MLB owners last night in Baltimore elected Rob Manfred as the league's 10th commissioner after an all-day meeting that required a half-dozen votes to a break an impasse. The final ballot was a symbolic 30-0 vote for Manfred, giving him a clear mandate to boost interest in a healthy sport that is still fighting to build relevancy in a fast-changing media and entertainment landscape.

During much of yesterday, Manfred’s support vacillated between 20 and 22 votes, just short of the required 23 of 30 for election. Among the key teams helping to break the impasse were believed to be Brewers, Nationals and Rays. Manfred is expected to receive a three-year contract, as per the minimum term for commissioner in the league constitution.

For more on Manfred's election, see today's issue of THE DAILY.

Following Rob Manfred's election as the next MLB commissioner, national columnists weigh in on what his selection means for baseball.

• MLB.com's Phil Rogers trumpets Manfred’s selection: “No Better Man To Succeed Selig Than Manfred”
• In a solid read, the N.Y. Times' Michael Schmidt goes behind the scenes of Wednesday’s interviews with the candidates and reports how Jerry Reinsdorf “went on the attack” of Manfred.
• USA Today’s Paul White lays out “key issues facing” Manfred: “No Honeymoon For New MLB Boss”
• The N.Y. Daily News’ Bill Madden opines on yesterday’s election: “Rob Manfred Elected MLB Commissioner After Jerry Reinsdorf Wages Old-School Battle”
• CSNBayArea.com’s Ray Ratto writes his column under the header: “MLB Owners Swallow Hard, Vote Manfred Next Commissioner”
• Reuters’ Larry Fine: “Manfred Same, But Different Than Selig”

Stewart-Haas Racing officials today will hold a news conference to formally announce that Tony Stewart will not “be competing in NASCAR this weekend” at Michigan Int’l Speedway. Jeff Burton will pilot the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series No. 14 Chevrolet for Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400. The team released a statement that read in part, “The driver change pertains only to Michigan. Stewart’s plans for upcoming Sprint Cup races have yet to be determined” (USA TODAY, 8/15).

The SEC Network made its debut last night, coming on the air at 6:00pm ET with a taped introduction from Brent Musburger discussing the accolades and accomplishments of the SEC. Musburger said, "Tonight, we start a new chapter in that history: A place to watch the games, a place to celebrate excellence. This is the SEC Network." After Musburger's opening, taped testimonials from former SEC athletes were aired discussing the greatness of the conference and its power and influence (SEC Network, 8/14).

The Trail Blazers, who "have never been given the opportunity" to host the NBA All-Star Game, yesterday "took a major step toward changing that" by submitting a bid to host the '17 or '18 game at the Moda Center. Team President Chris McGowan said that he "has not yet been told when the league would make a decision, but he understands it could be as early as" Q1 '15. The Hornets also submitted a bid to host the '17 or '18 ASG this week, and McGowan "is not sure what Portland's other competition will be." The NBA's deadline for bids is today (Portland OREGONIAN, 8/15).

Paul McCartney last night played the last event at the soon-to-be-demolished Candlestick Park before a crowd of 49,000 fans "clapping, shimmying and dancing in the aisles." The concert featured "a lot of familiar things" at the stadium, such as "long lines, blustery wind, 49ers and Giants fans, (and) a few former hippies." Candlestick "seemed to rival McCartney ... as the biggest draw, judging by the clothes most people were wearing" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 8/15).

Owners of eight Wrigley Field rooftop clubs "sued the city of Chicago and its Landmarks Commission Thursday, asking a judge to throw out the panel's unanimous decision last month to allow the Cubs to erect seven outfield signs that the businesses say will block their views." The lawsuit argues the signs would "violate the landmark ordinance protecting Wrigley Field features." The Cubs "are not named in the lawsuit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, and the complaint does not claim any violation of the team's contract with rooftop owners, which guaranteed their views into the ballpark in exchange for 17 percent of the clubs' annual revenues" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/15).

Georgia State Univ. today will introduce Appalachian State AD Charlie Cobb as its new AD, replacing Cheryl Levick, who is transitioning to “a new role as special assistant” to school President Mark Becker. Cobb, who signed a five-year contract with a two-year option, will have a base salary of $300,000 with “potential bonuses for academic and athletic achievements” (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 8/15).

NBC News President Deborah Turness yesterday sent a memo to staff announcing that Chief White House Correspondent Chuck Todd will take over the helm of "Meet The Press" on Sept. 7. Turness wrote in her memo, "There is no one with a bigger passion for politics than Chuck" (POLITICO.com, 8/15). Todd started his career in '92 with The Hotline, which was a partner when THE DAILY launched in ’94. Todd left The Hotline briefly to help launch THE DAILY, serving as Assistant Editor for more than a year before returning to The Hotline as Editor-in-Chief. Todd talked about his role with THE DAILY during our 20th anniversary roundtable (THE DAILY).

The Boston Athletic Association announced that the ’15 Boston Marathon’s field size “will be set at 30,000.” The field will make the ’15 race “the third-largest in Boston Marathon history” (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/15).

Mediacom Communications yesterday reached an agreement with ESPN for carriage of the SEC Network. Mediacom is the eighth largest cable TV company in the U.S. and focuses on serving smaller markets in the Midwestern and Southeastern regions (Mediacom Communications).

The Coyotes have signed a 10-year agreement with Ticketmaster to continue to sell and distribute tickets for home games at Gila River Arena (Coyotes).

“I trust him to make a decision that was in the best interest of the team first. I know Brandon, and I know he’ll do that” – Bears coach Marc Trestman, on WR Brandon Marshall serving as an analyst on Showtime’s “Inside The NFL” this season (ESPNCHICAGO.com, 8/15).

“It’s going to be very symbolic of the new Baylor and the fact that we have emerged as a serious national program” – Baylor AD Ian McCaw, on the school playing in a new, $260M on-campus football stadium this season (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/15).

“We have no say, we have no power. Those guys have all the power. We’re just fighting to try to stay relevant” – Navy AD Chet Gladchuk, on the Power Five conferences receiving more autonomy and gaining the right to rewrite some rules (Baltimore SUN, 8/15).

“Typically, EA’s NCAA Football launches in July, and often ranks as the top game. As that title is no longer being produced, new launch sales declined steeply by close to 70 percent in July 2014” – NPD analyst Liam Callahan (VENTUREBEAT.com, 8/14).

The midnight ET edition of ESPN's "SportsCenter" led with highlights from the LLWS, followed by Jaguars-Bears and Tony Stewart not racing in Michigan. ESPN reported on the election of Rob Manfred as MLB commissioner 11 minutes into the broadcast. Last night's midnight ET edition of FS1's "Fox Sports Live" led with Jaguars-Bears, followed by other NFL news and notes and an injury update on Kings C DeMarcus Cousins during USA Basketball practice. FS1 reported on Manfred 37 minutes into their telecast.

ESPN's Keith Olbermann called out his "world's worst" persons in sports: Former Redskins WR Gary Clark for being the "latest member of the paid disinformation squad of former players assembled" by Redskins Owner Dan Snyder. Olbermann also directed his disdain towards Kentucky men's basketball coach John Calipari "for one of the greatest bad tweets of all-time" and Belgian soccer club Anderlecht coach Besnik Hasi for storming off the field and falling in the tunnel to the locker room.

CBSSports.com's Jon Solomon: "SEC Network is 15 minutes old & Tim Tebow has already used 'we' to describe Florida and gotten a birthday cake."

AP's Ralph Russo: "If the SEC Network just replayed last year's Iron Bowl five or six times a day, it would get all the ratings it needs."

Baseball writer Peter Gammons: "Two TV Execs cite Manfred's need to confront game's age demographics. Start at BB Reference for NL War leaders--Stanton, Heyward, McCutcheon ... top 3 of 4 and start with them as faces (and characters) of the sport. Stanton should be THE starting point"

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld: "KO still delivering from new remote outpost. @keitholbermann New MLB Commish speech best thing I've heard since my set on @jimmyfallon"

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

The Dodgers' official Twitter feed posted this image of a Magic Johnson bobblehead the team will give away on Sept. 2. The Basketball HOFer and Dodgers investor celebrated his 55th birthday yesterday. 

The MLB Cardinals will induct Jim Edmonds, Marty Marion, Willie McGee and Mike Shannon into the team HOF in a 10:30am CT ceremony at Ballpark Village.

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Countries of the World.”

“Once a poor British protectable in 2012 this Peninsular Country ranked as the world’s richest per capita.”

Last night’s edition of “Jeopardy!” featured the category “Pro Sports Teams.”

For $200: “They represented Los Angeles when Marcus Allen rushed them to Super Bowl victory in 1984.”

For $400: “2014 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Bobby Cox managed this team to 2,504 wins.”

For $600: “This team began play in 1995 and acquired its first superstar, Vince Carter, 1998.”

For $800: “They prowl the Ice as the NHL’s southernmost team.”

For $1000: “The leftfield fence in their home park is 310 feet from the plate and 37 feet high.”

“What is Qatar?”
 
Correct responses to the “Pro Sports Teams” category:

For $200: “Who are the Raiders?”

For $400: “Who are the Braves?”

For $600: “Who are the Raptors?”

For $800: “Who are the Florida Panthers?”

For $1000: “Who are the Red Sox?”