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Sunday, October 26, 2:15pm ET

Weekend Rap .... Latest News .... Fifth Down

NFL Execs Planning Five Games For London Next Season

The likelihood of London "becoming home to an NFL franchise has increased with American football bosses planning five games in the capital next year." NFL officials "are bullish about the demand for extra matches in London and are confident they can fill Wembley for five games." The league this season "added an extra Wembley game, with tickets for all three selling out," including today's Lions-Falcons matchup. The additional games, which "would lay the groundwork for a permanent London franchise, are expected to be announced in the coming month" (London DAILY MAIL, 10/26).

PGA Of America BOD Fires Ted Bishop For Ian Poulter Comments

The PGA of America BOD on Friday removed President Ted Bishop from office "for 'insensitive gender-based statements' posted on social media at the expense of English golfer Ian Poulter." Bishop on Thursday "referred to Poulter as a little girl because of critical remarks written by the Englishman about Nick Faldo and Tom Watson as Ryder Cup captains." PGA of America VP Derek Sprague "has been appointed as interim president until Nov. 22, when the election of new national officers will take place at the PGA's 98th annual meeting" (REUTERS, 10/24). PGA of America CEO Pete Bevacqua in a statement said, "We must demand of ourselves that we make golf both welcoming and inclusive to all who want to experience it, and everyone at the PGA of America must lead by example" (PGA).

Sources: Rays' Sternberg Has Discussed Moving Team To Montreal

Rays Owner Stu Sternberg "has had discussions with wealthy Wall Street associates about moving the Rays to Montreal," according to sources. Canada's second-largest city "has been without a major-league franchise since the Expos were transferred" to DC in '05 (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/25). MLB Commissioner Bud Selig last night declined to say whether the Tampa-St. Pete market was a viable one for the long term. Selig: "I've always tried to make sure that I don't judge somebody else's market. The local owner knows that market far better than me. Stu knows what he has to do there, and I have a lot of confidence in him" (THE DAILY).

Fox' Three-Game World Series Audience Down From '13, Up From '12

Fox earned a 7.2 final rating and 12.1 million viewers for the Royals’ 3-2 win over the Giants in Game 3 of the World Series on Friday night. Both of those figures are down 3% from Red Sox-Cardinals Game 3 last year, which aired on a Saturday night. However, Royals-Giants Game 3 is up 18% and 16%, respectively, from a 6.1 rating and 10.5 million viewers for Giants-Tigers Game 3 in ’12 (also on a Saturday). Friday’s game gave Fox another primetime win. Through three games, Fox’ World Series viewership is down 7% from last year, but up 6% from the Giants’ last appearance in ’12 (Austin Karp, Assistant Managing Editor).

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said of the World Series ratings, “Let's wait until it's over. Look, the Fox people are delighted. They're winning the night by huge margins. Of course, I'd like greater television ratings. On the other hand, I had 10 clubs this year that were the No. 1 program in their market all summer long. Record sums being given to local teams for broadcast rights, and we got huge money for our national television package. So I'm satisfied. Nothing is perfect, but wait until the World Series is over and I think you'll be surprised” (MLB.com, 10/25).

Sources: 76ers' Harris On Cusp Of Buying EPL Club Crystal Palace

Devils and 76ers Owner Josh Harris "is close to an agreement to buy" EPL club Crystal Palace in a deal that "would make him the fifth owner of both a major U.S. sports franchise and a team" in the U.K.'s top soccer league, according to sources. Crystal Palace "has been in and out" of the EPL since being among the league’s founding members in '92 (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 10/25).

Federal Judge Halts N.J.'s Latest Effort To Add Sports Gambling

U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp on Friday afternoon "granted a temporary restraining order to the NCAA, NFL and other major professional sports leagues ... crushing a New Jersey racetrack's hopes of offering legal sports betting this weekend." Shipp ruled that the leagues "would suffer irreparable harm if thoroughbred track Monmouth Park began accepting sports bets" today, as was the plan. The ruling "is a blow for New Jersey" (ESPN.com, 10/24).

Source: Hank Ratner Likely Favorite To Replace Leiweke At MLSE

MLSE's BOD whittled its list of candidates to replace outgoing President & CEO Tim Leiweke "down to between six and 12 candidates," according to a source. The company "did not hire an executive search firm." Sources said that former MSG President & CEO Hank Ratner "has emerged as a possible favourite." Sources added that others interviewed for the position include NHL COO John Collins and outgoing CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon, although "neither one is seen as a likely hire" (TSN.ca, 10/25).

Pitt Football Brings Back Script Logo On Helmets On Permanent Basis

The Univ. of Pittsburgh football team brought back its script "Pitt" logo on its helmets for yesterday's homecoming loss to Georgia Tech, and AD Steve Pederson said that the school has "no plans to take it off." Pederson: "This is going to be the mark on the helmet from this day forward." He noted that the team's colors "will remain the same" and the logo change "is only for the football helmets." The script logo was the school's "unique mark for 24 seasons" from '73-96 (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 10/25).

WTA Adds Octagon's Micky Lawler To Drive Int'l Growth, Other Areas

The WTA yesterday named Octagon Managing Dir of Tennis & Global Initiatives Micky Lawler President, effective Jan. 1. She will report to WTA Chair & CEO Stacey Allaster and be responsible for driving the organization's int'l growth strategy, business development, marketing and fan-engagement programs, plus member and industry relations. She will be based out of the WTA's global HQs in St. Petersburg, Fla. (WTA).

Meanwhile, Allaster on Friday said of the season-ending BNP Paribas WTA Finals in Singapore, "(I'd give it) 10 out of 10. It's exceeded our expectations" (STRAITSTIMES.com, 10/26).

NHL's Three-Arena Tribute Offers Canadians Chance To "Stand United"

Last night's pregame tribute at three Canadian NHL arenas for the victims of last week's attacks against soldiers "served to bind a shaken nation's wounds." Ceremonies "were choreographed" prior to Bruins-Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre, Rangers-Canadiens at Bell Centre and Devils-Senators at Canadian Tire Centre (TORONTO STAR, 10/26). Fans in the three arenas "were brought together, with Ottawa’s pre-game ceremony broadcast" in Toronto and Montreal. The Senators’ PA announcer called it "an opportunity to stand united as one." The ceremony was "intensely moving" (GLOBE & MAIL, 10/26). 

Meanwhile, all four CFL games this weekend "were to feature a solemn moment of silence and all teams would wear helmet decals bearing the logo of the Canadian Armed Forces" (GLOBE & MAIL, 10/26).

Weekend Briefs....

The Sharks' 205-game sellout streak "came to an end" last night against the Sabres, the first time SAP Center was not full since Dec. 3, 2009 (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 10/26).

Bulls G Derrick Rose yesterday unveiled his new adidas D Rose 5 Boost shoe "at a downtown Foot Locker" in Chicago (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 10/25).

NASCAR driver David Ragan "will run a special paint scheme" on his No. 34 car during today's Sprint Cup Series Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 at Martinsville Speedway to honor late NASCAR HOF inductee Wendell Scott, who also drove the No. 34 (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/26).

Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson said that the conference "is putting plans of any possible expansion on hold" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 10/24).

MLB Giants fan Bryan Stow, who in '11 was the victim of a beating at Dodger Stadium, "gave a rousing rendition of 'play ball'" before last night's World Series Game 4 at AT&T Park (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 10/26). Meanwhile, Little League World Series P Mo'ne Davis threw out the first pitch before the game alongside members of the Jackie Robinson West Little League squad (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/26).

Red Sox LF Yoenis Cespedesdecision to switch agents to Roc Nation Sports "is said to increase the likelihood" the team will trade him this winter (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/26).

The NBA runs a full-page ad in today's N.Y. Times touting the beginning of the season and its "Everybody Up" campaign (THE DAILY).

Quick Hits....

"If that name is derogatory to the Indian nation, I say get rid of it" – Pro Football HOFer Roger Staubach, on the Redskins nickname controversy (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/23).

"Based on what Ray and the Penguins accomplished during his tenure, I didn't think it was fair at all" – Predators GM David Poile, on former Penguins GM Ray Shero's firing in May (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 10/26).

"Some days you come into the office and want to shoot yourself" – NCAA President Mark Emmert, on how the turmoil engulfing the organization affects his ability to get things done (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 10/25).

"I brought this on myself. For the last two years I've had to stand in front of my wife and kids and explain to them, 'I lost $50 million and my company went bankrupt and it was all my fault.' Then I had to stand in front of them and tell them, 'I have cancer because I dipped.' They are conversations I wouldn't wish on anyone" – ESPN's Curt Schilling, on the travails he has faced in recent years (ESPNBOSTON.com, 10/24).

"It really is just too difficult on the body to adjust to the time change. (It) makes me wonder about whether or not a franchise is really viable here in London" – Fox' Troy Aikman, during this morning's game from London ("Lions-Falcons," Fox, 10/26).

"I think the guy is a joke" – Yahoo Sports' Rand Getlin, on Univ. of Texas men's AD Steve Patterson, given Patterson's thoughts on whether college athletes should be paid (“Rome,” CBSSN, 10/24).

"I've never benefitted from NASCAR's diversity program. Well, clearly, then I wouldn't think there needs to be a diversity program if I'm here and I didn't get in" – NASCAR driver Danica Patrick, on the success or lack thereof of NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/25).

Weekend Hot Reads....

The BOSTON GLOBE's Bob Ryan writes under the header, "Among Entertainment Options, Sports Is The Real Thing." Sports and entertainment "might be second cousins, but they are hardly the same thing." Sport "pushes a button inside us that creates a different surge of excitement than could ever be provided" by theater, music, art or literature.

The N.Y. DAILY NEWS' Stefan Bondy writes under the header, "In High-Scoring, Fast-Paced, Less-Physical NBA, Thin Is In." NBA players "dropping weight and getting lean is hardly a new fad." But LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony "slimming down in a visually noticeable way over the summer" has  brought the idea into "the public’s consciousness." It is "about prolonging careers and keeping up with a quicker game."

Elsewhere:

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Back Pages....

The Weekend Rap offers today's back page sports covers from some of the nation's major metropolitan tabloids:

   N.Y. Post Philadelphia Daily News N.Y. Daily News  Boston Herald

Hit The Ground Running: The Week Ahead....

THE DAILY’s Week Ahead: Oct. 27 - Nov. 2

MONDAY
• ATP World Tour BNP Paribas Masters begins - Paris
• WTA Tour Yinzhou Bank International Women’s Tennis Open begins - Ningbo, China

TUESDAY
• NBA regular season begins
• Release date for "NBA Live 15" (EA Sports)
• Contenders announced for FIFA Ballon d’Or and FIFA Men’s Football Coach of the Year
• Initial CFP rankings released
• Capital One Cup: Round 4 play begins - England
• Garanti Koza WTA Tournament of Champions begins - Sofia, Bulgaria

WEDNESDAY
• MLS Cup Playoffs begin (conference knockout round)

THURSDAY
• Red Sox Chair Tom Werner to receive U.S. Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Award for role in creating the Home Base Program (highest honor given to civilians by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff) - Arlington, Va. (Pentagon)
• Fubon LPGA Taiwan Championship begins
• NHRA Toyota Nationals begin (Countdown to the Championship, Event #5 of 6) - Las Vegas

FRIDAY
• Halloween
• Breeders’ Cup begins - Arcadia, Calif.
• Champions Tour Charles Schwab Cup Championship begins (season finale) - Scottsdale, Ariz.
• PGA Tour CIMB Classic begins in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• NASCAR Camping World Truck Series WinStar World Casino & Resort 350 - Ft. Worth, Texas

SATURDAY
• NASCAR Nationwide Series O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge - Ft. Worth, Texas
• Rugby: USA Eagles vs. New Zealand All Blacks - Chicago

SUNDAY
• TCS New York City Marathon - N.Y.
• NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA Texas 500 (Chase for the Sprint Cup, Event #2 of 3 in the Eliminator Round) - Ft. Worth, Texas
• F1 U.S. Grand Prix - Austin, Texas

Note: Events are subject to change. Information about upcoming events can be sent via email to calendar@sportsbusinessjournal.com.