While player protests during the national anthem will be a "major topic of conversation" at Tuesday's NFL owners meetings, no "sweeping game-day changes are expected," according to sources. The current anthem policy "could subject players and teams to fines and other discipline for failing to stand." However, any further change to that "language is not expected" on Tuesday. But the league, owners, players and NFLPA officials "will be discussing ways to take social activism and engagement beyond pregame displays" (CBSSPORTS.com, 10/15).

The NFL "hopes to resolve the anthem issue on Tuesday," and in order to "ensure that the parties will have enough time to find a solution, the attendance at the meeting will be restricted." A source said that each team will be "permitted to bring two representatives" if they are members of a family that owns the team. Otherwise, "only one will be allowed to attend and participate" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 10/14).

Seven 49ers players "knelt during the national anthem" prior to today's game against the Redskins in DC after "more than 20 players did the same in each of the past two weeks." The "rest of the team stood and locked arms." Last week, Vice President Pence left the 49ers-Colts game early amid the S.F. team's protest during the anthem (ESPN.com, 10/15).

Meanwhile, the Dolphins as a "team stood for the national anthem" before taking on the Falcons in Atlanta, but WR Kenny Stills, S Michael Thomas and TE Julius Thomas "remained in the tunnel or locker room until the anthem was complete." Most of the Saints players "briefly knelt in unity before the anthem" against the Lions in New Orleans, then "all stood during the anthem." Their kneeling was "met with loud boos from the crowd" (ESPN.com, 10/15).

Despite several reports that Univ. of Maryland AD Kevin Anderson "has been fired," the school yesterday tweeted that he "remains" AD. Sources said that Anderson, who replaced Debbie Yow in '10, "had not been in his College Park office since the end of September." A source said that Anderson and Maryland President Wallace Loh have been "at odds for a couple of years." The issues "escalated in recent months" when Anderson spoke with Cal about its vacant AD job. Anderson has been a "polarizing figure for much of his tenure" at UM (Baltimore SUN, 10/15). Meanwhile, Anderson was "nowhere to be found" yesterday at Maryland's home football game against Northwestern, the "third consecutive game Anderson has missed" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 10/14).

Nebraska has "hired Bill Moos away from Washington State" to be its new AD. NU's "swift move" comes "less than four weeks after firing Shawn Eichorst from the same position and one day after the Huskers football team was blown out at home by Ohio State." Moos leaves WSU after "running its department for more than seven years" as AD. He has "nearly two decades of experience at the helm of Pac-12 schools" (JOURNALSTAR.com, 10/15). Nebraska President Hank Bounds and Turnkey Search prior to today's announcement had "kept the legitimate information flow to a trickle, at best" (OMAHA.com, 10/15).

The NWSL Portland Thorns last night at Orlando City Stadium won the league's championship after a 1-0 victory in a "gritty title match" against the North Carolina Courage (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 10/15). An announced crowd of 8,124 "barely filled the 25,500-seat stadium, which again raised the question among fans and media of whether a neutral site is the best option." NWSL Managing Dir Amanda Duffy said that the issue is "something the league is evaluating and no decision has been made yet on whether a neutral site will be used" in '18. Duffy said of Orlando City Stadium, "This is an amazing stadium. ... Orlando has done a fantastic job of building this and seeing a dream come alive. I think with the championship you want to have the best environment and be in a location where you can have the best access for fans" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 10/15). 

The scene at Orlando City Stadium as @TheNCCourage and @ThornsFC line up ahead of the #NWSLchampionship game: pic.twitter.com/cxl62lWzFE

— N&O soccer beat (@NandO_Soccer) October 14, 2017

Pro Football HOFer Harry Carson, along with other former NFLers and brain-injury researchers, spoke at a congressional panel on Friday organized by Democrats who are "exploring what, if anything, Congress can do to make the nation's most popular spectator sport safer." Carson said that he will "not allow his 8-year-old grandson to play football." Carson: "Every parent should be informed. They should be informed as to what risks they are subjecting their kids to." U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) said that the NFL "declined to send a representative to the forum" (AP, 10/13).

Former NFLer DeAndre Levy testified that his former team, the Lions, "tried to silence him from talking about brain injuries" and CTE in relation to the NFL (ESPN.com, 10/14). Levy: "The moment I said anything about it, I had two calls telling me that I shouldn't talk about it" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 10/14).

The NFL, "keeping an eye on the wildfires in Northern California, has decided to play" today's Chargers-Raiders game in Oakland "as scheduled." The NFL said that it would "continue to monitor air quality conditions in the Bay Area and will update the public with any changes via its social media channels." There had been "discussions about moving the game elsewhere due to air quality issues" (ESPN.com, 10/14). In addition to the NFL "looking at Levi's Stadium in nearby Santa Clara as a possibility," the city of San Diego "offered to host the Chargers for the first time since they bolted town after last season" (CBSSPORTS.com, 10/13).

The USOC is contemplating a bid for the '26 Winter Games, even though Chair Larry Probst on Friday said the U.S. would “ideally” host in '30 to avoid competing with the '28 L.A. Games for attention and revenue. That position signals to the IOC that the U.S. would consider '26 if no viable European bid emerges. USOC officials also believe the IOC might choose hosts for ’26 and ’30 simultaneously. IOC President Thomas Bach has said he wants to return the Winter Olympics to “traditional” hosts, meaning North America and Europe. "We don’t want to give up on a chance on a 2030 bid by staying out of the 2026 race,” USOC CEO Scott Blackmun said. "Realistically, those are conversations that would need to happen between us and the IOC."

If the U.S. puts forth a bid for ’26, it must choose a city by the end of March. The USOC is open to hearing from any city interested. However, Salt Lake City is widely seen as the best choice because of its existing winter sports infrastructure. On Sunday, voters in Innsbruck, Austria, will decide a referendum on a possible ’26 bid.

The construction of a giant billboard featuring Knicks G Frank Ntilikina is "underway on the side of a building" in Manhattan, "just two blocks from MSG." The ad was bought by Nike, demonstrating that Ntilikina has "replaced" Thunder F Carmelo Anthony as the Knicks' "top Nike athlete." The billboard will be in "plain sight of the 650,000 daily commuters at Penn Station." Ntilikina: "It's pretty big. It's crazy. I love it" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/14).

James Madison Univ. and Union Bank & Trust announced a 10-year, $2.25M naming-rights agreement for the school's new basketball facility, making it the Union Bank & Trust Center. The deal was orchestrated by Learfield's JMU Sports Properties. Groundbreaking is slated for spring '18, with an anticipated opening no later than the start of the '20-21 season. JMU is finalizing architectural plans with Virginia-based Moseley Architects and Populous. S.B. Ballard will serve as general construction manager (JMU). The on-campus venue has a "cost estimated" at $88M. It will "seat 8,500 for basketball and nearly 10,000 for events that involve floor seating" (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 10/14).

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell "will attend" today's Packers-Vikings game and is in Minneapolis for a "couple of pre-Super Bowl receptions" (TWINCITIES.com, 10/14). 

Talladega Superspeedway and the Int'l Motorsports HOF on Friday presented Dale Earnhardt Jr. with a "No. 2 Chevrolet Monte Carlo driven" by his father during Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s '80 Cup championship season and his rookie season in '79 (USA TODAY, 10/14).

The Lakers' and Clippers' final preseason game at Staples Center on Friday drew a crowd of 16,711 fans (L.A. TIMES, 10/14).

Celebrities spotted at Dodger Stadium for yesterday's NLCS Game 1 against the Cubs included Magic Johnson, Dennis Haysbert, Mary Hart, Robert Patrick, Jason Bateman, Omar Miller, Larry King, Derek Fisher and Tommy Davis (ESPN.com, 10/15).

"I'm very familiar with all of the facts and the details of this case. Very familiar. [Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott] did not get treated fairly here" -- Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones, reacting to a court decision that could result in Elliott being forced to serve his suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy (ESPN.com, 10/13).

"I got love for the Sparks, love for the Lakers and love for the Dodgers. That's what keeps me going" -- Lakers President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson, describing his passion for the L.A. sports scene (ESPN.com, 10/13).

"If I were still coaching, I would do everything I could to eliminate one-and-done. Most of these kids, the pros don’t give a damn about the college kids" -- Former coach Bob Knight, on ways to improve college basketball amid a federal investigation (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 10/15).

The NCAA is drawing widespread criticism following its decision not to punish the Univ. of North Carolina following a lengthy investigation into academic fraud. USA TODAY writes, "Never has college sports' governing body looked as impotent." CBSSPORTS.com: "What is the euphemism 'student-athlete' even worth anymore?" The CHARLOTTE OBSERVER goes with the header, "With NCAA Ruling In UNC Case, 'Student Athlete' Is Officially Dead." YAHOO SPORTS goes with, "North Carolina Ruling Proves NCAA Is Useless." CBSSPORTS.com headers: "Ruling Showcases NCAA's Ineptitude As FBI Swoops Into College Hoops," "NCAA Leaves Door Wide Open To Academic Misconduct." YAHOO SPORTS writes, UNC was "playing chess against the NCAA’s checkers."

Elsewhere:

• Former Green Beret/NFLer pens thoughtful open letter on protests.
• The "real reason" Jerry Jones gave Cowboys players anthem ultimatum.
• How Rick Pitino's contract dispute could impact hoops scandal.
• Former NHLer Ken Dryden on how to stop head injuries in sports.
• N.Y. TIMES explores ProSports Sponsors Exchange Traded Fund.

Looks like Aaron Rodgers' throwing shoulder hurt. This isn't just bad for the Pack but for the NFL. I'm not a big fan but he's a BIG STAR.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) October 15, 2017

Intense conversation on 49ers sideline during warmups: Jed York, Dr. Harry Edwards and NFLPA exec. director DeMaurice Smith.

— Ann Killion (@annkillion) October 15, 2017

I respect the @NFLPA message about being prepared to strike. However, it ignores history. Players have struck 5 times. Lost each time.

— Jason Cole (@JasonCole62) October 15, 2017

Hey @KeithOlbermann I flip on singles and doubles & not on homers. Come watch the show. Need a ticket? I got you #PuigYourFriendToo 🙃 https://t.co/7Ror8AyGRg

— Yasiel Puig (@YasielPuig) October 15, 2017

I hope Yasiel Puig never stops doing Yasiel Puig things. He has fun, he makes baseball more fun, and he pisses off exactly the right people.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) October 15, 2017

If we can keep the Cubs out of their solid blues and Astros out of solid orange we will have the best-uniformed World Series in years.

— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) October 15, 2017

Western Michigan v. Akron Football game postponed to 1 PM Sunday, Oct. 15 due to heavy rain fall & lightning in Kalamazoo. @ESPNCFB #MACtion pic.twitter.com/QPCADJjwcS

— WMU Football (@WMU_Football) October 14, 2017