Peter J. Holt and Corinna Holt Richter will succeed their parents on SS&E's board of managersspurs

Spurs Sports & Entertainment announced Friday that Peter J. Holt "has succeeded" his mother, Julianna Hawn Holt, as Chair and co-CEO of the company. Julianna Holt had held the posts since March '16, when she succeeded her husband, Peter M. Holt, after he "stepped down following a 20-year stint as SS&E’s boss." The Spurs also announced Peter J. Holt and Corinna Holt Richter would "succeed their parents on the organization’s board of managers." Peter M. Holt and Julianna Hawn Holt became the Spurs’ largest shareholders in '96. They are believed to own about 40% of the team (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 3/30).

United Airlines offered Friday to withdraw from a $69M deal to change the L.A. Memorial Coliseum into United Airlines Memorial Coliseum following criticism that "adding a corporate name is disrespectful to the facility's history of honoring troops who fought and died in World War I." The airline made the offer to USC, which "announced the agreement" for the naming rights last year as part of its $270M renovation of the venue. United Airlines California President Janet Lamkin said in a letter to USC official Todd Dickey that the company "made 'a significant commitment to financing this project' in exchange for the naming rights and was careful to keep the words 'Memorial Coliseum' to honor the memory of veterans." L.A. County Supervisor and Coliseum Commission President Janice Hahn "criticized the new name this week in a newspaper opinion piece" (AP, 3/29).

The CWHL's BOD has "decided to discontinue operations May 1 of this year." The league in a statement said, "While the on-ice hockey is exceptional, the business model has proven to be economically unsustainable." The news "comes a week after the 12th edition of the Clarkson Cup," the league's championship game (CP, 3/31). There had been reports of a "possible merger between the CWHL and NWHL," but it is "unclear what happens to women’s professional hockey in North America from here" (CHICAGO.SUNTIMES.com, 3/31).

Nashville Mayor David Briley responded to public criticism over the planned removal of 21 trees at Riverfront Park for next month's NFL Draft, saying that the league and Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. now "will have to remove them intact and replant them." Briley on Twitter also said that if any trees are "found to be diseased or near death when removed, they will be replaced with new, healthy trees." The NFL and NCVC will also "plant 17 more at Riverfront Park in previously vacant and new locations" (TWITTER.com, 3/30). According to the city, the tree removal is "necessary to accommodate structures including a giant stage and other logistical elements that will serve as a focal point for the draft" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 3/31).

The USL Austin Bold FC drew a "sellout crowd of 5,803 fans" last night for their home opening win against San Antonio FC at Circuit of the Americas. Bold Stadium "fits 5,036, and the stands were filled along with standing-room only sections before kickoff." Bold G Diego Restrepo said, “When I first came through the gate for warmups I was like, ‘Wow, it’s going to be a special night’” (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 3/31).

Principals of Schooners Sports & Entertainment, the group behind the proposed Halifax CFL franchise, have "signed a letter of intent this week with Canada Lands" to "build a stadium on eight of the 32 hectares that form Shannon Park." The plan includes a "partnership with Sport Nova Scotia that would open the facility to more than professional athletes." Original estimates for the cost of the stadium ranged from $170-190M (all figures C) but Anthony LeBlanc, part of the Atlantic Schooners' ownership group, said that they are now "looking at a building that would cost" about $130M (Halifax CHRONICLE-HERALD, 3/31).

General Motors yesterday "quietly lowered" its new '19 red Chevrolet Blazer SUV down from its perch above centerfield at the Tigers' Comerica Park and "replaced it with an American-made Chevrolet Traverse SUV in white." Some United Automobile Workers had "considered the Blazer an affront to them given that GM builds the SUV in Mexico." GM has "put its cars atop the Chevrolet Fountain for 10 years running." But choosing one built abroad was "unsettling to union members," as the union "bargains for a new contract and fights to keep GM from closing four U.S. factories" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 3/31).

Renous, New Brunswick, will host this year's edition of Kraft Hockeyville, a sweepstakes hosted by the NHL, NHLPA and Kraft Heinz to support local ice rinks and promote hockey in communities. The plan was announced last night on "Hockey Night In Canada" (BATTLEFORDS NEWS-OPTIMIST, 3/31).

The Pistons last night against the Trail Blazers saw one of their "largest crowds of the season" at Little Caesars Arena, as 18,592 fans came out to "witness the 30th anniversary celebration of the first of back-to-back championships" in '89 (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 3/31).

The crowd of 44,597 at Citizens Bank Park for Braves-Phillies yesterday was "even slightly bigger" than the one that showed up for Bryce Harper's Opening Day on Thursday (44,469), which "had not happened" since '11 (PHILLY.com, 3/30).

The CFL will stage an Aug. 25 contest between the Toronto Argonauts and Montreal Alouettes at Stade Croix-Bleue Medavie Stadium. It will "mark the fourth time the CFL has held a regular-season game" on the Univ. of Moncton's campus, but the first since '13 (CP, 3/29).

The AAF Salt Lake Stallions beat the San Diego Fleet 8-3 yesterday in front of 8,405 fans at Rice-Eccles Stadium (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 3/31). Meanwhile, the Orlando Apollos last night beat the Memphis Express 34-31, with 12,417 in attendance at Spectrum Stadium (THE DAILY).

"I had a great experience in the booth. I saw a different perspective. I saw the league from a different point of view in getting the opportunity to go see 31 other teams and how they build their team and go about it" -- Cowboys TE Jason Witten, on his one year in the "MNF" booth ahead of his induction into the Texas Sports HOF last night (ESPN.com, 3/31).

"During the first inning, I think I was the only guy in the ballpark making noise" -- Rockies Owner Dick Monfort, on cheering for his team inside Marlins Park (DENVER POST, 3/31).

The CHICAGO TRIBUNE writes under the header. "Benny The Bull Has Accompanied A Mayor To China, Topped A Forbes List And Been Arrested At The Taste Of Chicago." The first NBA mascot, created in '69, is "now as popular as the Chicago Bulls themselves." Benny has "gone from a sideshow attraction to -- after yet another pitiful Bulls season -- the main attraction."

Also:

• The BOSTON GLOBE catches up with Theo Epstein eight years after he left the Red Sox.
• Yankees broadcaster Suzyn Waldman on having to deal with sexism throughout her career.

Looking forward to Sergio’s Instagram capturing a rescue pound visit and facilitating a soldier surprising his family on the 18th green after this dust-up with Kuch

— Joel Beall (@JoelMBeall) March 30, 2019

Owner Jon Ledecky walking through the upper deck at the Coliseum with people chanting his name, shaking hands and kissing babies. Nice when your team is winning. #Isles

— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) March 31, 2019

From UMBC to the Final Four. One of the great sports stories I have ever seen. Bennett and these players fielded every question with class and grace. They deserve this!!!

— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) March 31, 2019

This is the worst week of the year for minor league players.

They’re assigned to their affiliates and must find housing where they need to come up with first month, security deposit and other things while they haven’t gotten a single paycheck since September, 2018.

— Rafa Nieves (@mlb_agent) March 30, 2019

The Padres new "Anchorman Race" is an A+++ pic.twitter.com/aSNvZa7gHl

— Starting 9 (@Starting9) March 30, 2019

A sneak preview of Sports Business Journal's weekly editorial cartoon: