The Red Sox today are expected to introduce Dave Dombrowski as their new President of Baseball Operations, "two weeks after he was fired" as Tigers President, CEO & GM. The team announced the hire last night, and Dombrowski today "will fly in from his home in suburban Detroit." He said that he "intends to hire" a new GM. He "offered the position to the incumbent, Ben Cherington," who declined but has "agreed to assist in the transition" (ESPNBOSTON.com, 8/18).

Lawyers for the NFL and NFLPA today will present oral arguments in the latest Deflategate hearing, but U.S. District Judge Richard Berman "decided last week that attendance wouldn't be mandatory for the principals." Patriots QB Tom Brady yesterday was in N.Y. for talks with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, but they reportedly "went so poorly" that Brady "now plans to rejoin teammates at practice" today in West Virginia instead of appearing at the settlement hearing (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/19).

ESPN’s Adam Schefter this morning cites sources as saying that Brady is “open to accepting some form of suspension, but only if it can be for failing to cooperate with the NFL rather than admitting" to the Wells Report findings. The NFL has been “adamant that Brady admits to the report's findings, something he doesn't seem willing to ever do” (FACEBOOK.com, 8/19).

Former LOCOG Chair Sebastian Coe has won the election to replace Lamine Diack as IAAF President, receiving 115 votes compared to 92 for Sergei Bubka in the election today in Beijing. Bubka in a subsequent vote "retained his position" as an IAAF VP. Coe on Aug. 31 will formally replace Diack, "the 82-year-old Senegal official who is standing down after 16 years" leading the track & field body (AP, 8/19).

The NBA has named Kiki VanDeWeghe Exec VP/Basketball Operations. VanDeWeghe previously was Senior VP/Basketball Operations working under longtime league exec Rod Thorn, who this month retired as President of Basketball Operations. VanDeWeghe’s promotion is effective immediately, and he will report to a new president of league operations to be hired following the Sept. 1 departure of Joel Litvin. VanDeWeghe joined the league office in April '13 as VP/Basketball Operations and was promoted later in the year.

A USA Today front-page piece notes recent changes in NCAA rules are resulting in major college athletes receiving nearly $160M a year in "additional benefits," and the "figure is certain to rise as more schools implement – or increase their distribution of – athletic scholarships" covering the full cost of attendance. Also, the D-I BOD in April '14 voted to allow schools to provide "unlimited meals and snacks" to athletes. Among public schools, the estimated additional spending for '15-16 is "equal to about 2% of their combined athletic operating expenses" for '13-14 (USA TODAY, 8/19).

Royals manager Ned Yost has recently been "chastised by MLB" for wearing an Apple Watch, despite the fact that the league "gave Yost the watch" for being the AL manager in the All-Star Game. He has been "spotted wearing the watch in various games since the All-Star break" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 8/18). 

MLB "does not allow the usage of cell phones in the dugout." Yost "assured them that 'it's just a clock.'" He is "not banned from wearing the Watch," but the league "wanted to make sure he wasn't using the Watch to access data during games." Yost "assured them he is not" (TWITTER.com, 8/19).

Warriors G Stephen Curry appeared on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” last night and discussed winning the MVP and the NBA Championship in the same year. Curry said he “was going to try to eat out as much as I could, like walk in with my hands up and see how many people will pick up the tab.” Curry also talked about teaming up with his father, former NBAer Dell Curry, to play golf against free agent G Ray Allen and President Barack Obama: “The President was talking trash. … There were 25 Secret Service agents on every hole, so I couldn’t relax at all, snipers everywhere. Me and my dad, we lost.” Host Jimmy Kimmel said, “It’s probably for the best though, because you don’t want to get audited or something like that.”

Curry said of growing up around NBA stars when his dad played in the league, “My favorite player growing up that he played with was Muggsy Bogues. … He’s 5’3”, so he was an inspiration I could play in the NBA. You know, every year you used to see how much taller you were based on how close you were to eye level with Muggsy, so I reached him when I was about 12 years old” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 8/18).

beIN Sports announced the renewal of its media rights deals with soccer leagues La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 (beIN Sports).

BYU confirmed that the school and Utah have "agreed in principle to extend" their football rivalry to '19 and '20, and that the ADs for both schools have "discussed tentative dates" to play in '21 and '22 (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 8/19). The series is "currently on a two-year hiatus" (DESERET NEWS, 8/19).

The Bucks have "beefed up their arena-project team" by retaining Icon Venue Group as the club's owner's representative (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/18).

STX has signed multiyear deals with Boston Univ. and the Univ. of New Hampshire "to become the schools' official field hockey equipment sponsors" (Baltimore SUN, 8/19).

Rolex runs a full-page ad in USA Today congratulating golfer Jason Day for wining the PGA Championship, his first major. The same ad ran yesterday in the N.Y. Times (THE DAILY).

“This time of year there’s a lot of optimism around the NFL. … I can tell you with certainty the difference between our optimism and the other 31 is our optimism is earned” – Dolphins Exec VP Mike Tannenbaum, speaking during the team’s Kickoff Luncheon (MIAMI HERALD, 8/19).

“Golf is completely different now than what it was. When I came out, I was the youngest player at 18. Now, 18 is old and 30 is even older” – Paula Creamer, on the influx of LPGA talent that is under the age of 25 (VANCOUVER SUN, 8/19).

“I'm hoping that I can learn something from how they are edging ahead of the competition and take that vision onto the court with me” – Tennis player Andy Murray, on making three investments on the crowdfunding platform Seedrs (REUTERS, 8/19).

Last night’s 1:00am ET edition of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” led with Dodgers-A’s, followed by D-backs-Pirates, Rays-Astros and Giants-Cardinals. The first non-MLB report was Bills RB LeSean McCoy injuring his hamstring nine minutes into the broadcast. ESPN briefly noted Dave Dombrowski being named Red Sox President of Baseball Operations 31 minutes into the broadcast. Last night’s 1:00am ET edition of FS1’s “Fox Sports Live” led with Twins-Yankees, followed by Blue Jays-Phillies, Mets-Orioles, Indians-Red Sox and Dombrowski joining the Red Sox.

GRANTLAND.com notes, "Two recent cases of the Miami Heat being targeted by con men show that South Florida’s sports franchises aren’t immune to the city’s hustler culture – they’re part of it."

In a special to GOLFCHANNEL.com, golfer Paul McGinley writes under with the header, "For Golf's Sake: Let's Embrace The Olympics." We are "often reluctant to initially embrace new horizons," but let us "look at the big picture for a moment."

Also:

• Baseball fever grows in Montreal with hope of landing new team.
• Writer ranks NFL GMs, feels Seahawks' John Schneider is No. 1.
• All eyes will be on Tiger Woods at the Wyndham Championship.
• Terry Francona at John Farrell's side as he starts chemotherapy.

An NHL uniform is a sacred thing and it's an honor to wear one. Putting corporate sponsors on the front would tarnish that. Don't do it

— Blake Wheeler (@BiggieFunke) August 18, 2015

Jared's sad fall from grace won't keep brands from using high profile spokespeople. That's good. Still an effective tactic if used right.

— J.W. Cannon (@cannonjw) August 19, 2015

Frank Wren is the leading contender to be GM under Dave Dombrowski with the #RedSox now that Ben Cherington is leaving.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 19, 2015

The Tigers locked up Al Avila, David Chadd, Scott Bream, Dave Littlefield, keeping them from joining David Dombrowski

— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) August 19, 2015

Thanks @wheatiescereal in the words straight out of Leah's mouth, this is so awesome!! #Le... https://t.co/vuLrWCS0Ow pic.twitter.com/1YB7L4Jy8w

— Devon Still (@Dev_Still71) August 19, 2015

ESPN will officially release “Delaney,” which is part of ESPN Films’ 30 for 30 Shorts series, at 11:00am ET. The film, which will be available for on-demand access on ESPN.com and Grantland.com, tells the story of late Chiefs RB Joe Delaney, who died in '83 attempting to rescue three drowning children.

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “People in the Arts.”

“He once said, ‘It is through fantasy that children achieve catharsis. It is the best means they have for taming wild things.”

Last night’s edition of “Jeopardy!” featured the category “Expressions From Baseball.”

For $200: “Your figures are pretty close, definitely in this place.”

For $400: “Things aren’t looking good; it’s like we’ve already got this pair against us.”

For $600: “Dinner with your aunt? I can’t do it until her next visit, so I’ve got to take this.”

For $800: “Don’t worry, I’ll keep you informed; I’ll do this briefly with you after I get back.”

For $1000: “Most of the world doesn’t care how we pick Daily Doubles; that’s real this two-word phrase.”

“Who was Maurice Sendak?”

Sendak was an author of children’s books, most notably “Where the Wild Things Are.”

Correct responses to the “Expressions From Baseball” category:

For $200: “What is the ballpark?”

For $400: “What are two strikes?”

For $600: “What is a rain check?”

For $800: “What is touch base?”

For $1000: “What is inside baseball?”