Wall Street late yesterday deepened its long-running skepticism of Twitter, sending shares down by nearly 11% in after-hours trading after the S.F.-based company posted another round of disappointing earnings for Q2. Twitter said it has grown to 313 million monthly active users, up 3% year-over-year and up from 310 million in Q1, with improved levels of user engagement. But the $602M in Q2 revenue was below analyst projections and marked the eighth straight period of slowing growth, and Twitter lowered forecasts for Q3 due to diminished expectations for ad revenue. Twitter stock has fallen by double-digit percentages following each of its past four quarterly earnings reports.

A focus on live streaming video of name-brand content, highlighted by a recent run of sports deals, now represents a foundational pillar for the company. But co-Founder & CEO Jack Dorsey in yesterday's earnings call acknowledged that process remains a work in progress. “We’re partnering with providers of the world’s most popular content,” he said. “All this work is planting seeds for meaningful contributions to our continued growth.”

A crowd of "about 18,000 fans" attended last night's U.S.-China men's basketball exhibition at Oracle Arena, a game that featured Kevin Durant playing in Oakland "as a Warrior for the first time." Durant scored Team USA's first 10 points on his way to 13 in the 107-57 win. Coach Mike Krzyzewski "purposely started all three Warriors" on his roster – Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green – as a "nod to the crowd" (MERCURYNEWS.com, 7/26). Durant was booed in L.A. recently but "received a far friendlier reception" from last night's sellout crowd (AP, 7/27).

The Heads Up Football program funded and promoted by the NFL has shown "no demonstrable effects on concussions" and "significantly less effect on injuries over all" according to follow-up interviews and research on a study published in July '15. The league and USA Football "have sold Heads Up Football to thousands of leagues and parents as having been proved effective – that an independent study showed the program reduced injuries" by 76% and concussions by about 30%. But the study "showed no such thing." NFL and USA Football reps said that they "had been unaware that their claims of Heads Up Football's effectiveness were unsupported" (NYTIMES.com, 7/27).

The Saints today will "help West Virginia in its time of need," assisting in flood relief efforts at Villa Park in White Sulphur Springs before their training camp begins at The Greenbrier tomorrow. The team "also asked fans to donate to the United Way" (WVMETRONEWS.com, 7/26). Greenbrier Owner Jim Justice said the Saints' return is "more important than you'll know." Justice: "When you're hurting, and someone takes a bold step to step out and say we're there for you, and we're coming. ... It was really, really meaningful" (FOX8LIVE.com, 7/26).

Puma today reported a "stronger-than-expected rise" in Q2 sales, "helped by the European soccer championships as well as popular women's products endorsed by singer Rihanna and celebrity Kylie Jenner." The company reported a net profit of $1.8M (all figures US), compared to a loss of $3.3M in the year-ago period. Sales rose 7% to $909M, "beating analysts' average forecast" of $901M (REUTERS, 7/27).

The foundation also will benefit from the release of a new poster featuring Wilson, titled "Armed & Dangeruss." It is the first poster produced in more than 20 years by brothers Tock and John Costacos, whose iconic posters were sold widely in the '80s and '90s. It is available for $20, with all proceeds going to Why Not You (THE DAILY).

U.S. Department of Transportation officials this week are expected to announce the award of a $19M grant to "help build a deck" over Crosstown Boulevard in Pittsburgh. The deck is "part of a larger plan" proposed by the Penguins to "rebuild the street grid" on the former Civic Arena site and link it to the Hill District. In addition to the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant, the Penguins "will chip in $900,000," with additional funding from "state and local sources" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 7/27).

Comcast has reached a deal with the military's retail arm "to stream the Rio Olympics 'at no cost' to seven million active military personnel and retirees" (PHILLY.com, 7/26).

A survey conducted by the DAILY MIRROR shows that EPL club Chelsea has overtaken Manchester United "as the most hated club" in the league (DAILY MIRROR, 7/26). 

Wasserman today announced the expansion of its Global Football division with the acquisition of France-based agency Mondial Promotion, which represents over 60 clients (Wasserman).

Rams QB Jared Goff, the No.1 pick in this year's NFL Draft, "was not made available to the media" yesterday. He arrived at training camp "about 45 minutes before other rookies and was greeted by a crew from the 'Hard Knocks' television show as he checked in" (L.A. TIMES, 7/27). 

A formal announcement is expected soon that the '17 Grey Cup "will be held at TD Place stadium" in Ottawa (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 7/27).

"Having the flag on my shoulder, or me representing the flag, United States of America, is very special. Here we know what to expect when you win a major or to win Travelers, but when it comes to Olympics, nobody knows" – Golfer Bubba Watson, on competing in the Rio Games (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/27).

"Technology changes it seems daily, and consumers are changing how they demand their content all the time. We just need to stay together and work to try to it make better" – C-USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod, on boosting TV revenue for the conference (DENTON RECORD-CHRONICLE, 7/27).

"It's annoying, there's no doubt about that" – Packers LB Clay Matthews, on the Al Jazeera America report linking him to PED use (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 7/27).

"I don’t think people realize how many athletes are at the poverty line. Some gold medalists make a ton of money. But a lot of people are eating Top Ramen (noodles) and water" – U.S. triathlete Greg Billington, on the financial struggles of Olympians (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/27).

The WASHINGTON TIMES notes the NFL and NFLPA are issuing a joint message to players as they arrive for training camp that playing football "is dangerous to your health" following the institution of a new concussion policy. 

ESPN.com conducts a Q&A with Las Vegas NHL team GM George McPhee as he looks to "build a competitive team from scratch."

Also:

• Why adidas' Stan Smith shoes are everywhere.
• Can Theo Epstein end another city's curse?
• The four biggest threats to the Rio Games.
• Charlotte girl meets First Lady on Cam Newton's Nickelodeon show.
• Indianapolis likely passes NCAA anti-discrimination test.
• Pac-12 looks to keep pace in membership, TV exposure.
• Sarah Thomas reflects on first season as full-time NFL official.

Pats report to camp today preparing to start a QB not named Brady in opener for first time since 2001, snapping NFL's longest active streak.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 27, 2016

Over 100k was raised 2nite 4 our fallen officers #SouthernGlazer #thankyou @dallascowboys @1053thefan #DallasStrong pic.twitter.com/p9jv6F991b

— Chief David O. Brown (@DPDChief) July 27, 2016

#Dodgers Yasiel Puig got letter from MLB warning him he would be fined $5K if he wore Vin Scully cleats again. Does not comply w/ uni rules

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 26, 2016

Only watching the convention to see if the Phillie Phanatic runs on and pulls someone's pants down #DNCinPHL

— Eric Stangel (@EricStangel) July 27, 2016

The Marlins will unveil the official logo for the '17 All-Star Game at Marlins Park.

The Penguins will hold a public viewing party for the premiere of their Stanley Cup championship film at Stage AE in Pittsburgh.

Jack Nicklaus, his wife Barbara and Delaware North Chair Jeremy Jacobs will open the Jack Nicklaus Golden Bear Grill, the family’s first branded restaurant, at the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood Int'l Airport.

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

“On his 1849 death, it was said he was ‘regarded rather with curiosity than admiration’ and ‘few will be grieved.’”

Last night’s edition of CBS’ “The Late Late Show” featured the English parents of host James Corden attending WWE’s “Monday Night Raw” in London. Corden said when the WWE invited the show to attend the event he “naturally sent two correspondents that have never seen a minute of professional wrestling, my parents” (“The Late Late Show,” CBS, 7/26). Watch the full segment on CBS.com.

CBS’ Stephen Colbert said of the Democratic National Convention, “Hillary’s still got work ahead of her to get everyone excited, but luckily they’re in Philadelphia, home of professional crowd exciter, the Philly Phanatic. Unfortunately, the Philly Phanatic wasn't available for the convention because it belongs to some sort of baseball team and they can’t spare him because he is the only entertaining part.” The broadcast then presented a replacement mascot named the “Hilly Fanatic” (“The Late Show,” CBS, 7/26).

“Who was Edgar Allan Poe?”