Closing Bell

The PGA Tour’s Player Advisory Council was “briefed” on CEO Brian Rolapp and the Future Competition Committee’s vision of a “reimagined tour, including the circuit’s move to ‘Track 1′ and ‘Track 2′ events for the 2028 season." Sources said that the current plan is to “have 15 to 18 Track 1 events as well as the four major championships.” Estimates for field sizes for the upper tier events would be 120-130 players, although that number is “still being considered.” There are currently eight signature events, The Players Championship, and sources say that the Tour “plans to reduce the number of playoff events to two, leaving roughly four to seven spots for additional events on the Track 1 schedule” (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 6/3).

Under the proposal, the top 90 golfers in the season-long points standings “would retain” their Track 1 status the next season. Golfers competing in Track 2 would be “fighting to be elevated” to Track 1 the next season. There would be about 20-30 spots available per season, not including 10 golfers who would “join the PGA Tour from the DP World Tour.” The tour is “still working out” whether Track 2 golfers could be promoted to Track 1 during the season. Track 1 golfers would be “prohibited from dropping down” to Track 2 events, although that has not ”been finalized” (ESPN.com, 6/3).

Rolapp on Wednesday said that the finished product “probably won’t be ready until 2028 and would be a system ‘that outlives any player.’” Rolapp said sports are about “how good the athletes are and what the competitive consequences are.” He noted fans will “see that in Track 2,” adding he believes golfers will be “fighting to stay on Track 1.” Rolapp: “We have lost a lot of that with the smaller field, no-cut events” (AP, 6/3).

Purdue AD Mike Bobinski is “set to retire,” with plans for his retirement “to come on Dec. 31,” according to sources cited by ESPN.com’s Pete Thamel. Bobinski during his 10-year tenure as AD has overseen Purdue’s “dominant run of men’s basketball,” including its 2024 Final Four trip. He also hired football coach Jeff Brohm (INSTAGRAM, 6/3). Purdue said that a search to hire Bobinski’s successor would be “announced in the coming weeks” (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 6/3).

Purdue in 2022 hired Tiffini Grimes to be Deputy AD. Grimes is a 2022 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree (SBJ).

N.Y. will allow a watch party outside MSG for Wednesday’s Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals Game 1, a “sudden reversal after it had declined to permit such gatherings.” The parties had been canceled after “multiple arrests and general chaos outside the arena last week” after the Knicks won the Eastern Conference title. Tickets for a watch party inside MSG “sold out within an hour on Monday” (N.Y. TIMES, 6/3).

An MSG spokesperson confirmed that the permit issued by the city is “only for Game 1.” City officials said that permits “will be decided on a game-by-game basis” moving forward. Officials said that the change of course happened after Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office, the NYPD and MSG “all discussed hosting the event again.” MSG has shown past playoff games on huge outdoor television screens “with as many as 6,000 people gathering” (N.Y. POST, 6/3).

Meanwhile, the N.Y. POST cites sources as saying that President Trump is “planning to attend” Spurs-Knicks Game 3 on June 8 at MSG. Sources said that arena personnel “performed security walkthroughs in preparation for his potential visit.” Sources added that Mamdani “also plans to attend Game 3, although he is not expected to sit alongside the president” (N.Y. POST, 6/3).

The N.C. State-Virginia football game originally set to be played in Rio de Janeiro will be relocated to Charlottesville, Va. The change follows communication from event promoter Athlete Advantage, which informed the ACC and the schools that the event could not be conducted. Originally scheduled to be played in Week 0, the ACC, N.C. State and UVA are working with the NCAA and ESPN to confirm the game will remain on August 29 (ACC). The matchup was set to be the “first college football game played in South America” and the first international game for both schools (AP, 6/3).

N.C. State was “reportedly set to make $2 million to play in the game.” Sources told the DAILY PROGRESS that UVA “would be making significantly more by playing [in] Brazil than they would for a home game at Scott Stadium” (Charlottesville DAILY PROGRESS, 6/3). N.C. State is “in line to receive $1.5 million from Athletes Advantage for a ‘material breach’ of agreement.” The contract states that the promoter was ”responsible for organizing the event and performing ‘all reasonably necessary duties’ required to host a college football game” (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 6/3).

Bears QB Caleb Williams was confirmed as the cover athlete for EA Sports’ Madden 27, becoming the first Bears player featured on the front of the main edition of the game. On the standard edition of the game, Williams is “pictured throwing a jump pass.” On the deluxe edition, Williams is “shown rubbing his biceps, the celebration he used that matched his ‘Iceman’ nickname.” Madden 27 releases Aug. 13 (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 6/3).

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman prior to Stanley Cup Final Game 1 confirmed reports that a succession plan has been discussed within the league’s office, but Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman does not believe that Bettman is “going anywhere anytime soon.” Friedman was first with the report on Tuesday afternoon, and he said on Wednesday morning, “I’ve had a couple of governors reach out to me and say, ‘Don’t think he’s going anywhere.’ He’s still very energetic and very much wants and like to be around.”

Bettman, who turned 74 on Tuesday, did not disclose any details around the succession talks. However, Friedman said, “I think he would very much like to reward Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and Daly’s loyalty.” Daly has been with the league since 1996 and in his current position since 2005, and Friedman said, “Daly has spent a lot of years putting out fires and being an excellent lieutenant to Bettman. I think the question is going to be are they going to do a formal search or is he going to be appointed to the position” (“NHL Morning Skate,” NHL Network Radio, 6/3).

SBJ’s Alex Silverman speaks with U.S. Soccer leadership on preparations for the World Cup, highlighting how commercial and philanthropic efforts are ramping up through expanded partnerships and deeper fan engagement. Chief Commercial Officer David Wright and Chief Advancement Officer Leah Burton point to record sponsorship momentum and lay out a long-term vision that stretches beyond 2026.

Several U.S. NGBs announced new sponsorship deals on Wednesday. USA Swimming signed a multiyear agreement with Fitter & Faster Swim Camps, naming the organization the official supplier of swimming day camps through 2029 and the presenting sponsor of USA Swimming’s Scholastic All-America program. Fitter & Faster will produce up to four camps annually at USA Swimming championship events, including stops on the Pro Swim Series. Fitter & Faster will also provide camp registrations annually in support of USA Swimming’s outreach and community programs (USA Swimming).

USA Fencing signed a multiyear agreement with Cloudflare, naming the company its official technology sponsor. Cloudflare will provide internet security and performance tools through its streaming platform Boutcaster. The deal also extends to broader digital infrastructure. The Cloudflare logo will appear on USA Fencing national team medal stand uniforms for Senior, Junior and Cadet teams; on stripside signage at all North American Cup events; and as a “Powered by Cloudflare” attribution on Boutcaster (USA Fencing).

 USA Track & Field signed a sponsorship deal with Saatva, naming the brand its official mattress and restorative sleep sponsor. Saatva will support athletes through initiatives centered on sleep education, recovery and overall wellness while also receiving brand integration across select events and digital platforms. The agreement begins immediately and will extend across domestic USATF events, athlete storytelling initiatives and fan engagement opportunities (USATF).

USA Bobsled/Skeleton renewed its deal with iOgrapher for an additional eight years, continuing a collaboration focused on enhancing visual storytelling and fan engagement through access to videography and photography tools. iOgrapher has provided USABS athletes, coaches and staff with mobile filming equipment that supports livestream coverage of annual Push Championships and other events (USABS).