The Univ. of Miami today "will unveil plans" for a new $30M indoor football facility and football operations center. Renderings show an "80,000 square-foot indoor practice field and 20,000 square-foot football operations center that will house coaches' offices on a mezzanine level, team meeting rooms, position meeting rooms and a recruiting suite." The facility "will be built over the existing turf practice field Miami uses" and will "connect to the current weight room in the Hecht Athletic Center." The turf field "only goes 80 yards because of space limitations, but there will also be a 40-yard spillover field included in the building" (ESPN.com, 9/22).

Texans OT Duane Brown during last night's game against the Patriots "raised his fist" during the National Anthem. Brown "has been outspoken on social media in his outrage about the rash of killings" throughout the U.S. Brown: "Just a symbol of my support and raising awareness for the recent killings of unarmed black men, I think it's something that needs to be changed. I was just showing my support. It's frustrating" (CHRON.com, 9/22). The CBS broadcast showed Brown's act "as it came back from a first quarter commercial." It "was not shown live" (NBCSPORTS.com, 9/22).

Las Vegas NHL Owner Bill Foley yesterday said that the final design on the expansion team’s logo and the color scheme that will be used on its uniforms "still has not been finalized." Foley said the unveiling of the name "might wait until early November." Foley said, "We had a webinar (Thursday) with adidas and the NHL, and we’re still tweaking the logo and the use of the colors. ... The jerseys will take a little longer to produce.” Foley "initially was hoping for an announcement to coincide with the first-ever NHL games at T-Mobile Arena on Oct. 7-8" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 9/23).

Meanwhile, the team "will have a 20-year ground lease for its practice facility" in Summerlin, Nev. The facility is "expected to be completed about two months before the team will play its first game at T-Mobile Arena" (LAS VEGAS SUN, 9/23).

Digital media company Whistle Sports signed a deal with the NFL that will allow the service to create and distribute NFL-themed content on social media this season. The NFL views this as an opportunity to reach younger fans, given the demographic of Whistle’s viewers. The NFL deal will see players participate in typical Whistle programming, including comedy, impersonations, trick shots and e-sports. Whistle also will provide workout and training videos, skill competitions and documentaries on fans. Whistle sells advertisers on presenting sponsorships and brand integrations through these videos. Whistle President Jeff Urban and NFL VP/Media Strategy Julie Moeller led the deal discussions for both sides.

The Ryder Cup Shop at Hazeltine National Golf Club hosts its grand opening today through Monday with an event "open to the public at no charge." More than 1,500 items will be on display in the 49,000-square-foot space. In order to "make visiting the store worthwhile," less than 5% of the items being offered in the store "will be sold online at PGA.com." The shop this year is adding "exclusive departments" featuring brands such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Vineyard Vines, Cutter & Buck, Greg Norman, Nike, adidas, Tervis and Sunice (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 9/22).

The NWSL has "declined to fine or sanction Washington Spirit owner Bill Lynch for playing the national anthem while players were still in the locker room before a Sept. 7 match," thwarting Seattle Reign MF Megan Rapinoe’s "plan to kneel as part of her efforts to bring attention to social justice issues." The league also "decided to not take action against Rapinoe, who, after the match at Maryland SoccerPlex, accused Lynch of being homophobic" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/23).

NASL yesterday in a statement said that that its owners remain "undaunted in the challenge to reach their long-term goals." The statement came hours after the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers Managing Dir Luis Cuccatti confirmed the club had "sought financial support from the league and a day after the league was hit by a barrage of negative press." NASL's current situation "will be addressed" at a BOG meeting next week (SOCCERAMERICA.com, 9/23).

Sign up for our special offer for the 15th annual Learfield Intercollegiate Athletics Forum, to be held Dec. 7-8 at the New York Marriott Marquis at Times Square. To Register and Save $200 on the Forum, visit IntercollegiateAthleticsForum.com. Special offer expires Friday, Sept. 30.

The sale of the Flyers to Comcast is "subject to approval" of the NHL, which is "expected to consider the matter" at its BOG meeting today in N.Y. (PHILLY.com, 9/22).

The Univ. of Kentucky last night "dedicated larger-than-life bronze statues of its first four black football players" in a ceremony that "drew a large crowd in the hundreds outside Gate 12 of Commonwealth Stadium" (LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER, 9/23).

The Suns last night released a new video "promoting their WeArePHX 'Momentum' campaign." Narrated by head coachEarl Watson, the video "emphasizes the team's youthful roster, with an homage to the five ex-Kentucky Wildcats on the team" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 9/23).

For the second year in a row, the Brewers "will hold a town hall-style event for fans to hear from the team's decision makers." On Thursday, Nov. 3 at Miller Park, fans "will have the opportunity to hear from" Brewers COO Rick Schlesinger, GM David Stearns and manager Craig Counsell. Unlike last year, when selected season ticket holders were invited, the event "will be open to all fans, free of charge" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 9/23).

“That’s great. People are finally starting to hear him" – 49ers S Eric Reid, on QB Colin Kaepernick appearing on this week's cover of Time magazine (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 9/23).

“We’ve asked our fans to buy in and have patience with us. They did, and we screwed up. We have to get better" – Chiefs President Mark Donovan, vowing things will be better for the team's next home game after a rough start to parking and tailgate changes implemented this year (K.C. STAR, 9/23).

“People smarter than me think it’s great for the game, to grow it globally. ... So we'll cooperate as usual" – Orioles manager Buck Showalter, on reluctantly supporting his players participating in next spring's World Baseball Classic (Baltimore SUN, 9/23).

"This year, I’ve turned off more games than I’ve turned off in any year" – Brewers Owner Mark Attanasio, on the team's struggles this season amid a rebuild (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 9/23). 

As more players follow Colin Kaepernick's lead by kneeling during the National Anthem, it is "way past time" for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL to "do more than make mealy-mouthed statements." Meanwhile, WNBA Fever G Marissa Coleman explains why she took a knee Wednesday night. The GLOBE & MAIL looks at the history of protesting in sports.

The HOUSTON CHRONICLE profiles Texans President Jamey Rootes, who "likely wears more hats and has more plates in the air this fall than does any other franchise president in any sport."

Also: 

• The MMQB's Andrew Brandt examines the NFL's CBA at its midway point.
• Vanderbilt Univ. needs to better fund athletics if it is "going to remain" in the SEC.
• Cowboys players share their thoughts on marijuana's place in the NFL.
• Pro Football HOFer Michael Strahan continues to grow his TV presence.
• Making the "Pitch" for Vin Scully to appear on Fox' new show.
• Great Britain hopes for WBC success, make baseball mainstream at home.

I'm starting to think the Red Sox winning streak won't end until they have to face one of the Patriots' backup quarterbacks.

— David Leonhardt (@DLeonhardt) September 23, 2016

clevenger also uses MLK's beautiful, iconic "content of their character" phrase in his apology. leave MLK out of your mess!

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) September 23, 2016

Waited to watch #Pitch pilot until tonight. Really liked it. Works on a baseball and dramatic level. 👍⚾️

— Amanda Rykoff (@amandarykoff) September 23, 2016

If @Kaepernick7 left the 49ers to lead his movement, he could have a modern day Dr. Martin Luther King impact on society right now.

— Jason Smith (@howaboutafresca) September 23, 2016

Good/bad/or indifferent it's still pretty surreal to be apart of Vin Scully calling one of his last games at Dodger Stadium.

— Brett Anderson (@BrettAnderson35) September 23, 2016

The 76ers will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new practice facility in Camden, N.J. 76ers Managing Owner Josh Harris and co-Owner David Blitzer will be on hand.

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy” category was “Opera.”

“The heroine of this opera sings, ‘If you come to give me, so cruel, your last goodbye, the dark vortex of the Nile will be my grave.’”

CBS’ Stephen Colbert addressed the ongoing protests in Charlotte, saying, “These protests turned violent last night and I just wish there was some sort of respectful, silent civil protest that people can engage in that wouldn’t enrage the other side.” The broadcast then aired a picture of 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick kneeling on the field, with Colbert adding, “No, that’s not going to work either. In fact, Colin Kaepernick started the trend of taking a knee during the National Anthem and he’s become the most disliked player in the NFL. Now a second-string quarterback hasn’t been this hated since Steve ‘Hurtlin’ Hitler’ Rhineheart. Pretty good player, though. I understand why some people are angry at Kaepernick. I mean, they watch football as an escape from the harsh realities of life, unless you’re a Cleveland Browns fan” (“The Late Show,” CBS, 9/23).

TBS’ Conan O’Brien said, “Media experts say Monday night's presidential debate will have a Super Bowl-sized TV audience. Of course, the Super Bowl audience drinks for fun, but Monday's debate audience will be drinking out of sheer terror” (“Conan,” TBS, 9/23).

Last night’s edition of TBS’ “Conan” featured the segment “Celebrity Income Breakdown.” O’Brien said, “We find out how Ryan Lochte makes his money: 27% Swimmy-swammin’ Olympic medals, brah, 18% jimmy-jammin’ ballroom dancin’ jeah, 65% tax fraud, yo.” O’Brien: “He’s very honest” (“Conan,” TBS, 9/23).

NBC’s Jimmy Fallon said, “ABC just reported that 95% of all campaign ads from now until Election Day will be for Hillary Clinton. She’s in 95% of the commercials. Even Peyton Manning was like, ‘Geez lady, enough is enough. … Papa John’s is good, but come on’” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 9/22).

“What is ‘Aida?’”