U.S. Open Crowds Just Below Last Year's Record

The U.S. Open is entering the home stretch with the quarterfinals taking place today in both the men’s and women’s draws, and there can be no doubt CBS is hoping Roger, Rafa and Venus make it to Super Saturday. The net sees double-digit ratings drops for its Labor Day weekend coverage, though part of that certainly can be chalked up to several unfortunate circumstances -- Andy Roddick’s early exit, Serena Williams not playing due to injury and the lack of a breakout star a la Melanie Oudin. However, fans are not staying away from Flushing Meadows, as the crowds are down just slightly from last year’s record-setting marks. In other tennis headlines, the ATP announces a global sponsorship with FedEx through ’13 that includes rights to 17 tournaments across the globe, while Roger Federer is becoming ubiquitous in television advertisements.

Stuck In The Backfield
NFL season-ticket sales down 5% from '09 as league continues to battle the comforts of home.

Friends In High Places
MSG, JPMorgan Chase team for the "most lucrative annual building/team sponsorship agreement to date," worth at least $30M per year.

Light On The Tuna, Please
Bill Parcells surrenders control of the football operations for the Dolphins to Jeff Ireland.

My Blue Heaven
ESPN earns stout 6.8 overnight rating for Boise State-Va Tech; Brian Kelly's Notre Dame debut gives NBC 77% jump from '09.

Wait & See Approach
As NHLPA hesitates to vote on Don Fehr, it negotiates a new pact with the NHL regulating long-term contracts.

Coming To An End
Lew Perkins abruptly resigns as Kansas AD, 12 months ahead of his planned departure.

Over The Rainbow
Wal-Mart backs away from talks with Hendrick Motorsports to sponsor Gordon's No. 24

As Time Goes By
A-Rod confirms split with Boras, says he no longer needs things he "needed 20 years ago."