NBA G League Ignite G Scoot Henderson is signing an "annual seven-figure, multi-year endorsement contract with Puma that is believed to be the richest deal ever for a non-draft-eligible basketball player," according to sources. Henderson’s deal reportedly "has the ability to reach eight figures based on several factors." This is the "first time a shoe company has signed a contract with an Ignite player who is under contract." Henderson’s agents -- Christian Dawkins, Steve Haney and Wallace Prather -- "negotiated the new Puma deal in recent months." The agency, Par-Lay Sports & Entertainment, declined to comment on the terms (THEATHLETIC.com, 6/13).

Phil Mickelson today "gave a non-answer" when asked at the U.S. Open about the status of his relationship with longtime sponsor Callaway, which paused his deal four months ago following his comments on Saudi Arabia's ties to LIV Golf. Mickelson was meeting with the U.S. media for the first time since he committed to LIV, and said relationships with current and future partners "will play out over time." Mickelson: "It's not high on my priority list right now" (TWITTER.com, 6/13).

Mickelson noted his longtime relationship with Callaway President & CEO Chip Brewer and said that relationship continues. At the first LIV Golf event last week, he was still playing some Callaway clubs and wearing a Callaway glove. In addition to Callaway pausing its deal, Mickelson lost his deal with Workday and lost hosting duties for The American Express. Another longtime sponsor, KPMG, in February said the sides mutually agreed to end that deal. Mickelson today appeared at the press conference without a hat, and the only logo he was sporting was his personal one, on the front left of his black shirt (SBJ).

Fox Sports’ Charissa Thompson is "expected to be the host" of Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” pregame coverage in the fall. The deal, which is in the "final stages of negotiations," will "team Thompson with Tony Gonzalez, who has already been announced by Amazon." Ryan Fitzpatrick, Richard Sherman and Marshawn Lynch are "likely to be involved." Amazon "declined comment." Sources said that Amazon also "had talks with Kay Adams," who recently left NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” about "hosting the pregame, but the sides failed to come to an agreement" (N.Y. POST, 6/13).

Following the Federal Reserve’s decision to increase the cost of borrowing as an inflation countermeasure last week, the global crypto market cap dropped below $1T today and has now fallen by around $1T this year. A weak crypto market is of worry to the many sports and esports brands sponsored by the industry. Examples: Crypto.com sponsoring UFC and F1, or FTX sponsoring MLB, Team SoloMid and the Heat's arena. Meanwhile, fans have invested in fan tokens, many of which dropped in value significantly over the last week: Roush Fenway Racing is down 28%, Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN down 23%, Aston Martin Cognizant down 25.5%, Natus Vincere down 27.5% and Team Vitality down 28%.

The WNBA-themed documentary "Unfinished Business" premieres tonight as part of the Tribeca Film Festival in N.Y. The 90-minute film, directed by Alison Klayman, focuses on the N.Y. Liberty, the first franchise created when the WNBA was formed in '97. The doc chronicles the obstacles players have faced throughout league history, with a focus on the Liberty's '21 season. After the premiere screening, there will be a conversation with current and former Liberty players. Liberty co-Owner Clara Wu Tsai is an exec producer, and the film includes appearances by Teresa Weatherspoon, Rebecca Loboand Sabrina Ionescu. Nike, Jordan Brand and Converse are sponsors. Learn more here (SBJ).

SBJ's Brand Innovation Summit kicks off this evening in Chicago, and the three-day event will showcase how innovative brands are disrupting the status quo and changing the game of sports marketing. The speaker/panelist lineup includes CMOs who are thinking unconventionally, making bold moves, connecting to the passion of sports and transforming the consumer experience. Attendees also will hear from new voices initiating change for the benefit of fans, players and the game. The conference agenda begins with an evening at Wrigley Field, including a featured interview with Cubs Chair Tom Ricketts, followed by a Cubs-Padres game. See highlights from last year's BIS below: 

June 19, 1984 -- Former Trailblazers GM Stu Inman selects Kentucky C Sam Bowie over North Carolina G Michael Jordan with the number two pick in the ’84 NBA Draft, widely recognized as the biggest draft blunder in sports history. The Blazers had drafted G Clyde Drexlera season before resulting in them looking for a “sure thing” big man. Inman in later interviews said that at the time he did not see greatness in Jordan though former Indiana men's basketball coach Bobby Knight, who coached Jordan at the '84 L.A. Games, told him, “Play him (Jordan) at center, and he will be the best center in the league.” Bowie’s career was injury riddled resulting in him having an underwhelming career after his rookie season compared to Jordan's. In '12, he admitted to lying about his injuries to the Blazers before they drafted him.

Also happening this week:

• June 16, 1987: Joe Robbie Stadium, now known as Hard Rock Stadium, officially opens in Miami.

• June 17, 1994: The U.S. hosts the ’94 FIFA World Cup for the first time. The U.S. will host the World Cup for the second time in ’26 alongside Mexico and Canada.

• June 18, 1976: The NBA and ABA end their rivalry by completing a merger following a 6-year delay due to an ongoing lawsuit. Four teams from the ABA -- the Nets, Nuggets, Pacers and Spurs -- joined the NBA. ABA Spirits of St. Louis Owners Ozzie and Daniel Silna got a share of NBA TV revenue in perpetuity from the merger.

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:

• Hockey Hall of Famer Guy Carbonneau Returns to the Ice to Coach 3ICE’s 3-on-3 League

• Apple TV+ and Nike to Team Up for Multi-Year Partnership to Develop Sports Documentaries

• Aura Air to Provide Smart Air Purification for Detroit Pistons Facilities

• Fiserv’s Clover Sport Point-of-Sale System Reaches 300+ Venues

DAZN Group signed a deal with heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua that will see his future fights broadcast on the streaming platform worldwide (DAZN).See more in SBJ Global.

Mavericks CEO Cynthia Marshall was named to Yahoo's BOD (TWITTER.com, 6/13).

Thorne HealthTech signed on as an official partner of USRowing and the exclusive supplement supplier for the U.S. National Team for '22, '23 and '24 (Thorne HealthTech).

Trust for Public Land, with support from the Brooklyn Nets & New York Liberty Foundation, Kevin Durant Charity Foundation, and the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, opened the newly renovated schoolyard at the Juan Morel Campos Secondary School in Brooklyn, part of the New York City Playgrounds Program (Trust for Public Land).

An inside look at how The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., is being transformed into a U.S. Open-ready course for the tournament that starts Thursday.

$3.2M -- Amount raised by the Navy Seal Foundation's '22 Los Angeles Evening of Tribute on Thursday at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Rams Owner Stan Kroenke was honored at the event. The funds will support the Foundation's mission to provide care, education and vital support for Seals and their families (Navy Seal Foundation).