• Congress Wants Briefs From NCAA, Sports Companies On Scandal
• Packers, Bears Lock Arms During National Anthem, But All Stand
• Phillies To Face Mets In Second Annual MLB Little League Classic
• Preliminary Deal In Place To Finance MLS Stadium In Nashville

Start your morning with Buzzcast, a 3-minute podcast on today's top stories.
Today: What a week and now what’s next?!

Members of the House Energy & Commerce Committee are "seeking a briefing from the NCAA and 'any sports companies caught up' with the fraud and corruption scandal that has rocked college basketball this week." U.S. Reps Greg Walden (R-Ore.) and Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) made the joint announcement yesterday. The committee said that it is "not seeking any additional information from law enforcement at this point" (ESPN.com, 9/28).

Meanwhile, Rick Pitino is described as "Coach 2" in the FBI's investigation, making him a "central figure in the recruitment sting operation," according to a source. The revelation reinforces the Louisville athletic department's "deep ties to Adidas," and it "likely allows the university to fire Pitino" without paying the $46M remaining on his contract. Pitino on Wednesday was placed on administrative leave (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 9/29).

Players and coaches from both the Packers and Bears "locked arms on their respective sidelines" during the national anthem prior to last night's "TNF" game at Lambeau Field. No one sat and "no one kneeled." Packers players "encouraged fans" to lock arms as well, and while the anthem "proved to be uneventful, the majority of spectators did not link arms with their neighbors" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 9/29). Packers QB Aaron Rodgers after the game "downplayed the lukewarm participation" in the gesture. A "loud ovation" and chants of "USA, USA" rang out before the anthem. There was an "increased security presence on the field during the anthem." One sign read, "Shame on the NFL, Vets stand for the flag" (ESPN.com, 9/29).

In light of President Trump continuing to target the NFL protests, CBS’ Stephen Colbert said Trump is “flip-flopping so often, next Sunday he’s going to take a knee during the national anthem.” Colbert: “There’s a lot on the president’s plate right now ... his new tax plan, the crisis in Puerto Rico, the threat of nuclear war with North Korea, which is why he is staying focused on football.” Trump has “called on the owners to fire players that protest and he explained why that might be harder than you think,” as he thinks the owners are “afraid of their players.” The broadcast then showed a photo of Falcons Owner Arthur Blank standing arm-in-arm with his team. Colbert: “He is terrified. The guy to the left of him has got on gloves, he’s going to strangle him.” The show then displayed a photo of Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones kneeling on the field with his players. Colbert: “This guy’s praying for his life” (“The Late Show,” CBS, 9/28).

NBC’s Jimmy Fallon noted President Trump's new tax plan's "actual title" is "The Unified Framework For Fixing Our Broken Tax Code." Fallon said it is a "better title than some of the other ones he considered," including “The Unified Framework For Fixing Our Broken Tax Code That No One Noticed Because I Started a Fight With the NFL, NBA, and North Korea In One Week! #sorrynotsorry” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 9/28).

MLB, the MLBPA and Little League Int’l have completed an agreement for the Phillies and Mets to play in the second MLB Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pa., next season. The event, scheduled for Aug. 19 at BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field, will again be held in concert with the Little League World Series and shown on ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball,” with the crowd for the MLB game largely comprised of youth players and their families/coaches. The Single-A Williamsport Crosscutters recently extended their agreement as a Phillies affiliate through the '20 season.

The initial MLB Little League Classic last month involving the Pirates and Cardinals was a critical success and continued ongoing efforts by the league to stage regular-season games in unique domestic settings while promoting increased youth participation in baseball. After the game, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said he intended for the event to become an annual part of the league schedule.

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry's administration has reached a "preliminary deal with a local investor group led by prominent businessman John Ingram" for financing a potential MLS stadium at the city's fairgrounds. The Barry administration now will "ask the Metro Council to approve it." A special Council meeting is set for Monday afternoon for the "mayor's office to present details of the stadium financing proposal" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 9/29).

EA Sports today releases "FIFA 18," and POLYGON.com writes the video game "feels like a breakthrough, even if it’s still largely a refinement of things the series has done well through most of this console generation." GAMESPOT gives the game a 7 out of 10: "It's off the pitch that EA excels, from the variety of game modes on offer and how everything's presented, to the constant updates." GOAL.com writes, "It feels like real football not just because of the graphical improvements, but the gameplay is more like a real match." The London TELEGRAPH goes with, "The 10 Things About FIFA 18 That Are Bound To Annoy Fans." EA released a video yesterday heralding the game's release:

The Arizona Board of Regents yesterday "unanimously approved" the Univ. of Arizona’s '19-21 Capital Improvement Plan, which includes a $66M "upgrade to campus sports facilities as requested" by UA AD Dave Heeke (ARIZONA DAILY STAR, 9/29).

The Univ. of Nebraska will "pay Turnkey Sports & Entertainment $125,000 to help find a replacement" for former AD Shawn Eichorst, who was fired last week (OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, 9/29).

Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions, founded in '13, has "made a deal with television network beIN Sports to carry its cards" through '18 (ESPN.com, 9/28).

Xavier men's basketball will have "several new looks" throughout the '17-18 season with a new line of Nike uniforms (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 9/29).

The Tradition evolves...
Xavier’s NEW home uniforms.
⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️@nikebasketball pic.twitter.com/OYjYvs2pJ4

— Xavier Basketball (@XavierMBB) September 28, 2017

LSU football unveiled its uniform color combination for Saturday's home game against Troy. It features "white helmets with purple letter and a Tiger logo, purple jerseys with gold trim and white numbers, and white pants with purple trim and the throwback block 'L' logo" (THEADVOCATE.com, 9/28).

Here come the Tigers! pic.twitter.com/UZgxQJpMiT

— LSU Football Equip (@LSUFBEquipment) September 28, 2017

"I’m going to tell her beforehand I apologize for whatever happens on the field, but I appreciate the donation nonetheless and I hope the check still clears" -- Texans DE J.J. Watt, on receiving a $1M Hurricane Harvey relief donation from Titans Controlling Owner Amy Adams Strunk ahead of hosting the Titans on Sunday (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 9/29).

"That’d be outstanding if they can. The more information we have, the better it is for our game. ... If that’s the case, that would help us learn a lot" -- Jets QB Josh McCown, on Boston Univ.'s findings that may lead to the ability to detect CTE in living humans (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/29).

"Without Jeffrey, there is no baseball in Miami" -- Marlins President David Samson, on Jeffrey Loria's legacy in South Florida following the approval of sale to the group led by Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter (MIAMI HERALD, 9/29).

"We just had three former Presidents of the United States on the first tee cheering us on and shaking our hand and acting like we are all boys" -- Golfer Justin Thomas, on Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton attending the first day of the Presidents Cup (GOLF.com, 9/28).

“San Diego has started building a border wall. Not to stop immigrants, but to keep the L.A. Chargers from coming back” -- TBS' Conan O'Brien (“Conan,” TBS, 9/29).

The N.Y. DAILY NEWS writes, "Donald Trump’s Feud With NFL May Be Fueled By USFL Flop And Failure To Buy NFL Team." Time "has not healed all wounds," and the former N.J. Generals Owner is "using his unexpected power to ... finally get even." Trump in '14 was outbid for the Bills by Terry and Kim Pegula, almost 30 years after he "killed the USFL."

Former A's Exec VP Andy Dolich in a special to the S.F. CHRONICLE goes with, "A’s Deal First Card In Game Of Peralta Poker." While the A's chose the Peralta Colleges site in Oakland for a new ballpark, site selection is "just one card in the deck." Dolich: "Who holds the best hand? ... And who will fold?"

Also:

• With "Battle of the Sexes," Billie Jean King "inspired a generation." 
• NBA's issue of revenue sharing "demands a solution."
• Would return to golf really be best thing for Tiger Woods?
• Broncos' Von Miller kneeling during anthem causes sponsor confusion.
• Flames' importance to Calgary "undeniable."
• Are social protests really a new thing for sports world?
• By embracing pro-America image, is PBR "becoming the counterculture?"

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

As a way to show respect to all, our #Saints team will kneel in solidarity prior to the national anthem & stand together during the anthem.

— Drew Brees (@drewbrees) September 29, 2017

Dispatch from Germany: college hoops scandal is barely on the radar in Adidas home; more coverage going to sacking of Bayern Munich manager

— Sara Germano (@germanotes) September 29, 2017

The Red Sox and Astros literally just took an hour to play two innings of baseball. Rob Manfred is screaming.

— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) September 29, 2017

I love that Tony Romo knows to show love to the OL blocks. That block had nothing to do w/the TD throw but he talked about it.

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) September 29, 2017

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

The Triple-A Int'l League Durham Bulls kick off the three-day DBAP Gaming Challenge, the first time an esports event will be held at an MiLB ballpark.

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “The Northeastern U.S.”

“Once its own city, it joined with a neighbor in 1898; today on its own it would be the 4th most populous city in the U.S.”

ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel: “Russia and the United States, with all that's happening between us right now, have announced an agreement to team up to build a space station on the moon. Although I should say the Russians are calling it a space station and for some reason the White House keeps referring to it as a golf resort/casino” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 9/28).

NBC's Jimmy Fallon: “I read that a 45-foot-tall statue of a nude woman will be placed next to the Washington Monument, which explains why the Washington Monument is like, ‘Think about baseball, think about baseball, think about ... ” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 9/28). 

Last night’s edition of NBC’s “The Tonight Show” featured host Jimmy Fallon playing a hybrid golf game with three of the “best junior golfers in the world.” The game was “Golf Skee-Ball” with the three kid golfers competing as a team against Fallon and PGA Tour stars  Jason Day and Jordan Spieth (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 9/28).

“What is Brooklyn?”

Meanwhile, “Jeopardy” announcer Johnny Gilbert was honored by Guinness World Records as having the longest career as a game show announcer for the same show at 32 years, 7 months and 30 days.