• Cash Advances, Surplus Rights Key To L.A.’s Move To '28 Games
• IOC Contribution For LA '28 Only 6% Higher Than ’24 Levels
• Under Armour Shares Fall As Brand Slashes Outlook For '17
• Australian NBL Teams Headed To U.S. For NBA Preseason Games

In exchange for waiting until ’28 to host the Olympics, LA ’24 leaders secured $180M from the IOC in interest-free cash advances that will defray the organizing committee’s operating costs during the unusually long prep time and be available to fund youth sports programs in the L.A. area. The $180M -- 10% of the minimum the IOC would contribute toward the overall cost of the Games -- is the key aspect of a proposed LA-IOC contract released yesterday. The contract details the special arrangements made for L.A. if it agreed to stand down, paving the way for rival Paris to host in ’24 in a historic combo deal. The USOC and L.A. City Council still must approve the plan before a final IOC vote in September.

The $180M in advances would come in quarterly payments of $9M each for five years, beginning by Jan. 1, 2018, at the latest. This is important, because LA ’28 would exist for 11 years instead of the customary seven, and the IOC contributions don’t normally arrive until close to the Games. Up to $160M of the total IOC contribution would be available for youth sports in L.A., giving Mayor Eric Garcetti something he had publicly sought from the IOC as he floated the idea of waiting four years. The IOC decided to give both Paris and L.A. the Games because it did not think it could afford to alienate either city as demand to host the Games withers elsewhere.

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According to the contract sending the '28 Games to L.A., the IOC’s contributions will total $1.8B, about 33% of the current $5.3B budget. That is only 6% more than Paris will receive to host the ’24 Games. The figure is mostly broadcast and sponsorship revenue. However, the contract notes that the L.A. share of IOC global sponsorship revenue could grow by $200M due to “potential renegotiations or renewals of current agreements covering key product categories” after the contract is signed. The IOC already is bullish about its prospects in the global TOP sponsorship program, and most marketing experts believe the locked-in promise of a Games in the U.S. would be a major bargaining chip in future negotiations. As an example, LA '28 Chair Casey Wasserman mentioned the mobility category, in which Toyota currently has global rights through ’24. Presuming the IOC signs an extension or a replacement to Toyota through ’24, LA ’28 would benefit in increased value.

Separately, the contract revisions set an eight-year time frame for the joint venture that would be created by the USOC and LA ’28 to combine all Team USA and L.A.-specific marketing rights. It will begin Jan. 1, 2021, and extend through the end of '28. However, there was no other word yesterday on progress on that document, which the USOC and L.A. leaders must negotiate separately before the September vote. The two bodies quickly came to terms for a joint venture around ’24 last year, but waiting until ’28 presents new wrinkles to the JV -- such as how revenue would be shared, and how the extended selling period would effect USOC revenue and strategy. Usually, the rights are combined for six years.

The Nuggets have signed a jersey patch deal with Colorado-based money transfer firm Western Union, the 11th team in the 30-team NBA to sign a jersey patch deal. The deal also makes Western Union a co-presenting sponsor of the team’s 50th anniversary next season. The three-year agreement also includes signage at Pepsi Center, a media buy on Altitude Sports television and radio broadcasts and branding on digital and social media platforms. Western Union also will become a sponsor of the Rapids, also owned by Kroenke Sports, beginning in '18.

Under Armour this morning "trimmed its outlook" for '17 and announced job cuts as part of a restructuring plan. UA said that revenues are "now expected to grow" 9-11%, lower than its previously set expectations of 11-12% growth. UA Founder, Chair & CEO Kevin Plank said that the brand "intends to increase its speed of getting products to market and to grow the retailer's digital capabilities." A UA spokesperson said that about 280 jobs will be cut, or about 2% of the company's global workforce (CNBC.com, 8/1). In pre-market trading at presstime, shares were down just under 4% (THE DAILY).

The National Basketball League Sydney Kings, Melbourne United and Brisbane Bullets will participate in this year's NBA preseason in October, marking the first time that the Australian league's teams will travel to the U.S. to play against NBA teams. Games will include Sydney Kings-Jazz (Oct. 2), Melbourne United-Thunder (Oct. 8) and Brisbane Bullets-Suns (Oct. 13) (NBA). For NBL Exec Dir Larry Kestelman, these games are the "culmination of a vision years in the making." Kestelman: "We are one of the few leagues in the world that can actually challenge their teams and put up a good fight" (DAILYTELEGRAPH.com.au, 7/31).

The Golden Knights announced that single-game tickets will go on sale at 5:00pm ET on Aug. 14. They "can only be purchased online through vegasgoldenknights.com and prices begin at $65 per ticket," with a "limit of four tickets per game" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 8/1). Meanwhile, select Golden Knights season-ticket holders "can now purchase season parking passes at a discounted rate." Through Aug. 20, "parking packages are available" for $8-10 per game -- $352-440 per season. The packages will be "opened to other season-ticket holders within the next week" (LAS VEGAS SUN, 8/1).

The USL's owner meetings begin today in Chicago ahead of tomorrow's MLS All-Star Game, and the "future of the USL-MLS partnership will be one of the primary topics." The USL is "contemplating its next progression of growth, one that will likely require altering and possibly dissociating itself from its MLS-owned clubs." Of the 33 USL clubs, 11 "have an affiliation with MLS clubs." The "independent ownership groups operate all business aspects of a club, and the MLS clubs can provide developmental players" to USL partners. But MLS "directly owns and operates 10 USL clubs" (OKLAHOMAN, 8/1).

Yesterday would have been late Marlins P Jose Fernandez' 25th birthday, and some of his loved ones "spent it commemorating the pitching ace" at Marlins Park. Fernandez' mother and grandmother were on hand, as was Maria Arias, Fernandez' "girlfriend and the mother of their child," Penelope. Marlins 2B Dee Gordon "gave Penelope a tour of the team's batting cages and clubhouse." The visit "seemed to make everyone feel better" (MIAMI HERALD, 8/1).

The team also honored Fernandez with a highlight video posted to social media:

On his birthday, a look back at some of José's best moments. #JDF16 pic.twitter.com/I05Ui5ItTJ

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) July 31, 2017

On Sept. 14, SportsBusiness Journal/Daily will hold its fifth annual Game Changers conference, where we will explore the multiple ways in which women intersect with sports. That week, we are planning to unveil exclusive new research on gender hiring trends and career advancement. In tandem with Game Changers sponsor and research partner Turnkey Intelligence, we are asking executives in sports to complete a brief survey about topics relevant to working in our industry. We anticipate that this survey will take no longer than 10 minutes to complete.

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A group of 10 NFLers will join singer Carrie Underwood as she performs "Oh, Sunday Night," the opening theme song for NBC's "Sunday Night Football" (NBC).

Steelers WR Antonio Brown	Raiders LB Khalil Mack
Raiders QB Derek Carr	Broncos LB Von Miller
Patriots LB Don’t'a Hightower	Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce	Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul
Falcons WR Julio Jones	Cowboys QB Dak Prescott

The football series between Oklahoma State and Tulsa will be named the Bank of Oklahoma Turnpike Classic for this year's matchup (Bank of Oklahoma).

The crowd at Day 2 of the Chargers' training camp yesterday in Orange County was "less than half of Sunday's total (which was about 4,000, per the Costa Mesa police)" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 8/1).

NBC's “Today” show aired a nearly three-and-a-half-minute report on the Cubs giving a World Series ring to Steve Bartman, whom NBC’s Hoda Kotb called “one of the most infamous and beleaguered fans in the country.” NBC’s Willie Geist: “That’s a great job by the Cubs organization” (“Today,” NBC, 8/1).

"I haven’t heard it. I don’t know if he’s going to practice. He’s not one of those, I think, that practices. A lot of it’s pure emotion. He told me, ‘I’ve limited all my stories.’ I think he’s got his house in order for it. He’s certainly fired up for it" -- Cowboys Exec VP, COO & Dir of Player Personnel Stephen Jones, on his father's Pro Football HOF induction speech set for Sunday (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 7/31).

"With the owner going into the Hall of Fame here over the weekend, nobody wants to have that story -- the Elliott story -- overtake Jerry being inducted. So now it's hurry up and wait” -- ESPN's Todd Archer, on the NFL's investigation into Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott amid Jerry Jones' HOF induction (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 7/31).

"We like the same players. We maybe think probably very similarly, which doesn’t create an atmosphere of matches as easy. I think opposites attract when you’re trying to do business with others" -- Yankees Senior VP & GM Brian Cashman, who conducted his first trade with A's Exec VP/Baseball Operations Billy Beane yesterday (NEWSDAY, 8/1).

"You mean the Golden State Warriors, you’re talking about?" -- Red Sox President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski, referring to the Yankees as the reigning NBA champions following the club's moves at MLB's trade deadline (BOSTON HERALD, 8/1).

The ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER writes the 1932 Summer Games in L.A. can serve as "a model" for the 2028 iteration being held there. A look back at '32 shows a "glimpse of the success the city would like to repeat" in '28. The plan for '28 is "more similar" to '32 than the '84 Games, with "all venues" slated to be in L.A. County.

Also:

• Youth sports "have everything, except people who want to officiate them."
• Canadians will "learn to love Olympic hockey without NHLers."
• Forecasting the winner among the A's "three competing ballpark sites."

From one Sonny to another: "Welcome to the Bronx I hope you write your own Bronx Tale with the NY Yankees."@SonnyGray2

— Chazz Palminteri (@chazzpalminteri) July 31, 2017

For those keeping score: job cuts and reorgs at both Nike and Under Armour this summer; Adidas pre-announced earnings and upped its outlook.

— Sara Germano (@germanotes) August 1, 2017

I can't stop laughing -- or watching -- Ozzie Guillen on @CSNChicago postgame show. Good energy, insight. Some choppiness but has potential.

— David Haugh (@DavidHaugh) August 1, 2017

I hope All these young cats that are willing to die for the game of football find a higher purpose in life.

— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) July 31, 2017

If you see a tweet we will not want to miss, send it to us at editorial@sportsbusinessdaily.com

The rainbow you find when researchers cut open golf balls at #usga testing center #sportsbiz pic.twitter.com/Hs2hGWUrat

— Joe Favorito (@joefav) August 1, 2017

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

“It was constructed in the Paris foundry of Gaget, Gauthier & Company from 1875 to 1884.”

NBA free agent F Chris Bosh appeared on CBS’ “The Late Late Show” last night, noting since his release from the Heat, he has been “learning to play the guitar.” Host James Corden asked, “Are you any good?” Bosh: “No.” Bosh talked about traveling while in the NBA, and he said there is a "particular hotel that I won’t name in Oklahoma City … and it’s infamous for being haunted." Bosh said two “big men” on the Heat came back from practice and “all the drawers were pulled out of their hotel room. That's what they said, so then that story kind of goes on the team for a couple of years. Then we have two more guys. I won't say their names either. They ended up kind of sleeping in the same room because they didn't want to be alone by themselves.” Corden asked about the identity of one of the frightened players, “Does it rhyme with Shebron Shames?” (“The Late Late Show,” CBS, 7/31).

Actress Elizabeth Moss appeared on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” last night and talked about receiving an animated GIF from her publicist of a shirtless Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo to congratulate her on her Emmy nomination. Moss: “A shirtless Anthony Rizzo is always good news.” Moss said she was a “diehard” Cubs fan, “like, fourth generation Cubs fan.” The GIF of Rizzo was playing on the screen behind Moss, and host Jimmy Kimmel said, “That’s probably enough with the GIF. I feel like I’m now showering with Anthony” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 7/31).

CBS’ Stephen Colbert said of North Korea test firing a missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead, “Previous North Korean missiles had the range to reach Hawaii and Alaska, but this new missile has the range to hit Chicago. But I’m here to tell you, I lived in Chicago for years, and I have a hard time believing Chicagoans will be scared by this. For Pete's sake, the Cubs won the World Series. They already know the end is near” (“The Late Show,” CBS, 7/31).

“What is the Statue of Liberty?”