The NCAA's implementation of NIL "took a hit Monday" when industry leader INFLCR "pulled its name out of consideration to be a third-party administrator." INFLCR was "one of four finalists" chosen by the NCAA to "act as a clearinghouse in NIL deals determining market value of deals." But the naming of a TPA has been "put off several times by the NCAA without explanation." INFLCR CEO Jim Cavale said that there was a "possible conflict in his company providing NIL compliance software solutions for institutions and their athletes while also working for the NCAA." One NCAA Council member "called the situation a 'legal landmine.'" There are some who "think all of this may be leading to a breaking point for the NCAA" (CBSSPORTS.com, 5/10). The "four original finalists" reportedly were INFLCR, Sales Force, CLC and Opendorse. The "latter, many believe, is the favorite" (TWITTER.com, 5/10).

The privately funded price tag for the Climate Pledge Arena renovation "will surpass $1 billion as work continues on finalizing the venue for the Kraken’s inaugural NHL season in October. " Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke said that the venue alone is "now expected to cost" $1.05B. An adjacent $75M private parking garage and $25M in signage and other work "brings the total project cost" to $1.15B. Meanwhile, OVG "announced a long-awaited founding partnership deal that makes Verizon the official 5G and technology partner" for Climate Pledge Arena, the Islanders' new UBS Arena and the planned Coachella Valley Arena. Sources said that OVG had "received offers exceeding $5 million annually with a guaranteed infrastructure spend of $20 million" from 5G bidders (SEATTLE TIMES, 5/10).

The Islanders' AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, have a new name: the Bridgeport Islanders. It marks the “start of a new era,” according to Brent Rossi, president of business operations for the minor league hockey club. The reboot coincides with the team’s 20-year anniversary. “One of our biggest reasons for doing this was to closer align ourselves with our parent club as part of a larger organizational goal,” Rossi told SBJ.

As part of the name change, both the NHL and AHL clubs are working toward building a stronger and more cohesive relationship, according to Rossi, who said the AHL team is being viewed as a “feeder system” for the New York Islanders for certain positions. Rossi also said the AHL organization plans to lean on the NHL team’s executives and business operations staff to mentor those in similar verticals in Bridgeport, including marketing and game entertainment, among others.

The AHL club has teased its name change online and across social media dating back to April 26. The stick tape design, and zoomed in ‘NY’ in Bridgeport’s new logo, “pays homage” to the NHL team’s logo and shows that “really close connection,” Rossi said. He added: “UBS Arena is also opening this upcoming season, and we’re looking at Connecticut as a huge opportunity for us to grow the Islanders fan base here.”

Bridgeport hired freelance consultant and creative designer Scott Modrzynski to aid in the name change and design efforts. Rossi, Chris Lamoriello (Bridgeport GM) and Tim Farrell (VP/Marketing) were involved in the year-long process along with the Islanders’ ownership group as well as Isles GM Lou Lamoriello.

ABC/ESPN has signed TSN's Ray Ferraro to be "one of its top analysts" when its NHL coverage begins next season, while Brian Boucher is "leaving NBC to join ABC/ESPN as another lead analyst," according to sources. Ferraro, who was with ESPN when it previously had NHL rights, will be part of ABC/ESPN's Stanley Cup coverage and "could be its top game analyst," according to sources. ABC/ESPN has "yet to finalize a lead Stanley Cup play-by-player," though Steve Levy or Sean McDonough are "viewed as the leading internal candidates" (N.Y. POST, 5/10).

Portugal now is "looking the likely host country" for this month's Champions League final, after a "day of frustration in talks between" UEFA and the British government to move the all-English final to London's Wembley Stadium. Portugal, which hosted last year's makeshift Champions League playoff tournament, is on the U.K.'s "green list, which would mean there are no complications for Manchester City or Chelsea." Porto and Lisbon "have been set out as options," and fans would "be able to attend, albeit in limited numbers." Istanbul is "virtually certain to lose the final for the second year running," and is "set to be given the showpiece event [for] 2023, to celebrate the country's centenary" (London INDEPENDENT, 5/10).

Japanese tennis player Kei Nishikori has "doubts about whether the IOC and local organizers are doing enough to plan for a worst-case scenario of 'hundreds' or 'thousands' of coronavirus cases at the Tokyo Olympics." Nishikori said, "I don’t think it’s easy, especially what’s happening right now in Japan. It’s not doing good. Well, not even (just) Japan. You have to think all over the world right now.” Nishikori is "one of a growing number of tennis players expressing reservations" about the Tokyo Games. Serena Williams suggested she "won’t go to Japan if coronavirus protocols mean she can’t bring her 3-year-old daughter with her." Yesterday, second-ranked Naomi Osaka "sounded conflicted about the games’ status" (AP, 5/10).

Athletes Unlimited has landed broadcast deals with CBS and Fox for its upcoming 30-game softball season, which begins in August. CBS Sports Network will air seven games, including the final game of the season, and Fox Sports will carry 15 games between FS1 and FS2. The remaining eight games of the season will be livestreamed on Athletes Unlimited’s Facebook and YouTube channels. Fox Deportes will also air 15 Spanish-language game broadcasts. The broadcast partnerships will be formally announced later tonight at the league’s first ever college draft.

Hulu has "ordered a nine-part docuseries chronicling the history" of the Lakers. The project, which joins the Hulu Originals lineup, comes from Lakers Controlling Owner & CEO Jeanie Buss; director Antoine Fuqua, in association with Fuqua Films; Haven Entertainment; and Los Angeles Media Fund. The series "details the past four decades" of the Lakers and features interviews from more than 35 people within the organization, including the Buss family, coaches and former players. Also featured are "interviews with a range of high-profile fans and a trove of archival footage featuring never-before-seen interviews with the Lakers’ late owner, Jerry Buss." The untitled project is slated to debut in '22 (DEADLINE.com, 5/10).

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Nassau Coliseum will have a fully vaccinated fan section for Islanders playoff games (New York State).

Three of the NWHL’s six active clubs are now independently owned after W Hockey Partners, the enterprise that owns and operates some of the teams, sold the Connecticut Whale to Shared Hockey Enterprises LLC, led by Tobin Kelly, an M&A executive and co-founder of equipment and apparel company, Arc Hockey. A seventh NWHL expansion team in Montreal is scheduled to begin play in the '22-23 season (Mark J. Burns, SBJ).

Kansas Speedway is "selling tickets with no capacity restrictions" for its Oct. 23-24 race weekend, headlined by the NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 (BIZJOURNALS.com, 5/10).

Therabody is announcing Heat G Tyler Herro as its newest athlete ambassador (Eric Prisbell, SBJ).

"I don’t think so. ... What the league was actually able to do with putting 'Black Lives Matter' on the court was something that was even more powerful. It in a way normalized a saying that shouldn’t have been controversial. You see a league putting 'Black Lives Matter' on the court, that’s going to have a profound and a good effect on generations of people who are watching" -- Bucks Senior VP Alex Lasry, on whether the NBA's on-court support for BLM last summer had an impact on business (WASHINGTON POST, 5/10).

“The biggest thing that I noticed when I started embarking on this motherhood journey was the amount of questions I got that were different from my male counterparts. It was like, ‘Well, who’s watching your kids while you're on the road,’ and they don't ask LeBron that” -- WNBA Chicago Sky F Candace Parker, on becoming a mother during her playing career ( “SportsCenter,” ESPN, 5/10).

“ Bob Baffert has got to be the best-known trainer in racing, but he’s had a lot of medical violations in his career, and his reputation has really taken a hit. But he said yesterday racing has a problem, but it's not Bob Baffert” -- CBS’ David Begnaud, on Baffert’s Kentucky Derby-winning horse Medina Spirit being under investigation for a positive drug test ( “CBS This Morning,” 5/10).

AXS Sports Facilities & Franchises and Ticketing Symposium

September 28-30 -- Las Vegas, NV

As the sports industry looks to reopen even further in 2021, we will examine the efforts different leagues and organizations have taken to re-imagine the fan experience and implement new venue guidelines. We will also examine the anticipated rebound in ticketing, and how ticketing operators are maintaining relationships with customers. In addition to cutting-edge content and insights from team owners, presidents and heads of facility and ticketing operations, these programs feature venue tours and ample networking opportunities in and around the city for all attendees.

For more INFORMATION on how to REGISTER, please contact www.SportsFacilitiesandFranchises.com.

Tennis player Simona Halepjoins Gold Medal-winning U.S. gymnast Laurie Hernandez on the latest episode of Nike's "The Playlist." Halep is challenged to workout with her goldfish, Beefcake.

0 -- The number of U.S. tennis players in the top 30 of the ATP rankings, the first time that has occurred since computer-calculated standings were first released in August ’73 (AP, 5/10).