Joe Gibbs Racing today will formally introduce Carl Edwards as the team's newest driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, starting with the '15 season. JGR also will unveil a new sponsor, communications technology company Arris, which will be the primary sponsor of Edwards' No. 19 Toyota for "roughly half the season." Arris' involvement in the sport "will go far beyond just sponsorship of Edwards" (THATSRACIN.com, 8/18).

MASN yesterday in Manhattan gained a preliminary injunction against MLB and the Nationals from the New York State Supreme Court, representing another significant legal victory for the Orioles-controlled RSN in its ongoing media rights battle with the Nationals. The injunction extends a temporary restraining order MASN gained on Aug. 7, prevents an internal MLB arbitration award in the matter favoring the Nationals from taking effect and is believed to represent the first time ever in baseball history the league has been legally enjoined by an entity of one of its own member clubs.

Judge Lawrence Marks also barred the Nationals from threatening to terminate MASN's license to broadcast its games if they don't get money owed under the contested ruling from MLB's Revenue Sharing Definitions Committee. The three-owner panel in June ruled to elevate the Nationals' annual local rights fees from about $41M annually to $60M. MASN argues that decision was reached through a faulty process, and successfully argued to the court that the Nationals' threats to terminate its broadcast license rendered a serious threat to the RSN's viability. And with the injunction, that award is barred for now from happening.

The Mid-American Conference and ESPN today announced a new 13-year TV rights deal through the '26-27 season that "includes the final three years of the current deal" signed in '09. The value of the agreement is "unknown, but expected to be greater than" the $1.4M per year in the '09 deal, "and split annually among the 12 members of the MAC." ESPN is "expected to have all distribution rights for MAC football and men's basketball, plus a select number of women's basketball and other sports" (CLEVELAND.com, 8/18).

Stealth SME today is announcing that it has hired longtime former IMG exec Rob Ponger as President. Ponger will oversee the sports, media, entertainment and consultancy divisions of Stealth and work out of N.Y. He left IMG in May after working there for 20 years, most recently as IMG Senior VP/Strategic Planning & Financial Operations. Stealth was launched in March through the rollup acquisitions of five sports talent representation firms, as well as brand activation agency Cenergy.

NCAA officials are in Atlanta today regarding the city's bid to host the Final Four at the Falcons' new stadium. Northeastern AD Peter Roby and Creighton AD Bruce Rasmussen, members of the D-I men's basketball committee, are visiting along with two NCAA staffers "as part of the process that will lead to November decisions" on where to play the '17-20 Final Fours. They were slated to tour the College Football HOF last night and will be "briefed on the stadium plans" today (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 8/19).

Browns QB Johnny Manziel gave the Redskins' bench the middle finger during the third quarter of last night's preseason game, and he "knew that ESPN's television cameras had captured it." After the game, Manziel said, "I should have been smarter. It was a 'Monday Night Football' game and the cameras were probably solidly on me." Browns CB Joe Haden said that Manziel "was being taunted by the Redskins' sideline all night." Haden: "Worst things you could ever imagine. ... Their players. Their fans" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 8/19).

Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods appeared together on-stage on NBC's "The Tonight Show" last night, with host Jimmy Fallon noting, "Tiger, I saw on your website you issued a statement that due to your back injury, you will not be swinging a golf club for the rest of this year." Woods: "That is kind of true." Fallon: "That has got to be a bummer. ... What are you doing for the back?" Woods: "Chasing after two little kids."

Later, all three picked up golf clubs on-stage next to a pile of balls on a bit of turf, with Fallon noting the clubs were Nike Golf's new Vapor Iron. Fallon: "What's the big difference with these clubs? Because you guys had a hand in making these." Woods noted the clubs have been redesigned, but Fallon would use the "bigger head" club because it has a "little more forgiveness." Fallon and McIlroy then played a game called "Facebreakers," where they had to chip balls at windows with their faces on them, trying to break the glass with the other person's image on it ("The Tonight Show," NBC, 8/18).

Florida Orange Juice today is hosting a football-themed public tailgate party at Herald Square in Manhattan, with Fox' Erin Andrews scheduled to make an appearance. As part of her deal with the Florida Department of Citrus, Andrews will help distribute samples of OJ at the event and share information about the nutrition and culinary uses of the product. The event runs from 8:00am-2:00pm ET (Florida Orange Juice).

Arnold Palmer yesterday had “a pacemaker implanted to correct an abnormal heartbeat.” The surgery was deemed “successful” and Palmer is expected to be released today (TRIBLIVE.com, 8/18).

The Birmingham City Council today is set to vote on $2.8M in public funding to build a Negro League baseball museum near Regions Field. If funding is approved, the museum is scheduled to open April 9 (BIRMINGHAM NEWS, 8/19).

Adams Golf has informed the Texas Workforce Commission that it “plans to cut 138 jobs, effective Oct. 15” (DALLASNEWS.com, 8/18).

Bitcoin Brands today announced that it has inked a sponsorship agreement with MMA fighter Max Holloway for his upcoming "UFC Fight Night" headline bout on Aug. 23. The card will be televised on FS1 (Bitcoin Brands).

Topps today released Topps Kick 15, a soccer trading card app featuring players from the EPL, Bundesliga and MLS (Topps).

Angels 1B Albert Pujols appears on the cover of the 20th edition of Toys ‘R’ Us’ “Toy Guide For Differently-Abled Kids” (Toys ‘R’ Us).

Zurich Insurance runs a full-page ad in USA Today congratulating Camilo Villegas for winning the PGA Tour Wyndham Classic: “We Loved Every Moment. Thank You, Camilo Villegas” (THE DAILY).

“He didn’t do anything, right? Sarah is the star of that one” – Ravens coach John Harbaugh, on his brother, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, appearing in a Dockers ad last year with his wife (BALTIMORESUN.com, 8/18).

“He’s as bright a person as you’ll ever find, intellectually. As great a passion for this sport as anyone you’ll ever meet, and a mastery of details involving absolutely every facet of our business – legal, business, on-field – so he’s a wonderful choice” – Dodgers President Stan Kasten, on Rob Manfred becoming the next MLB Commissioner (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 8/18).

“Honestly, I’ve moved on. I hope the media will move on sooner rather than later, as well” – Tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, on Rory McIlroy breaking off their engagement in May via a text message (HARTFORD COURANT, 8/19).

“I’ll boldly say that the Clippers will win many, many, many, many more Larrys in the next 26 than in the last 26” – Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer, who took questions from fans during a team rally at Staples Center, predicting the team will hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy as NBA champions (L.A. TIMES, 8/19).

"Fans have said they like a lot of passing, a lot of side-by-side racing and a lot of lead changes. So that’s what we are endeavoring to do" – NASCAR VP/Innovation & Racing Development Gene Stefanyshyn, on testing yesterday at Michigan Int'l Speedway to gather data for developing the '15 Sprint Cup Series rules package (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 8/19).

Last night's 11:00pm ET edition of ESPN's "SportsCenter" led with an injury update on Ohio State QB Braxton Miller, followed by highlights of two MLB games and the Browns-Redskins "MNF" game. ESPN did not air highlights from new Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer's press conference, but later episodes of "SportsCenter" did make mention of the event. Last night's 11:00pm ET edition of FS1's "Fox Sports Live" led with six MLB game highlights and team news and notes, followed by the Clippers introducing Ballmer.

ESPN's Keith Olbermann called out his "world's worst" persons in sports: Dutch soccer team PSV Eindhoven fans for reacting angrily to the team introducing Wi-Fi at their stadium. One banner read "F**k Wi-Fi," and Olbermann asked, "How come your anti-Wi-Fi banner was in English?" Also irking Olbermann was Braves 1B Freddie Freeman for being upset that a teammate's at-bat music was not played during a throwback game, and Rays manager Joe Maddon, who "went off" on Rays fans cheering for Yankees SS Derek Jeter.

FoxSports.com's Jimmy Traina: "Shocked to see the Internet still standing after the Johnny Football Finger."

San Jose Mercury News' Tim Kawakami: "Good lord, could 49ers people stop shilling the $1.3B new stadium for just a little bit? Yes, it's nice: That's what the money was for."

Nationals CF Denard Span: "For all the fans that ditched us for the redskins tonight u missed another crazy win ! #iforgiveyoutho"

NFL.com's Bryan Fischer: "NCAA should hire whoever convinced EA to run that Madden ad to handle O’Bannon appeal. They could certainly sell a judge."

ESPN's Ian Darke: "Sad to hear of James Alexander Gordon's death. Remember cueing his immaculate read of football results in radio days. No one did it better."

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

Livestrong announced plans to donate $50M to the Univ. of Texas to “fund an innovative cancer unit at UT’s Dell Medical School.” The donation “dwarfs all previous Livestrong donations to any single entity” (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 8/19).

The Chiefs and electric utility KCP&L will hold a joint press conference to announce a sustainability partnership at the Univ. of Kansas Hospital Training Complex.

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Presidents.”

“He is the only 19th century president to serve two complete terms with the same vice president.”

NBC’s Jimmy Fallon: “The 49ers played their first game in the new Levi’s Stadium. It’s beautiful. The stadium seats 68,000 people. Unless they leave it in the dryer too long, then it only seats 43,000 people” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 8/18).

Also during his monologue, Fallon noted several "Jets players admitted to using the popular dating app Tinder to meet women. It turns out a lot of other players and coaches around the NFL also use the app." Fallon then displayed various "Tinder profile pictures" of people around the NFL. Fallon said, "First up, we have Tim Tebow. Let's see what he wrote for his bio. ‘Looking for a girl I can get nasty with, A.K.A hold hands.’ Next, we have Giants quarterback, Eli Manning: ‘If you date me, I'll let you meet my brother.’ Next up, we have Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch: ‘When love is in front of me, it's the only thing I can focus on.’ Here's NFL legend John Madden: ‘I hope you have what I'm looking for girl! A turducken. Nom nom nom nom nom nom.’ Next, we have Tom Brady. He says, ‘No, thanks. I'm good.’ Here's Peyton Manning: ‘You know what they say about guys with big foreheads?’ Finally, here's Manti Te'o: ‘I believe in true love and literally anything you tell me’” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 8/18).

Last night's Top Ten list was “Top Ten Possible Names for Anthony Weiner’s New Restaurant.” CBS’ David Letterman said, “Former congressman in New York City and mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner announced he has plans to open a restaurant in New York City" (“Late Show,” CBS, 8/18).

10) “Steak ‘N Shame”
9) “TG Selfie’s"
8) “A Little Too Friendly’s”
7) “Sbarred From Public Life”
6) “Anthony’s Big Boy”
5) “Hardee’s”
4) “El Pollo Creepo”
3) “Chipokele”
2) “DcDonald’s”
1) “Very Little Caesar’s”

“Who was James Monroe?”