Panthers coach Ron Rivera prior to last night's incidents said that the "violence, destruction and looting" were "not the 'right way' to protest" police shootings. Rivera: "Maybe instead of tearing up your own city, maybe instead of doing things the wrong way, we do things the right way" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 9/22).

Panthers officials today are "meeting to discuss security plans" for Sunday's home game against the Vikings. One of their "biggest concerns is, are there enough police in the town to handle what’s going on with the protests and the security at the stadium?" They "haven't talked about canceling right now or postponing, but they are concerned about having enough security for this game" (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 9/22).

A source said that Oregon State AD and Todd Stansbury "has been hired" to fill Georgia Tech's AD position. The school has called a 10:00am ET news conference to introduce him. Stansbury has been at OSU since August '15 "after holding the same position for three years" at UCF. Stansbury "played football at Tech" in the early '80’s and graduated in '84. The search process "moved fairly quickly, completing itself about six weeks after the search committee was formed" Aug. 11 following Mike Bobinski’s departure for Purdue (AJC.com, 9/22).

Meanwhile, the Fort Wayne NEWS-SENTINEL examines Bobinski's goal of taking Purdue athletics "from good to great."

The Indiana Fever last night prior to their WNBA playoff opener against the Phoenix Mercury "knelt in unison for the national anthem." It was the "first time an entire team has knelt for the anthem." The Fever "didn’t tell anyone outside the locker room of their pregame plans, not even coach Stephanie White." Mercury F Mistie Bass and C Kelsey Bone "also knelt for the anthem." Fever C Eriana Larkins said that what happened "started in the Mercury locker room." Larkins: "We heard Phoenix wanted to do something, and we just joined in the decision and decided to stand as one" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 9/22).

Three longtime sports media execs are planning to launch a spring football league by ’18. Former NBC, TBS and MSG exec Michael Lardner, former NBC, CBS, TBS and WWE exec Rex Lardner and MSG CFO Robert Pollichino are behind the Spring League of American Football (SLAF). The league plans to launch with 10 teams playing a 10-game regular-season schedule that runs from April through early July.

The league will place teams in regional areas, like the Texas/Southwest region and the Florida/Southeast region, and will feature players that have some sort of geographic affiliation to the area. The three execs say they are negotiating with additional ownership groups and media companies, and expect to have more announcements later this year or early next year.

IOC President Thomas Bach today "arrived in South Korea" for a "two-day visit to inspect preparations" for the '18 PyeongChang Games. Bach "will visit Olympic facilities, including new snow and ice venues that are under construction, and meet with organizers there before leaving the country" tomorrow afternoon. POCOG has "struggled with construction delays, local conflicts over venue constructions and difficulties attracting domestic sponsorships" (AP, 9/22).

British golfer Andrew "Beef" Johnston stars in "three new commercials" for Arby's as he "continues to make a name for himself." Two of the ads will air during the PGA Tour Championship, which starts today. A third spot will be "played during the Ryder Cup telecast." Johnston recently secured his PGA Tour card for the '16-17 season (GOLFWEEK.com, 9/21).

The changing state of the ticketing industry will be squarely in focus today at SBJ/SBD's AXS Ticketing Symposium, which comes on the heels of the Sports Facilities conference in Minneapolis. Morning sessions include panel discussions on "Changing Dynamics: A Look at the Rapidly Changing Ticketing Industry and the Opportunities Ahead," "Creating and Managing a Winning Sales Culture: Motivating Millennials and More!" and A Championship Effort: A Behind-the Scenes-Look at Special Events, Ticketing and Operations During the NBA Finals." See the full agenda.

At the Symposium, Tecate VP/Marketing Felix Palau will talk about the strategy that led to Tecate emerging as the fastest selling light beer in the U.S. He will discuss how Tecate focused heavily on bicultural Hispanics and their two biggest passions – boxing and soccer. For more information and to register for the Symposium, visit www.SportsMarketingSymposium.com. 

Delta Air Lines and UCLA have reached a three-year agreement among the airline, the university and the Rose Bowl for Delta to serve as the official airline of UCLA Athletics and Rose Bowl Stadium (THE DAILY).

Saturday's Idaho-UNLV football game will stream live on Twitter, "along with being streamed on the Mountain West Network." The conference and Campus Insiders have partnered with Twitter to "show MWC games live this season" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 9/22).

The Univ. of South Carolina has announced that it  "will not bid" on a '17 NCAA men’s basketball regional. The school cited "lack of full-service hotel properties for the dates (March 17-19) as the reason for not submitting a bid" (Columbia STATE, 9/22).

“I have an eight month old at home. Diapers are expensive. I wish I was getting the benefits of AARP right now, but I think they probably realized I might have a little more time left in me" – Galaxy F Landon Donovan, on being met with "AARP" chants during the team's game at Sporting KC (Torrance DAILY BREEZE, 9/22).

"The tickets are a little higher, but you can bring in your own food and beverages. You take in the marketing, promotions, I’m sure they’re not the best. I get all that, but I’m saying, the city wanted a winner. The last five years we’ve gotten a winner" – Orioles CF Adam Jones, on small crowds at Camden Yards (Baltimore SUN, 9/22).

In the ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, Pro Football HOFer Fran Tarkenton writes, "On Sunday afternoon, I walked into U.S. Bank Stadium and got a tour of the most magnificent stadium I’ve ever seen. I was overwhelmed. Astounded. How is it possible to build something that big, that functional – that beautiful – for a game of football?"

The N.Y. TIMES explores the "multiyear collection initiative started late last year by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History called 'Latinos and  Baseball: In the Barrios and the Big Leagues.'"

Also: 

• For Big 12, expansion and politics are a "combustible mix."
• Clemson's football success results in financial windfall.
• A look back at NFL and Marvel's "SuperPro" collaboration. 
• Writer fondly remembers baseball film "The Sandlot."

Fun fact: try to go to Sports Authority dot com + it redirects to Dick's Sporting Goods site. Boosted $DKS traffic 73% last month (per Citi)

— Sara Germano (@germanotes) September 21, 2016

This ESPN broadcast needs all the voice upgrade it can get. Lucky to have Vin total package on @SportsNetLA https://t.co/BwPIHAtPoh

— Tom Hoffarth (@tomhoffarth) September 22, 2016

The great AD realignment of 2016 continues. Active searches at Tennessee, now Oregon State and likely Mississippi State in the coming weeks

— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) September 22, 2016

Europe already has an established pathway for prospects to develop into NBA players. Africa, China, SE Asia, India have bigger needs now.

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) September 21, 2016

This to me looks like control masquerading as compromise...NBA, union eye options beyond anthem protests https://t.co/Avm2gZtLu2

— Howard Bryant (@hbryant42) September 22, 2016

Georgetown Univ. is "offering a marriage proposal package" for its 17 home men's basketball games this season that "includes a money-back guarantee in the event that someone's significant other says no." GU Marketing Dir Chris Grosse said that he has "received some calls already expressing interest." The package "starts at $100, and nuptial-minded hoops fans get a planner to craft the perfect proposal, seats to the game, T-shirts and a photographer to capture the occasion" (Baltimore SUN, 9/22).

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “College Disciplines.”

“Embracing the future and new technology in 1962, Purdue established the first college department in the U.S. for this two-word discipline.”

Ice Cube was a guest on TBS’ “Conan” and said of the Rams moving back to L.A., “I'm a full-time Raider fan and a part-time Ram fan right now. … I'm just happy to have football back in L.A. I went to the Coliseum this week and saw the game. It was real cool just to have the NFL logo on the field. It was just fun.” He said of wearing Raiders apparel to the Rams game, “A couple of people had the nerve to say, ‘Cube, what are you doing in your Raider gear? This is Rams.’ I just had to give them the look. Not today, baby” (“Conan,” TBS, 9/21).

“What is Computer Science?”