A special legislative session begins today in Nevada to "consider public financing for a football stadium and convention center upgrades in Las Vegas." Gov. Brian Sandoval yesterday signed a proclamation "setting the agenda" for the session, which will recess, if necessary before sundown tomorrow in "recognition of Yom Kippur and resume Thursday if required." An NFL owners meeting is scheduled for Oct. 18-19 in Houston (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/10). With the special session, the push to fund a stadium "begins in earnest." The proposal involves a Clark County room tax hike to finance $750M in bonds for a $1.9B domed facility (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/9).

The proposal "isn't a slam dunk." Many opponents "have no problem with the concept of a Las Vegas stadium to replace Sam Boyd Stadium," but they "don't want to pay for any of it" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/9).

The second presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump last night earned a 37.2 overnight rating across Fox, ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, PBS, Univision and C-SPAN. The debate was not carried on NBC due to the Giants-Packers “SNF” game, which likely will see one of its lowest ratings because of the head-to-head competition. The first debate, which NBC did carry, earned a 46.2 rating on a Monday night, and led to the least-viewed "MNF" game in history (THE DAILY).

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver yesterday in Shanghai discussed CBA talks with the NBPA, saying, "I remain optimistic that we're going to get something done relatively soon." This comes after Yahoo Sports last week reported that a "deal could be announced within weeks." Silver: "There’s been a great sense and spirit of cooperation across the table and desire to move forward. There’s a sense from both the owners and the union management that there is a lot at stake here" (USA TODAY, 10/10).

The Blue Jays and Rogers Centre prior to yesterday's ALDS Game 3 "banned beer cans for the remainder" of the postseason. The move comes after a fan "chucked a beer can onto the field" during the Wild Card game against the Orioles. During last year's playoffs, Rogers Centre "banned only fans in the 500 level from drinking out of cans after several were thrown onto the field." The Blue Jays are through to the ALCS and will host at least two more playoff games (NATIONALPOST.com, 10/9). A spokesperson for the ballpark said that "no decision has been made about canned beer sales next season" (CBC.ca, 10/9).

Sources said that Rays VP/Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom "turned down an opportunity to interview" for the D-backs' GM vacancy, making him the "second known executive to do so" after former Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos. It is "unclear how far along" the D-backs are in the process, but the club is "believed to have several names on its list." Internal candidates include Dir of Player Development Mike Bell and Assistant GM Bryan Minniti, while external candidates include MLB Senior VP/Baseball Operations Kim Ng, MLB Senior VP/Baseball Operations Peter Woodfork, former Dodgers GM Ned Colletti and Royals VP & Assistant GM of Player Personnel J.J. Picollo (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 10/10).

Rupp Arena yesterday unveiled a "giant video display and booming sound system" as part of the Univ. of Kentucky basketball venue's $15M tech upgrade. Renovations include a Daktronics center-hung display, an L-Acoustic sound system and "energy efficient LED fixtures." The arena also "threw a coat of paint on the HVAC ducts and structural support towers which were once red." The changes "coincide with Rupp Arena's 40 year anniversary." The facility will have WiFi "available to visitors" in spring '17 (LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER, 10/10).

New @Rupp_Arena scoreboard in action cc @pbaniak @heraldleader pic.twitter.com/pnNAUHJVwf

— Fernando Alfonso III (@fernalfonso) October 9, 2016

Ravens fans said that they "noticed no palpable increase in security at the team's home game" yesterday against the Redskins. Security "became a hot topic in Baltimore this week after 55-year-old Ravens fan Joseph Bauer suffered a critical injury at the Oct. 2 home game" due to an altercation with two Raiders fans. The Ravens "don't comment on specific security plans, so it was unclear if they had made any substantial adjustments in response to the incident." Ravens Senior VP/Public & Community Relations Kevin Byrne said, "Security is always a priority at any home game, and it is today" (Baltimore SUN, 10/10). 

Meanwhile, the Ravens "trotted out" swimmer Michael Phelps amid player introductions before yesterday's game (Baltimore SUN, 10/10).

The L.A. Coliseum hosted a USC home game Saturday followed by a Rams game at 1:25pm PT Sunday, and the venue "apparently handled its first weekend doubleheader fine." The playing surface "didn't appear to have any major issues, and the only indication USC had played there less than a day earlier was the USC and Pac-12 Conference logos that hadn't completely faded" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 10/10).

Sources said that Mississippi State will "begin interviews this week" to fill its AD vacancy, and "as many as six candidates could be interviewed" by school President Mark Keenum (Jackson CLARION-LEDGER, 10/10).

A crowd of 12,113 attended Game 1 of the WNBA Finals last night between the L.A. Sparks and Minnesota Lynx at Target Center (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 10/10).

The Western New York Flash won the NWSL Championship in penalty kicks last night after a 2-2 draw with the Washington Spirit "in front of 8,522 fans at BBVA Compass Stadium" in Houston (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/10).

Photos of "what appear to be" Trail Blazers G Damian Lillard's new signature adidas shoe – the D Lillard 3 – "have been leaked online" (OREGONLIVE.com, 10/9).

"I’ve just moved on, man. I’m just trying to play a good game today" – Patriots QB Tom Brady, on his return to the field after his four-game Deflategate suspension (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/10).

"I'm pulling for Cleveland" – Blue Jays President & CEO Mark Shapiro, on rooting for his former club until they go up against the Blue Jays (THEGLOBEANDMAIL.com, 10/10).

"I’ve spoken to a few people and we all seem to have the same idea. ... We had the same idea beforehand, and now we have the decision. So I wouldn’t imagine there’s a whole lot of support from the playing group" – Tennis player Samantha Stosur, on whether WTA players would back Maria Sharapova in the wake of her suspension for using a banned substance (TENNIS.com, 10/8).

Ruth's Chris Steak House in Ann Arbor last week started a promotion giving Univ. of Michigan fans "a percentage off their total food bill equal to the final winning point differential." Then Michigan on Saturday beat Rutgers, 78-0. But the restaurant's conditions "state that 50% would be the limit for the deal" through Thursday. As of yesterday afternoon, the restaurant was "already booked through Thursday" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 10/10).

USA TODAY writes the NBA Kings are "hitting the reset button" after being "the laughingstock of the league" under Managing Partner Vivek Ranadive. In addition to a new arena that has "become a point of pride" in Sacramento, there is a "sense of synergy between the humbled owner, the rebuilt front office and a new coaching staff that was nowhere to be found before."

The ORLANDO SENTINEL's Matt Murschel was one of 12 national media members "invited to participate in a mock" CFP selection last week, allowing him to "pull back the curtain and find out more" about the process.

Also: 

• GLOBE & MAIL: "Science, Safety And Sales: The Hockey Helmet Marketing Problem."
• Memphis is among the college football programs embracing VR for the first time.
• Kirk Herbstreit recalls applying for his job at ESPN without "any TV experience."
• Bryant Univ.'s openly gay basketball coach "reflects on the past year" since coming out.
• L.A. Memorial Sports Arena's final days have drawn "little public outcry."
• Roger Goodell's tenure has been the NFL's "most profitable and popular" era.
• Even at age 95, baseball broadcaster Bob Wolff is "not ready to drop the mic."

There was an NFL game in Los Angeles today, and all eyes were on St. Louis.

— Sam Farmer (@LATimesfarmer) October 10, 2016

Just for reference. I work in a locker room (every day)... that is not locker room talk. Just so you know...

— Chris Conley (@_flight17_) October 10, 2016

Kentucky media should have a good season with this group. All key players interview well. @KyleTucker_AJC @KySportsRadio @KentuckyMBB

— Andy Katz (@ESPNAndyKatz) October 10, 2016

.@GregMcElroy on @SiriusXMCollege: “Why is Rutgers in the Big Ten? I don’t understand what the Big Ten is gaining by having Rutgers”

— Brett McMurphy (@McMurphyESPN) October 10, 2016

The Astros will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at Minute Maid Park for their center field renovation project.

Friday’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Television.”

“The focus of a 1970s miniseries and its recent remake, he arrived at Annapolis in 1767 aboard the ship, the Lord Ligonier.”

The “Weekend Update” news segment on NBC’s “SNL” addressed the recently reported sexist comments by Donald Trump. Cast member Michael Che said he “honestly thought Donald Trump had peaked on the whack-a-do meter. Turns out he’s got another gear. How is that even possible? Is he going for the record? This is like when Barry Bonds had an all-time great career and then took steroids.” Cast member Colin Jost: “First, Trump tried to brush it off as just ‘locker room talk.’ Which locker room? Penn State?” (“SNL,” NBC, 10/8).

Friday night’s edition of NBC’s “The Tonight Show” featured the recurring segment “Thank You Notes.” Host Jimmy Fallon said, “Thank you, Tom Brady, for spending your four-week NFL suspension for Deflategate sunbathing naked in Italy, riding a scooter in Rome and visiting the beach with your supermodel wife. I hope you learned your lesson” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 10/7).

“Who was Kunta Kinte?” Kinte is the main characters in Alex Haley’s “Roots.”