Following the fan violence at Saturday night's Raiders-49ers preseason game, NFL Senior VP/PR Greg Aiello said, "We are carefully reviewing the events to make sure we have a full understanding of the facts. ... We want fans to have a safe and enjoyable experience at all of our games." In DC, Tracee Hamilton writes Aiello's response is "better than what" NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said, "which is absolutely nothing. Hamilton: "If the teams are complicit in the sale and consumption of alcohol but are unwilling or unable to guarantee the safety of its fans, then the league needs to take that responsibility. If Goodell has time to scold and discipline the league's players, he has time to fine and discipline team owners, too" (WASHINGTON POST, 8/25). A Santa Rosa PRESS-DEMOCRAT editorial states, "If promoters don't ensure that there is adequate security, fans will stay home." The editorial continues, "For teams seeking public money for new stadiums ... it's also crucial that voters don't see ball parks as battle zones that drain police resources" (Santa Rosa PRESS-DEMOCRAT, 8/25).
IN THE CARDS: UFC President Dana White said that the promotion "would return to South Florida," which has hosted a total of four UFC events but none since UFC 91 in '07. White said, "No doubt about it, this place has been a hotbed for a long time" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 8/25). Meanwhile, ESPN.com's Josh Gross notes UFC's return to Brazil on Saturday is "a not only a seminal moment for the promotion, it's a tremendous opportunity for Brazilian fighters." Brazil native Edson Barboza is slated to fight Ross Pearson and Gross notes, "There is certainly a contingent of fans and media pining for the next big thing, the next generation of Brazilian star, and the closest thing to that is Barboza" (ESPN.com, 8/25).
IN IT TO WIN IT? In Indianapolis, Curt Cavin wrote even if Izod IndyCar Series officials "don't have any participants" for the season-ending race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the offer of a $5M bonus to the winner "was a great (and free) way to get people talking about the event." Cavin: "There are interested drivers, but few that move the needle, so to speak. IndyCar wanted Travis Pastrana, but he got hurt at the X Games. It wants Kasey Kahne, who is interested but probably can't get the sign-off he needs from Rick Hendrick." Sports car driver Joey Hand and former IndyCar drivers Airton Dare and Max Papis are "among those who want to do the race" (INDYSTAR.com, 8/24).
CASE DISMISSED: The AP's John Krawczynski reports a group of retired football players "has decided to dismiss its lawsuit against the NFL now that the lockout is over." Shawn Stuckey, a lawyer for the retired players, said that they are "still considering other avenues to get their voices heard" (AP, 8/25).
