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The Portland Trail Blazers enlisted the law firm O'Melveny & Myers to investigate allegations of workplace misconduct by Neil Olshey, the club's president of basketball operations and general manager. The firm is reportedly expected to submit its findings on the allegations, which sources said include intimidation and bullying, to team owner Jody Allen shortly, with a decision on Olshey's future to follow soon after. (Yahoo Sports) Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson took the checkered flag in yesterday's NASCAR Cup Series championship race at Phoenix Raceway, holding off Martin Truex Jr. to win his first career title in stock car racing's top series. For Larson, who dominated the Cup Series all year, the title comes one season after he was suspended from the sport and fired by Chip Ganassi Racing for using the "n-word" during a virtual race in April 2020. (RACER) In a recent presentation, MLS briefed teams on the rules governing team ownership by private equity firms, which reportedly include limits on how much equity a fund can buy, how many clubs it can back and board seats it can hold and how big the fund has to be. Since joining MLB and the NBA in allowing private equity ownership last year, the league has seen one such deal: Ares Management Corp.'s $150 million preferred equity investment into Inter Miami. (Sportico)

MEDIA

Arizona State football broadcaster Jordan Simone says he was fired over comments about team Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic Former Arizona State safety Jordan Simone tweeted Thursday that he had been fired from his position as a broadcaster for the football team for comments he made on a podcast discussing the state of the program. Simone was critical of head coach Herm Edwards and the Arizona State football coaching staff on a recent "Speak of the Devils" podcast, where he was a frequent guest.

COLLEGE SPORTS

James Madison accepts invitation to join Sun Belt: Source Chris Vannini, The Athletic James Madison has accepted an invitation to join the Sun Belt, according to a source. There will be a news conference Saturday morning at JMU's Atlantic Union Bank Center. JMU will join Southern Miss, Marshall and Old Dominion, which have joined the league in recent weeks.

--Morning Consult
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