Disney-owned channels are back on Dish Network after the two companies "reached a tentative agreement on a new contract." The accord "ends a weekend blackout that saw millions of Dish customers lose access to several popular Disney networks including ESPN and ABC." Dish customers "won’t risk missing out on ESPN’s 'Monday Night Football,'" which this week has Rams-49ers. Disney in a statement said that "it has reached a 'handshake agreement' with Dish that reflects fair market value for its content." Terms were not disclosed. Both companies "will work to finalize the agreement in the coming days" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 10/3).

Fintech/online trading brand Plus500 signed on as the new sponsor of the Bulls' shooting shirts and warmup jackets. The items will make their on-court debut at the Bulls' first pre-season game tomorrow; retail availability is TBD. The global rights deal makes Plus500 the team's official global online trading partner and includes TV-visible signage, social media content and integration in team community programs, according to Bulls VP/Business Development Mark Levitt. No agencies were involved in the deal, he added.

This is the first American sports sponsorship for Plus500. The company’s sponsorships in European football include deals with Atalanta B.C. in Italy; BSC Young Boys in Switzerland; and Legia Warsaw in Poland. The 3-by-3-inch ad patches on shooting shirts and warmup jackets were approved by the league late last year. The NBA also allows advertising on game and practice jerseys.

A petition to prohibit public money for a Bears stadium development in Arlington Heights "won enough signatures to be considered by the village board" today, but "trustees are expected to reject it." Supporters of the petition, which originates with the libertarian group Americans for Prosperity, "gathered another 30 signatures to get over the threshold, and the measure was set for the village board agenda." Trustees were "expected to vote on whether to put the measure on the ballot as a referendum for local voters" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/1).

With the Mariners clinching their first postseason appearance since 2001, the club promoted Justin Hollander to EVP & GM of Baseball Operations. The move "seemed expected with Jerry Dipotoascending to president of baseball operations and Hollander’s profile and reputation as as executive increasing around MLB." Hollander, whose previous title was VP & Assistant GM of Baseball Operations, said, “I’m really appreciative of [team Chair & CEO] John Stanton, [minority owner] Chris Larson and obviously Jerry for trusting me and believing me and insisting that I have a place here as his partner for as long as I want to be” (SEATTLE TIMES, 10/2).

Nuggets GM Calvin Booth landed a multiyear extension that "will keep him in Denver through at least the 2024-25 season." Sources said that the majority of the staff "received extensions through the 2024-25 season" as well, "adding stability to Denver’s front office moving forward." Booth took over this past summer as GM following the "abrupt departure of former president of basketball operations Tim Connelly " to the T'Wolves. Booth maintained that "he would be aggressive" with roster moves "as soon as he inherited the top job, and he’s lived up to the billing" (DENVER POST, 10/2).

Oak View Group is launching GOAL (Green Operations and Advanced Leadership), a membership platform that "will help venues operate in more environmentally friendly ways." Participating organizations can access Amazon Web Services (AWS)-powered software that "includes a tactical roadmap, a library of resources like vetted vendors lists, progress tracking tools and the free exchange of knowledge and experience among GOAL member venues." OVG partnered with the Hawks/State Farm Arena, Fenway Sports Group and green building architect Jason McLennan, "all of whom have equity in GOAL, to get the initiative off the ground" (SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/3 issue).

FSG Chairman Tom Wernerand OVG CEO Tim Leiweke are longtime friends, which led to Fenway's involvement in the GOAL initiative (Bret McCormick, SBJ).

loanDepot park will host the Topgolf Live Stadium Tour from Dec. 8-11. The event is being produced by RevelXP in collaboration with loanDepot park. The Marlins are offering an exclusive pre-sale for those in their membership program beginning Tuesday before tickets go on sale to the public on Thursday. Prices start at $70 per person for a bay of six players. Marlins Senior Dir of Event Operations Anthony Favata in a statement said the club “will continue to use the versatility of loanDepot park to bring special events and experiences like Topgolf Live to South Florida.”

The Topgolf Live Stadium Tour has three other announced stops at MLB ballparks this year: the Reds' Great American Ballpark, Red Sox's Fenway Park and Braves' Truist Park.

The opening sketch of this weekend’s “SNL” season premiere parodied the “ManningCast,” with guest host Miles Teller playing Peyton Manning and cast member Andrew Dismukes portraying Eli Manning. Rather than breaking down football film, the two brought their analysis skills to a politically-themed sketch performed live. Peyton noted the brothers usually broadcast during "MNF." Eli: “But tonight’s not Monday, it’s Saturday.” Peyton: “Great insight, Eli.” Eli said of this season's cast, “They’re all professionals, but so are the New York Jets.” Peyton said of the offseason cast turnover, “The show’s in a rebuilding year, for sure.” Peyton: “Let’s take a look at the stats so far: 14 attempted jokes this episode, only one mild laugh and three chuckles.”

Retired snowboarder Shaun White made a surprise appearance in the Trump-themed skit, with Peyton saying, “Shaun White? That is just gratuitous stunt casting” ( “SNL,” NBC, 10/1).

Sports Business Journal will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its Game Changers Conference on October 26 at MetLife Stadium. Ally Financial’s Chief Marketing and Public Relations Officer Andrea Brimmer will deliver a keynote, examining the “primetime-ification” of women’s sports preceding the NWSL’s Championship Game which will air at 8pm ET on CBS and Paramount. Other speakers include Ann Meyers Drysdale, Danette Leighton, Carla Williams, Cindy Parlow Cone and many others.

View the agenda and register here.

Pittsburgh police are "investigating the death of man who fell from an escalator inside Acrisure Stadium" during Sunday's Jets-Steelers game (TRIBLIVE.com, 10/2).

"LIV isn't going anywhere and, of course, neither are the Tours and after the lawyers do their thing, it will come to a point when they will all get around a table and find a solution" -- Golfer Louis Oosthuizen (London TELEGRAPH, 10/1).

“It’s going to force the NFL to really evaluate the practices and the policies they have in place” -- Former NFLer Ephraim Salaam, on the league's concussion protocols and the Dolphins' handling of QB Tua Tagovailoa's recent injuries ( “Nightly News,” NBC, 10/1).

“It may as well marked a political appointment” -- CBS’s Jon Wertheim, on South Africa naming Siya Kolisi as its first-ever black captain of the natonal rugby team ( “60 Miniutes,” CBS, 10/2).

“The U.S. embassy in Moscow is urging all American citizens in Russia to leave immediately. ‘Oh cool, I’ll try to do that,’ said Brittney Griner” -- NBC’s Colin Jost ( “SNL,” NBC, 10/1).

USA TODAY goes with, "As college athletes cash in on NIL, tax experts and schools remind them to pay Uncle Sam." With athletes now able to profit from their NIL, many are "learning their new-found earnings come with responsibilities beyond going to practice and marketing themselves." With several hundred to multimillion dollar sponsorships suddenly becoming available to college athletes, some universities are "counseling these young adults to make sure they don't spend everything they receive because state and federal governments are entitled to their cuts." One longtime certified public accountant in California said that it is a "good thing because most student-athletes likely have never filed a tax return or been independent contractors."

Also:

• How DTC fitness brand Nobull is competing with the giants of athletic apparel.

• A look at life after the NBA.

• Money is having a "hard season in college football."

• Two sports bars putting focus on televising women's sports.

MONDAY

• NHL Global Series Challenge begins with Predators-SC Bern in Switzerland

THURSDAY

• NHL regular-season opener: Sharks-Predators at O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic

• NBA Abu Dhabi Games begin with Hawks-Bucks (second game: Saturday, Oct. 8)

• iWorkinSport virtual job fair

• N.Y. Comic-Con begins (4 days)

FRIDAY

• MLB postseason begins

SUNDAY

• MLS Decision Day (regular season finale)

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Some of the top news items from yesterday's edition of Weekend Rap.

• Chaos after Indonesian soccer match sees 125 dead

• Ad legend Dan Wieden, of “Just Do It,” passes away

• Changes to be made to NFL concussion protocol

• Clippers, Bally Sports finalize new TV deal

This week's issue highlights Braves CEO Derek Schiller. Look for upcoming sections on: 

• Oct. 10: Champions profile of Larry Jones

• Oct. 17: NBA Season Preview

• Oct. 24: Sustainability in Sports

Also, see this week's SBJ for stories on ...

• Coyotes face "critical test" of playing in college arena.

• MLBPA Players Trust targets relief efforts into eye of the storm.

• Women’s leagues attract major investments led by big names.

Friday night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was "Before They Were Authors."

"While working for British intelligence during World War II, he was codenamed 17F."

Friday night’s edition of “Jeopardy!” featured the category “A Pro Team In That Sport.”

$200: “Yomiuri Giants.”

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"Who is Ian Fleming?"

Fleming is best-known as the creator of the fictional British spy James Bond.

The correct responses to the “A Pro Team In That Sport” category were:

$200: “What is baseball?”

Read More >>>