Seize the Grey made an “audacious run from wire to wire as a 9-1 long shot,” holding off a charge from Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan to claim Saturday's 149th Preakness Stakes. The “hazy gray sky intermittently dumped and spit rain all afternoon” at Pimlico Race Course leaving the main track’s conditions listed as “muddy.” The “sopping conditions and the dilapidation of the facility” contributed to a “sleepy atmosphere and another year of low attendance.” The “day lacked buzz," as the infield, once “notorious for its rowdiness, was downright tame, swaths of empty green grass replacing a teeming mass of inebriated humanity" (WASHINGTON POST, 5/18). Saturday’s crowd at Pimlico Race Course did "not appear any larger than last year’s” announced 46,999. That is a “far cry from the decades prior,” when more than 100,000 people “regularly flocked to the track” (BALTIMORE SUN, 5/18).

With Seize the Grey’s win, trainer Wayne Lukas won his seventh Preakness Stakes. Seize the Grey is owned by a group called MyRacehorse, which “sells microshares of horses to give people the experience, or illusion, of owning a racehorse.” In this case, 5,000 shares were offered at $127 each. There are 2,570 owners representing 42 states. A lottery was held to “decide which of the owners would get a spot at Pimlico Race Course” and which “got to get in the Winner’s Circle” (L.A. TIMES, 5/18). Of the more than 2,750 individuals who own at least a portion of Seize the Grey, 48 live in Maryland (BALTIMORE SUN, 5/18).

Total betting on Saturday’s Preakness was up 6.7% compared to last year, when handle on the race “suffered from a short field.” Total betting on the race, including all multi-race bets ending in the Preakness, was $57.93M this year, a “far cry” from the $68.69M record set in 2021. However, the total was up $3.8M over last year’s race (DAILY RACING FORM, 5/18).

The 149th Preakness Stakes represented the “last gasps of an era -- and the hope for what’s to come.” After “decades of decay,” Pimlico is “on the precipice of being equipped to host a race as prestigious as the Preakness.” In 2027, it will “return to a newly minted facility in Northwest Baltimore” (BALTIMORE SUN, 5/18). If "all goes to plan, the Preakness will be held at Pimlico next year, then move to Laurel Park for a year as renovations take place, then shift back to Pimlico" (WASHINGTON POST, 5/18).

RELATED: Maryland Gov. signs off on Pimlico redevelopment plan

Under the deal, dubbed “Pimlico Plus,” the Stronach Group will transfer Pimlico to the state of Maryland for $1. The state will “own the dilapidated track, redevelop it with state-backed bonds and create a nonprofit entity to run thoroughbred horse races there year-round.” As Stronach exits the thoroughbred racing industry in Maryland, the company “will continue to make money from it.” Stronach will continue to own the rights to Preakness, and the state “will pay Stronach an annual license fee” of $3M plus 2% of the gross betting handle for the weekend. The racetrack operating authority will “create the new, nonprofit entity that will run day-to-day racing operations at Pimlico.” The Maryland Stadium Authority, which is managing the Pimlico rebuild, is “drawing up plans for the renovation’ (BALTIMORE BANNER, 5/18). 

The PGA Championship wraps up today at Valhalla Golf Course after a tumultuous day on Friday that saw world No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler arrested early that morning. Sunday’s forecast in Louisville is expected to be "sunny and warm," with a high of "86 degrees (with a real feel of 92) and winds coming from NNE at 5 mph" (USA TODAY, 5/19). The overall purse for the PGA Championship has "jumped to” $18.5M with the winner taking home $3.33M. Just four years ago the overall purse was $11M. However, the latest jump leaves the PGA Championship’s purse shy of the $20M paydays offered in the PGA Tour’s new signature events as well as the $20M paydays being played for individually on the LIV Golf circuit. Players “missing the cut and turning in a 36-hole score will be paid” $4,000 each (GOLF DIGEST, 5/18).

A feud broke out on X on Saturday between Golf Channel’s public relations staff and No Laying Up after Golf Channel "took flak" for its decision not to have live coverage of Scottie Scheffler’s arrest ahead of the PGA Championship’s second round. The No Laying Up X account offered its criticism of the net for "not covering one of the biggest stories in golf on air for hours and hours." But that led to a "remarkable response from Golf Channel PR claiming 'important context here' included NLU’s work on an alternate broadcast with Omaha Productions and ESPN, and to the NLU account then shooting back." AWFUL ANNOUNCING wrote, “In any other sport, it would be inconceivable to think that networks without live game rights can’t discuss a major off-field story while a game is going on." But that "seems to be what Golf Channel is claiming is the case here." It is "notable to see Golf Channel PR wade into the fray here," and it is "interesting to see them do so with a claim that a NLU broadcast airing on ESPN platforms is 'important context' for what seemed like quite a fair criticism of Golf Channel, and one that’s been brought up by many other people and sites"  (AWFUL ANNOUNCING, 5/18).

The WNBA is “opening an investigation” into the Las Vegas Aces one day after the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority announced it was sponsoring the team’s 12 rostered players and agreeing to pay them $100,000 each. LVCVA President & CEO Steve Hill said they “did this the right way” and they are “happy to answer any questions” the WNBA may have. Hill said that the LVCVA “entered separate sponsorship agreements with individual Aces players without the knowledge of the team” and did so by “talking with each player’s representation” (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 5/18).

Hill said the agreement to pay each of the Aces 12 rostered players $100,000 “came together really quickly.” Team members were told of the sponsorship “in their locker room” on Friday. Hill added this is a “sponsorship agreement with the players” and he thinks the deal “is a good deal for us.” Each player signed a contract to “reach mutually agreeable opportunities for appearances on Las Vegas’ behalf.” The LVCVA will also “provide players with Las Vegas-centric gear that they will be expected to wear to promote the city.” Aces G Sydney Colson reacted to the news on social media, saying it is a “life-changing investment” (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 5/17).

The sponsorship deal does "not violate the WNBA’s salary cap because the Las Vegas authority did not orchestrate it with the club.” But other teams likely were raising questions about the “fairness of the sponsorship and whether it violates the spirit of the cap rules.” According to Sportrac, the sponsorship is “higher than the earnings of six Aces players” (AP, 5/18). The current WNBA salary cap is set at $1.4M, while the LVCVA sponsorship deal totals $1.2M for the team (USA TODAY, 5/18).

Indiana Fever G Caitlin Clark played her first game in N.Y. on Saturday and produced the “best game of her young professional career” with 22 points, eight assists and six rebounds against the Liberty. However, the Liberty cruised to a 91-80 win in front of a sellout crowd of 17,735 at their Barclays Center opener (N.Y. POST, 5/18). The building was “buzzing for the Liberty’s first home game of the season,” which set a franchise record by drawing 17,735 fans. It was “part of an exciting first week” of the WNBA season (N.Y. TIMES, 5/18). N.Y. "welcomed Caitlin Clark with open arms ... even as the enemy." The Liberty were reported to have over $2M in "ticket revenue for the game, a WNBA record." Clark said she thought the “atmosphere was incredible” (N.Y. POST, 5/19).

Tennis HOFer Billie Jean King was "greeted with a standing ovation when they showed her on the scoreboard," while South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley, former WNBAer Sue Bird and former soccer player Megan Rapinoe were also in attendance. "Today With Hoda & Jenna" hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager interviewed Clark before the game and “came away gushing about her" (N.Y. POST, 5/19). Other celebrities in attendance included actors Jason Sudeikis and Amy Ryan and Basketball HOFer Pau Gasol. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver sat together (N.Y. TIMES, 5/18).

The Fever's first game against the Chicago Sky and Clark's "first WNBA game against college rival Angel Reese" has been "flexed from NBA TV to ESPN." The move is "common sense for ESPN" (YAHOO SPORTS, 5/17).

Fanatics filed a lawsuit against Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. on Saturday in N.Y. Supreme Court for “breaching a contract” Harrison signed with the retailer in May 2023. Fanatics said that Harrison has “refused to fulfill his obligations to the deal while he also ‘publicly asserted’ that the contract does not exist.” Details of what Harrison's contract with Fanatics required from the No. 4 pick in the NFL Draft were “redacted, as were the details of the financial agreement between the two.” Earlier this month, the deal was for at least $1M and that the contract was for "autographs, signed trading cards, game-worn apparel and other marketing opportunities." The suit also sites "The Official Harrison Collection LLC" as a defendant. Harrison is “selling signed memorabilia through The Official Harrison Collection's website.” Fanatics claims that Harrison told the retailer that a “’larger competitor’ had made an offer to him while other trading card companies have made ‘competing’ offers, as well.” The suit claims that Harrison has "'demanded' Fanatics meet or exceed the other alleged offers." However, the suit also asserts that Harrison has “refused to provide Fanatics with the competing offers” (ESPN.com, 5/18).

The PWHL’s Walter Cup Final between Minnesota and Boston is slated to begin tonight at 5pm ET at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Mass. (THE ATHLETIC, 5/19). On Friday night, 8,501 “towel-waving fans” showed up to Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto to see Minnesota beat Toronto in the PWHL semifinals 4-1 and advance to the finals. Minnesota and Boston will face off in a best-of-five series (CP, 5/17).

A capacity crowd of 19,070 showed up Saturday night to the KeyBank Center to witness the National Lacrosse League’s Buffalo Bandits defeat the Albany FireWolves in the NLL Finals, claiming their sixth professional indoor lacrosse title (WIVB.com, 5/18).

The Omaha Supernovas swept Grand Rapids on Saturday to capture the first Pro Volleyball Federation title and the $1M bonus in front of 10,678 at the CHI Health Center in Omaha (OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, 5/18).

The Longhorn Network on Saturday aired its “final traditional team broadcast." Longhorn Networked Launched on Aug. 26, 2011, and its deal with ESPN made the network “readily available nationally.” That was a "boon for Longhorn Nation and a huge recruiting tool, especially for families of out-of-state players in all sports.” But the network was "never a ratings grabber.” ESPN reportedly lost $48M to the LHN over its first five years in addition to the $75M it paid out per its contract. LHN “won’t be entirely going away” as UT will launch an app July 1 that “will make globs of LHN content -- coaches shows, profiles, documentaries -- available on demand” (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 5/19). 

The Golden State Valkyries hosted a weekend block party on a "sunny-then-chilly Saturday afternoon outside Chase Center" after the WNBA expansion franchise last week revealed its name and logo. This represented the "first time that fans in the Bay Area had the opportunity to express their in-person support for the region’s newest sports team.” Despite only four days notice, roughly “three thousand flocked to the team’s future home and, indeed, made their excitement known.” Saturday’s block party “provided a glimpse of the team’s budding fanbase.” The team had “about 7,000 season ticket deposits" but on Saturday, Warriors President & COO Brandon Schneider “triumphantly announced that the number had hit 10,500” (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 5/18).

Amid the turbulent start to the Arena Football League's return season, the Washington Wolfpack, based in Everett, said they have “been able to absorb the impact of the former league’s leadership refusal to compensate player salaries,” but the team will “need to revise our model moving forward.” The relaunched AFL last week “contracted from 16 to 10 teams” and former NFL coach Jeff Fisher was named interim commissioner. The Wolfpack said teams were "promised player salaries and team travel to away games -- paid by the league," but under commissioner Lee Hutton III, the AFL "failed to provide a single dollar towards these expenses.” The team added their current player roster has been "offered a revised compensation structure we feel is competitive with indoor football, although reduced from salary levels initially proposed at the start of the season.” The Wolfpack fell to 0-4 after another loss Saturday at Angel of the Winds Arena (SEATTLE TIMES, 5/18). 

Bulleit Frontier Whiskey has signed on to be a Centennial Partner of the Olympic swimming trials, which are presented by Lilly.

After years in Omaha, the trials moved to Indianapolis and will be held in Lucas Oil Stadium, marking the first time they've been held in an NFL stadium. Bulleit Frontier Whiskey will be the presenting partner of the USA Swimming Dive Bar, a hospitality space built under the pools.

Bulleit Frontier Whiskey is also the entitled partner of the Sustainability Story of the trials. USA Swimming will source water for the pools from the White River and treat it for competition, and after competition concludes it will strip the water of chemicals and return it to the river.

USA Swimming is marking 100 years since it last held trials in Indianapolis to send a team to Paris with Centennial Partners that include the Colts, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, OneAmerica Financial and Indiana University Health.

Swimming trials run June 15-23.

A new tennis film depicting the relationship between Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf will "screen later this summer." The film, called "Perfect Match," will premiere June 28 on Prime Video. It stars German actress Lena Klenke and British actor Toby Sebastian. Agassi and Graf married in 2001 and have two children, Jaden and Jaz. "Perfect Match" premieres in the "same month as a documentary following the last days" of Roger Federer’s career, also on Prime Video. Netflix, meanwhile, is "already in production on another documentary" following Carlos Alcaraz (THE ATHLETIC, 5/18).

As Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo looks for options on a new arena, a spokesperson for Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said that the mayor "does not support using taxpayer funds, including property tax abatement, for sports arenas." Meruelo "plans to participate in the state land auction" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 5/17).

The NCAA said that one in three high-profile athletes "receive abusive messages from individuals with a 'betting interest,'" and more than 540 men's and women's college basketball players "received similar abuse, including death threats, during championship tournaments in March" (ESPN.com, 5/17).

Simone Biles began her season with an all-around title Saturday evening at the U.S. Classic. Shrieking fans, "mesmerized by Biles’s every move, filled" the XL Center in Hartford, and Biles’s name was "all over the arena via posters made by hand in the arena concourse." Her title is a "positive sign as she heads toward the Paris Games" (WASHINGTON POST, 5/18).

Islanders co-Owner Jonathan Ledecky will be honored at George Washington Univ.'s commencement today (GWU).

“I would be disingenuous that there wasn’t some disappointment because (Simms and Esiason) have been family for decades. Literally, just about decades. Boomer and I worked together for a long period of time. They’re hard-working guys” -- CBS studio host James Brown, on the departures of Phil Simms and Boomer Esiason from "NFL Today" ("Sports Business Radio," 5/14).

The BUFFALO NEWS goes with, "Hammer's Lot owner has front-row seat to Bills stadium construction." Eric Matwijow has "one of the best seats in the house to watch the construction of the new stadium, without being on the site itself." His lot, better known to Bills fans as the "popular tailgate spot Hammer’s Lot, encroaches the project to the south at the back end of the new stadium," where an auxiliary and technology building is going up. The lot and a few businesses next door are "essentially privately owned blips within the footprint of the construction site." The town of Orchard Park is "examining the possibility of a zoning change around the new stadium that would allow for more commercial development in an area that has remained relatively stagnant since the Bills first moved to town in 1973." It has got some stadium neighbors "excited about selling." Matwijow said that he is "feeling healthy and is still quite active, so he’s good with continuing the parking business." However, he is "not closed off to one day selling."
 
Also:

• Unlike ‘all-star’ events in other sports, NASCAR’s matters.
• Gambling ruined Aaron Ward’s life. Now it’s everywhere around him as he tries to rebuild.
• For 20 years, the Phillie Phanatic has doubled as a children’s author, and nothing gives him a bigger thrill.
• Elusive Preakness backer Belinda Stronach sheds Pimlico, prepares for ‘new era’ of Maryland horse racing.
• Caitlin Clark is here. Can the business of the WNBA flourish?

Some news this morning: According to a source familiar with the office’s thinking, Jefferson County prosecutors are planning, as of now, to drop the charges against Scottie Scheffler early next week. He is scheduled to be arraigned at 9 am on Tuesday. @NoLayingUp

— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) May 19, 2024

Goodbye @NFLTotalAccess❤️ pic.twitter.com/phtTXKN8XX

— Kimmi (@kimmichex) May 18, 2024

Inside Minute Maid Park after a ferocious storm here in Houston. Rain coming inside the enclosed stadium from broken panels. pic.twitter.com/QpGvNlcrgx

— MrBULLIE (@RDTrains) May 17, 2024

Bring Glory Home.

Coming July 19. Pre-Order Now
🔗: https://t.co/sJ7cJ5NXLj

#CFB25 pic.twitter.com/iJWl5ZxVQl

— EASPORTSCollege (@EASPORTSCollege) May 17, 2024

Class of 2024 at this weekend’s @NFLPA #RookiePremiere in Los Angeles: pic.twitter.com/nDkgxxb73N

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 19, 2024