The NFL "has disputed" a claim by Donald Trump that the league "wrote him a letter complaining about the presidential debate schedule" conflicting with several NFL games. Trump's camp responded last night, saying he was "made aware of conflicting dates by a source close to the league." Trump originally said of the debates, "I'll tell you what I don't like: it's against two NFL games. I got a letter from the NFL saying, 'This is ridiculous.'" Trump: "Two of the three are against the NFL, so I'm not thrilled with that" ("This Week with George Stephanopoulos," ABC, 7/31). NFL VP/Communications Brian McCarthy tweeted, "While we'd obviously wish the Debate Commission could find another night, we did not send a letter to Mr Trump" (TWITTER.com, 7/30). Planned debates on Monday, Sept. 26, and Sunday, Oct. 9, appear to conflict with the NFL schedule (THE DAILY). 

Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban yesterday in Pittsburgh introduced Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton to "a crowd of several thousand." Cuban said, "I'm ready to tell the world that I endorse Hillary Clinton." He added, "Is there a bigger jagoff in the world than Donald Trump?" (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 7/31).

Despite rain washing out much of play yesterday at the PGA Championship, the tournament's "plan is to try and finish" tonight. The final round today began at 8:40am ET at Baltusrol Golf Club while the third round was "still in progress." Groups did "not re-pair based on score, so it's possible that the winner could finish hours before the final groups do" (NORTHJERSEY.com, 7/31). The last group in the final round was scheduled to tee off at 3:16pm, and as of press time, there had been no more delays (THE DAILY). Play yesterday was suspended around 2:15pm, and the PGA announced that third-round tickets could "not be used for admittance" today (TWITTER.com, 7/30).

ESPN.com's Jason Sobel wrote yesterday there were "two potential options" for the PGA. The first was to "move up tee times and try to get as much golf played as possible before any suspension of play." The second was to "try to get lucky." The PGA "chose the second option" (ESPN.com, 7/30). Golf writer Robert Lusetich: "Not sending the players out earlier with this forecast makes you wonder if the #USGA is running this #PGAChampionship."

The Rams yesterday hosted their first day of training camp since moving to L.A. at UC-Irvine, and the team "filled bleachers surrounding two makeshift football fields with nearly 10,000 folks who sprinted to their seats early and stood screaming for autographs late." This was "all for a Rams event that had no score, no statistics and no drama." It was "just a practice." However, because it was the Rams' first training camp practice as an L.A. franchise in 22 years, it "was horned gold" (L.A. TIMES, 7/31).

Sources said that a number of bidders "including British broadcaster Sky" are interested in F1, and a "winner of the auction could emerge in the next few weeks." A deal "could value the racing series" at around $8B or more. Sources said that "other possible buyers" include Discovery Communications and John Malone’s Liberty Global. Should there be a deal, it "isn’t clear how much of the famed motor-racing company would be sold" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 7/30).

A crowd of 105,826 at yesterday's Int'l Champions Cup match between Chelsea and Real Madrid at Michigan Stadium "is the second largest to ever watch a match in the U.S." The mark is "shy only of the 109,318 who witnessed Manchester United beat Real Madrid 3-1 at Michigan Stadium Aug. 2, 2014" (DETROIT NEWS, 7/31). Meanwhile, Bayern Munich defeated Inter Milan 4-1 in front of 53,629 at Bank of America Stadium, which is down from 61,000 in '15 (TWITTER.com, 7/30). The ICC drew 265,000 fans for the five games played yesterday (TWITTER.com, 7/30).

Meanwhile, Liverpool for its game against AC Milan at Levi's Stadium yesterday "debuted a lime green uniform dubbed 'Toxic and Thunder.'" The "retro look was in stark contrast to its sea of red-clad supporters in the lower bowl" of the stadium. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: "I like the color. Ok, it's not a Liverpool color, I know. It's not red. In my country green is a color of hope" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 7/31).

adidas' contract with the Univ. of Michigan expires tonight at midnight, and there "will be a block party" at M Den, the official retailer of UM, to celebrate Nike's impending deal. The store opens "with the new gear at midnight." UM's Jordan Brand football uniforms "will be revealed" on Tuesday (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 7/31). M Den co-Owner Scott Hirth said that the anticipation of the new Nike gear is the "highest he's seen during his time with the outlet." Hirth: "The only thing that can even come close (to this), I believe, would be a national championship in football or basketball" (MLIVE.com, 7/31).

The main ramp of Marina da Gloria, the sailing venue of the Rio Games, "partially collapsed" yesterday. Organizers said that no one "was injured in the incident that raises further questions about the quality of construction" in Rio. In another incident "caused by strong winds in Rio, water inundated TV studios on Copacabana Beach near the volleyball arena." Iron boards "were used to contain the waves" (AP, 7/30). Meanwhile, U.S. men's doubles tennis team Bob and Mike Bryan "have pulled out" of the Games "citing health concerns" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 7/30).

A court on Friday ruled that Tony Stewart’s insurance company "wasn’t obligated to pay any damages or fees" regarding the '14 incident in which he struck and killed sprint car driver Kevin Ward. Stewart’s insurance company "had contended it wasn’t obligated to cover Stewart’s sprint car teams." It said that Tony Stewart Racing’s insurance policy "outlined specific events for the policy -- the race at Canandaigua not being one of them." Stewart is now "obligated -- barring a reversal upon a potential appeal -- to pay his attorney fees and any money as a result of a settlement or judgement regarding the civil suit" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 7/30).

Pittsburgh boxers yesterday "faced off against Cuban boxers" in "Duelo Del Siglo," which featured 11 bouts of three, three-minute rounds on the Roberto Clemente Bridge. The ring was "set up in the middle of the bridge" and featured boxers age 11 to 26. Former Pennsylvania State Rep. and organizer Michael Diven said that the event was "less a political statement and more a sports showcase for young boxers." He added that the "undertone is for a better relationship between Cuba and the U.S." (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 7/31).

Cowboys QB Tony Romo, TE Jason Witten, CB Orlando Scandrick, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and Police Chief David Brown yesterday welcomed family members of those lost in the Dallas police shootings earlier this month "onto the practice field." The demonstration before the Cowboys' first full practice of training camp was about "showing compassion for the family members of the five officers who were slain." Witten: "The organization just wanted to honor them, show tribute to the families and show support. It's all about uniting together as a community" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 7/31).

NASCAR this afternoon postponed the Sprint Cup Series Pennsylvania 400 at Pocono Raceway to tomorrow at 11:00am ET due to persistent rain in the area (Mult., 7/31). 

The Raiders on Friday gave GM Reggie McKenzie a "four-year contract extension" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/31).

IndyCar drivers Helio Castroneves, Conor Daly, James Hinchcliffe, Tony Kanaan and Will Power tonight at 8:00pm ET will appear on ABC's "Family Feud" with SI swimsuit models including Nina Agdal, Hannah Ferguson and Samantha Hoopes (SI.com, 7/28).

This week's N.Y. Times Magazine features U.S. swimmer Katie Ledecky on its Olympics issue cover.

The Denver Post's Woody Paige today penned his final column after 35 years with the paper. Paige is joining the Colorado Springs Gazette (DENVER POST, 7/31).

Redskins President Bruce Allen yesterday announced that the team "will induct" former GM Bobby Beathard into its Ring of Fame (WASHINGTON POST, 7/31).

"I'm disappointed that he didn't keep appealing, from a player's standpoint, because it kind of gives the commissioner a little bit more power than maybe was negotiated or settled" – Browns OT Joe Thomas, on Patriots QB Tom Brady's decision to finally accept the NFL's Deflategate suspension (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 7/31). 

"It's just not worth it" – Bengals TE Tyler Eifert, on whether or not he would play in the Pro Bowl again (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 7/29).

"It's a tremendous honor. Every team has a little different philosophy retiring numbers, so I think it's great the Mets keep it very, very exclusive. It's that much more even special" – Baseball HOFer Mike Piazza, on his No. 31 being retired by the Mets (N.Y. POST, 7/31).

"In the NBA, the greatest players are at the forefront of the movement. In the NFL, the greatest players aren’t. Our great players are sitting back just taking the dollars, whether it’s Cam Newton or other guys" – Seahawks DE Michael Bennett, on the stances professional athletes take on social issues (SEATTLE TIMES, 7/31). 

"That's their business, and I'm not going to discuss other people's business. They're going to do what they're going to do" – Packers Exec VP, GM & Dir of Football Operations Ted Thompson, when asked if he would like for LBs Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers to cooperate with NFL investigators regarding their alleged use of PEDs (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 7/31).

The BOSTON GLOBE's Kevin Paul Dupont writes under the header, "Big Dollars Are Drawing Hockey Stars Away From College." Talented players arrive to college "dreaming of big bucks and not big books." Bruins GM Don Sweeney said, "It's rare now for a kid to arrive at a Division 1 school, 18 years old and undrafted. So that alone is a big part of the equation." Player agent Kent Hughes: "It works great for some kids. ... But not everyone is ready. Some of these kids get lost in the AHL. That's always my fear."

The BOSTON HERALD's Jack Encarnacao writes one year after the UFC launched its partnership with the USADA to curb PED use by its fighters, a "number of encouraging and painful lessons have been learned." Fighters have "praised the deterrent effects of the tests and the stiff two-year penalties for failures." But fans "got a bitter taste of the downside of the new regime" at UFC 200, when Jon Jones failed a drug test and was forced from the card's main event.

Elsewhere:

• NFL's coaching-hire disparity "goes beyond what Rooney Rules can address."
• MLS player experiences confusion, questions and anxiety in days after concussion.
• An in-depth look into Under Armour's Kevin Plank's $5.5B plan for Baltimore.
• Dick's Sporting Goods is "giving Olympic hopefuls a boost."
• New Bulls G Dwyane Wade is someone other Chicago athletes should emulate.

MLB playoff conflicts are underrated factor in debate scheduling story. NFL obviously bigger nationally but MLB home markets unpredictable.

— Michael Mulvihill (@mulvihill79) July 31, 2016

FYI: Spartanburg CVB says Panthers camp attendance (week 1)was 40,452. That's up 12% from same period of 2015. @UpstateBiz #onespartanburg

— Trevor Anderson (@AndersonTrev) July 30, 2016

Pete Bevacqua: PGA has "every intention" to bring PGA Champ back to Baltusrol. "We feel this is a perfect venue, despite the weather."

— Will Gray (@WillGrayGC) July 31, 2016

Just watched @RealSportsHBO @Olympics story - wow! Unbelievable how brands can align themselves with the CORRUPT #IOC #sportsbiz

— Ed Kiernan (@EdKiernanNYC) July 31, 2016

You know you've made it when.... You share the cover with Donald Duck! 😁 #specialday in stores August 4th. #Disney pic.twitter.com/2t2xwljkGv

— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) July 30, 2016