Gronkowski taking on entertainment role in ‘Snake Pit’ during first Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS >> Rob Gronkowski will have an entertainment role for his first Indianapolis 500 next month, serving as the grand marshal for the “Snake Pit,” the infield party that takes place during “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

Gronkowski played 11 seasons in the NFL before retiring after the 2021 season. He now serves as an NFL studio analyst for FOX, which has taken over as the exclusive broadcaster of the IndyCar Series and the Indy 500.

“This is one of the coolest combinations of sports and music out there and in the ultimate venue,” Gronkowski said in a statement Wednesday. “I’m ready to get the party started and celebrate the biggest race in the world.”

Dance producer Illenium will headline a lineup of global electronic music artists in the Snake Pit in Turn 3 of Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the May 25 race. Sammy Virji, Two Friends, Kayzo and Oliver Heldens are scheduled to perform.

Gronkowski’s fellow FOX analyst, Michael Strahan, is scheduled to drive the pace car for the 109th running of the Indy 500.

Stars activate Seguin for regular finale after 58 games out following hip surgery

NASHVILLE, Tenn. >> The Dallas Stars activated Tyler Seguin from long-term injured reserve Wednesday after he had missed 58 games since hip surgery in early December.

Seguin was activated before the playoff-bound Stars played their regular-season finale at Nashville. The six-time All-Star was considered a game-time decision.

Coach Pete DeBoer said after the morning skate that it would be nice to get Seguin some game action instead of going cold into the playoffs, though he also noted that it was only one game.

Dallas is the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference and will open the postseason at home this weekend against Colorado.

The 33-year-old Seguin had 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) while playing in 19 of the Stars’ first 23 games this season. He then had surgery to repair an impingement and the labrum in his left hip

Seguin missed all but three games of the 2020-21 season following a similar surgery on his right hip. Seguin also underwent arthroscopic knee surgery during that absence.

This is Seguin’s 12th season with the Stars, who acquired him in a trade after he spent the first three seasons of his career with Boston. He was part of a Stanley Cup championship season with the Bruins as a rookie in 2010-11.

Commanders and the D.C. government are in talks on a stadium deal, AP source says

The NFL’s Washington Commanders and the District of Columbia are in discussions about a new football stadium in the nation’s capital, a person with knowledge of talks said Wednesday.

No deal has been finalized yet, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because there was no agreement in place.

The team has been looking for a new stadium for several years, and that search moved to a new level when Josh Harris’ group bought the Commanders from previous owner Dan Snyder in 2023. Places in Washington, Virginia and Maryland have all been under consideration.

The site of old RFK Stadium is believed to be the preferred destination. The Washington NBC affiliate reported Wednesday that the team and D.C. government were close on an agreement to build there, with the framework of a deal north of $3 billion.

— The Associated Press