The NHLPA today unveiled its CBA proposal to league owners in Toronto during a meeting that lasted just under two hours. The union asked for a three-year deal with an option for a fourth year that would return to the current CBA if the owners decide they do not like it. The union’s proposal does not include the elimination of the salary cap and calls for no changes to player contracts under existing rules. The players would agree to take a reduced share of hockey-related revenue, but the union wants more aggressive and targeted revenue sharing among the clubs.

In a two-minute briefing with reporters after the meeting, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman declined to address specifics of the union’s presentation. “We need time to evaluate it and make sure we fully understand it,” said Bettman, who added that he expected his group to “respond appropriately” to the proposal when the sides meet tomorrow in Toronto. Bettman was joined at today’s meeting by Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and outside labor counsel Bob Batterman and team owners Jeremy Jacobs (Bruins), Murray Edwards (Flames), Craig Leipold (Wild) and Ted Leonsis (Capitals).

The current CBA expires on Sept. 15 – one month from tomorrow. “Our hope is that we can take care of business in the next month,” said Bettman. “That’s our goal.” There were 23 players in attendance. Penguins C Sidney Crosby and Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin flanked NHLPA Exec Dir Donald Fehr as he spoke to the press. Fehr refused to predict how the owners would respond to the proposal. “I’m out of the prediction business,” he said.

Sources said that Arlington and New Orleans "are the overwhelming favorites to host" the new Champions Bowl SEC-Big 12 tie-in, and "as many as seven of the 10 cities that received a request for proposal may not bid on the bowl." Atlanta also will submit a bid, but it is "viewed as a long shot because it already hosts the SEC championship game." Phoenix and Tampa "will not submit a bid," while Houston, Orlando, Nashville, San Antonio and Jacksonville "have formally not made a decision yet" (ESPN.com, 8/14).

The NBA today announced a multiyear deal with online sports retailer Kitbag to launch the league's official online store for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. NBAStore.eu is set to launch in September, offering a range of NBA-branded products from the league's official merchandise partners. Consumers also will be able to access exclusive products, such as personalized jerseys and graphic T-shirts. The site initially will be available in English, French, Italian and Spanish, with more languages to follow (NBA).

Meanwhile, Deuce Brand launched a new collection of WNBA team-branded watches available now on Deucebrand.com and in all WNBA team retail stores beginning Friday (THE DAILY).

The Port of S.F.'s today is expected to "vote to start official talks" with the Warriors about the team’s proposed $600M waterfront arena. If the port "agrees to an exclusive negotiating agreement with the team, it will kick off more detailed discussions between the Warriors and the city over lease terms" on the proposed plot of land for the stadium on Piers 30-32 and Seawall Lot 330. The Warriors have said that the club wants to move to S.F. "in time for the 2017 season" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/14).

Dick’s Sporting Goods reported a “better-than-expected" Q2 profit "on higher sales, but forecast full-year earnings largely below Wall Street expectations." Morningstar analyst Paul Swinand said the sports retailer "has always been conservative with their profit forecast and investors were expecting a bigger raise because of a recent share buy-back." Dick’s CEO Edward Stack "outlined plans to open new stores and improve margins" (REUTERS, 8/14). At presstime, shares of Dick’s Sporting Goods were trading at $48.76, down 3.5% from yesterday's close of $50.54 (THE DAILY).

Dick’s said that it has “written off the value of its investment” in U.K.-based JJB Sports, five months after investing $31.7M in the sportswear retailer. Dick’s said JJB’s performance had “materially deteriorated from its expectations” since the time of its investment. Dick’s added it has no further funding obligations to JJB at the moment (FT.com, 8/14).

Melbourne is "hoping to bring a Summer Games to the city in the near future," but Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates "would prefer Brisbane to host the event" (TELEGRAPH.co.uk, 8/14).

The Bulls today named Brian Hagen Assistant GM. Hagen spent the last nine years with the Hornets, most recently as Dir of Player Personnel (Bulls).

Digital strategy and marketing firm Acceleration Partners today announced that adidas has named it to take over the footwear and apparel brand's affiliate marketing program (Acceleration Partners).

The Rams today announced a partnership with Unequal Technologies in which the team will use Unequal's EXO Skeleton products. Unequal also will serve as the presenting sponsor of Rams Broadcasting Network's "Rams 360" (Unequal).

The U.S. Women's Gymnastics team rang the closing bell at the NYSE at 4:00pm ET today (THE DAILY).

"It's undeniable we hurt our ratings by doing that. We have to balance what we're trying to do for viewers across the country and our business model" – NBC Sports Group Chair Mark Lazarus, saying the net could have boosted its already record London Games ratings by tape delaying more marquee events (ADAGE.com, 8/14).

"As soon as the law changes I'll be here all the time" – Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, on a U.K. law that taxes athletes competing in the country on their global sponsorship and endorsement earnings (TELEGRAPH.co.uk, 8/14).

"If you’re trying to change the course of how you look at global basketball – and maybe making another event, like the World Cup of Basketball, as a bigger event – there’s merit to discussing that. But on its own, I don’t think it has any legs" – USA Basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski, on NBA Commissioner David Stern's suggestion to implement an age limit for Olympic basketball players ("The Dan Patrick Show," 8/14).

“I'll be dipped. I guess they'll be able to negotiate with CBS” – Former Big 12 interim Commissioner Chuck Neinas, when informed of the Big East hiring Mike Aresco as its new Commissioner (CBSSPORTS.com, 8/14).

Official Twitter feed of Pittsburgh-based WXDX-FM's morning show: "Becoming the new commish of the Big East is like being named the capt of the Titanic right after it hit the iceberg."

CBS on-course golf reporter Peter Kostis: "The British press insist everyone say, The Open and not The British Open, but always refer to The PGA as the USPGA. Just wondering."

NASCAR.com's David Caraviello: "Interesting double-duty weekend. Passports of Sam Hornish, Ky Busch will get workout -- both are racing Cup at MIS and N'wide in Montreal."

N.Y. Post's Mike Vaccaro: "Thrilled to announce I've just put pen to paper and agreed to re-up at the N. Y. Post. Already been a fun 10 years. Hoping for many more."

If you see a tweet we will not want to miss, send it to us at editorial@sportsbusinessdaily.com. 

The most-read stories today on SportsBusinessDaily.com:

1) CBS Sports VP Mike Aresco Reportedly To Be Named New Big East Commissioner
2) Salt Lake City Is Top U.S. Market For Primetime Coverage For 7th Straight Olympics
3) Suns Dealing With Another Front Office Departure As Senior VP Jay Parry Leaves
4) Despite On-Field Success, A's Struggle To Match Bay Area Rival Giants At The Gate
5) Fashion Forward: Michael Phelps Appearing In Louis Vuitton Ad Campaign

Brady Haran, better known to YouTube users as Numberphile, presents this video on the idea of "perfect" numbers in sports.

HBO's "Hard Knocks" will address WR Chad Johnson's dismissal from the Dolphins in this season's second episode, which airs at 10:00pm ET.

Members of the U.S. gymnastics team will appear on CBS” “Late Show” at 11:35pm ET.

US$19.9M – Amount of money spent on Visa cards in London restaurants during the last week of the Olympics, "an increase of almost 20 per cent on a year ago" (AP, 8/14).