The NCAA last night announced that it will "move seven of its championship events out of North Carolina" in '16-17 "because of House Bill 2." That includes the first and second rounds of the '17 NCAA men’s basketball tournament scheduled for the Greensboro Coliseum on March 17 and 19 (Greensboro NEWS & RECORD, 9/13).

ACC Commissioner John Swofford in a statement last night said that the conference "would not make decisions about ACC championships until discussing HB2 at previously scheduled meetings this week." But he added that he personally believed it was "time for the law to be repealed." The ACC football championship is slated for Charlotte in December (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 9/13).

49ers QB Colin Kaepernick again took a knee during the National Anthem prior to last night's home game against the Rams and was "joined for a second straight game" by S Eric Reid, while LB Eli Harold and S Antoine Bethea "raised a fist." Rams WR Kenny Britt and DE Robert Quinn "held their fists in the air, presumably in support of Kaepernick." The game aired on ESPN and on S.F. ABC affiliate KGO, but the anthem and protest "were only shown on ESPN." KGO Assistant News Dir Stephanie Linton said, "Our broadcast rights are only for the game and no pregame activities" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/13).

When Kaepernick entered the game late in the fourth quarter to relieve QB Blaine Gabbert, a "group of fans booed him and chanted, 'U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!'" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 9/13).

The Rams lost their first regular-season game since returning to L.A. last night 28-0 against the 49ers on “MNF,” and the early reviews from the locals were harsh. The L.A. DAILY NEWS' Vincent Bonsignore writes the team "completely whiffed." They could "stumble out of the gate 0-2 and immediately surrender all the positive vibes and momentum created by their triumphant return to Southern California." Bonsignore: "Can you imagine the Coliseum in a month or two if the Rams haven't improved?" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 9/13) 

The L.A. TIMES' Sam Farmer: "The Rams had no rhythm, no confidence and played as if they didn’t have an exhibition season." The TIMES' Bill Plashcke writes under the header, "Rams Opener Isn’t What Los Angeles Was Waiting For." The DAILY NEWS' Mark Whicker writes if the Rams "don't find their way soon, like on Sunday against Seattle, the honeymoon will be more contentious than the divorce." They "did their best to remind us how placid and fulfilling these past 22 years have been."

Time Inc. this morning named Rich Battista President & CEO, succeeding Joe Ripp. Battista previously had been President of Time Inc.’s Entertainment & Sports Group and Video, a portfolio that included SI, and he was a key principal in the recent digital content and sales partnership struck between SI and Fox Sports. Ripp will shift to a new role as Exec Chair leading Time Inc.’s BOD. The move continues a rapid ascendancy within Time Inc. for Battista, who joined the company in March '15 as President of People and Entertainment Weekly magazines after previously serving as CEO of Mandalay Sports Media.

Time Inc., spun off in '14 from Time Warner, has sought to reposition itself from a print-focused entity into a broader multimedia enterprise, a sometimes rocky process that has generated multiple rounds of layoffs and executive restructuring. “As we look to the next phase of our strategy, Rich is the right choice to execute our plans and deliver shareholder value,” Ripp said in a statement.

Nationals 1B Ryan Zimmerman's defamation suit against Al Jazeera America and others involved with "The Dark Side" documentary heads to court today in DC. His case "will be part of a joint motion hearing with a similar suit" filed by Phillies 1B Ryan Howard. The defense will argue for dismissal "on the grounds they cannot prove 'malice.'" The plaintiffs "want the suits to go forward, continuing what is sure to be an extended, and likely invasive, process." Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s ruling "will be the first significant movement in the case" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 9/13).

Golfsmith Int'l is "struggling under a pile of debt" and appears to have "failed in an attempt to sell itself and could be forced to file for bankruptcy within days." Sources said that the retailer "could end up in the arms of Dick’s Sporting Goods if it files for Chapter 11 protection." The Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System owns Golfsmith, which has "more than 150 stores" (N.Y. POST, 9/13).

Ticket bots – automated software programs used to speed through online ticket purchase processes faster than human customers – will be the subject of a hearing on Capitol Hill today. The Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance & Data Security will hold a hearing at 2:30pm ET on the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act of '16, a proposed federal measure to outlaw the use of bots and the resale of tickets obtained through the use of bots. The hearing is scheduled to include testimony from Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby, “Hamilton” producer Jeffrey Seller, StubHub General Counsel Tod Cohen and Jeremy Liegl, Associate General Counsel for Pandora and Ticketfly.
 
The use of bots, already illegal in several state and local jurisdictions, remains prevalent in many sectors of the live entertainment industry, and was the subject of a study released early this year by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, finding that "ticketing, to put it bluntly, is a fixed game."

Former USWNT player Abby Wambach is "opening up about her years of substance abuse" with her book, "Forward: A Memoir," set to go on sale today (WASHINGTON POST, 9/13). In the book, Wambach "tells of her bouts with vodka and pills, which included Vicodin, Ambien and Adderall." Chapters in the book are "words that she has been labeled," including tomboy, captain, lesbian and addict. She said that she has been "sober since the night she was pulled over in Portland" and arrested for DUI in April (AP, 9/12).

Wambach appeared on ABC's "GMA" this morning to promote the book (THE DAILY).

Two men "ran onto the stage" toward U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte last night during the season premiere of ABC's "Dancing With The Stars" and "had to be tackled by security." The men, who were "wearing anti-Lochte T-shirts," were subsequently arrested on trespassing charges (ESPN.com, 9/13). It is "unclear exactly what happened because the ABC cameras did not show the incident" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/13). Lochte said that he feels "a little hurt" after what occurred (AP, 9/13).

TNT’s Shaquille O’Neal appeared on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” and discussed his recent induction into the Basketball HOF. Host Jimmy Fallon said, “You got a big laugh by thanking Kobe Bryant.” O’Neal: “I love Kobe, he’s a great player. We just had work drama. Off the court, great relationship. ... Like I said, he helped me get pushed off the team and traded to Miami.” Fallon said of O’Neal's work on TNT, “You’re just good on camera.” Fallon and O’Neal then played a game of “Jell-O Shot Twister,” where each player took a Jell-O shot every time they moved to a new spot. O’Neal: “We’ve played four games already and you’ve beaten me three times. I’m guaranteeing a win today” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 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.

Rutgers this morning announced plans for the "Big Ten Battle in the Bronx,'' a football and wrestling doubleheader against Maryland at Yankee Stadium on Nov. 4, 2017 (NJ.com, 9/13).

UFC officials yesterday confirmed that the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas will host "The Ultimate Fighter" Season 24 finale card on Dec. 3. Demetrious Johnson will "face the winner of the tournament," which is currently airing Wednesday nights on FS1 (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 9/13).

Michigan-based General Sports & Entertainment President & CEO Andy Appleby, whose company founded the United Shore Professional Baseball League this year, is looking to "add a fourth team" in Utica, Mich., for '17 and "begin to expand the league across the Midwest after that" (CRAINSDETROIT.com, 9/12).

"I hear (from IOC members) that we’re a little bit of an underdog. We started later, Paris is further ahead, that kind of stuff" – L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, on the city's chances of winning the bid to host the '24 Games (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 9/13).

"If he gets a fine, I'm going to take care of that" – Titans coach Mike Mularkey, on the possibility that the NFL fines LB Avery Williamson for wearing patriotic cleats Sunday in honor of the Sept. 11 attacks (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 9/13).

"No question. We dodged a few bullets the past few years with him. I'm sort of expecting, if not now, soon" – Cubs GM Jed Hoyer, on the possibility of Senior VP/Scouting & Player Development Jason McLeod leaving the organization to take a GM role with another club. The team granted the Twins permission to talk to McLeod about their vacancy (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/13).

THERINGER.com notes Sean McDonough becoming ESPN's "MNF" play-by-play man marks the "end of a 23-year wilderness period where he’d been trying to regain a top announcing spot." It "turns out an announcer’s career is determined as much by his network’s rights fees as his own talent."

SI's CAMPUS RUSH goes with the header, "The Tess Effect: A Study Of Joe Tessitore's Magic Spell Over the World Of College Football."

Also: 

• Tom Brady, Michael Strahan talk "Religion Of Sports" documentary.
• College football game at a NASCAR track is "ridiculous in a fun way."
• Steelers WR Antonio Brown and DJ Khaled bond over Snapchat.

The Rams are playing as if they might be distracted and ashamed of the memory they abandoned a proud city willing to build them a new home.

— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) September 13, 2016

the slogan says "There is only one Monday Night" Sadly, there were 2 on this godforsaken Sept. 12th #MNF

— Tony Bruno (@TonyBrunoShow) September 13, 2016

Just making neutral observation: Today’s NCAA actions in UNC cannot be a good sign for BYU re @Big12Conference given LGBT letter to conf.

— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) September 12, 2016

Ovechkin doesn't like division playoff format? What stokes rivalries better? Playoff heartbreak adds salt to regular season games. #BosVsMtl

— Jack Edwards (@RealJackEdwards) September 13, 2016

A fan "ran on the field in the fourth quarter" of last night's Rams-49ers game and, despite the lopsided 21-0 score, Westwood One radio announcer Kevin Harlan "wanted to have some fun." He provided play-by-play of the bare-chested intruder's sprint around the field. After the man was tackled, Harlan said, "That was the most exciting thing to happen tonight" (USATODAY.com, 9/13).

Kevin Harlan is a national treasure: pic.twitter.com/CQFjPxkTMX

— Dieter Kurtenbach (@dkurtenbach) September 13, 2016

NASCAR’s new video game, "NASCAR Heat Evolution," hits stores today for Xbox One, PS4 and PC.

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Asian Islands.”

“Phuket, the largest island of this country, has regained its tourism industry after a natural disaster in 2004.”

Last night’s edition of “Jeopardy!” featured the category “College Football.”

For $200: “With the addition of Nebraska in 2011, this conference had 12 teams but no name change.”
For $400: “After 27 years without a mate, Wilbur, the Arizona Wildcat, got married to Wilma before the 1986 version of ‘The Dual in the Desert,’ Arizona’s football game against this rival school.”
For $600: “In 2013 the Military Bowl moved from Washington, DC, to the home field of this nearby military academy.”
For $800: The answer was read by radio host Dan Patrick: “Will Ferrell appeared on my show in character as Ron Burgundy to re-create some of the great calls in sports history, including Doug Flutie’s Hail Mary pass that won the game for this school over Miami in 1984.”
For $1000: “In January 2011 this SEC team’s Tigers defeated the Oregon Ducks to win the BCS Championship.”

NBC's Jimmy Fallon in his monologue congratulated tennis player Stan Wawrinka for winning the U.S. Open before airing a taped segment in which Fallon he played Wawrinka in a game of Nintendo Wii tennis. Fallon: “We’re going to do it the old fashioned way, like real men. I’m talking about Nintendo Wii tennis” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 9/12). 

NBC’s Fallon: “The NFL season kicked off this weekend. It was exciting. I read that two starters for the Buffalo Bills missed the team bus to the game and had to take an Uber to the game. The Uber driver said, ‘Good luck with your football game,’ and they said, ‘Good luck with baseball, Tebow’” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 9/12).

TBS’ Conan O’Brien said, “A new report came out shows that Donald Trump’s charity once bought a football helmet autographed by Tim Tebow. That explains Trump’s first campaign slogan, ‘Make America a Garage Full of Worthless Sports Memorabilia’” (“Conan,” TBS, 9/12).

Last night’s edition of TBS’ “Conan” featured the segment “Conan O’Brien’s 2016 NFL Preview.” O’Brien: “In the NFC, I'm picking the San Francisco 49ers.” Co-host Andy Richter said, “Wait, aren't they supposed to be terrible this year?” O’Brien: “Not according to my research. I say five-time Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Montana and his go-to wide receiver Jerry Rice will lead the Niners back to the Super Bowl where they belong. In the AFC, I like the Denver Broncos behind their own strong-armed quarterback, John Elway. I see a great future for that kid.” Richter: “Conan, he's retired.” O’Brien: “I also look for solid rookie seasons from the Lions' Barry Sanders and the Cowboys' Troy Aikman, all leading to a classic Super Bowl in New Orleans where the halftime show will feature clarinetist Pete Fountain and a tribute to the comic strip Peanuts. It's going to be a great year.” Richter interrupted and said, “Stop the music, please. Where do you get your sports information?” O’Brien replied, “What are you talking about? The 1989 Sports Illustrated NFL preview issue.” Richter asked, “Oh Conan, were you at the dentist's office today?” O’Brien: “That's where I get all my sports news.” Richter: “Doctors and dentists, for the love of God, please refresh the reading material in your offices on a regular basis” (“Conan,” TBS, 9/12).

“What is Thailand?”

Correct responses to the “College Football” category:

$200: “What is the Big Ten?”
$400: “What is Arizona State?”
$600: “What is the Naval Academy?”
$800: “What is Boston College?”
$1000: “What is Auburn?”