The Rams' return to L.A. last night, after a two-decade absence, "drew a near-capacity crowd" of 89,140 to the Coliseum for a preseason matchup against the Cowboys. The scene was "more like an NFL playoff game, not an exhibition" (L.A. TIMES, 8/14). Yesterday was "a fever, a swoon, a moment of truth." The celebrations for the city’s newest team "started promptly at noon," as soon as the parking lots around the Coliseum opened (L.A. TIMES, 8/14). 

ESPN L.A.'s Arash Markazi wrote while he initially "had his doubts," L.A. has "completely and fully embraced the Rams and the NFL" (ESPN.com, 8/13). ESPN's Trent Dilfer said, "There's that sizzle that L.A. wants, but caution: if they don't build a winner early, this fan base has proven it will get bored." He added, "That was a great fan base in St. Louis and that organization did a lot of good there, too. So let's recognize those sad fans in St. Louis" ("Monday Night Countdown," ESPN, 8/13).

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell attended last night's Cowboys-Rams preseason game at the L.A. Coliseum sitting with Rams Owner Stan Kroenke, who said, "It's very powerful, the way the city has embraced us. It’s a great feeling. Roger is excited for the same reason we are" (L.A. TIMES, 8/14). Meanwhile, ESPN Deportes' John Sutcliffe said, "I talked with Commissioner Roger Goodell before the game and he said, ‘One of our commitments is to get that Hispanic market in the United States'" (“Cowboys-Rams,” ESPN, 8/13).

Meanwhile, ESPN's Adam Schefter said the Rams are "trying and expecting to extend the contracts" of both coach Jeff Fisher and GM Les Snead. Schefter : "Fisher is entering the last year of his deal, Snead is on the last days of his deal and the Rams have entered into discussions with both and they want to have deals wrapped up by the start of the regular season. ... Both sides believe the deal will get done" (“Monday Night Countdown,” ESPN, 8/13).

The Bills yesterday announced that they have "reached an agreement to sell the naming rights of their home stadium to Buffalo-based New Era Cap." The team "did not provide any further details" except to say a news conference will be held this week. Sources said that the deal "will run over the remainder of the team's seven year lease." New Era also has the "right of first refusal to continue the agreement once the current lease expires" in '22, and also if the Bills "elect to build a new facility." A source said the deal was "well north" of $3M per year (AP, 8/13). Bills co-Owner Kim Pegula tweeted, "Proud to be partners with a hometown team." The Orchard Park facility had been named after the team's founding owner, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. since '98 (BUFFALONEWS.com, 8/13).

Ryan Lochte and three other U.S. swimmers were "held up at gunpoint" early this morning. USOC Chief External Affairs Officer Patrick Sandusky in a statement said Lochte, Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen "left France House early Sunday morning in a taxi headed for the Olympic Village." He continued, "Their taxi was stopped by individuals posing as armed police officers who demanded the athletes’ money and other personal belongings. All four athletes are safe and cooperating with authorities." An IOC spokesperson initially said reports of the incident were "absolutely not true" (USATODAY.com, 8/14). 

Lochte said, "They pulled out their guns, they told the other swimmers to get down on the ground -- they got down on the ground. I refused, I was like we didn't do anything wrong, so -- I'm not getting down on the ground. And then the guy pulled out his gun, he cocked it, put it to my forehead and he said, 'Get down,' and I put my hands up, I was like 'whatever.' He took our money, he took my wallet -- he left my cell phone, he left my credentials" (NBCNEWS.com, 8/14).

Synchronized swimmers today were "greeted by clear blue water in the competition pool" after officials "worked through the night to replace murky green water that's become a big embarrassment for Rio Games organizers" (AP, 8/14). Officials "blamed hydrogen peroxide, added to the pool by a contractor, as the cause of the pool turning a murky green" (AFP, 8/13). ROCOG Exec Dir of Communications Mario Andrada said, "Of course it’s an embarrassment. We are hosting the Olympic Games, and athletes are here, so water is going to be an issue. We should have been better in fixing it quickly" (NYTIMES.com, 8/14).

The U.S. women's 4x100m medley relay team of Kathleen Baker, Lilly King, Dana Vollmer and Simone Manuel is being recognized by the USOC as "delivering the nation's 1,000th gold medal in Summer Olympics history." The U.S. is the "first to reach four figures -- in a landslide." The Soviet Union "remains No. 2 on the all-time summer gold list, and no other nation has even reached 500" (AP, 8/14). 

Security personnel at the Olympics "threatened to eject an Iranian volleyball fan for holding a large sign protesting the fact that women are banned from attending matches in Iran." Activist Darya Safai at Saturday's Iran-Egypt men's volleyball match had a sign that read “Let Iranian Women Enter Their Stadiums." The IOC "does not allow political statements at the Games" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 8/13).

The starting platform for the open water swimming "broke apart and washed ashore at Copacabana Beach" yesterday (L.A. TIMES, 8/14).

ESPN's "The Sports Reporters" this morning paid tribute to long-time host John Saunders, who passed away last week at the age of 61. The program began with a video of Saunders saying his opening line. The N.Y. Daily News' Mike Lupica filled Saunders' regular seat and said, "We've all been talking amongst ourselves these past few days about just what he brought to these Sunday mornings, but you had to sit in these chairs to appreciate how good he was in this chair." The Detroit Free Press' Mitch Albom said, "When we lost Dick Schaap 15 years ago there were many people who said, ‘How could Dick Schaap be replaced on this program?’ … He salvaged that seat" ("The Sports Reporters," ESPN, 8/14).

The BOSTON GLOBE's Bob Ryan writes Saunders is "being remembered, and properly so, for being a Very Good Guy," but he should "be remembered equally as a conscientious and invaluable professional asset to ESPN" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/14).

Singer Adele told the crowd at her L.A. concert last night that she was "offered the opportunity" to perform at halftime of Super Bowl LI, "but declined." She said, "First of all, I’m not doing the Super Bowl. I mean, come on, that show is not about music. And I don’t really -- I can’t dance or anything like that. They were very kind, they did ask me, but I said no" (VARIETY.com, 8/14).

WNBA Connecticut Sun GM Chris Sienko, the only GM in the team's history, on Friday announced that he "is stepping down as GM" of the Sun and the NLL Black Wolves at the end of September. Sienko also "will resign from his roles" as COO & Alternate Governor with the Sun and as VP with the Sun and Black Wolves. Sienko "has been with the Sun since the franchise moved from Orlando" in '03. The Sun became the "first profitable franchise in WNBA history under Sienko’s guidance and has maintained that in every year" since '07. He also "oversaw four WNBA All-Star games, three WNBA Drafts and three" AAC tournaments at Mohegan Sun (Norwich BULLETIN, 8/13).

Under Armour announced that two new Brand House stores -- the 15th and 16th in the U.S. -- "will open next week, including one at the new World Trade Center retail complex" in N.Y. and another on Walnut Street in Philadelphia. Another "will open this fall in Boston." UA also "will create a flagship store in Manhattan, which will open in three years in the former FAO Schwarz space on Fifth Avenue" (Baltimore SUN, 8/13).

U.S. Swimmer Katie Ledecky, a Bethesda, Md., native, broke "her own world record in the women’s 800-meter freestyle at the Rio Olympics," and the Nationals "replayed the final stages of the race on the video scoreboard during the seventh-inning stretch" (WASHINGTON POST, 8/14). 

Gloves worn by the late Muhammad Ali for his "Fight of the Century" against Joe Frazier in '71 sold early today for $606,375. The buyer "was not publicly disclosed" (ESPN.com, 8/14).

In an attempt to "reduce costs" to ferry 49er fans to Levi's Stadium and still provide a fast ride, the Valley Transportation Authority "will test express light-rail trains" beginning with today's exhibition game against the Texans (MERCURYNEWS.com, 8/12).

Team Penske "will expand its Xfinity Series entries to two full-time cars" in '17. The second Mustang "will allow Ford Performance to use the entry in its driver development program." Team Owner Roger Penske on Friday said that he "wants to use the Xfinity program to develop personnel that will eventually move to the Cup Series" (AP, 8/12).

High school students from Rhode Island yesterday were "awarded scholarships during a pregame ceremony at Fenway Park." The Rhode Island Red Sox Service Scholarships were given to 35 students from 35 different public schools (AP, 8/13).

Tickets for Alex Rodriguez's last game as a Yankee on Friday, which initially soared in price, "sunk back to earth" by game day, and many tickets were "available for as low as $13 on some resale sites." An hour before the game, a premium seat on the first level behind home plate "could be found for $58" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/13).

"The NFLPA does not stand up for players. They don't check the supplements. They give us an app. And when you call them and ask them if you test positive for something they approve, it doesn't matter" – Eagles OT Lane Johnson, on testing positive for a banned substance that he claims the union indicated was approved (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 8/14).

"You just have no idea how difficult it is for anybody to win an Olympic gold medal. I know Michael’s done it so frequently; it’s really hard to put it in perspective" – Bob Bowman, the longtime coach of U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps, on the magnitude of the decorated Olympian's accomplishments (N.Y. TIMES, 8/14).

"There’s no chance of it happening this year, but there is more discussion amongst leadership, in athletics, at least, about whether it’s time to push for it" – Univ. of Wyoming AD Tom Burman, on the possibility of selling beer at sporting events (CASPER STAR-TRIBUNE, 8/13).

"I don’t even know who Lilly King is. She does swimming, not track and field, so I’m not worried about that" – U.S. sprinter Justin Gatlin, who has previously been suspended for doping, in response to the swimmer's assertion that athletes with doping histories should not be allowed in the Olympics (USA TODAY, 8/14).

"I’m at peace, and I’m really excited. This is a happy day for me and my family" – Yankees DH Alex Rodriguez, on playing his final game with the team Friday (N.Y. TIMES, 8/13).

The CHARLOTTE OBSERVER's Scott Fowler in a front-page piece profiles U.S. women's swim team coach David Marsh, who in his year-round job works with both male and female swimmers. In coaching the women's Olympic team, which has contributed to the U.S.' 33 overall swimming medals, his approach is based on the notion that "most female swimmers value relationships over results." He has worked to ensure his swimmers "bond as a team," using unorthodox icebreakers.

SI.com's Michael Rosenberg wrote CBC commentator Elliotte Friedman "doesn't want" anyone's sympathy after he mixed up U.S. swimmers Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte while calling the men's 200m individual medley. The resulting call, in which he wrongly declared Lochte the winner, was the "worst moment of his professional life." Rosenberg: "I wish every broadcaster took as much pride in the job as Elliotte Friedman."

Elsewhere:

• K-State remains "committed to tradition," even as others embrace "trendy uniforms."
• A front-page piece in the N.Y. TIMES details the Soviet doping plan.
• The Olympics have shone a light on the sexist portrayal of women in sports.
• Juxtaposition of beach volleyball attire -- hijabs to bikinis -- shows cultural "chasm."
• Reports that the NFL is dying “are clearly premature.”
• Doug Glanville hopes Alex Rodriguez “embraces” his chance to shape youth.
• David Schoenfield: Five ways Rodriguez “changed the game” of baseball.

People complain about tennis at the Olympics??? This is has been awesome all day.

— Pete Radovich, Jr. (@PeteRadovich) August 13, 2016

Conversation heard at swimming: Is Simone Biles the Katie Ledecky of gymnastics? Or is Katie Ledecky the Simone Biles of swimming?

— Juliet Macur (@JulietMacur) August 13, 2016

.... Yes,there is some truth on this dark,rainy night; that my good friend Rex...has never heard of the word.... PRESEASON😄!!!

— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) August 13, 2016

Here's a suggestion for Tokyo. If you're not gonna have a cut, play in twosomes all week. This final round is taking forever. #Rio2016

— Kevin Cosgrove (@kcos194) August 14, 2016

Dropping in to @abc7 live right now #abc7rams pic.twitter.com/AJ5AXv4hRi

— Natalie Ravitz (@NFLNatalie) August 13, 2016