League Notes

NFL Game Balls To Feature Roger Goodell Signature This Season

Wilson announced that all regular-season NFL games will be played with an official game ball stamped with the signature of new Commissioner Roger Goodell. The ball was re-designed earlier this year and named “The Duke” in honor of late Giants co-Owner Wellington Mara. The NFL and Wilson will donate 5,000 game balls with outgoing Commissioner Paul Tagliabue’s signature to USA Football to be given to high school programs, with an emphasis on Gulf Coast schools recovering from Hurricane Katrina (THE DAILY).

KEEPING THE STATUS QUO: In Charlotte, Jim Utter reported the lineup for the NASCAR Chase for the Nextel Cup “will not change next year.” NASCAR Managing Dir of Corporate Communications Ramsey Poston said that officials “had decided to leave the final races as they are, at least for next season.” Utter noted the ’07 Nextel Cup schedule “could be released as early as this week” (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 8/20).

WIND BLOWN: In Chicago, Len Ziehm cited sources as saying that the LPGA “will return to the area in May or July” next year. The tour “has a sponsor in place and will conduct the tournament with its own staffers.” The search for a playing site has been narrowed to two courses, one of which is Bolingbrook Golf Club (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 8/19).

COACHES’ CORNER: As part of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour’s trial with on-court coaching, coaches were called to the court 84 times during the 52 Rogers Cup singles matches through Saturday, and 28 times in 23 doubles matches. Players used on-court coaching in 71% of singles matches and 77% of doubles matches. Under the experimental rules during the Rogers Cup and the upcoming WTA Pilot Pen Tennis event, players can request coaches to come on-court once per set, as well as during set breaks. Also, players may request coaches during injury or bathroom breaks (WTA).