The Tampa Sports Authority today will present a plan for more than $25M in Raymond James Stadium capital improvements to its finance committee "as part of its agreement" with the Buccaneers. As the venue prepares for an "extreme makeover," local officials "hope to finalize an agreement" on improvements that include new video boards and seat cushions. The upgrades were "pledged as a part of a bid that landed" the CFP title game in January '17. The project also would "greatly aid Tampa Bay's bid" for the '19 or '20 Super Bowl (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 7/21).

Boston City Council member Tito Jackson yesterday announced that he "wants to subpoena documents" from Boston 2024, demanding a "full copy of the initial bid submitted" to the USOC. Boston 2024 "issued a new proposal this summer, but Jackson is seeking a full copy" of the earlier bid. Jackson said that he "wants the final two chapters about political support and the budget to be released" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/21).

Meanwhile, the co-Chairs of the No Boston Olympics group in an op-ed write the revised bid "fails to address many of the bid’s deficiencies unearthed over the last six months: optimistic revenue projections, lowballed cost estimates, thin margins, unwanted and unneeded venues, and only vague, nebulous promises about how taxpayers will be protected from financial risk" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/21).

A new infield media center will open today at the Tony Stewart-owned Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, ahead of tomorrow's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race there. Stewart has put at least $1.5M into the facility over the last year "to build a 9,000-square-foot" media center. An "infield care center, rooftop viewing area and concession stand all in the building were functional" for Sunday's sprint car event. Other upgrades include an "HD system that broadcasts the races on a video board" (AP, 7/20).

Phillies VP/Sales & Ticket Operations John Weber said that the team has sold "about 3,000 extra tickets" for tonight's home game against the Rays featuring the MLB debut of P Aaron Nola. Weber added that he "expects the number to climb even higher with walk-up sales." He said, "We’ve been averaging about 20,000 to 22,000 (during the team's current home stand) and we will probably get over 25,000 Tuesday." In honor of Nola's No. 27 jersey, fans can get two tickets for $27 (BIZJOURNALS.com, 7/20).

A press conference earlier today in Sydney from surfer Mick Fanning, who survived a shark attack during competition, featured its share of sponsor activation. Fanning wore a Rip Curl cap and Julian Wilson, who "paddled to help during the terrifying incident," wore a Red Bull hat. Both were "swigging Red Bull cans," and they were backed by "Rip Curl surf boards plastered with Red Bull logos." Fanning "welcomed a legion of new fans." The "public were quick to point out" that Red Bull "branding was everywhere" (MASHABLE.com, 7/21).

A "delirious sellout crowd of about 3,300" attended last night's Canada-U.S. gold medal women's basketball contest at the Pan Am Games in Toronto. Canada won 81-73 (NATIONAL POST, 7/21).

The NLL Edmonton Rush today "will officially become the Saskatchewan Rush" at a press conference in Saskatoon (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 7/21).

Former CrossFit Games champion Jason Khalipa has signed on as an official supporter of apparel brand Mizzen+Main (THE DAILY).

Transamerica runs a full-page ad in USA Today congratulating Zach Johnson for winning the British Open in yesterday's playoff, noting Johnson now has 12 wins on the PGA Tour (THE DAILY).

"In a perfect world, would that number be the same (for all schools)? Probably, but we don’t live in a perfect world, and I think we know that" – ACC Commissioner John Swofford, on cost-of-attendance stipends differing among schools (WASHINGTON POST, 7/21).

"I think all independents should join a conference, as a general rule. ... You don't have independents in the NFL. Leagues are leagues. I just think it's difficult to assess a team that's not in a league" – Missouri football coach Gary Pinkel, speaking to qualification for the CFP (ESPN.com, 7/20).

"Certainly, there’s time away, there’s a day every seven days that the players are off, but there aren’t a lot of distractions. It’s kind of an area that you’ve got to really work hard to get there, it’s not easy” – Saints coach Sean Payton, on the team holding training camp at The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. (THEADVOCATE.com, 7/20).

"I'm not really a big fan. It can be difficult when you're trying to concentrate on certain games and there's other games in between" – Galaxy F Robbie Keane, on in-season exhibition matches. The Galaxy play FC Barcelona tonight at the Rose Bowl (L.A. TIMES, 7/21).

"In England we have Old Trafford and it is only for football. It is not for entertaining. There is no One Direction. In England we live for football but in USA they live for American football and baseball" – EPL club Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal, criticizing the field conditions at CenturyLink Field last Friday during a friendly against Liga MX' Club America (OREGONLIVE.com, 7/20).

Last night’s 11:00pm ET edition of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” led with Mets-Nationals, followed by Red Sox-Angels, and Dodgers-Braves. The first non-MLB report aired six minutes into the broadcast with a report from the British Open at St. Andrews. ESPN followed with the Pan Am Games women’s basketball final, and NBA Summer League highlights. Last night’s 11:00pm ET edition of FS1’s “Fox Sports Live” led with the British Open, followed by Mets-Nationals, Dodgers-Braves, and Cubs-Reds. FS1 followed with FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s interrupted press conference, and the CONCACAF Gold Cup Semifinal about 18 minutes into the broadcast.

The Vancouver PROVINCE asks, "Does the UFC really have a problem building fighters and establishing them as stars or is it the way we measure a fighter's star power that has changed?"

In the Univ. of Texas campus newspaper DAILY TEXAN, journalism student Jori Epstein writes men's AD Steve Patterson "probably can't please everyone if he tries, and as the 'bad guy' in financial decisions, he's sure to draw ire."

Also:

• NFLer Russell Okung going sans agent before big free agency deal
• Pinehurst's U.S. Open in '24 will be course's fourth in 25 years.
• Regardless of sponsor, L.A. fans will know venue as The Coliseum.
• Do L.A. residents want NFL as much as NFL wants to be in L.A.?
• Oversaturation of sports coverage makes cord-cutting easier.
• SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey got his start in Natchitoches, La.

Even better news for Red Sox fans, it looks as if Ben Cherington, John Farrell and Bill James have jobs for life.

— James Stewart (@IAmJamesStewart) July 21, 2015

Caught up on Ballers. Show is pretty good. Enjoyable 24 mins.

— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) July 21, 2015

I love the #MyWish ESPN does. @ChrisConnelly one of the best. I'll know I've done something right if he ever interviews me. #talented

— Jill Montgomery (@Jill_Montgomery) July 21, 2015

If Las Vegas and Quebec City get NHL expansion franchises, they need to play an annual pre-season series and call it the Celine Dion Cup.

— Adam Proteau (@Proteautype) July 21, 2015

Last night i finished the first part of my China tour..which was me launching my very first Wade Wine..Both Shanghai & Beijing events was great and we are looking forward to more in the future.. #Pahlmeyers #wadewine #AllergictoNo

A photo posted by dwyanewade (@dwyanewade) on Jul 18, 2015 at 8:06pm PDT

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

“Wagner’s line ‘Oed’ und leer das meer,’ meaning ‘waste and empty the sea,’ is quoted in a poem by this American-born man.”

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

For $200: “Crowds singing this song at Dodger or Yankee Stadium omit the first verse, starting ‘Katie Casey was baseball mad.’”

For $400: “‘We Will Rock You’ was the B-side of this Queen single; both have become sporting event favorites.”

For $600: “‘Ever since I was young, it’s been my dream / that I might drive’ this machine; ‘I’d get the ice just as slick as could be.’”

For $800: “Since 2002, this Neil Diamond song has been played at every Red Sox home game.”

For $1000: “Dandy Don Meredith would sing this song on ‘Monday Night Football’ when a game’s outcome was decided.”

NBC’s Jimmy Fallon said of professional surfer Mick Fanning getting attacked by a shark, “Did you see the J-Bay Open surfing event in South Africa? ... A shark tried to attack Mick Fanning, who's a surfer. ... He saved himself by punching the shark in the back. Yeah. Not to be outdone, I saw a spider on my toothbrush yesterday. I now live in a hotel” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 7/20).

“Who was T.S. Eliot?”

Correct responses to the “Sports & Song” category:

For $200: “What is ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’?”

For $400: “What is ‘We Are the Champions’?”

For $600: “What is a Zamboni?”

For $800: “What is ‘Sweet Caroline’?”

For $1000: “What is ‘The Party’s Over’?”