NCAA President Mark Emmert this morning said the organization "at least in part" will appeal the ruling in the Ed O'Bannon case. Emmert said there was "a lot in the ruling" that was admirable, but added there also were things "we fundamentally disagree with. Most notably ... there's a violation of anti-trust laws going on here." Emmert said no one "in our legal team or in the college conferences legal teams believes that" ("This Week with George Stephanopoulos," ABC, 8/10).

After a series of conference calls with all 32 conferences yesterday, the NCAA "has not had a lot of answers for its members, as the organization seeks further clarification" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/10). The appeals process could "last two or three years, or substantially longer should the NCAA win along the way." An NCAA appeal would "first be heard" by the Ninth Circuit,  which "is regarded as one of the most labor-friendly appellate courts" (SI.com, 8/9). O'Bannon yesterday said, "You want to go to the Supreme Court, let's go" (AP, 8/9). 

U.S. District Court Judge Claudia Wilken late Friday issued her 99-page ruling "in favor of a group of plaintiffs" led by O'Bannon." She ruled that the NCAA's limits on "what major college football and men's basketball players can receive for playing sports 'unreasonably restrain trade' in violation of antitrust laws" (USATODAY.com, 8/8).

USATODAY.com on Friday night: "Judge Releases Ruling On O'Bannon Case: NCAA Loses"
N.Y. TIMES P1 on Saturday: "NCAA Must Allow Colleges to Pay Athletes, Judge Rules"
N.Y. TIMES Sunday header: "99-Page Ruling in O'Bannon Case Is Missing Something: Clarity"
WSJ.com: "Judge Rules Against NCAA Ban on Paying Players," with the subhead, "O'Bannon Decision Would Allow Athletes to Make Money from Licensing Revenue; NCAA Can Appeal"
TIME.com: "Harsh, But In The End Puzzling"
N.Y. TIMES columnist and NCAA critic Joe Nocera weighs in on events of the last week under the header: "This Is Reform? The NCAA's Feeble Reform Impulse"
ESPN.com's Lester Munson gives his takeaways under the header, "O'Bannon Ruling Could Haunt NCAA"

Tony Stewart is not participating in today's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Watkins Glen Int'l after he struck and killed fellow sprint car driver Kevin Ward Jr. during a race in Canadaigua, New York, last night. Ward, who "died from injuries suffered in the incident," was walking on the dirt track at the Canandaigua Motorsports Track when hit by Stewart's car (CNN.com, 8/10). Ontario County Sheriff Philip Povero said that his department's investigation "is not criminal and that Stewart was 'fully cooperative'" (FOXSPORTS.com, 8/10).

Stewart-Haas Racing Competition Dir Greg Zipadelli just after 10:00am ET this morning made the announcement that Stewart would not race, saying this is a "very tough, very emotional time for everybody." Stewart's decision came after NASCAR Senior Dir of Communications for Competition Kerry Tharp earlier in the morning said there was "nothing that would preclude him from our standpoint of participating in today's event" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 8/10).  Stewart issued a statement after the race began, saying, "There aren’t words to describe the sadness I feel about the accident that took the life of Kevin Ward Jr. It’s a very emotional time for all involved, and it is the reason I’ve decided not to participate in today’s race at Watkins Glen. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and everyone affected by this tragedy.” Regan Smith is driving Stewart's car today (THE DAILY).

The news was widely covered this morning, as NBC's "Today" led with the story. ESPN NASCAR analyst Marty Smith also appeared on ABC's "GMA," which led with the story. "CBS Sunday Morning" mentioned the incident five minutes into the broadcast. ESPN's "NASCAR Countdown" discussed the Stewart incident for the first 20 minutes of the show (THE DAILY). 

Former NBA Commissioner David Stern was inducted into the Basketball HOF on Friday, and was joined on stage by fellow HOFers Bill Russell, Russ Granik, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Bob Lanier. Stern credited Russell for "being a part of the NBA's civil rights movement." Stern "preached the totality of basketball, and how everything comes back to the actual game" (Springfield REPUBLICAN, 8/10). Stern during the ceremony was "deferential." He "didn't call out his critics," but instead "capitulated to them." He was the "headliner of this class, the man given the honor of going last" (ESPN.com, 8/9). 

MLB owners on Thursday will vote on the three finalists -- MLB COO Rob Manfred, Red Sox Chair Tom Werner and MLB Exec VP/Business Tim Brosnan -- offered up by the committee searching for Bud Selig's successor. Selig on Friday issued a statement saying the three candidates "are a reflection of the Committee's work alone, and I have not promoted individual candidates." Selig: "I will continue to encourage Clubs to voice their opinions within the confines of this process. Reports of personal animosity between (White Sox Chair Jerry Reinsdorf) and me -- are unfounded and unproductive" (MLB). With "accusations surfacing of discord among the owners, and the potential for a boardroom slugfest on Thursday, Selig felt it necessary this week to calm the public waters" (NEWSDAY, 8/10).

ESPN has suspended “SportsNation” host Max Kellerman until this Thursday “for an inappropriate conversation on ESPN-LA Radio surrounding Ray Rice and domestic abuse.” Kellerman, on the “Mason & Ireland” show this past Monday, “admitted to hitting his girlfriend many years ago.” Sources said that “while the content of his story was disturbing, the suspension was all about Kellerman ... not adhering to ESPN brass' warning concerning the Rice topic being a highly sensitive one” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/9). Kellerman is the “third ESPN host to be suspended in the past two weeks” (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 8/9).

The Vikings on Friday night began their two-year stint at TCF Bank Stadium and the preseason game was a "housewarming party for the fans and team alike, and most left feeling like they would coming from a friend’s new digs -- comfortable, impressed." The Vikings "were admittedly scrambling a bit pregame trying to adjust to their new surroundings" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/9). There were "plenty of attractions greeting ticket holders outside the stadium's gate." The road between the stadium and nearby Mariucci Arena "was closed down and fans could wander among tents offering games, contests and face painting" (ST. CLOUD TIMES, 8/9). Univ. of Minnesota Police Chief Greg Hestness said that the game "wasn't much different in terms of crowd behavior than a typical Gophers game" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 8/9).

There were "not enough fans to obscure the enormous gold M on the seats in the lower deck, or the gold Minnesota spelled out across the upper-deck seats." UM logos also "were visible everywhere." But even with "all the maroon and gold," there was "the feel of a Vikings home game" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/9).

The Braves yesterday "held a pre-game tribute" for late broadcaster Pete Van Wieren, who died Aug. 2 after a battle with cancer (AJC.com, 8/9).

Former Mariners manager Lou Piniella "transformed from gracious retired legend to motivational skipper once more" during his 25-minute speech yesterday as he was inducted into the team's HOF (SEATTLE TIMES, 8/10). 

The CFL Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday unveiled a special-edition jersey that will debut during the team's Aug. 16 home game against the Alouettes (Roughriders).

U.S. District Court Judge Shira Scheindlin yesterday ruled that a group of fans suing MLB and the NHL to "stop the leagues' strict control over television broadcast rights can try to prove their claims at trial" (AP, 8/8). 

Vijay Singh's attorney yesterday said that "no settlement has been reached" in the golfer's lawsuit against the PGA Tour. The two sides "continue to prepare for a status conference" Oct. 7 before New York Supreme Court Judge Eileen Bransten (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 8/9). 

"Don't speak -- go out and fight, then you will see. People, they say I should not be a candidate or I should not be elected -- they can take the risk to be in the election" -- FIFA President Sepp Blatter, on criticism he has received regarding his decision to run for the position again next May (AP, 8/9).

"There's a reason why [former Hornets Owner] George Shinn didn't last in the league too much longer than that" -- Basketball HOFer Alonzo Mourning, on the team trading him to the Heat prior to the '95-96 season due to a contract dispute (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/10).

"(I) got up and then got a call from my crew chief, Ryan Pemberton (that) said they may need some help up here today and (I) went to the shop as soon as I knew that. (I) left the shop at probably 9:30 and (was) fortunate enough that (Rick Hendrick) was still coming up here and was able to hitch a ride up here with him and get up here in time” -- NASCAR driver Regan Smith, on replacing Tony Stewart for today's race at Watkins Glen (“NASCAR Countdown,” ESPN, 8/10).

The L.A. TIMES' Bill Plaschke profiles new Staples Center President Lee Zeidman, writing he has a "title, newly bestowed, sweatily acquired, richly deserved, yet still hard for his elbow-greased crowd to believe." Zeidman is the "biggest of the big shots, running one of the world's busiest arenas." He also is the "most unlikely and endearing of the big shots." 

The BOSTON GLOBE's Christopher Gasper takes a look at the evolution or large video boards at professional sports venues, which has "ushered in the modern era of sports spectatorship." Now, no new stadium or an arena will "be built now without a massive video screen," as it would be like "forgetting to include seats or bathrooms."

Elsewhere:

• A "star-powered" prep academy founded by Deion Sanders "comes under scrutiny."
• Why 25-year-old Rory McIlroy is at the head of golf's "flashy new generation." 
• A building boom in the Twin Cities means Midway Stadium's "days are numbered." 

USA Today's Jeff Gluck: "If you're wondering, the Kevin Ward tragedy was not mentioned in the drivers meeting."

Florida Times-Union's Richard Johnson, on the Univ. of Florida: "AD Jeremy Foley has sent out a letter to students politely asking them to buy season tickets."

GolfDigest.com Editor Sam Weinman, "Billy Horschel's pants today. His dad is wearing the same pattern in shorts. #synergy."