Closing Bell

Golden Knights owner Bill Foley has “officially launched a bid to bring an NBA expansion team to Las Vegas.” Foley has hired Morgan Stanley & Co. “to be his exclusive financial adviser” as he “looks to build an ownership group around his existing Southern Nevada sports holdings.” Foley has also hired Simpson Thacher & Bartlett as his “legal counsel that will assist in his NBA expansion bid.” The NBA expansion fee is reportedly expected to be between $7B and $10B, so Foley “wouldn’t be alone in his pursuit” of a team. His group would include a “limited number of strategic and minority partners” (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 6/22). Foley’s vision for the franchise “also includes a dedicated practice facility, a player-health campus, and integrated media, sponsorship, and fan experience programs spanning both franchises.” Foley said his group “will follow the NBA’s expansion process and work within the timeline set” by the league and its BOG (FOX5VEGAS.com, 6/22). Foley’s announcement comes on the 10-year anniversary of the Golden Knights franchise being awarded to Las Vegas (SBJ).

Monday night’s World Cup game between Norway and Senegal at N.Y. N.J. Stadium “could be dampened and possibly delayed by heavy rain and thunderstorms.” The NWS is calling for a 90% chance of precipitation when those teams meet at 8pm ET. Fans hoping to see France face Iraq in Philadelphia “might also find themselves dealing with rain delays.” There have not been any serious weather issues since the tournament began. FIFA “maintains the right to reschedule matches that may present safety challenges” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/22). N.Y. City Emergency Management “issued a travel advisory” ahead of storms anticipated to hit the region ahead of Norway-Senegal. Local organizers indicated that the game is “sold out, meaning that around 80,000 people will be heading to and from the stadium” (THE ATHLETIC, 6/22).

The Philadelphia FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill was shut down “due to weather.” Festival organizers said that the grounds “could re-open if the storm passes through the area quickly.” However, a member of the festival staff informed food vendors that “they were to shut down for the day” (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 6/22). Due to inclement weather, gates opening at Philadelphia Stadium “will be delayed.” A new gates opening time “will be communicated once the weather has passed” (X, 6/22).

Linda Cohn, who has anchored more editions of “SportsCenter” than anyone in ESPN history, will be retiring from the network on June 30. Cohn will make her final appearances on “SportsCenter” during the 6pm, 10pm and 11pm ET editions on Friday. Cohn joined ESPN in July 1992, hosting her first “SportsCenter” at 2am on July 11. She most recently regularly anchored the late-night edition of “SportsCenter” that until last year originated from L.A. On Feb. 21, 2016, Cohn was recognized for anchoring her 5,000th “SportsCenter,” and, while working a reduced schedule while having roles in ESPN’s hockey coverage, she has anchored another 650+ editions over the past 10 years. During her career at ESPN, Cohn has hosted, reported, commentated, interviewed, written and called play-by-play (ESPN).

Reaction to Cohn retiring poured in on social media:

• ESPN’s Madelyn Burke: “The end of an era for one of the greatest to ever do it. Thanks for paving the way, @lindacohn”
• ESPN’s Emily Kaplan: “Linda paved the way for so many women in this industry by being her authentic self. She also helped carry the torch for hockey on ESPN in between rights deals. Absolute legend.”
• ESPN’s Jenna Laine: “The first time I did a TV hit with @lindacohn, I was so nervous. She got in my ear just before I went on and we talked like old friends. When you convey belief in people, it can be life-changing for them. Thank you for being YOU and blazing a trail so many of us could follow”
• ESPN’s Kevin Connors: “An absolute legend. Linda is the best of ESPN. A die-hard fan, respected journalist and a wonderful friend. It was always an honor to share the desk with you, @lindacohn! Your mark on TV is indelible.”
• SiriusXM’s David Shepard: “One of the most approachable and down to earth SportsCenter Anchors I have ever worked with. The real deal on and off camera.”
• Fox Sports’ Chris Myers: “One of my favorites to work with from my decade at espn & Sportscenter is leaving the network to enjoy the next phase of her life .. Wishing Linda Cohn the best…one of the truly good people in our business!”
• Sports reporter Frank Seravalli: “End of an era. @lindacohn is one of one. Linda is a true hockey fan and puck knower and it’s been a privilege to cross paths with her at so many events.”
• NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry: “Always fun when I got to do a @SportsCenter segment with the 🐐 @lindacohn - she always made it so easy to be on air with her.”

Longtime NHL exec BRIAN BURKE was among six people elected to the Hockey HOF on Monday, as Burke “got the nod as a builder.” Burke worked in the league office as well as with the Canucks, Ducks, Maple Leafs, Flames and Penguins. He was the GM when the Ducks won the Stanley Cup in 2007. He currently sits as the Exec Dir of the PWHL. The other electees are PATRICE BERGERON, CINDY CURLEY, CAREY PRICE, PEKKA RINNE and KEITH TKACHUK. They will be inducted in Toronto on Nov. 9 (SPORTSNET.ca, 6/22).

CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander cited sources as saying that Univ. of Michigan men’s basketball coach Dusty May’s decision to join the Mavericks is due to the “college environment,” and that it was “an extremely difficult” choice. Norlander states May “met with Dallas on Saturday when they made their final pitch and essentially offered him the job.” He adds May “took all day Sunday to make that decision,” and “decided late last night” that he would take the Dallas job. Norlander mentions May “has not signed a contract at this point,” but those things “will get ironed out in the coming days.” Norlander: “But ultimately the state of college sports and where things are with a lack of guardrails and a lack of like really true firm infrastructure is a major catalyst” (“CBS Sports HQ,” CBSSPORTS.com, 6/22).

Iowa State will “sell alcohol for football games at Jack Trice Stadium and basketball games at Hilton Coliseum” starting in the upcoming school year. Fans will be “limited to purchasing two alcoholic beverages per sale.” Alcohol to be offered at the venues include “beer, wine and pre-packaged, ready-to-drink cocktails.” Fans will “no longer be allowed to leave and re-enter Jack Trice Stadium at any point of the game.” Current fan alcohol policies at the Jack Trice Club, Sukup Endzone Club, suites, Johnny’s, Champion’s Club and other hospitality areas “remain unchanged” (DES MOINES REGISTER, 6/22). Iowa State AD Jamie Pollard “cited ‘uncertainty and significant financial pressures from rapidly increasing costs’ in college athletics” as part of the reason behind the move (KCCI.com, 6/22).

NFLPA Exec Dir JC Tretter said there has “always been multiple excuses made” for why some NFL stadiums do not have natural grass fields, but the World Cup “has taken that out.” Tretter has “paid attention to the World Cup, and how seven NFL stadiums installed natural grass for the event.” The playing-surface fight is one he was “passionate about in his previous roles at the NFLPA.” Tretter said one of the reasons given was “feasibility,” with players being told teams “can’t grow grass” in indoor stadiums. Tretter: “It’s feasible. Now it’s really a choice.” Tretter said the “choice clearly comes down to cost,” including “upkeep and installation.” He added, “Clearly they’re O.K. doing that for this event, they just seem not O.K. doing it for the actual employees they pay.” Tretter said there also is the “trade-off cost of potentially not being able to do other outside-of-football events the teams make money off of.” He added that “frustrates” players since they “see none of that [money]” (SI, 6/22).

Explore “Kansas City’s Front Porch” with Bobby Sloan of Populous. The principal and senior event manager explains their strategy behind the FIFA Fan Festival in the City of Fountains.