President Trump is expected to make an appearance today at the U.S. Women's Open in Bedminster, N.J., but there has "been no word from the White House on Trump's plans for the day." The White House press pool arrived at Trump National Golf Club around 1:00pm ET. Trump was at the tournament both Friday and yesterday, and his visits were "relatively low-key." There has "been no word" as to whether Trump will take part in the trophy presentation (NJ.com, 7/16).

Trump arrived yesterday at his presidential box in midafternoon and "welcomed several visitors, including Paula Creamer, who did not make the cut, and Lexi Thompson." His presence did not appear to have "caused much reaction on the course, beyond an elevated noise level in the vicinity of his suite" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/16). Trump this morning tweeted thanks to "all of the supporters" from yesterday, who "far out-numbered the protesters" at the course (TWITTER.com, 7/16).

On Friday, a few miles away from the course, anti-Trump activists "gathered to protest" the USGA holding the event at the Trump-owned course. But most players "described his presence as a welcome distraction." By showing up, Trump "elevated the profile of the women," as he is the "first sitting president to make an appearance at a U.S. Women's Open" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/15).

Fox Sports producers had an inkling that President Trump was attending the U.S. Women’s Open, but they were not told with any certainty. Producers used a crane on the 18th hole to show the president’s motorcade when it arrived on Friday. “That gave us a pretty good heads-up,” said Fox Sports Coordinating Producer Mark Loomis. In its coverage on Friday and yesterday, Fox Sports frequently cut to shots of the president watching the event from a viewing booth near the 15th green. Its coverage today is expected to follow the same guidelines. “I’ve never done an event with a sitting U.S. president,” Loomis said. “We’re trying to show that he’s here, but we’re also trying to make our telecast about the event.”

Fox Sports has not requested an on-camera interview with President Trump, Loomis said. “We feel that would take away from the event,” he said. The president’s appearance has created an unusual atmosphere, particularly around his viewing both, Loomis said. “Half the crowd is facing one way and watching him and half the crowd is facing the other way and watching the golf.”

The Broncos' John Elway is "about to become the league's highest-paid" Exec VP/Football Operations & GM. The Broncos and Elway are "negotiating a long-term agreement that could be finalized privately this week and should be announced publicly before training camp begins July 27." Broncos President & CEO Joe Ellis said, "John's an important part of our organization, and we want to make sure he's here for a long time." Elway earns "about $3 million annually," and "has been offered" $30-35M for a five-year extension. An additional title of COO "may be added" for Elway, with Ellis continuing in his current role as President & CEO (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 7/16).

Former Masters Tournament Chair & Augusta National Golf Club Chair Hootie Johnson "died Friday morning" at 86. During his tenure, 14 of 18 holes were "altered as Augusta National led the charge against advances in golf ball and club technology." It was Johnson's response to National Council of Women's Organizations Chair Martha Burk that "thrust him into the national spotlight" in the summer of '02. Burk "challenged Augusta National’s all-male membership, and Johnson responded with a terse, three-paragraph reply" that outlined the club’s position. Johnson was succeeded by Billy Payne, who in '12 "ushered in the club’s first two female members" (AUGUSTA CHRONICLE, 7/15). 

UCLA football and Under Armour unveiled the team’s '17 home and away jerseys, and despite a few "subtle tweaks, both looks are firmly rooted in tradition." Breaking away from Adidas, UCLA "partnered with Under Armour on a 15-year deal" in '16, and one major change is the "color of the UCLA lettering on the helmet." Gone from the new uniforms are "diamond-pattern upper of years past in favor of a more traditional look." The shoulder stripes "remain, as do the gold pants of the away uniform" (FOXSPORTS.com, 7/15).

The new @UAFootball uniforms for @UCLAFootball are here!#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/dLuS9mUtZ6

— UCLA Athletics (@UCLAAthletics) July 15, 2017

LaVar Ball said there is still a chance for a big shoe brand to sign his son, Lakers G Lonzo Ball, "if the price is right." LaVar Ball: "Quite frankly we are officially in the shoe game, and are a billion dollar brand either way." After wearing his Big Baller Brand signature ZO2 shoes in the Lakers' first two Summer League games and Nike for the third, Lonzo Ball wore Adidas "for the fourth" and last night wore Warriors G Stephen Curry's "yet-to-be-released Under Armour shoes." Lonzo Ball said he decides which shoes to wear "when he wakes up." Asked if his shoe choices are part of a master plan, Lonzo said, "You could say that" (ESPN.com, 7/15).

Holder Construction executive C.J. Sage died suddenly Thursday while walking to a meeting at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, company officials confirmed today. Sage, 49, served as Holder's senior superintendent for building Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Falcons' new $1.5B facility. He was not on the construction site when the incident occurred and the meeting was for a separate project at the Georgia World Congress Center, according to Holder spokesperson Beth Lowry. Sage was employed by Holder for 22 years.

The renovated Nassau Coliseum last night held a boxing event "for the first time" since '86, as a crowd of 7,492 turned out to see the Premier Boxing Champions card on Fox, headlined by Omar Figueroa Jr.-Robert Guerrero (ESPN.com, 7/16). Despite the return to Long Island, the main event "failed to generate local interest." But there is a "commitment from management ... to make boxing a regular part of the Coliseum schedule." Promoter Lou DiBella: "You have to start somewhere. There hasn't been big-time boxing on Long Island in 31 years. This is a start" (NEWSDAY, 7/16).

Meanwhile, a crowd of 5,846 turned out to The Forum last night to see Miguel Berchelt beat Takashi Miura to retain the junior lightweight world title (ESPN.com, 7/16).

The women's portion of the World Series of Beach Volleyball wrapped up yesterday in Long Beach, with a "capacity crowd" watching Brazilians Talita Antunes and Larissa Franca defeating Americans April Ross and Lauren Fendrick in the final (L.A. TIMES, 7/16). Antunes said the crowd "made a lot of noise" during the match. Ross also noted it was "such a party atmosphere" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 7/16). Things "were hopping in and around Marina Green Park" yesterday afternoon. The event has had "nothing but positive benefits" (VOLLEYBALLMAG.com, 7/15). 

The L.A. Coliseum this weekend held a "nine-hole test event" run by Stadium Links Golf with a setup similar to events held at Raymond James Stadium and FedExField. The event has been available to the public Friday through today, and officials expect to "book 900 golfers each of the three days." Fans had the option to "upgrade for access to a clubhouse and VIP Lounge, a practice area, putting and chipping contests, and nine extra balls to deposit at will" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 7/14).

Barstool Sports CEO Erika Nardini is profiled in the N.Y. TIMES' "Corner Office" feature. Nardini, in her first CEO role, said she was "not prepared for how lonely the job is." Other excerpts are below.

• On if she likes her first CEO role: "I like that the buck stops with me, and that I'm accountable." 
• On her leadership style: "I’m punishing. I have a large ability to grind. If I want something or if I believe in something or I think something should be done better, I will push and push until I exhaust people."
• More on her leadership: "I really value stamina and drive. I am bad with stagnation and complacency. It's not just about winning, but did we do everything possible to make something happen?" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/16).

The USMNT defeated Nicaragua 3-0 to win Group B in the CONCACAF Gold Cup yesterday "before 27,934 at Cleveland's FirstEnergy Stadium" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/16).
 
EPL club Manchester United yesterday began a five-game exhibition tour with a 5-2 win against the Galaxy "before a red-clad StubHub Center crowd of 25,667" (L.A. TIMES, 7/16).

The Eagles played last night at the Classic West festival at Dodger Stadium. The gig was their first "full-length concert" since the passing of Glenn Frey (ULTIMATECLASSICROCK.com, 7/16).

The Predators "unveiled the logo" that will be used this season to "commemorate their 20th anniversary" (TENNESSEAN.com, 7/13).

Boston Univ. last night held its third annual Comm. Ave. Charity Classic, pitting former Boston Univ. and Boston College hockey players against one another at Walter Brown Arena. The game benefits The Travis Roy Foundation and Compassionate Care ALS. In the first two years the game "raised more than $110,000," and a standing-room-only crowd last night figures to "add another $50,000-plus to the total" (BOSTON HERALD, 7/16).

Hundreds of people "turned out" at Michigan State on Friday to "try to get a piece" of the practice floor at the Breslin Center that is being replaced as part of a $50M renovation. Pieces of the old floor could be bought for $20 each (DETROITNEWS.com, 7/14).

"It was a little boring to watch it. I don't know how people go out there and watch games. Now I know why sometimes people don't come to games" – Orioles 3B Manny Machado, after watching the MLB All-Star Game from the stands (WASHINGTON POST, 7/16).

“Bets are that he is going to be wearing Chuck Taylors tonight. You might as well go full gamut and wear everybody's shoes, grab their money, too” – ESPN’s Shelley Smith, on Lakers G Lonzo Ball wearing different brands of shoes outside of Big Baller Brand (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 7/16).

The AP writes under the header, "Corrupt Soccer Official Chuck Blazer Turned Informant In FIFA Investigation." Stripped of his "extravagances, soccer's gregarious and greedy deal maker was forced to admit to his years of corruption and confined" to a N.J. hospital. The eccentric "bon vivant who once strode across the global stage being flattered by sport and political leaders eager to capture his World Cup hosting vote died in disgrace on Wednesday at 72."

The K.C. STAR writes under the header, "KC Royals Don't Exactly Follow MLB Spanish Translator Rule." Last season, MLB and the MLBPA "implemented what was commonly known as the Spanish language translators program in order to open an avenue for Latino players to speak their minds without worrying about appearing out of their element." Taking "advantage of a loophole" in the rule, the Royals "have a translator in coach Pedro Grifol who is not professionally trained to interpret responses verbatim."

Elsewhere: 

• How colleges manage to make mascots marketable.
• John McEnroe discusses life off the tennis court.
• Examining the retired Carl Edwards' impact on NASCAR this season.
• Buffalo's Coca-Cola Field is the house that Jimmy Griffin built.
• Detailing complications between Helio Castroneves and Team Penske.
• Tony Kanaan explains the "cruelty" of IndyCar free agency.

The viewership numbers when Lonzo plays summer league are...up like around 150%. Give @Lavarbigballer his ratings due.

— Sports TV Ratings (@SportsTVRatings) July 14, 2017

Happy trails to my friend @jayhaykid whose baseball passion, knowledge and acerbic wit will be sorely missed on Baseball Tonight and at ESPN

— Adnan Virk, ESPN (@adnanESPN) July 15, 2017

Another sad departure. I valued Hootie Johnson's friendship. And now recall he's the only Masters chairman who was actually born in Augusta.

— Dan Jenkins (@danjenkinsgd) July 15, 2017

One way to get revved up for camp: Patriots' OC Josh McDaniels drives the pace car for today's Overton’s 301.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 16, 2017

Inside the ropes: working on bunker cam on 6th hole @TheOpen @GolfChannel pic.twitter.com/AOD5XFaFiL

— Molly Solomon (@mollysolomon_gc) July 16, 2017

Julia Hawkins, who is 101, yesterday "became the oldest female athlete to ever compete" in the USA Track & Field Outdoors Masters Championships. She ran the 100 meters in 40.12 seconds, shaving "more than six seconds off the current certified world record for women aged 100 or older" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/16).

ESPN is returning to the Evolution Championship Series to broadcast the Street Fighter V championship from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The final rounds begin at 10:00pm ET and will air on ESPN2 and stream via the ESPN app.