Sources said that the Big 12 "would prefer to wrap up the expansion process before the start" of this football season. It is "not clear whether a final decision on timing has been made." Sources said that the Big 12 "doesn't want expansion to overshadow the league's football season with a drawn-out process." The season kicks off Sept. 2. If expansion is announced before the season, that "conceivably would give the new schools a chance to begin playing in the conference" in '17 (CBSSPORTS.com, 7/29).

A crowd of 18,000 "welcomed the MLS All-Star Game" to San Jose's Avaya Stadium. It was an "exciting, loose match played by well-known players" of both the MLS ALL-Stars and their opponent, Arsenal. But like most any All-Star Game, it "wasn’t about the result." It "was about the wattage on the field." Despite the crowd in San Jose "largely backing the MLS’ best, there were a large number of red Arsenal jerseys sprinkled throughout the blue seats of Avaya" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/29).

Clothing retailer Ralph Lauren has "never run a TV spot on the Olympics -- until now." Company Exec VP/Advertising, Marketing & Communications David Lauren said that the spot is the "first TV ad for Ralph Lauren's apparel business in at least eight years." The 30-second spot "touts patriotism and features six athletes," including swimmer Ryan Lochte, beach volleyball player April Ross and wrestler Jordan Burroughs, "as they push themselves to prepare for the competition." The ad, "produced in-house," will air from Aug. 6-16 (ADAGE.com, 7/29).

Fans of the Ralph Lauren Team USA collection beginning today "can own the uniforms." The Team USA ceremony T-shirt "retails for $89.50," while the boat shoe is $350 on Ralph Lauren's site (USA TODAY, 7/29).

First look! Check out @TeamUSA's Opening Ceremony outfits: https://t.co/4U3YuPZHFJ #RoadToRio pic.twitter.com/T1MnuhaSkw

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) July 29, 2016

Skateboarding, surfing, karate, sports climbing and baseball/softball have all been "recommended for inclusion by the IOC" at the '20 Tokyo Games. An Olympic program commission report released on Friday said that the five "are a blend of the traditional and emerging, youth-focused events, and all have international and local appeal." The IOC "will make the final decision on the five sports in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 3, two days before the opening ceremony" of the Summer Games. In assessing the case for inclusion, the commission "considered gender equality, youth appeal and their legacy value" (AP, 7/29).

Basketball HOFer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar took the stage last night at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, where he "took a jab at Republican nominee Donald Trump." He said, “Hello everyone. I’m Michael Jordan, and I’m here with Hillary. I said that because I know that Donald Trump couldn’t tell the difference" (TIME.com, 6/28).

Meanwhile, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel last night asked UFC President Dana White about speaking at the RNC and whether Donald Trump “has promised you an ambassadorship or a cabinet position?” White: “Nothing like that.” Kimmel said, “You know you could get that out of him" (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 7/28).   

A source said that Univ. of Missouri interim AD Wren Baker is "expected to be offered" the AD position at the Univ. of North Texas when UNT's regents meet today. Baker, the "leading candidate" for the UNT job, would replace Rick Villarreal, who "stepped down in May after 15 seasons with the Mean Green" (K.C. STAR, 7/28). UNT "will likely wait until next week to hold a press conference to introduce" its new AD (DENTONRC.com, 7/27).

Fenway Sports Management today at Levi’s Stadium will hold a summit on sports technology and fan experience in advance of tomorrow's Int'l Champions Cup match at the facility between Liverpool and AC Milan. The event will include Intel CEO Brian Krzanich, EA Sports Chief Competition Officer Peter Moore, NBA Kings co-owner and NRG eSports Chair & co-founder Andrew Miller, VR outfit Strivr CEO Derek Belch, Facebook Head of Global Sports Partnerships Dan Reed, New Balance President & CEO Rob DeMartini and SpringHill Entertainment CEO Maverick Carter. The session will focus on emerging areas such as wearable tech, VR, e-sports and big data.

The Dolphins today begin training camp at Nova Southeastern Univ. in Davie, Fla., where fan amenities will include food trucks and a "new canopy placed over the entire seated area." Also, a "new area reserved for children 12 and under will provide them with special access to get autographs from players at the conclusion of practice." Tickets for the 12 open practices are "free, but limited to 2,000 per day," matching the capacity at Baptist Health Training Facility (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 7/26).

The Nov. 21 Texans-Raiders game set for Estadio Azteca in Mexico City sold out Thursday morning. The matchup will be the first "MNF" game played outside the U.S. (NFL).

Columbia Sports announced record Q2 net sales of $388.8M million for the period ended June 30, up 2% compared with net sales of $380.2M in Q2 '15. Through the first six months of '16, net sales grew $54.7M, or 6%, to $913.9M, compared to $859.2M in the first half of '15 (Columbia).

"It's not as dangerous. Of course there is always a possibility that you can get that virus, but I think, you know, maybe the fuss and the buzz about that virus has been created with some kind of other intent. But I'm not going to get into that" -- Novak Djokovic, on the threat of Zika at the Rio Games (TENNIS.com, 7/28).

"It’s terrible. No offense to whoever made it and whoever loved the ball" -- Raptors and Team USA G DeMar DeRozan, on the basketball used during FIBA and Olympic competitions (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 7/29).

"FS1 has definitely been starved for attention -- I think that's very safe to say -- for the last three years. What's going to stick? What's going to make people talk about us? How do we get people to watch this new channel just to break normal viewing habits? So I think a lot of that for me too was, we've got new bosses in, we've got new shows, we've got new people, how do you stand out?" - FS1's Julie Stewart-Binks ("The Garbage Time Podcast With Katie Nolan," 7/28).

The CHARLOTTE OBSERVER examines how Charlotte business leaders "scrambled unsuccessfully" to keep NBA All-Star Game.

The Palm Springs DESERT SUN offers several options on how the date of the '20 PGA Championship could be moved to better accommodate a possible return of the Summer Olympics.

Also:

• How Apple's hard-charging tactics hurt TV expansion.
• Jets LB Josh Martin spent summer as intern at venture capital firm.
• U.S. women's sports expected to continue dominance in Rio.
• The road Stan Kroenke has taken to become sports' most powerful man.
• Sports simulator manufacturer lands product in Hockey HOF.
• Insight on the many sides of Redskins Owner Daniel Snyder.
• A profile of Greensboro Swarm President Steve Swetoha.

As one who often sat around sets & dissected events into the wee hours, I watch #CNN mega panel "postgame" with strange fascination.

— Chris Fowler (@cbfowler) July 29, 2016

I was kind of a fan of the whole process. Of course, I'm 1200 miles away and don't have to watch Sixers games. https://t.co/pkOYjH9V6J

— Tim Cowlishaw (@TimCowlishaw) July 29, 2016

Congrats to Washington Huskies...I hear they will wear @VicisPro helmets in 2016! https://t.co/pFcsCHMEVj

— Charles Davis (@CFD22) July 29, 2016

Our prayers tonight are with the family of Micah Ahern, age 7, who passed away today from cancer. He was TCU team's heroic inspiration.

— Gil LeBreton (@gilebreton) July 29, 2016

When I covered #CFL 20 years ago this summer, folks were predicting demise. Yet it's here on US cable 2 decades later. Cost containment big.

— Geoff Baker (@GeoffBakerTIMES) July 29, 2016

Fenway Sports Management will host a presentation and panel discussion at Levi's Stadium titled, "Changing The Game: How Technology Is Enhancing The Sports Experience."

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Names in the News.”

“This 52-year-old went through a temporary growth spurt, growing two inches in less than a year, as revealed by a 2016 physical.”

Last night’s edition of “Jeopardy” featured the category “Major Sports Teams’ Name In Common.”
For $200: “New York and San Francisco”
For $400: “New York and Texas”
For $600: “New York and Winnipeg”
For $800: “Arizona and St. Louis”
For $1000: “Florida and Carolina”

UFC President Dana White appeared on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” last night, with host Jimmy Kimmel wishing him a happy birthday. Kimmel asked, “Is this the happiest birthday yet after making $4 billion?” White: “It doesn’t suck.” Kimmel noted White owned 9% of the UFC so after the sale “now you have $360 million, plus whatever you had before that.” White: “I got a couple of bucks.” Kimmel said, “Will you build a castle?” White: “We’ve been doing this for almost 20 years and I don’t know what else I need.” White said, “This is the honest to God truth. When this deal closed, it bugged me out a little bit. … When you make that kind of money and I’ve been with my partners for 20 years so that’s all going to change. I have new partners now and I kind of Howard Hughes-ed myself up into a hotel room for a couple of days, didn’t sleep or eat. It kind of freaked me out a little bit.” White said of the fighters in the UFC, “I have good relationships with most of the guys. There are some guys I can’t stand.” Kimmel noted, “There are some crazy guys in that league.” Kimmel said White has a five-year deal with the new owners of the UFC and “they want you to stay because otherwise it’s not necessarily worth anything if you’re not there anymore.” White: “I don’t know if that’s true, but that’s nice. … I love what I do for a living and I would have signed a 55-year deal with guys” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 7/28).

“Who is Scott Kelly?” Kelly spent a year in space in zero gravity.

Correct responses to the “Major Sports Teams’ Name In Common” category were:
For $200: “Who are the Giants?”
For $400: “Who are the Rangers?”
For $600: “Who are Jets?”
For $800: “Who are the Cardinals?”
For $1000: “Who are the Panthers?”