authority on the team’s plans to build its stadium near the Strip." In the first LVSA meeting since the Raiders received permission from NFL owners to relocate to Las Vegas for the '20 season, the team and the authority are "expected to unveil a new draft of a lease agreement the team would have with the authority." The LVSA today "isn’t expected to consider its approval." The Raiders said that they "prefer a 62-acre site" just west of Interstate 15 and Mandalay Bay casino (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 4/18).

MLB as part of ongoing environmental sustainability efforts and Earth Day commemorations has partnered with DePaul Univ. to provide resources around its green initiatives for undergraduate instruction at the Chicago-based school. Information around MLB's sustainability efforts will be included in DePaul’s "PR Campaigns" course. MLB partner Fox Sports also is involved in the effort, and personnel from both organizations will contribute to lectures and mentoring during the course. MLB and numerous clubs continue to advance many environmental efforts such as in-ballpark gardens, LED lighting, solar power and expanded recycling.

San Diego State Univ. student reps yesterday voted "not to retire the Aztec Warrior mascot and phase out the school’s association with the Aztec name." SDSU's Associated Students council "rejected the resolution, introduced by the Native American Student Association on April 10, with 12 students voting yes and 14 voting no, with one abstention." The vote "concluded an emotional and increasingly tense debate" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 4/20). SDSU Associate AD/External Relations Steve Schnall said that the Aztec name and logo is "revered and respected on campus" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 4/20).

The Kansas Board of Regents yesterday "approved plans from three of the six universities it governs to prohibit the concealed carry of guns in stadiums and arenas during athletic events with 5,000 people or more." KU will adopt a "clear-bag policy for all ticketed sporting events this fall." KU Associate AD/Public Affairs Jim Marchiony also said that the school will buy about $1M "worth of metal detectors and equipment." Kansas State "requested approval for metal detectors at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium and Bramlage Coliseum." K-State also said that it will "buy about 70 mobile metal detectors." Wichita State will "install temporary metal detectors to prohibit guns inside Cessna Stadium, Eck Stadium and Charles Koch Arena" (K.C. STAR, 4/20).

The Triple-A Int'l League Pawtucket Red Sox have "launched a real estate development arm as they work on plans" for a new ballpark in the city. The new affiliate, called Prospect Development Group, will "invest in development projects in and around a new ballpark the team is looking to build on one of two sites in Pawtucket." PawSox management is "currently negotiating with city and state leaders on a 'public private partnership' to finance and construct the new stadium" (PROVIDENCE JOURNAL, 4/20).

Time magazine this morning released its 14th annual list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World, and the “eclectic mix of names” includes several sports figures. The current title holders in the three biggest pro team sports are all represented, as Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein, Patriots QB Tom Brady and Cavaliers F LeBron James made the list. Other sports personalities include Gold Medal-winning U.S. gymnast Simone Biles, free agent QB Colin Kaepernick, UFC fighter Conor McGregor and Brazilian soccer player Neymar (TODAY.com, 4/20).

A source said that the Redskins will host a Thanksgiving Day game for the "first time in franchise history" this season. The Giants will visit the Redskins at FedExField in the Thursday night contest. This will mark the Redskins' 10th appearance on Thanksgiving (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 4/20).

The D-I Men's Basketball Oversight Committee at its meeting this week "discussed moving college basketball's start date to a uniform opening day: The Tuesday before the second Friday in November." This "would be three days earlier" than the current start date (MLIVE.com, 4/19).

The "cast and crew of 'The Catcher Was a Spy' will be shooting" at Fenway Park today with the Red Sox on the road. The World War II drama, "directed by Ben Lewin and written by Robert Rodat, is based on the book of the same name and stars Paul Rudd as Moe Berg," a former MLBer who "later served as a spy for the Office of Strategic Services" (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/20).

Massachusetts-based wooden home decor maker Rustic Marlin Designs announced it will launch a new collection of NFL and NHL products (Rustic Marlin).

The Red Sox have partnered with California-based shaving products firm Cremo Co. to become the club's official grooming sponsor (Cremo).

USATF announced a three-year partnership with Drake Relays to own the exclusive media rights to the USATF Championship Series event (USATF).

"My hope is that we're leading in this area, and maybe others will follow with, maybe not the exact same policy, but one that fits their particular institutions" – Indiana Univ. AD Fred Glass, on a new athletics policy that disqualifies IU's programs from adding any athlete with a history of sexual or domestic violence (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 4/20).

"If it rallies our fans and it sounds like we’re selling T-shirts right now, and all of the money is going back into our community then it was worth it for me" – Grizzlies coach David Fizdale, on his officiating rant following the team's loss to the Spurs in Game 2 of the Western Conference quarterfinals on Monday night (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 4/20).

"Oh, no question, I miss it sometimes. But when you reach my age it’s nice to reinvent yourself. I’ll miss the atmosphere and the enthusiasm of being in the building. But this allows me to talk about every game" – Brent Musburger, on stepping away from the broadcasting booth (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 4/20).

"That's the real financial success of the playoffs; it's long term. If you were here in the building Monday, you're a casual fan and that was the first game you've seen in two years, now you're pretty hooked. It's hard not to fall in love" – Predators President & CEO Sean Henry, whose team holds a 3-0 series lead over the Blackhawks in round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 4/20).

Sources said that Fox Networks Group will "most likely not have a new ad-sales chief in place as it prepares to start TV’s 'upfront' negotiations." The unit that oversees Fox, FS1 and FX, among other assets, "parted ways" with President of Ad Sales Toby Byrne in September. Sources said that one issue at play is that a "new entrant might have to share responsibilities with others." Both FNG President & COO Randy Freer and President of Advertising Products Joe Marchese "have a strong hand in certain aspects of advertising outreach" (VARIETY.com, 4/19).

SI.com examines MLS expansion club LAFC, which will become the league's 23rd team beginning next season. LAFC has "no coach and only one player under contract," but the club has "already begun to forge something of an identity." That is "vital" in the L.A. metro area of more than 13 million people and 10 additional major league teams.

The WASHINGTON TIMES profiles Seahawks DE Michael Bennett, who is part of the athlete generation that values "standing up" and "speaking out." Bennett is "far from your ordinary athlete." He puts his family and community "ahead of his industry." That makes "speaking out on conditions and current events only natural for him."

Also:

• Writer makes his first trek to the new SunTrust Park.
• The "reality" that faces Chargers fans and why the NFL "doesn't really care."
• Even out of season, the NFL "still owns your soul."

Weeks after withdrawing bid to be Trump's Army Secretary, Vinny Viola and his HFT biz Virtu will soon announce $1.3bn+ deal to buy rival KCG

— Arash Massoudi (@ArashMassoudi) April 20, 2017

Things I don't understand: Sanskrit. Catch rule in NFL. Goaltender interference in NHL.

— Neil Greenberg (@ngreenberg) April 20, 2017

I'm at a Toronto hotel bar working (seriously) and there are people reliving the Bartman Cubs game and relating it to Game 7 last year. Love

— Barry Svrluga (@barrysvrluga) April 20, 2017

I haven't seen it yet, so I'll say it: The Warriors are Juicero while the Trail Blazers are some dude squeezing juice with his hands.

— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) April 19, 2017

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Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Historic U.S. Laws.”

“By barring holding positions at competing firms, 1914’s Clayton Act plugged gaps in this law.”

NBC’s Jimmy FalIon: “I want to say congrats to Serena Williams. ... She's expecting a baby which means she won the Australian Open while she was pregnant and the baby said, ‘So do I get a doubles trophy?’” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 4/19).

CBS’ Stephen Colbert: “The New England Patriots visited the White House. Of course, it's always an honor to be invited to the White House which is why so many Patriots turned out for the occasion.” The broadcast aired a picture of the Patriots’ players with President Trump which was about half the number of players who visited President Obama two years ago, with Colbert adding, “Looks like Tom Brady deflated the entire team. Still a bigger crowd than his inauguration” (“Late Show,” CBS, 4/19).

ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel: “At the White House today President Trump hosted the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. You know they were lucky to catch the president. It's Wednesday. Usually he's on his way to the Mar-a-Lago for the weekend. ... Several players chose to skip the White House field trip, most notably quarterback Tom Brady who said he had personal family matters to deal with, which means he stayed home to watch ‘Family Matters.’ That had to be a disappointment for Donald Trump. He has such a crush on Tom Brady. He loves Tom Brady more than ... I was going to say Melania but it's even deeper than that. Donald Trump loves Tom Brady almost as much as he loves himself” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 4/19).

Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus appeared on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” last night where she talked about Northwestern and her son Charlie Hall, who is a walk-on forward on the team, playing in the NCAA Tournament for the first time. Louis-Dreyfus said they “couldn't keep me away” from attending and cheering at the games. Louis-Dreyfus: “It has been a thrilling ride because for those of you who don't know -- and like why don't you know? -- Northwestern got into the tournament for the first time in the school's history.” Louis-Dreyfus noted she and her husband, actor Brad Hall, both attended Northwestern but when asked if she “pressured” their son to go there, she said, “God no, definitely not.” Kimmel noted she was “going nuts” during the games and asked, “Did you know the camera would be on you so much?” Louis-Dreyfus: “You need to understand something: I've got two children and all my life I've gone to every game, every concert, every everything ... and I'm watching them. I just do that because you're the mom when you're doing that and I don't think about how I look and I'm in my Birkenstocks and I look like an idiot.” But she noted it was a “very disconcerting thing to go to these things I love but to be thinking about how you look and you've got to sit up straight like I'm doing right now, I don't normally sit like this. I was trying to find people to blow my hair out in Salt Lake. I've got to remember to bring mascara and all this stuff. It's not usually my thing” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 4/19).

“What is the Sherman Antitrust Act?”