Closing Bell

Nike is "unlikely to extend" Nets G Kyrie Irving to a signature shoe deal beyond the '22-23 season, according to sources. Irving has a "new edition of his shoe set to debut in the fall," but sources said that that is "expected to be the final year of a lucrative signature series that he has had with Nike" since '14. Sources said that because of Irving's popularity, it is "expected Nike will still offer some product associated with him in the future," such as "retro shoes from previous collections." But as discussions between Nike and Irving about his endorsement future have "commenced recently," it has become apparent his relationship with the company "will change -- perhaps dramatically so." Nike did "not deny the looming end to Irving's signature shoe series" (ESPN.com, 5/13).

The D-backs and Casino Arizona announced a new sponsorship on Friday that designates the casino and its sister property, Talking Stick Resort, as the ”Official Casino and Resort Partner” of the club. The agreement includes signage at Chase Field and VIP experiences for casino and resort guests. Deal talks were led on the D-backs’ side by President & CEO Derrick Hall, and Exec VP/Business Operations & Chief Revenue Officer Cullen Maxey. For Casino Arizona, which is owned and operated by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Talking Stick Resort President & CEO Dennis Leong, and Talking Stick Resort and Casino Arizona Exec VP & CFO Patricia Tate played key roles.

The logos of Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort will be featured on signage throughout the ballpark, including unique field insignias in front of the home and visiting dugouts. The D-backs will also open a VIP lounge behind the visiting dugout for Casino Arizona and its guests to use during games. The club planned to have the signage added in time for Friday night’s game against the visiting Cubs, while the VIP lounge is in the process of being designed and named. Additionally, the sponsorship will enhance the team’s annual Native American Inter-Tribal Baseball and Softball Tournament and its Native American Recognition Day, all of which will occur later this month.

NFL Network’s Kay Adams on Friday made her final appearance on “Good Morning Football” after six years. Adams, who hosted the show with Kyle Brandt, Peter Schrager and Nate Burleson before his departure last August, “expressed gratitude for her teammates, both on and off camera, as well as members of the league, and viewers who have tuned in.” Adams did not announce her next career move, though it has been reports that Amazon and its new “TNF” package could be a “potential landing spot” (N.Y. POST, 5/13).

As the NHL heads into a weekend featuring a tripleheader of first round Game 7s on Saturday, the league has more than half of its partners activating in some form this Stanley Cup Playoffs. The total of over two dozen sponsors in the U.S. and Canada represents an increase on the number activating last season. Included are newcomers Chipotle and TikTok, which have corner in-ice brand position throughout the postseason as part of their North American deals. Chipotle has partnered with Ducks C Trevor Zegras and Devils C Jack Hughes to help promote a BOGO entrée offer at stores this coming Monday. TikTok will have two creators capturing moments during conference finals and Stanley Cup Final games for the #TikTokInTheCorner content series and will be located on the glass in the corner. Meanwhile, online car retailer Clutch, a new league sponsor in Canada, is utilizing TikTok exclusively to give away two tickets each to two fans for one Stanley Cup Final game and more (SBJ).

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WNBA Phoenix Mercury C Brittney Grinerhad her pre-trial detention in Russia "extended by one month Friday." Griner's lawyer Alexander Boykov said that he thinks the relatively short extension indicated that her case "would go to trial soon." Griner "appeared for the brief hearing at a court outside Moscow handcuffed, wearing an orange hoodie and holding her face down." Boykov said that she did "not express 'any complaints about the detention conditions.'" A U.S. State Department spokesperson said that diplomats from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow "spoke with Griner on Friday." The WNBA and U.S. officials have "worked toward her release, without visible progress" (AP, 5/13).

SportTechie offers daily updates and analysis on all the latest happenings that crossover between the sports and technology industries. Here are some of today's top headlines:

• TendedBar to Debut Two Self-Service Cocktail Stations at PGA's AT&T Byron Nelson Tournament

• Amazon Prime Video to Release Docuseries on Extreme E's Inaugural Season

• Meta Partners with NBA for Virtual Reality Fan Engagement Games, Activities

• A Horse, a Plane, a Camera, a Computer and a Viral Replay: NBC's Kentucky Derby for the Ages

Cryptocurrency exchange FTX was the most mentioned sponsor across Riot’s North American and European League of Legends leagues, the LCS and LEC respectively. According to a report from Esports Charts, FTX (an LCS partner) appeared in Twitch chat messages during live game broadcasts over 1,200 times across the Spring Split from Jan. 14 to May 2. Kit Kat led the LEC with over 1,100 mentions (Trent Murray, SBJ).

“It was just a normal Tuesday waking up to 200 like text messages. ... This year I’m going to see him a lot, which will be fun. I wonder if I could talk to him in-game, just kind of get some reps” -- Fox’ Kevin Burkhardt, on finding out Tom Bradywould eventually be his broadcast partner for NFL games ( “NFL Schedule Release ’22,” NFL Network, 5/12 ).

"Instead of taking the early bye, we thought it might be best ... to kick that down the road. We were fortunate to have that game sandwiched with a home game versus New England and then coming back versus the Jets" -- Packers coach  Matt LaFleur , on the team choosing to have its bye in Week 14 rather than immediately following their Week 5 game in London ( NFL.com, 5/13 ).

Fox Sports' Kevin Burkhardtinterviews the network's Mike Mulvihill, taking a look at how the NFL schedule was put together in this "Behind The Schedule" special.

8 -- The number of opponents the Chiefs will face in a row to begin the '22 season who had a winning record last year, marking the first such occurrence in NFL history (TWITTER.com, 5/12).