MLB next month will "begin installing two experimental new replay systems" at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field "to test their viability for reviewing fair/foul calls." Sources said that the systems "won't be used to reverse or confirm calls at this time." After testing, MLB will "determine which system would best fit baseball's needs."

At Citi Field, "Hawkeye," the camera-based technology used in tennis, will be tested "both during Mets games in September and on off days." A radar-based system "similar to the technology used to track shots in golf telecasts" will be tested at Yankee Stadium. MLB also "plans to test both systems during the Arizona Fall League and present the results at the next owners meetings in November" (ESPN.com, 8/17).

Hendrick Motorsports on Friday announced that the Army National Guard in '13 will sponsor Dale Earnhardt Jr. for 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup races. The National Guard budgeted $26.5M "for its sponsorship this year," but next year's budget "was not announced." The Guard "has been a co-primary sponsor of Earnhardt" since '08, and is sponsoring his car for 18 races in '12. National Guard Marketing Branch Chief Lt. Col. Michael Wegner in a statement said, “What NASCAR gives us is a national marketing platform that also can be leveraged at that local level" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 8/17).

Boston College AD Gene DeFilippo on Friday announced that he will retire from his position on Sept. 30. DeFilippo plans to teach courses in sports management and to work as a consultant after taking a brief sabbatical. Starting Oct. 1, Senior Associate AD John Kane will serve as interim AD until a successor is named (Boston College). DeFilippo has led BC's athletic department since '97 and "will probably be most remembered for his guidance in leading" the school from the Big East to the ACC in '05  (BOSTONHERALD.com, 8/17).

MLB on Saturday night will host the sixth annual Civil Rights Game and this year "it appears MLB has arranged the ideal matchup" with the Braves hosting the Dodgers at Turner Field. The Dodgers will be featured in the event for the "first time since the CRG was first staged in 2007." Dodgers manager Don Mattingly: "We're such a big part of it, you know, with Jackie [Robinson] and Don Newcombe" (MLB.com, 8/16).

One of the highlights of the Civil Rights Game weekend will be Saturday's Beacon Award Luncheon, where Dodgers CF Matt Kemp is slated to present Newcombe with the MLB Beacon of Hope Award (THE DAILY).

MLS Sounders FC have sold 54,000 tickets for Saturday's game against the Whitecaps and it will mark the third time in a month the team "will boast a crowd of at least 50,000." Following Saturday's game, the Sounders' average attendance will exceed 42,500 for MLS games this season and "remain on pace for another league record." The 42,500 would rank the team "fourth in the top leagues in Italy and Spain," sixth in EPL and 11th in Germany "in the most recent seasons in Europe" (SEATTLE TIMES, 8/17).

Former America’s Cup skipper Dennis Conner appeared on the floor of the NYSE after ringing the Opening Bell. CNBC’s Simon Hobbs said the sport of sailing “is changing all the time” and there is a “lot of big money” in the sport. Hobbs asked, “Is that a good development?” Conner: “America’s Cup has always been at the leading edge of the sport and without the money and people like (Oracle Founder & CEO Larry Ellison) that have the forward vision and the drive and the passion to try to win, the sport wouldn’t move ahead." Conner said when he was racing he relied on corporate sponsorship for funding that "tried to sell product by being involved, but it was a different world. Now it’s back to what it used to be … the billionaires against the billionaires” (“Squawk on the Street,” CNBC, 8/17).

Cablevision may hear from Mets fans this weekend as a result of its carriage dispute with Tribune Broadcasting stations in the N.Y. area. Tribune's WPIX-Ind., which is slated to air the Mets' Saturday and Sunday away games, and several other stations "went dark on Cablevision's lineup just after midnight Thursday" (VARIETY.com, 8/16).

Allstate Insurance has become the Premier Partner of the Sept. 1 Alabama-Michigan Cowboys Classic football game at Cowboys Stadium. Per the deal, Allstate will receive signage and activation rights around the game (Allstate Insurance).

L.A. Councilman Tom LaBonge Friday announced that he "would introduce a motion that would get the ball rolling on a bid to host the Summer Olympics," potentially in '24 (LATIMES.com, 8/17). 

ESPN's Jesse Palmer has signed a multiyear contract extension to continue his role as one of the network's leading college football analysts for games and studio shows (ESPN).

ESPN Friday issued a statement on broadcaster Paul Page that read in part, "Page will pursue other opportunities after the 2012 season and will not return to the ESPN NHRA anchor position in 2013" (THE DAILY).

The Buccaneers preason game against the Titans Friday night will be blacked out locally after the team "failed to sell 85 percent of its general seats at least 72 hours before kickoff" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 8/15).

Fans attending the Colts-Steelers preseason game on Sunday at Heinz Field "will have to be screened by metal dectectors." The new security procedure will be "in effect for all home games throughout the season and is a new requirement for all NFL stadiums" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 8/16).

New Orleans' WVUE-Fox today will debut a new Champions Square studio during its pregame coverage of the Jaguars-Saints preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Benson Towers Studio overlooks the Superdome, New Orleans Arena and Champions Square. The new facility will be "marketed to outside production companies and networks" (NOLA.com, 8/16).

The Jets will host the Giants Saturday night at MetLife Stadium and in "the spirit of the 'MetLife Bowl,'" the team "will not cover the Giants' Super Bowl logos that are outside their locker room with curtains." The Jets normally cover the Giants' logo for all of their home games (N.Y. POST, 8/14).

"I want to spend good time with my wife and children. I also want to become more physically fit. I want to be productive work-wise and find ways to get better as a GM. I'll watch a lot of NFL and college games and pay close attention to our team. I expect to come back full of ideas on how to do things better” – Saints GM Mickey Loomis, on his plans while serving an eight-game suspension for his alleged role in the Saints' alleged bounty system (SI.com, 8/17).

"We'll have to wait and see what happens but it's a sad situation for us and it's almost embarrassing” – EPL club Fulham manager Martin Jol, on F Clint Dempsey's refusal to play in the team's season opener Saturday against Norwich City (ESPN.com, 8/17).

"Be as sexy as you can" – Nationals LF Bryce Harper, while addressing a group of 6- to 14-year-old campers at his youth baseball clinic in DC (USATODAY.com, 8/17).

PMG Sports CEO Evan Morgenstein: "If I'm #StevenStrausburg and I'm told I can't pitch, I'm coming off the hook. Try + keep me from pitching! #bullshit! #boycottNatls."
 
Sporting News’ Jesse Spector: "#Lightning announces Little Caesar's 10-Game Plans for this season. Another #RedWings connection in Tampa."

ESPNNY.com’s Rich Cimini: #Jets drew total of 35,600 fans for 11 dates in Cortland, including 9,200 for scrimmage. Drew 41k in 2010, but had more open practices.

Yankees P CC Sabathia: "@RealJasonKidd check out this egraph, welcome to NY! @nyknickshttp://goo.gl/ywWsY."

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

Redskins fan Bud McDonald posts an image of a T-shirt being offered at the Redskins store for $35 that hypes the "rivalry" between Redskins QB Robert Griffin III and Colts QB Andrew Luck, who will face off next weekend in a preseason game.

SATURDAY

The two-day Fantasy Footbal Fest will begin at the Convention Center in Atlantic City. The event is expected to attract 25,000 fans.

SUNDAY

The Pasadena Central Library will host the premiere of "Not Exactly Cooperstown," a documentary by Jon Leonoudakis on the Baseball Reliquary educational organization, at 2:00pm PT.

ESPN during Sunday's Pure Michigan 400 will debut the third spot of its "Nothing Beats First Place" ad campaign that promotes the net's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series coverage. The latest ad features driver Brad Keselowski.

FRIDAY

Fox Soccer will launch "Fox Soccer News," a one-hour nightly newscast that replaces "Fox Soccer Report," at 10:00pm ET.

SATURDAY

CBS Sports Network will premiere "The Ripken Way, Japan's Rising Sun," a 30-minute documentary on Baseball HOFer Cal Ripken Jr.'s diplomacy trip to Japan earlier this year, at 7:00pm ET.

SUNDAY

The A's & Aces tennis program in New Orleans will be featured on ABC's "Secret Millionaire" at 8:00pm ET. The episode follows CyberSynchs Founder Amos Winbush III as he volunteers in the city.

Former Oregon State OL Jarvez Hall will participate in ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition" at 9:00pm ET. Former NFLer Ahman Green will make an appearance on the show.

MONDAY

CNBC's "Squawk Box" from 6:00-9:00am will feature appearances by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross and Texans Owner Bob McNair.

$10,000 – Amount the Vikings will donate to the Twin Ports Region Long-Term Relief Fund during Friday night's home preseason game against the Bills at Mall of America Field. In addition to the one-off donation, the Vikings this week partnered with the United Way of Greater Duluth on a "Text 2 Give" campaign. Fans can text "FLOOD12" to 20222 to donate $5 to the fund (Vikings).