Weekend Briefs....

Seahawks CB Richard Sherman spent yesterday "surprising" Nike customers "via phone and email by handling their returns and various issues" (CBSSPORTS.com, 7/11).

Rutgers Univ. runs a full-page ad in today's N.Y. Times featuring U.S. women's national team MF Carli Lloyd, who played soccer at the school (THE DAILY).

Stars LW Patrick Sharp takes out a full-page ad in today's Chicago Tribune thanking Blackhawks fans. He played 10 seasons with the team before being traded Friday (THE DAILY).

Timepiece maker TAG Heuer named LPGA golfer Jessica Korda a brand ambassador (TWITTER.com, 7/11).

Galaxy MF Steven Gerrard yesterday "made his Galaxy debut against Mexico's Club America" before a "boisterous pro-America crowd of 27,924" at StubHub Center. The Galaxy won 2-1 (L.A. TIMES, 7/12).

Longtime friends of Univ. of Tennessee basketball Head Coach Emeritus Pat Summitt gathered last night to "trade stories about Summitt's career and raise money for Summitt's foundation," which benefits Alzheimer's disease research, as well as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The event was hosted by "GMA" anchor Robin Roberts (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 7/12).

Conor McGregor knocked out Chad Mendes last night at UFC 189 "before a sold-out crowd of 16,019 inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena" (ESPN.com, 7/11).

Attendance problems at the Pan American Games, which began Friday in Toronto, "appear far from over as large swathes of empty seats could still be seen at some events" yesterday, particularly soccer and rugby (REUTERS, 7/11).