In her “first major public appearance since coming out as transgender,” Caitlyn Jenner received a standing ovation when she received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the ESPYs last night. After a video, she was introduced by Abby Wambach and Jenner’s speech was “a rallying cry for the fair treatment of transgender youth.” Jenner: “If you want to call me names, make jokes, doubt my intentions, go ahead, because the reality is I can take it. But for the thousands of kids out there coming to terms with the truth of who they are, they shouldn’t have to take it. … We’re all different. That’s not a bad thing. That’s a good thing” (TIME.com, 7/16).

Jenner's "powerful speech" took "a serious turn when she addressed bullying, suicide and murder plaguing the transgender community" (N.Y. POST, 7/16). Several celebrities turned to social media, with "beautiful, moving and inspirational" being "the most common words" used to describe Jenner and her speech (USMAGAZINE.com, 7/15). Read the transcript of Jenner's speech.

The network morning shows all teased Jenner's ESPY speech in their opening segments, with ABC’s “GMA” airing the headline “Caitlyn’s Courage,” NBC’s “Today” showing “We’re All Different” and “CBS This Morning” using “Jenner’s Emotional Plea.” ABC’s Robin Roberts said Jenner gave a “powerful, emotional speech” (“GMA,” ABC, 7/16). “ET” correspondent Kevin Frazier said the “award didn’t come without controversy. Some thought the award should have gone to the late Lauren Hill” (“CBS This Morning,” 7/16). NBC’s Hallie Jackson: “Even with all the controversy surrounding Jenner's award for courage at the ESPYs, she delivered a speech that many are calling poignant this morning, powerful, and one that had the audience on their feet” (“Today,” NBC, 7/16).

WASHINGTON POST lists its best of the ESPYs. USA Today offers its Top 10 ESPY moments. Read some of the best one-liners from last night's show.

The British Open teed off early this morning and weather is "almost always a story at St. Andrews." Friday and Saturday are expected to "bring swirling gusts nearing 40 mph. Rain is also forecast to join the misery party" (L.A. TIMES, 7/16). CBSSPORTS.com's Kyle Porter writes, "It's not a proper British Open unless the North Sea throws up all over 156 of the best golfers on the planet this week. That's exactly what's being predicted" (CBSSPORTS.com, 7/16).

Meanwhile, HSBC renewed its agreement to continue as the official banking partner of the British Open. HSBC has held Patron of The Open status since ’10. Meanwhile, analytics software firm Qlik today formally announced its endorsement deal with golfer Henrik Stenson (THE DAILY).

Longhorn Network this morning is airing golfer Jordan Spieth’s opening round at the British Open, marking the first time the net has carried the tournament and the sixth time it has provided an alternate telecast of a live ESPN event featuring a former student-athlete (LHN).

USOC Chair Larry Probst and CEO Scott Blackmun are due in Boston today for “private meetings on the status of Boston’s bid” for the ’24 Games. USOC officials had previously promised to check in with Boston 2024 “at some point this month for an update on the local efforts to build public support for the bid” (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/16).

Meanwhile, Red Sox DH David Ortiz, a volunteer member of the Boston 2024 BOD, "endorses a Boston bid" for the '24 Games in a new digital promo. In the video, Ortiz "talks about playing stickball in the street as a kid" in the Dominican Republic (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/16).

MLB said it ended the ’15 T-Mobile All-Star FanFest in Cincinnati with an attendance of 123,312, a 7% increase from last year’s event in Minneapolis and the fifth-largest attendance in its 25-year history. Cincinnati is MLB’s smallest media market, but this year’s FanFest was aided in part by the close proximity between Great American Ball Park and the Duke Energy Convention Center, site of FanFest, to create a critical mass of activity. As a result, the figure neared the ’13 FanFest draw of 129,849 in N.Y.

Meanwhile, All-Star Game events on Sunday-Tuesday at Great American Ball Park drew a total attendance of 130,904. The sum is the second-highest three-game total in the facility’s 12-year history, trailing only a total of 133,018 for Games 3-5 of the ’12 NLDS.

The Packers Pro Shop is the "exclusive retailer" of a new series of Brett Favre merchandise that will be available starting today ahead of his induction into the team HOF on Saturday. Favre merchandise will be "permanently available at the Pro Shop, including new items geared toward the Thanksgiving Day game, when his name will be added to the Lambeau Field facade, and his induction" into the Pro Football HOF in '16. Because he is retired, the Pro Shop's merchandise agreement is "with Favre directly" (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 7/15).

The AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour comes to Manhattan for the first time today, kicking off the four-day AVP Kingston New York City Open at Hudson River Park. Sponsored by Kingston Technology, the event is the tour’s only stop in the northeastern US. Olympic champions Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers are among the athletes expected to participate, along with others still hoping to qualify for the ’16 Rio Games. Qualifying rounds are today, and the championship matches are set for Sunday afternoon. The tour has visited Brooklyn before, but not Manhattan.

Del Mar Race Track opens its summer horse racing season today, and Triple Crown winner American Pharoah "will train there," but "isn't expected to run." Fans can "pay $10 to enter the racetrack but $30 gets you into the Party on Opening Day." The Party includes "access to private betting and shaded seating as well as DJ-driven music, gourmet food trucks and a beer garden and cocktail bar." The club also will host an "Opening Day Hats Contest" (L.A. TIMES, 7/15).

Switzerland extradited to the U.S. “the first of seven officials held in custody in relation to a corruption investigation” into FIFA. The official was not named, but reports last week said that former CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb “had agreed to be extradited” (FT.com, 7/16).

Sports Authority has chosen Missouri-based ad agency Kuhl/Swaine to assist with developing their brand and consumer engagement strategy (Sports Authority).

Bank of America Stadium last night saw an attendance of 55,823 for a CONCACAF Gold Cup doubleheader, which featured Mexico-Trinidad & Tobago and Guatemala-Cuba (CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.com, 7/16).

"My new friend Victor Espinoza rode American Pharoah to victory in the Crown. But for whipping the 3-year-old, he's been suspended by the NFL for a year" – Comedian and ESPY host Joel McHale, during his monologue to open the broadcast (“ESPY Awards,” ABC, 7/15).

“I hope you don’t look back and think you’ve wasted three hours of your life on this. You know, like the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. I’ve seen better fights over beach chairs” – Joel McHale (“ESPY Awards,” ABC, 7/15).

“Hi, I’m Ben Affleck. I’m from Boston. If you’re from Boston, you always wanted to hate our next honoree” – Actor Ben Affleck, who presented Derek Jeter with the Icon award at last night’s ESPY Awards (“ESPY Awards,” ABC, 7/15).

"I wonder how Floyd (Mayweather) feels being beat by a woman for once" – UFC's Ronda Rousey, during her acceptance speech for winning the Best Fighter ESPY ("ESPYs Countdown," ESPN, 7/15).

Did the ESPYs give Spieth & Serena (2016) next year's award for best athlete last night while they had the ceremony ongoing?

— David Schwab (@david_schwab) July 16, 2015

I sense a pending endorsement deal for Spieth from the manufacturer of his full-swing video simulator. Get on that phone, Jay Danzi.

— Steve Elling (@EllingYelling) July 16, 2015

Is it weird that I have a crush on @RondaRousey and scared of her at the same time 😰

— Cardale Jones (@CJ12_) July 16, 2015

ESPYs can't keep throwing emotions out here one after another and not have a bar in here.

— Patrick Burke (@BurkieNHL) July 16, 2015

Here’s what 39 all-star appearances look like. #Manning. @KingJames. #Jeter. #ESPYs pic.twitter.com/skbRdRnazD

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) July 16, 2015

Last night’s 12:00am ET edition of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” and the 1:00am ET edition of FS1’s “Fox Sports Live” both led with Cowboys WR Dez Bryant, Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas and Chiefs LB Justin Houston signing long-term contracts with their respective teams. ESPN followed with highlights from the ESPY Awards broadcast, the Mexico-Trinidad & Tobago CONCACAF Gold Cup match and more ESPY coverage. FS1 followed with the Giants not reaching a deal with DE Jason Pierre-Paul, a preview of the British Open and NBA Summer League highlights.

GRANTLAND writes under the header, "Teardown Artist: How General Manager A.J. Preller Destroyed The San Diego Padres In A Matter Of Months." What he wrought with a flurry of offseason moves "has been a quick as it has been destructive." Barely three months into the season, "it's clear that Preller's gamble has been a bust."

Also:

• New TV-rights deal has NBA teams spending like never before.
• Examining what an unbundled ESPN would be worth to viewers.
• Impact of Boston Olympics on Gillette, whose parent is a TOP Sponsor.
• Can tennis' prize structure help bridge soccer's gender pay gap?
• Can Jordan Spieth make Under Armour "synonymous with golf?"
• Teen inspires Nike shoe for disabled people.
• Int'l Federation of American Football brings championship to Canton.
• Improved crowd at Milwaukee Mile gives race optimistic outlook.

Nike yesterday provided Arkansas football coach Bret Bielema with “special ‘bling/bling’ edition” of the new Air Force 1s for SEC Media days in response to Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen “showing off adidas Yeezy Boost 350s on Tuesday.” Bielema: “Hell, let’s start a little Nike-adidas war. That was why I did it. I love Dan Mullen and everything he is, but we’re a Nike school” (Jackson CLARION-LEDGER, 7/16).

The Bears will place individual game tickets on sale. Tickets are $81-405 for preseason. Regular-season seats are $106-430, with a limit of four tickets per customer per game.

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

“On the completion of this in 1937, its chief engineer wrote, ‘At last the mighty task is done, resplendent in the western sun.’”

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

For $400: “One way to reduce injuries is to properly stretch. You can use a towel to help stretch out this group of long muscles at the back of the thigh.”

For $800: “For a soft-tissue injury such as a sprain or strain, RICE is recommended -- that is, rest, ice, compression, and this.”

For $1200: “One of the most common soccer injuries is a sprain to this joint, where the tibia, fibula, and talus meet.”

For $1600: “An athlete who had the wind knocked out of him likely had a blow to this network of nerves behind the stomach.”

For $2000: “Injuries to the knee include a common one in tennis. When it’s twisted with a foot planted on the ground that can tear this pad of cartilage that cushions the knee.”

“What is the Golden Gate Bridge?”

Correct responses to the “Sports Injuries” category:

For $400: “What are the hamstrings?”

For $800: “What is elevation?”

For $1200: “What is the ankle?”

For $1600: “What is the solar plexus?”

For $2000: “What is the meniscus?”