• Yankees-Rays Game At Citi Field Draws Around 15,000 Fans
• Jaguars Home Opener In Question As Team Returns To Florida
• Mehri, Looking To Lead NFLPA, Set For Town Hall With Players
• MLS Deal With Excelsior Marks League First Official Wine Partner

Citi Field yesterday hosted the first of three Yankees-Rays games relocated due to Hurricane Irma, with 15,327 on hand as the Mets "weren't expecting much of a crowd." They "opened only the field-level section of seats, which were sold for $25 a pop -- with an MLB spokesman saying a corresponding donation will be made to hurricane relief" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/12). There "wasn't much " in the "way of electricity" at the ballpark. You could "hear individual conversations in the stands" as well as "umpires' calls from the bases" (Bergen RECORD, 9/12).

The centerfield video board "showed the Rays' usual pregame video." But the "Mets" mark remained "painted on the grass behind the plate," and "each on-deck circle was a big Mets logo." Otherwise, it was "all Yankees," as their fans "just about filled the lower bowl." They "sang the roll call, a Yankee Stadium bleacher tradition," and they chanted, "Let's go, Yankees!" (NEWSDAY, 9/12)

The Jaguars today "will return to Jacksonville" after "remaining in Houston" following Sunday's win over the Texans due to Hurricane Irma. The storm "caused extreme surge levels on the St. John's River that led to flooding downtown and other parts of Jacksonville." The Jaguars are scheduled to play their home opener Sunday against the Titans (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 9/12). Jaguars coach Doug Marrone said that officials are "assessing damage to EverBank Field and will then determine whether the game will be played as scheduled." It "could get moved to Nashville" or be "postponed to later in the season" (AP, 9/11).

Meanwhile, the Buccaneers today are expected to announce that Sunday's home opener against the Bears "will be played" at 1:00pm ET Sunday at Raymond James Stadium "as scheduled" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 9/12).

DC-based attorney Cyrus Mehri tonight in Dallas will hold his "first town hall meeting with NFL players," part of his effort to challenge DeMaurice Smith for the NFLPA Exec Dir position. Mehri while stumping in Dallas said, "Every day we're going to be fighting for players to have a choice, and to be able to determine their own destiny. ... I have a vision statement and a platform that's on our website, and I haven't heard any vision statement or platform from De Smith" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 9/12).

MLS has signed a multiyear deal with importer Excelsior Wines, marking the first time the league will have an official wine partner. The deal, which will begin on Jan. 1 and run through '20, will see Argentinian wine brand Trivento become the official wine of MLS. Trivento Reserve will have MLS-branded packaging, as well as branded merchandise, player appearances and sweepstakes programs. MLS declined to comment on terms. Excelsior has sports partnerships for its other wine brands, including with the Cowboys, Marlins, Devils and Manchester United. SUM VP/Business Development Carter Ladd and his team struck the deal on the MLS side, while Excelsior did not use an agency.

The Ducks and Toshiba America Business Solutions this morning announced a new partnership naming Toshiba the team’s official documents solutions provider. This is Toshiba’s latest sports partnership after striking a deal with the Tigers in July. The key to the Ducks partnership is Toshiba’s new Elevate technology, which will allow the franchise to have its Toshiba equipment customized to its needs. The Elevate technology, which Toshiba released in July, emphasizes efficiency and security.

Kobe Bryant this morning helped the NBA unveil plans for the league's first "basketball school" in China. Bryant said that the development will "improve the game in the country." The NBA Basketball School-Mission Hills Haikou will be "open to male and female players from junior up to professional level after its completion" in '19. Hong Kong-based Mission Hills Group will "design and build the school and its 6 indoor courts, but it will be operated by NBA China." The NBA "already has three training academies in China for top male and female prospects" (AFP, 9/12).

KT Tape today will unveil limited edition packaging to celebrate the retirement of distance runner Meb Keflezighi after this year’s TCS N.Y. Marathon in November. Keflezighi, who has endorsed the athletic tape brand since March '16, will be featured on a silver box containing KT PRO Tape that will go on sale in mid-October. Keflezighi is the only person to have won the Boston and N.Y. Marathons as well as an Olympic medal.

Thunder G Russell Westbrook appeared on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” last night and promoted his new fashion-focused book, “Russell Westbrook: Style Drivers.” Host Jimmy Fallon said Westbrook is “known for his skills on the court and his style off of it.” Fallon: “Where do you get your fashion from?” Westbrook: “I have to give all credit to my mom. My mom, she's my style inspiration to this day … (and) always keeps me up to date with things.” Fallon: “I don’t know if I can pull off some of the things you wear.” Westbrook and Fallon then competed on the “NBA Jam” video game. Fallon played with Larry Bird and Kevin Durant, while Westbrook played as himself and Thunder mascot Rumble the Bison (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 9/11).

THE DAILY turns 23 today -- our first issue was Sept. 12, 1994. Thank you for all your support over the years. ICYMI: THE DAILY’s original team -- Jeffrey Pollack, Steve Bilafer, Chuck Todd, David Abrutyn and Abe Madkour -- sat for a discussion around the 20th anniversary about the challenges, opportunities and early mornings in starting the publication.

Maria Sharapova's new memoir, "Unstoppable: My Life So Far" from Sarah Crichton Books, hits shelves today (N.Y. TIMES, 9/12). 

During the first quarter of the Chargers' season opener last night against the Broncos in Denver, a "miked official could be heard saying, 'First charged timeout ... to San Diego'" (ESPN.com, 9/11).

Last night's Tigers-Indians game "drew 18,521 to Progressive Field" as the Indians won their 19th straight game. The first pitch was at 7:11pm ET with a temperature of 66 degrees (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 9/12). 
 
The city of Seattle today "makes public its draft" MOU with Oak View Group on a "KeyArena renovation for NBA and NHL teams" (SEATTLE TIMES, 9/11).

"That one game is almost 20 percent of our revenue" -- Jaguars Owner Shahid Khan, on the benefits of hosting a game in London (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 9/12). 

"We watched the Weather Channel non-stop. I'm tired of watching the Hurricane Watch on TV. It's like Anchorman, like watching the panda for months and months" -- Rays 3B Evan Longoria, on dealing with Hurricane Irma over the past week (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 9/12). 

The WALL STREET JOURNAL writes Marlins RF Giancarlo Stanton's "march toward 60 home runs" has "reignited one of baseball’s fiercest debates: What makes a player the 'true home run king?'” Barry Bonds holds the single-season record with 73, but his "connection to PEDs has cast a shadow of illegitimacy over his achievements in the eyes of many."

The BOSTON GLOBE writes under the header, "As Running Booms In China, Marathoners Look To Boston." China is "obsessed with marathons," but the frenzy is "outpacing the preparation." So Chinese runners and organizers are "looking to Boston as a guide." 

Also:

• What will the walk to the Raiders' Las Vegas stadium be like?
• How the late Don Ohlmeyer "wove TV magic."
• Touring Soldier Field with Bears Chair George McCaskey.
• Real Salt Lake benefiting from new academy system.
• Ezekiel Elliott case not casting NFL in favorable light.
• Does soccer's promotion-relegation work for the investor at the bottom?

I love tv. I love making tv. I could never do what @bethmowins is doing tonight. pic.twitter.com/IgRNDbrcLB

— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) September 12, 2017

With Hank Williams intro how's that ESPN liberal bias going?

— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) September 11, 2017

TFW "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" is sung at 1:25 a.m. and it's the 7th inning, not the 14th.

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) September 12, 2017

I am amazed by the number of otherwise reasonable people who are actively discussing NFL's week 1 ratings declines based only on Chiefs/Pats

— Sports TV Ratings (@SportsTVRatings) September 12, 2017

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

The fourth U.S.-China Sports Forum takes place in N.Y. with the topic, "Building Human Capital and Sports Infrastructure." Sessions include NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern on "Sports (NBA) Globalization."

A 3-minute hit on the stories you need to know ... Subscribe on iTunes ... Check out our podcast home.

Amid Beth Mowins' historic stint in the "MNF" booth last night for Chargers-Broncos, sideline reporter Sergio Dipp "made a memorably awkward debut." Mowins "threw it to him in the first quarter for a quick note" on new Broncos coach Vance Joseph. Dipp: "Folks, it’s a pleasure to be with you guys, here on the field, from up close, just watching Coach Vance Joseph from here, you watch him now on the screen.” Dipp’s initial hesitation "sparked plenty" of comments online, while others "began lamenting the fact that Dipp was apparently not allowed back on the air" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 9/12).

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Artists & Authors.”

“In 1929 Georgia O’Keefe painted the tree in New Mexico under which this British-born author used to write.”

Last night’s edition of “Jeopardy!” featured the category “Name Her Sport.”

$200: “Sue Bird.”

$800: “Gabrielle Reece.”

$1000: “Simona Halep.”

Comedy Central’s Trevor Noah: “What an exciting weekend in New York. The U.S. Open finished up. Rafael Nadal beat out a South African in the final, so screw him. But the story of the Open was undoubtedly that of Sloane Stephens, who started the tournament unseeded and ended the week boiling out of control.” "The Daily Show" aired video of Stephens being asked if the win motivates her to capture another Grand Slam title, to which she replied, “Of course, girl, did you see that check that that lady handed me? Like, yes!” Noah: “I love her so much. I love it! Finally, a sportsperson who just tells it like it is! None of that, ‘Oh yeah, for the love of the game.’ This is like, ‘Yo, did you tee see that paper? I'll be back! I'll be back!’ So congratulations, Sloane, on winning the Open and $3.7 million, which may seem like a lot of money, but have you ever tried to pay for tennis lessons? That’s like five lessons, tops” (“The Daily Show,” Comedy Central, 9/11).

NBC’s Seth Meyers appeared on “The Tonight Show” last night and talked about playing fantasy football in a league for 12 years, spending the weekend in Milwaukee for the league draft. Meyers: “If you win, you have to host everybody the next year. It’s fun for the guy, but his wife and three children had to leave the house. I’m not lying, they had to stay with in-laws.” Meyers said he is “in charge of getting the whiteboard and stickers” to track the drafted players, and “it’s like $8 if you buy it a month in advance but if you remember the day before, it’s like $270.” NBC's Fallon asked, “What do you do with that board afterwards?” Meyers: “You just throw it in the garbage.” Meyers was upset that Fallon “auto picked” for his fantasy draft. Meyers: “All 12 people have to agree to the fantasy.” But Fallon noted, “Your fantasy is you and 12 dudes in a house in Milwaukee?” Meyers: “That’s my dream” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 9/11).

The new band Prophets of Rage performed on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” last night, and bass player Tim Commerford wore a Colin Kaepernick 49ers jersey (THE DAILY).

“Who is D.H. Lawrence?”

Correct responses to the “Name Her Sport” category:

$200: “What is basketball?”

$800: “What is volleyball?”

$1000: “What is tennis?”

The $400 and $600 clues were not revealed.