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Sunday, Oct. 22, 2:30pm ET

Weekend Rap .... Latest News .... On The Back Burner

NFL Anthem Issue Delays Commissioner Roger Goodell's Extension

The debate over NFL player protests during the national anthem has "delayed the completion" of Commissioner Roger Goodell's contract extension, according to sources. Sources said that Goodell's deal is "still expected to be completed and has been papered," but the process has been "slowed while the overwhelming majority of the NFL's attention has been diverted to handling the anthem issue." Sources added that had the issue not existed, Goodell's contract "might have been completed at last week's owners meeting" in N.Y. However, because the anthem issue has become "so critical to the league, the NFL's compensation committee spent about only 20 minutes Wednesday discussing Goodell's extension" (ESPN.com, 10/22).

Univ. Of Virginia Hires Georgia's Carla Williams As New AD

Univ. of Virginia today announced Univ. of Georgia Deputy AD Carla Williams as the school's next AD. Williams oversees UGA's football program as AD Greg McGarity's "top lieutenant." She also has "administrative responsibility for women's basketball, academic support, NCAA compliance, external and event operations, human resources, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, and business operations." Williams is the "only African-American woman" AD among the 64 schools that compete in the Power Five conferences. Retiring UVA AD Craig Littlepage was the first African-American AD in ACC history when hired in '01. Executive search firm Korn Ferry "assisted in the search" (Hampton Roads DAILY PRESS, 10/22).

F1 U.S. Grand Prix Still On Schedule Despite Thunderstorms In Austin

A line of thunderstorms moved through Austin early this morning, but it "shouldn’t pose any kind of scheduling problem" for today’s F1 U.S. Grand Prix. The race itself "does not start until" 2:00pm CT at Circuit Of The Americas (MYSTATESMAN.com, 10/22).

Among the celebrity guests at COTA today are former President Bill Clinton, Gold Medal-winning sprinter Usain Bolt and actors Woody Harrelson and Owen Wilson (MYSTATESMAN.com, 10/22).

Gans, Wynalda Make Pitches For USSF Presidency To Replace Gulati

The race for the U.S. Soccer Federation presidency "began to heat up" yesterday at the annual meeting for the National Council of the U.S. Adult Soccer Association near Lake Tahoe. Boston-based attorney Steve Gans and FS1 soccer analyst and former USMNT player Eric Wynalda "made formal pitches to advance their bids to replace Sunil Gulati." Candidate Paul Lapointe was "not able to attend because of a prior commitment," and another rumored candidate, Landon Donovan, was "not in attendance, either." Gulati was present, but he "declined to make a presentation," having not "made up his mind as to if he'll seek a fourth term" (ESPNFC.com, 10/22).

All candidates are "jockeying for position ahead of what could be a chaotic and nasty campaign" culminating in an election on Feb. 10 in Orlando. Each official candidate for that election will "need at least three formal nominations from delegates by Dec. 12" (SI.com, 10/20).

Astros Clinch World Series Berth With ALCS Win Over Yankees

The Astros advanced to their second World Series in franchise history last night with a 4-0 win over the Yankees in ALCS Game 7, a victory that "served as validation" for the club's "dark years" from '11 to '14. It also "lifted up a city that will long be recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey." The Astros last night were "backed by the most boisterous crowds of the season" at Minute Maid Park (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/22). 

Fans "showed up wearing the eye-popping orange gear that Owner Jim Crane reinstalled as the team colors" in '13, and "even though they had plastic fan-like noisemakers, it was sheer lung power that rocked the house." The sound level as measured down the third-base line "hit 109 decibels after" DH Evan Gattis' home run in the 4th inning (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/22).

Minutes after winning the AL pennant, new merchandise "went on sale at astros.com," and the apparel also is "available in sporting goods stores around" Houston (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/22).

Cowboys Not Likely To Protest Today After Jerry Jones' Warning

While Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones’ threat to bench those who kneel during the national anthem "caused some hurt feelings and misunderstandings," a team protest ahead of today's game against the 49ers "isn’t likely." However, Cowboys DE David Irving said that he was "planning something for the anthem, but did not specify." TE Jason Witten was "more effusive, saying the team hashed it out during the bye and plans business as usual" (STAR-TELEGRAM.com, 10/20). What is "certain is that Irving doesn’t plan on doing anything that might 'disrespect the flag,' which means kneeling, an action Jones expressly forbid after President Trump called on owners to fire players who didn’t stand for the anthem" (WASHINGTON POST, 10/22).

Hill Set To Return From Suspension; Says She, ESPN "In Good Place"

Jemele Hill this weekend "broke her silence about being sidelined by ESPN" in the wake of her two-week suspension for a second violation of the net's social media guidelines. In an interview with TMZ, Hill said she and ESPN "are fine" and "in a good place." Hill: "I’m happy to be back at the network.” Hill is "scheduled to rejoin" "SC6" co-host Michael Smith on Monday. She said, "ESPN acted what they felt was right. ... After my Donald Trump tweets, I deserved that suspension. I deserved it. ... I violated the policy." Hill also admitted she put the net "in a bad spot" with her comments on Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones and his stance on the national anthem. She said that she "regrets putting her show and the people she works with in a bad position." But she "remained defiant about her personal views." Hill: "I’ll never take back what I said" (PHILLY.com, 10/22).

Patriots Donate 200 Tickets For Super Bowl Rematch To Military

Patriots LS Joe Cardona, an active member of the Navy, this week was supported by both teammates and coaches in "donating 200 tickets for military members to attend" tonight's "SNF" Super Bowl LI rematch against the Falcons at Gillette Stadium. Cardona: "My point of view was, 'Let's give these men and women the experience of coming to a big game.' Let's get them a personal feel, them being our personal guests, guests of the team." The 200 service men and women will be on the field before the game, "each with an all-access pass of sorts to take a look behind the scenes." Patriots players and coaches "each receive two tickets to home games and have the opportunity to purchase others," which is "where the 200-ticket allotment came from."

Meanwhile, Pro Football HOFers and former Patriots John Hannah, Mike Haynes and Andre Tippett will be "presented with the Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence during halftime" tonight (ESPN.com, 10/22).

Golf Channel Suffers Technical Difficulties, Doesn't Show CJ Cup Playoff

Golfer Justin Thomas beat Marc Leishman today in a playoff to "win the inaugural CJ Cup" at The Club at Nine Bridges in South Korea, but after Thomas and Leishman each made par on the first playoff hole, that was "all live television viewers saw." The problem was Golf Channel's coverage "reverted back to the replay and began showing the end of the final round in regulation while the playoff was occurring." Golf Channel's broadcast "began showing delayed coverage of the second sudden-death playoff hole" at 2:55am ET "about 15 minutes after the fact." Golf Channel "apologized for the technical difficulties" (GOLFWEEK.com, 10/22). Golf blog No Laying Up's official account tweeted, "Been told the Golf Channel lost their satellite which is why the feed switched to a replay. Brutal break" (TWITTER.com, 10/22).

Nationals Announce Manager Dusty Baker Will Not Return Next Year

The Nationals on Friday announced Dusty Baker will "not return" as manager in '18. Baker led the Nationals to the "first back-to-back division titles in team history" but failed to advance past the NLDS. Baker joined the Nationals in '16 by signing a two-year deal worth $4M that he "felt was below market value, and seemed likely to garner a raise on his next deal with the team." But that deal "never materialized" and the two sides "didn't even negotiate" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 10/20).

Meanwhile, sources said that Astros bench coach Alex Cora's deal to manage the Red Sox "will be for three years" (TWITTER.com, 10/21). However, Red Sox President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski "did not respond for comment" (BOSTON HERALD, 10/22).

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Talks Upcoming NASCAR Retirement, Political Realm

Sunday’s edition of NBC’s “Today” featured host Willie Geist speaking with NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. about retiring once the season comes to an end. Earnhardt said of his history of concussions, "Knowing what we went through to get well, I know I can't do this for five, ten years with that in the back of my mind. I know I can't and I don't want to.” Earnhardt said of being outspoken in the political realm, including what his thoughts are on the protests in the NFL, “For the longest time NASCAR's been sort of stereotyped. We all have different opinions and thoughts and cares and likes and dislikes. If NASCAR starts to become part of the conversation, then I've got to go, ‘Hey, I'm in NASCAR, here's where I stand.’ It gives me piece of mind knowing how I feel. I don't like people to assume I'm over here or over there or thinking this and that when I'm not.”

Earnhardt also said of his future with NBC for NASCAR broadcasts, “I got the opportunity last year to do a couple of races. I knew I would like it but I left the booth each time just so elated by how fun it was. I had no idea that I would enjoy it as much as I did. It's like hanging out with your buddies” (“Today,” NBC, 10/22).

Speed Reads....

The Dolphins today at halftime of their game against the Jets will "celebrate the 45th anniversary" of their undefeated '72 team. Pro Football HOFer Don Shula will be in attendance (ESPN.com, 10/22).

Quick Hits....

"We know Major League Baseball wanted the Yankees and Dodgers. There was no bones about it. We kind of spoiled the party for them. We're happy to do that" -- Astros P Dallas Keuchel, following the team's 4-0 win over the Yankees last night in ALCS Game 7 to reach the World Series (USA TODAY, 10/22).

"It doesn't happen with Nike. Nike has about 80 schools. The guys we're recruiting, we're recruiting against three or four Nike schools most of the time. (Nike) isn't going to help one of those schools" -- Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim, on Nike's potential involvement in the college hoops FBI investigation after an Adidas exec was accused with orchestrating multiple bribes (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 10/22).

"Women don't want anything they haven't earned. We don't want to be a token. But we have a generation of women who played or coached in basketball and have been bred to work in the NBA, and you would hope that they would get the opportunity" -- Kings assistant coach Jenny Boucek, on the growing number of women looking to pursue opportunities to work in the NBA (SACBEE.com, 10/21).

"You get so used to playing in these stadiums -- like the Cowboys' (AT&T Stadium) and just really amazing stadiums -- that when you really humble it down to the sport, it's good to switch it up like that" -- Broncos LB Von Miller, on playing the Chargers at StubHub Center today (DENVER POST, 10/22).

"To have disappointment in a year in which you have reached the NLCS for the third straight year shows just how much the expectations have been raised around here and how high the bar is. That is a great thing. It doesn't make this year a bust" -- Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein, on losing to the Dodgers in the NLCS (CHICAGO TRIBUNE 10/21).

Weekend Hot Reads: Face The Nation

The N.Y. TIMES writes under the header, "Famous Athletes Have Always Led The Way." Charges "rain down on those who dare challenge the nation to do better by blacks." The same thing that has happened to Colin Kaepernick "happened to the track stars John Carlos and Tommie Smith when they raised their black-gloved fists in a black-power salute" at the '68 Mexico City Games. Meanwhile, the DETROIT FREE PRESS goes with, "American Dream Is Why Pistons' Tom Gores Open To Anthem Message." 

The OMAHA WORLD-HERALD goes with, "From Cattle Ranches To Athletic Departments, New Nebraska AD Bill Moos Is Always Building." Moos officially starts his new job Monday, and is now at the "center of a 500-mile radius in which almost every meaningful experience he’s had personally and professionally has occurred." 

Elsewhere:

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Sunday Comic....

A sneak preview of SportsBusiness Journal's weekly editorial cartoon:

Today's Back Pages....

The Weekend Rap offers today's back page sports covers from some of North America's major metropolitan tabloids:

 N.Y. Post  N.Y. Daily News Newsday   Boston HeraldChicago Sun-Times

Hit The Ground Running: The Week Ahead

THE DAILY’s Week Ahead: Oct. 23-29

MONDAY

• ATP Erste Bank Open 500 begins (Vienna, Austria)
• ATP Swiss Indoors Basel begins (Basel, Switzerland)
• BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore begins (Singapore)

TUESDAY
• World Series Game 1 (Astros-Dodgers at Dodger Stadium)

WEDNESDAY
• MLS Playoffs begin

THURSDAY
• PGA Tour Sanderson Farms Championship begins (Country Club of Jackson, Miss.)
• Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia begins (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) 
• Rugby League World Cup begins (Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea)
 
SATURDAY
• NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Texas Roadhouse 200 (Martinsville Speedway) 
• UFC Fight Night 119: Derek Brunson vs. Lyoto Machida (Sao Paulo, Brazil)

SUNDAY
• Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series First Data 500 (Martinsville Speedway)
• F1 Mexican Grand Prix (Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City)

If you know of any events that should be in our calendar, send them to us at mmiceli@sportsbusinessdaily.com.