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Michael Jordan has "agreed to sell a large piece" of the Hornets to two N.Y.-based investors, a sale "expected to close in the next few weeks." A source said that the deal "does not involve" Jordan "giving up majority ownership" of the team. Sources said that Jordan "controls about" 97% of Hornets equity. Jordan is "bringing in" Melvin Capital Founder & Chief Information Officer Gabe Plotkin and D1 Capital Founder Daniel Sundheim. A source said that both prospective owners "must be approved by the NBA, but that process is already underway and the sale is expected to close quickly." A source added that Jordan "plans to remain the Hornets’ primary owner 'for a long time.'" The percentages Plotkin and Sundheim are buying "have not been revealed, nor has the price they are paying." In February, Forbes "estimated the Hornets were worth" about $1.3B (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 9/14).

The NHLPA tomorrow will "announce its CBA re-opener decision." There is a "provision in the CBA which allows if the deadline was on a Sunday to push it back a day." The players have "until the end of the day" tomorrow to make their choice (TWITTER.com, 9/14). With a decision not due until the end of the day tomorrow, it "opens the door to further negotiation" between the league and players. The NHL's owners "had the same option, but opted against it believing in the health of the league after an extended period of co-operation between the two parties" (SPORTSNET.ca, 9/14).

New Fire Owner Joe Mansueto "addressed the players in their locker room at SeatGeek Stadium" following the team's 4-0 victory over FC Dallas yesterday. Fire D Jonathan Bornstein said that the team "gave Mansueto the game ball and dedicated the victory to him." On the surface, the Fire’s first day under Mansueto’s ownership "didn’t feel any different." An announced crowd of only 12,874 "turned out to see the Fire’s penultimate game at SeatGeek Stadium." There was "no presentation of Mansueto or acknowledgment" of former Owner Andrew Hauptman. Mansueto's purchase of the Fire was "greeted with extreme enthusiasm by the team’s fan base." Players and coaches also "voiced support for the new ownership" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 9/15).

Wake Forest's new Sutton Sports Performance Center and Shah Basketball Complex opened on Friday, "complete with a ribbon cutting." The new performance center is "nearly 90,000 square feet and is connected to the McCreary Football Field House." The facility was built "thanks to generous donations" by Teall Capital Founder & Managing Partner Ben Sutton and Noble Investment Group CEO Mit Shah, along with alum Bob McCreary. Wake Forest women's soccer coach Tony da Luz said, “This is a huge deal for Wake Forest, and it’s a game changer." Sutton, whose company was "later re-branded IMG College, has long served as a Wake Forest trustee." The Shah Basketball Complex is a "22,371-square-foot building" (WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL, 9/14).

NASCAR today launched its new in-racing betting product at several sportsbooks around the U.S., according to Managing Dir of Gaming Scott Warfield. NASCAR has been working with Genius Sports to create in-race betting markets, which the sanctioning body feels is a way to unlock added fan engagement. NASCAR is starting this weekend with a couple in-race bets like picking the race and stage winners, and it will add in other prop bets over the coming weeks -- with the full product on track to be done for the ’20 Daytona 500 in February. Books offering the bets today include Pearl River Resort in Mississippi, Resorts World Catskills in New York and Q Casino in Iowa. In-race prop bets that NASCAR is considering offering include exacta/trifecta/superfecta; picking whether the race winner will have an even or odd number; head-to-head driver matchups and the winning team. 

NASCAR has traditionally had a relatively small handle among sportsbooks compared to the major stick-and-ball sports, but Warfield said the reaction he has gotten from casino operators is optimism that they can grow it in time as more states legalize sports betting. He added, “If we, with Genius, can offer an experience that is unique and engaging, that’s where we can see some growth in terms of turning a causal bettor into a NASCAR fan. It’s not tomorrow, Sunday or even 2020, but over the next three, five, seven years, we think there is a real unique opportunity.”

A "trio of new augmented reality activations" made its debut this weekend at Mercedes-Benz Stadium beginning with Crew-Atlanta United yesterday, as fans got the "chance to interact" with F Josef Martinez, MF Julian Gressel, D Michael Parkhurst and G Brad Guzan. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz USA is "launching the interactive fan activations in time" for the Falcons' home opener tonight on "SNF" against the Eagles and will "run for at least the remainder of this season." Falcons fans will be "exposed to the new interchangeable AR experience" which features QB Matt Ryan, WR Calvin Ridley and DE Vic Beasley. Falcons WR Mohamed Sanu and DT Grady Jarrett are also "featured in one of the new activations." All three activations "offer different experiences" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/13).

Meanwhile, the Falcons on Friday said that M-B Stadium's retractable roof "will be open" for tonight's game (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 9/13).

The Univ. of Washington "unveiled new Adidas uniforms for their men’s and women’s basketball teams Friday." Each team "received new purple, white and black uniform combinations, while losing the gold set." The jerseys also "lose the accented collars of seasons past." The block “W” logo "replaces 'Washington' on the front of the black uniforms" and the white uniforms "now read 'Huskies' on the front instead of 'Washington.'" Meanwhile, changes to the women's basketball uniform include them no longer featuring the "line accent that ran up and down the side torso of the jersey." Also, the black uniform combination "now read 'Huskies' instead of 'Washington'" (SEATTLE TIMES, 9/14).

The D-backs and Exec VP & GM Mike Hazen on Friday "agreed to a contract extension," a move that means the team will "not lose their well-respected GM to the Red Sox -- or any other team -- for the foreseeable future." The length of the deal is "not known, but Hazen already was signed" through '21 on the original contract he received when he was hired in October '16. The new deal "runs beyond that." Hazen said that D-backs President & CEO Derrick Hall "approached him about an extension at least 10 days ago -- that is, well before the Red Sox fired" President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski last week, "igniting speculation that Hazen might return to his native Boston." Hazen spent 11 years in the Red Sox organization before being hired by the D-backs (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 9/14).

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Tyson Fury had to "overcome a tremendously spirited effort" from Otto Wallin and "two horrendous cuts over his right eye in a memorable rumble before 8,249 in the main event of the Top Rank Boxing on ESPN+ card" yesterday at T-Mobile Arena. With the win, Fury "retained the lineal title for the fifth time and did his part to fight his way into a rematch with titlist Deontay Wilder" (ESPN.com, 9/15). Fury and Top Rank Founder & CEO Bob Arum "continue to insist that the Wilder rematch will take place" on Feb. 22, "despite the fact that Wilder is first due to have a rematch with Luis Ortiz." That bout is "expected to take place" on Nov. 23, which is "just 13 weeks before the supposed rematch date with Fury" (LONDON TIMES, 9/15).

Meanwhile, Sergey Kovalev will "defend his WBO light heavyweight title against middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Nov. 2" (RINGTV.com, 9/13).

Today's Chiefs-Raiders matchup at RingCentral Coliseum will mark the "final NFL game played on a baseball diamond" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/15).

The ATP said that all top 10-ranked players have "committed to play in the inaugural ATP Cup in Australia in January" (AP, 9/13).

The funeral service for Cavaliers broadcaster Fred McLeod was held yesterday at Bay Presbyterian Church. The service was "streamed live on cavs.com" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 9/15).

A person who "directed racist taunts" at NWSL club Portland Thorns G Adrianna Franch has been "banned from attending" all league games. The NWSL issued a statement yesterday but the fan was "not identified publicly by the league" (AP, 9/15).

Former NBAer Dirk Nowitzki yesterday was "appointed as the Chair" of FIBA's Players Commission at the first Central Board meeting for the new term (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 9/15).

Helmet manufacturer Xenith has "decided to end its relationship" with Patriots WR Antonio Brown (TWITTER.com, 9/13).

The U.S. Open runs a full-page ad in the N.Y. Times congratulating this year's champions: "Congratulations to all the 2019 US Open champions and thank you to a record number of fans who cheered them on!" (THE DAILY). 

"Some people will play the blame game. There’s no blame to be placed anywhere. They play the shame game -- like we should be ashamed because we didn’t win a gold medal? That’s a ridiculous attitude. It’s immature. It’s arrogant" -- Team USA men's coach Gregg Popovich, on finishing in seventh place at this year's FIBA World Cup (N.Y. TIMES, 9/15).

"When I look at our organization for this season, there’s been a lot of great progress” -- Tigers Chair & CEO Christopher Ilitch, on the current state of the franchise despite their MLB-worst record of 44-103 (DETROIT NEWS, 9/14).

“Antonio Brown does not have shoes on everybody. It’s hot on that turf, right? Be careful. We know it’s not resistant to cold” -- NFL Network’s Rich Eisen, on seeing a barefooted Brown warming up for Patriots-Dolphins (“NFL GameDay Morning,” NFL Network, 9/15).

The BUFFALO NEWS went with the header, "'Tom Saved Hockey In Buffalo': How The Golisano Years Rescued The Sabres." Former Sabres Owner Tom Golisano -- who owned the team from '03-11 -- "made a difference in Buffalo." As the Sabres "enter their 50th year, there is certain to be much reflecting on the team’s history." Part of that history is Golisano’s ownership, a "vital eight years that stabilized the Sabres in Buffalo." Under Golisano, the Sabres "went from eight-figure losses to sizable gains."

Elsewhere:

• An "iconic hot dog vendor: How Joel Watkins and his cart became an essential part of the Rockies’ game day experience."
• Univ. of Illinois "joins a growing number of FBS programs selling beer at football games." But will it "help lure fans?"
• K.C. Johnson "chronicled the Bulls" for the Chicago Tribune for two decades. Now he is "passing the torch."
• Former MLBer David Ortiz reflects on Dominican attack, investigation.

I’ve no doubt the pace of play is slow at Solheim (as it is every Ryder Cup), but that isn’t even remotely evident in the telecast. It’s riveting, and whatever time there is before shots played is dripping with tension. Can’t beat match play golf.

— Scott Michaux (@ScottMichaux) September 15, 2019

For the gamers out there, we talked with our friends at the league about @EASPORTSNHL. Our new white uniforms will be included in their update near Opening Night. With our unveil in August, they didn’t want to risk leaks in their beta testing.

— Mike Forman (@MForman5) September 14, 2019

A lot of people have wondered to me why NFL Primetime with Boomer and TJ is on ESPN+ instead of ESPN. While it's true ESPN wants to drive/retain + subs, the show never would have gone away if NBC did not get exclusive TV highlight rights for Football Night in America window.

— Ryan Glasspiegel (@sportsrapport) September 15, 2019

In case anyone is wondering, Walt Anderson will serve as the referee for today's #Saints-Rams game. Predictably, none of the crew members from last season's NFC Championship Game are working today's rematch.

— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) September 15, 2019

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