The U.S. men's national soccer team is in Havana today for a friendly against Cuba, marking the U.S. team's third visit to the island all-time and its first exhibition in the capital since the two sides' inaugural meeting in '47 (U.S. Soccer). Cuba "does not offer the United States a test in terms of soccer prowess." There are "zero soccer-related positives to hope for from this match and a slew of potential negatives in the form of injuries." But U.S. Soccer sponsors including Marriott and AT&T "have been lining up to cash in on the economic opening of Cuba" (SBNATION.com, 10/6).

Just prior to kickoff of last night's Cardinals-49ers game, CBS showed 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick on the sideline and then video of him kneeling during the National Anthem alongside S Eric Reid and LB Eli Harold (“TNF,” CBS, 10/6).

On the pregame show, CBS’ James Brown noted Kaepernick has “sparked what has become one of the nation’s most polarizing issues,” and his protest “has launched a movement.” Athletes at “all levels of competition across the country and across sports have joined him in demonstration during the National Anthem,” while 49ers coach Chip Kelly “has been supportive of his player's right to protest and be a catalyst of change.” CBS’ Deion Sanders: “I would hate to think that he’s not starting because of the stance that he took. I would hate to think that he’s not starting because he’s the No. 1 jersey salesperson in our league … and if he would ball out on the field it would even empower him even more” (“NFL Thursday Night Kickoff,” CBS, 10/6).

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina today is slated to activate in and around Charlotte Motor Speedway for tonight’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Drive for the Cure 300, which the insurer is title sponsoring. BCBS started the activation last week by having 250 employees who have been affected by breast cancer in some way, plus BCBS endorsers Jimmie Johnson and Mia Hamm – paint CMS’ pit walls pink to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Assets include signage, social/digital integration, activation space on the midway, hospitality for more than 250 people, a wrap on the official pacecar and 8,000 grandstand tickets that were given out at BCBS events across the state as well as to company employees.

Knicks F Carmelo Anthony appeared on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” last night and discussed his involvement in social issues. Anthony said of standing on stage at the ESPYs with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul, “We actually wanted to kind of just use that platform. Just to back up a little bit, we didn’t even know that we were going to do the ESPYs. I had no intention of going to the ESPYs at all, and then a couple of guys called me and texted me and said, 'Listen, this is a platform where we can really have our voices be heard and really send a message and try to create some awareness of what's going on.'”

Host Trevor Noah asked, “Isn’t there a split second where you as Carmelo go, 'Oh man, the endorsements could be gone, the fans could be gone.' Isn’t there a bit of fear?” Anthony: “You have to put it into perspective. There are so many tragedies that happened in our country over the past several years. I can't … stand up for everything that's going on, but it's not until something really happens to you in your backyard. In this case it was the Freddie Gray situation in Baltimore, where I was like, 'Okay, enough is enough'” (“The Daily Show,” Comedy Central, 10/6).

Construction work at Roland Garros "has been halted again by a court decision that could have an impact on Paris' bid" for the '24 Games. Three days after France's "highest administrative jurisdiction gave its go-ahead to the project" at the home of the French Open, a "different court ordered a suspension of the redevelopment." The plans have been "controversial from the start after the French federation decided five years ago to keep the clay-court major there and renovate the existing site, rather than moving the tournament" (AP, 10/7).

Sir Martin Sorrell today will facilitate a roundtable discussion called "Big Sports, Big Business ... Thinking Big," featuring NFL Giants co-Owner John Mara, NHL Kings President of Business Operations Luc Robitaille, AIG Australia non-Exec Dir Naseema Sparks and Bruin Sports Capital CEO George Pyne. The session will conclude the inaugural Sport At The Service Of Humanity conference at The Vatican.

Earlier today, there was an open discussion among the 200-plus delegates led by BBC World anchor David Edes, while the leading facilitators from yesterday's breakout sessions offered their takeaways from their individual sessions. The day also featured discussions with former New Zealand All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick and former Argentina Rugby Union captain Hugo Porta on the "Joys of Competition" (THE DAILY).

We are now taking nominations for the next Forty Under 40 class. If you know of someone you feel deserves to be nominated, submit their name for consideration by completing an online nomination form. The deadline for submissions is Sunday, Nov. 6, at 11:59pm ET.

Colorado State Univ. has sold out the entire inventory of premium seats in its new 41,000-seat on-campus stadium, which opens Sept. 9, 2017 (CSU).

MLS expansion club Atlanta United will "not play any home games at Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium during most of the month of April to avoid conflicts" with GT's spring practices and scrimmages for football (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 10/7).

Jerry Recco, who "serves as the anchor" for Boomer & Carton on WFAN-AM/FM, will replace Chris Carlin as the radio play-by-play voice for Rutgers men's basketball. He has called Columbia Univ. basketball and football since '06 and will "continue his gridiron duties" (APP.com, 10/7).

Atlanta Motor Speedway will be "open this weekend to Hurricane Matthew evacuees," making its campgrounds "available free of charge to people fleeing the path" of the storm (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 10/7).

"Al had a long track record of standing up to the courage of his convictions. ... I believe he would have tremendous, tremendous respect for what Colin Kaepernick has done" – Former Raiders CEO Amy Trask, on how late Raiders Owner Al Davis would have viewed the 49ers QB (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 10/7).

"I have a daughter older than him. But I can tell you that when you sit down with him for an hour or so, you walk away saying, ‘OK, I get it now’" – Coyotes Exec VP/Hockey Operations and coach Dave Tippett, on the team's 27-year-old GM John Chayka (USA TODAY, 10/7).

"I'm giving back and giving these guys another opportunity. They know they've made mistakes which shortened their careers, so this is kind of a second time around for them" – Basketball HOFer Walt Frazier, on his role as President of the Champions Basketball League Gotham Ballers (SPORTS.VICE.com, 10/6).

"I never considered selling three years ago when the future looked tough. Why would I sell now when the future is bright? There is no consideration. ... I am excited for the next few years" – Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner, on whether he is interested in selling the team (N.Y. POST, 10/7).

NPR notes, "Despite having more than 300 million users, Twitter has struggled to make a profit and keep its investors happy." So as the social media site "considers a sale, maybe it's worth pondering the idea of Twitter getting out from under the pressures of Wall Street and turning itself into a nonprofit."

WALL STREET JOURNAL: Spurs coach Gregg Popovich for years has made "being an informed citizen" a requirement of his players, but it has "become imperative this season" amid social unrest and election season.

Also: 

• New Predators D P.K. Subban's big personality is a "perfect fit in Music City" so far.
• Can upgrades to 40-year-old Rupp Arena give it "many more years of useful life?"
• NASCAR is considering a first-round bye in the Chase to keep teams racing hard.

Obviously poss damage at Daytona track but think new grandstands built to handle. Have lots of friends there & hoping they all come thru OK. https://t.co/ZTuHiq6aPK

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 7, 2016

#RHoops fans going to love @JerryRecco on the call. Awesome person, great broadcaster, and Jersey guy. JR will do an amazing job!

— Chris Carlin (@ChrisCarlinSNY) October 7, 2016

I'll be taking over the hillaryforwi Instagram account on Saturday!! #imwithher #tbt @ 2016… https://t.co/M45ml6Shau

— Alexander Lasry (@AlexanderLasry) October 6, 2016

Trying something new with @hisherspodcast by utilizing Facebook live. Full podcast available via the ESPN app https://t.co/zX7pODTAHV

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 7, 2016

The D-backs will dedicate Randy Johnson HOF Field and D-backs Legends Field in Payson, Ariz., the 37th and 38th fields in the team's youth field building program.

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Secretaries of State.”

“The two Secretaries of State who received B.A.s in Political Science from Wellesley, ten years apart.”

MLB Network’s Kevin Millar and Sean Casey appeared on NBC’s “Late Night” last night. Millar described the size of the studio audience as “big-time stuff.” Host Seth Meyers said, “Usually when you guys are here, there’s some empty seats.” Millar commented on returning to Fenway Park to celebrate the Red Sox' '04 World Series championship and seeing his old teammates: “Some of my old players looked like they ate themselves. We all put on those extra 20-60 pounds” (“Late Night,” NBC, 10/6).

ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel said of the NL Wild Card game, “The Mets played the Giants, and the winner of the game, winner goes to the playoffs. It's a one-game deal. I rushed over to a restaurant to watch it. It's a serious pitcher's duel. Then who walks into the restaurant and sits down not just at the table next to me, but his back literally touching my back? Who would you guess that person was? Worse, Matt Damon, and sure enough, moments after he walked in, the Giants got a hit and then a walk and then a home run, and then the Mets lost 3-0. Just like that, the season was over. Thanks, Matt. It's bad enough you ruin movies. Now you have to ruin baseball also?” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 10/7).

TBS’ Conan O’Brien: “President Obama honored the winners of the NHL Stanley Cup at the White House. Obama gave a speech about how much hockey meant to him as a black kid growing up in Hawaii” (“Conan,” TBS, 10/7).

“Who are Madeleine Albright and Hillary Clinton?”