The opening segment of ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown” last night immediately addressed the video of ESPN’s Cris Carter speaking to players at the '14 NFL Rookie Symposium. Carter said, "I can't make any excuse for what my mindset was. My heart was in the right place. I didn't use words that I was very, very proud of. It's not the type of advice that I would offer young people. I would never tell young people to break the law to avoid prosecution. It was bad advice. I really, really regret my words. ... I hope moving forward that the NFL still has enough trust in me and have me connected to their young people for that" (“Monday Night Countdown,” ESPN, 8/24).

Tommy Hilfiger and endorser Rafael Nadal today will co-host a celebrity tennis tournament in Manhattan to celebrate the launch of Hilfiger’s new underwear, fragrance and tailored collections. Hilfiger and Nadal will take part in a Q&A this evening at Macy’s Herald Square (THE DAILY). A "major campaign" breaking today will feature Nadal in print, outdoor, TV and "digital advertising globally." Billboards showing him in Hilfiger underwear will go up in cities such as N.Y., L.A., Paris, Hong Kong, Mexico City and Melbourne (WWD.com, 8/25).

Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. is lending his name and image to a new entry in the burgeoning market for coconut water-based sports drinks. He will appear on packaging for what New York-based Roar Beverages is calling a "signature product," which will be the eighth flavor from Roar, founded in '13. Beckham will appear in advertising and marketing for the brand, including social and digital efforts. Roar said the Beckham beverage will be available by the start of the NFL season at New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Vermont retailers, including 7-Eleven, King Kullen, and Shoprite.

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups today named ESPN's Rece Davis and Kirk Herbstreit brand ambassadors for the '15-16 college football seasons. The "College GameDay" hosts will be featured in TV, video and social content, as well as retail initiatives such as in-store displays and point-of-sale. They will highlight college football traditions as part of Reese's "GameDay Greatness" video features. Reese's throughout the season will host a "Team Up for the Win" social media promotion encouraging fans to share pictures of how their friends and family enjoy game day (Hershey).

Collegiate Licensing Co. today will announce a multiyear extension of its deal with the Univ. of Arizona to manage the school's trademark licensing program. Since partnering with CLC in '84, Arizona has generated nearly $24M in licensing revenue, and licensing royalties have increased 60% in the past five years. The school is in the midst of its sixth consecutive year of record royalties, and licensed Wildcats product is now sold at 1,500 retail locations (IMG College).

EA Sports' "Madden NFL 16" video game is available at retail and for download as of today. For NFLers, the game franchise's annual release is "generally one of the most anticipated days, especially among younger players" (ESPN.com, 8/24). With this year's edition, EA "finally manages to elevate video game football to another level, truly changing the way you play the game." The game "still has plenty of imperfections," but it is a "more complete football experience this time around" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/25).

USC football returns to practice today and coach Steve Sarkisian, still in the spotlight following his behavior at a weekend booster event, "will meet the media before practice begins." A few players "then will be made available," and there will be "no media access afterward." Sarkisian "typically addresses reporters after workouts when players have concluded interviews." He addressed the team yesterday (L.A. TIMES, 8/25). The school "did not announce if Sarkisian will actually answer questions about what happened Saturday night" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 8/25).

Meanwhile, USC yesterday "banned alcohol in the locker room after home and road games this season" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 8/25).

IndyCar driver Justin Wilson died yesterday after he was hit in the head Sunday "by a piece of debris during the Verizon IndyCar Series race at Pocono Raceway." Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles made the announcement of Wilson's death. He is the first driver since IndyCar's Dan Wheldon in '11 to "die in a major U.S.-based auto racing series" (USA TODAY, 8/25). In lieu of flowers, Wilson's family "has asked for donations to a trust fund for his daughters" (ESPN.com, 8/24).

Japan officials said that they were “unable to guarantee” that they will meet an IOC deadline to “complete work on the new National Stadium in time” for the ’20 Tokyo Games (REUTERS, 8/25).

The PGA Tour’s Champions Tour has reached a three-year agreement for The Principle Financial Group to remain as title sponsor of The Principal Charity Classic presented by Wells Fargo through ’18 (PGA Tour).

The Univ. of Cincinnati BOT today will meet and is expected to approve a “plan to renovate Fifth Third Arena” (ENQUIRER.com, 8/22).

Godiva is activating its endorsement deal with tennis player Caroline Wozniacki around the upcoming U.S. Open by offering the "Caroline," tennis-themed chocolate, with the purchase of any soft serve from Aug. 31-Sept. 13. Wozniacki yesterday made an appearance at the MetLife Godiva boutique (Godiva).

“Our family office is less than 50 yards from here, and when I drove in and parked this morning, I noticed not all the cars in the garage were Mercedes-Benzs. That was a little disappointing to me. It’s a challenge to you and your organization” – Falcons Owner Arthur Blank, who was introducing Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Steve Cannon, on the cars in the players’ parking lot (AL.com, 8/24).

“Did you ever think you would see Tiger Woods play in our tournament? This has been an unbelievable week, and it’s really hard to put into words what this has meant to our area” – Piedmont Triad Charitable Foundation President Bobby Long, whose organization backs the PGA Tour Wyndham Championship (WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL, 8/25).

“If there are people who don’t like the organization or don’t like me, they will realize they have been wrong … they will realize that” – FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who defended his record as head of the organization in a BBC interview (REUTERS, 8/24).

“Until I was 12 or 13, I played more baseball than I did golf. I learned how to be a teammate, learned how to fall in love with golf as an athlete who plays golf versus being a golfer who tries to be an athlete” – Jordan Spieth, who was talking to First Tee participants, on not focusing on only one sport growing up (NYTIMES.com, 8/24).

Last night’s 1:00am ET edition of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” led with Mets-Phillies, followed by Bengals-Buccaneers, Packers WR Jordy Nelson being out for the season with an injury and Astros-Yankees. Last night’s 1:00am ET edition of FS1’s “Fox Sports Live” led with Bengals-Buccaneers, followed by Mets-Phillies, Indians-Cubs and Astros-Yankees.

The WASHINGTON POST covers the "latest offshoot of the burgeoning analytics world" in sports, in which teams are "leaning on technology and data to not just prevent and rehabilitate injuries but to predict them."

The WASHINGTON TIMES notes NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's "ham-handed approach to various disciplinary issues over the years" keeps the "spotlight away from the gravest issue the NFL wants to downplay: The mental plight players can face."

Also:

• USA Pro Challenge cycling event finds itself at a crossroads.
• Making the case for NFL to cut preseason games in half.
• Language is key to buyout contracts in college sports.
• Players calling for MLB to improve fan safety at ballparks.
• Profile of mascot manufacturer Olympus Group.

NFL is literally the only sport that can have a preseason exhibition become a trending topic on Twitter. Absurdly powerful media.

— Jason Kint (@jason_kint) August 25, 2015

Everyone who covers an NBA team gets burned by an insidious relationship between agent and national writer. Sadly we all know the deal.

— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) August 25, 2015

Bottom line, you can't tell @nfl rookies nothing like that. We suppose to be helping them, not advising them to to have a Fall Guy. Unreal

— Plaxico Burress (@plaxicoburress) August 25, 2015

Safeco Field, did you just start playing "Town Called Malice" and then fade out for "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"? I weep.

— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) August 25, 2015

Steve Berthiaume and Bob Brenly are a good announcing duo in AZ. Starting to think I just like West Coast announcers better for some reason.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) August 25, 2015

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

“Last name of the only family to have a father and a daughter receive Academy Award nominations for Best Director.”

Last night’s edition of TBS’ “Conan” featured host Conan O’Brien discussing his TV viewing habits, noting he was “watching preseason football and I hit the info button and it said, ‘Watch your UPS guy almost make the Rams!’” (“Conan,” CBS, 8/24).

“Who is Coppola?”

Francis Ford Coppola has been nominated four times while his daughter, Sofia Coppola, once for “Lost in Translation” in ‘03.