The exec who oversaw NBC Sports Group’s RSNs for eight years is poised to join a rival and head up Fox Sports’ biggest RSN. Jon Litner will step in as YES Network President and report to the RSN’s board, which is made up of a combination of Fox and Yankees execs, according to several sources. Litner will work day-to-day with Fox Sports Regional Networks President Jeff Krolik. Fox Sports’ parent, 21st Century Fox, bought an 80% stake in YES Network in early '14. Yankees Global Enterprises, which is majority owned by the Steinbrenners, holds the other 20% stake.

Litner is replacing President & CEO Tracy Dolgin, who moved to a non-executive Chair role with the RSN in June. Litner joins as the RSN has gone through a bumpy patch recently. The channel went dark on Comcast systems earlier this year, meaning that Comcast subscribers in Connecticut and New Jersey have not been able to watch most Yankees games all season. Affiliate deals for several Fox channels, including the broadcast channel, some cable channels and some RSNs, are set to expire at the end of the year. The two sides have started negotiations, and sources say it is likely YES Network will be part of any new deal.

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The MLBPA today is introducing a redesigned MLBPlayers.com website, the result of a new digital services partnership with NeuLion. The move takes the site away from the MLBAM platform, which had hosted it since '05, and "introduces a substantial redesign, as well as a rethinking and expansion of the union’s content development and distribution strategy." The NeuLion-MLBPA deal follows an RFP and site redesign process that began early this year. Financial terms were not disclosed, but NeuLion is "essentially providing its services as a vendor" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 9/12 issue).

Manchester United today reported a 30% rise in Q4 revenue but "forecast lower earnings for the current year as the club will miss out on Champions League soccer" after finishing fifth in the EPL last season. ManU said that it expected $226-239M (all figures US) in adjusted core earnings this year after a record figure of $255M for the FY ending June 30. Q4 revenue of $178.4M was up from $140.6 in the year-ago period, with adjusted core earnings up 53% to $65.5M (REUTERS, 9/12).

Western Golf Association Senior VP/Tournaments Vince Pellegrino said that attendance for ysterday's final round of the PGA Tour BMW Championship "reached nearly 35,000 spectators" at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Ind. Despite "concerns about a potential hit to attendance" due to the Colts playing at home, "there seemed little impact on the crowd." The final round of the third FedExCup Playoff event drew 40,000 in '12, when it was last held at Crooked Stick (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 9/12).

Meanwhile, U.S. Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III today will announce three of his four at-large picks for this year's competition, which tees off later this month at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota (Mult., 9/12).

You won’t want to miss the Sports Facilities & Franchises and Ticketing Symposium, Sept. 20-22 in Minneapolis. From the latest in ticketing trends and sales culture to the fan experience, content creation and the latest examples of how VR can help sports organizations, there will be three full days of compelling information, provocative speakers and unprecedented networking. In addition, attendees will tour one of the most talked about new facilities in sports, U.S. Bank Stadium. See the latest agenda, and register today.

The Devils and Prudential Center have reached an agreement with 15 Seconds of Fame that will make the Devils the first NHL team to offer fans the company's in-arena personal video technology and social media app beginning this season (Devils).

A sold-out crowd of more than 27,000 "jammed StubHub Center" for Galaxy F Landon Donovan's return to MLS yesterday as the L.A. club hosted Orlando City SC (L.A. TIMES, 9/12).

The NWSL Seattle Reign "locked arms and stood together for the National Anthem" yesterday prior to the team's home game against the Washington Spirit. This comes after Reign MF Megan Rapinoe had "taken a knee during the anthem Sept. 4 before a match in Chicago" (SEATTLE TIMES, 9/12).

"These guys are making a conversation of something that's a very important topic in this country, and I'm 100 percent supportive of them" – Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross, on four of the team's players kneeling during that National Anthem prior to yesterday's loss to the Seahawks (PALMBEACHPOST.com, 9/11).

"He probably shouldn't have his next fight in the UFC" – UFC President Dana White, on CM Punk's performance during his MMA debut Saturday after a career in WWE (WASHINGTON POST, 9/12).

The N.Y. TIMES noted if anyone in the world "wants to install an artificial turf field of any color besides green," it must "receive permission" from Boise State Dir of Trademark Licensing & Enforcement Rachael Bickerton. She has "received about 40 inquiries" since her hiring in '07. No institution has "challenged Boise State's trademark," but some experts said that the school's protection is "overly broad and open to challenges."

The L.A. DAILY NEWS explores what kind of "domino effect" the Clippers' next media-rights move "would that create in the L.A. sports channel landscape that might cause concern among distributors."

Also: 

• How much is too much for a Cubs fan to pay for a World Series ticket?
• ESPN's Ricky Craven says it is time to end postrace inspections in NASCAR.
• Former Raiders CEO Amy Trask shares business lessons in her new book.
• Teams and leagues launch programs to "raise athletes' fiscal savvy."
• The Rams have already "taken lengthy strides" under GM Les Snead.
• Turbulent times causing more athletes to become "engaged in acts of protest."

15 yrs ago we were preparing to unveil the Albany Warbirds on 9/12. 9/11 happened & this never saw the light of day. pic.twitter.com/KlTCUTMw6p

— Brandiose (@Brandiose) September 12, 2016

Both PTFC teams have been dominant at home this season. Providence Park has been a fun place to watch soccer #RCTID #BAONPDX

— Jamie Goldberg (@Jamiebgoldberg) September 12, 2016

Matt Lauer gets the Roger Goodell interview. I've tried -- and failed -- to land a Goodell interview since 2012.

— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) September 12, 2016

A City Club of Chicago panel on concussions in the NFL features attorney Tom Demetrio, Concussion Legacy Foundation President Chris Nowinski and Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund ambassador Liz Nicholson, and will be moderated by ESPN's Lester Munson. The reception begins at 11:30am CT, with the luncheon starting at 12:00pm.

U.S. gymnasts Simone Biles and Aly Raisman will be sitting in the front row at the Sherri Hill fashion show at 5:30pm ET as part of N.Y. Fashion Week.

The Red Sox hold their annual From Fenway to the Runway fundraiser, featuring players' significant others modeling the season's latest fashions with proceeds benefiting the Red Sox Foundation. The reception begins at 11:30am ET, with the luncheon and fashion show starting at 12:00pm.

Friday night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “U.S. History.”

“In 1790, a deal made Washington the nation’s capital; the room where it happened was at Jefferson’s house and negotiators included Madison and this Cabinet member.”

NBC’s Jimmy Fallon: “During last night’s game between the Broncos and the Panthers, quarterback Cam Newton was spotted on the bench flossing his teeth. Weirdly enough, that was the moment where dudes were like, ‘I could never make it in the NFL. I hate flossing. I can’t do it’” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 9/9).

Friday night’s edition of NBC’s “The Tonight Show” featured the recurring segment “Thank You Notes.” Host Jimmy Fallon said, “Thank you fantasy football for giving out of shape old guys a chance to manage their own football team. And thank you, the NFL, for giving out of shape old guys a chance to manage their own football team” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 9/9).

“Who is Alexander Hamilton?”