Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones was a "leading voice among 17 NFL owners on a conference call" Thursday that "discussed the possibility of halting" Commissioner Roger Goodell's pending contract extension, according to sources. Sources added that despite the unhappiness, this group of owners is "skeptical that it will be able to outright fire Goodell." The NFL would "need 24 owners to approve Goodell's ouster." One owner said, "Maybe [Falcons Owner and Compensation Committee Chair Arthur Blank] and that committee think they're on track. But they have a lot more resistance than they counted on -- and maybe they don't know how the resistance is growing as we speak." The "unhappiness and discontentment with the league office is real" (ESPN.com, 10/29).

ESPN's Chris Mortensen: "It was suggested that this feels like a league that is on the edge of the cliff about to commit suicide. One owner countered and said, 'We're not on the edge of destruction here. This is an opportunity. This creates great energy. It's a great opportunity, and you watch, in the end, we'll be a better league, a more popular league, once this is all done.'" ESPN's Louis Riddick said, "It's an opportunity for accountability, which I think that the league has long needed" ("Sunday NFL Countdown," ESPN, 10/29).

Texans Owner Bob McNair "expressed regret" to his players during a meeting with his team yesterday for remarks he made last week seemingly comparing NFLers to inmates in prison. McNair issued a "second statement on the issue, reiterating that he wasn't referring to players." McNair: "I was referring to the relationship between the league office and team owners and how they have been making significant strategic decisions affecting our league without adequate input from ownership over the past few years" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/29). 

After McNair's remark came to light publicly, some Texans players reportedly began planning a protest for today's game in Seattle, and ESPN’s Josina Anderson reported OT Duane Brown said that he "anticipates about 65% to 70% of the players, maybe less, will be kneeling today but he said no players will be removing their decals off their helmet” (“Sunday NFL Countdown,” ESPN, 10/29). CBS' Dana Jacobson said, “(Texans CB) Jonathan Joseph actually reminded us this is a team where guys have wanted to kneel previously, but haven't out of respect for Bob McNair. Today it will be in response to Bob McNair, and it will be 100% unified.” ("The NFL Today," CBS, 10/29). Fox' Michael Strahan said of McNair’s comment, “It completely undermines the statement that the league made and the owners made that they stand behind the players. It undermines that and makes it seem as if the statement was said at the time to get through the pressure they were under” (“Fox NFL Sunday,” 10/29). 

A group of NFLers known as the Players Coalition are "proposing to meet" tomorrow in Philadelphia with league officials in the "wake of controversial comments made during a recent owners' meeting" by Texans Owner Bob McNair. The meeting "would include" NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, McNair and Colin Kaepernick. NFL officials had "no immediate public response." It had been "thought that the two sides would meet Tuesday" (WASHINGTON POST, 10/29).

The Browns made today’s game against the Vikings at Twickenham Stadium in London an "entire team affair" by making it so that "anyone from the organization who wanted to could travel to England on the company’s shillings." Owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam "chartered and paid for a second wide-body plane for those who wanted to attend and enjoy a getaway while working for what is a Browns home game." Sponsors also "joined the group and stayed in a London hotel, unlike the players and coaches who were outside the city." Mail room employees right up to the executive office staff "were among those in attendance" (ESPN.com, 10/28). Meanwhile, the Haslams yesterday "rolled up their sleeves and poured ale for fans at the UK Browns Backers event at The Admiralty on Trafalgar Square." Hundreds of Browns fans "attended the event" (CLEVELAND.com, 10/28). 

Vikings Owner Mark Wilf on Friday said, "We’ve had a great experience so far here, and we will be supportive of the league’s efforts on the International Series wherever we can." Wilf added that he "could see the NFL eventually placing a team in London." Wilf: "There’s a lot of logistics to it, a lot of things have to be worked through. ... The knowledge of the game and the fan base here has grown tremendously" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 10/28).

The IOC signaled a new openness to esports in a statement released yesterday, suggesting competitive video gaming could be a viable addition to the Games under the right circumstances. Following the conclusion of the Olympic summit in Lausanne, the IOC said, “Competitive ‘eSports’ could be considered as a sporting activity, and the players involved prepare and train with an intensity which may be comparable to athletes in traditional sports.” Also, the IOC acknowledged that esports would provide a new way for the Olympics to engage with young people.

This statement is a considerably more positive assessment on esports than IOC President Thomas Bach gave in an interview in August, when he opined that most video games would not be a good fit for the Olympics.

However, the IOC repeated Bach’s concerns about realistic game depictions of violence and warfare, saying the “content of esports must not infringe on the Olympic values.” Also, the IOC noted, esports would still require a global governing organization that would enforce anti-doping, integrity and other rules of the Games. The body said it would direct further dialogue with the gaming industry and IOC stakeholders.

The latest installment of Under Armour's best-selling sneaker -- the Curry 4 -- is "expected to be late hitting stores." The adult version of the shoe was "slated to hit stores on Friday." But Susquehanna analyst Sam Poser said that Foot Locker, Dick's Sporting Goods and Hibbett Sports are "only allowing customers to order it with a shipping date of Nov. 18." Poser: "That's not good news. Retailers with whom we have spoken are not happy and concerned that, when the Curry 4 does arrive, the target customer will have already moved on to other things." A black-and-white version of the Curry 4 was launched on Friday, but "only kid sizes were available for purchase at third-party retailers" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 10/27). A source said that the adult version of the Curry 4 was available on UA's website on Friday and "sold out [in] under two hours" (N.Y. POST, 10/28).

Stand Up To Cancer yesterday continued its trend of running a PSA during Game 4 of the World Series with this year's spot titled "Whatever It Takes." While it aired after the fifth inning, Fox' Joe Buck addressed everyone at Minute Maid Park, discussing the relationship between the charity and MLB. Immediately after the commercial break ended, Fox' broadcast showed fans, players and team personnel all standing up while holding "Stand Up To Cancer" signs that displayed names of people affected by cancer. Cameras panned around the ballpark for roughly two minutes before cutting back to other commercials (THE DAILY). Meanwhile, a print PSA "will also be launched" featuring Indians 2B Jason Kipnis, Nationals CF Michael A. Taylor and Dodgers C Yasmani Grandal (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/28).

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is "interested in writing a book about his recovery" from multiple concussions (AP, 10/28).

Ohio State's 39-38 victory against Penn State yesterday drew an attendance of 109,302 at Ohio Stadium (MCALL.com, 10/28).

The Braves' request for permission to interview Royals GM Dayton Moore regarding a baseball operations position "was denied earlier this week" by Royals Owner David Glass, according to sources (ESPN.com, 10/28).

The Nationals will add Cubs bench coach Dave Martinez as the team's manager and "will be announced"  as so after the World Series, according to sources (FANRAGSPORTS.com, 10/29).

With temperatures in the low 30s on Friday, Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin "bought a homeless man a sweater, hat and coat" in Edmonton. Ovechkin: "If you see a guy almost naked out there with that kind of temperature, I think every human can do something, you know?" (USATODAY.com, 10/28).

The Thunder's Delta charter plane was "damaged during" the team's flight from Minneapolis to Chicago yesterday (USATODAY.com, 10/28). The plane "landed safely" after "hitting an object -- most likely a bird -- that caused damage to the nose, some mechanical issues and a flight path at lower altitude" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/29).

What possibly could we have hit in the SKY at this time of night? Everyone is Safe, Though. “All Praise Due” #ThunderStrong

A post shared by Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) on Oct 27, 2017 at 11:12pm PDT

"We both want to continue to be a part of each other's lives on a personal level and maybe even on a professional level, too" -- NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., reflecting on his relationship with Hendrick Motorsports Owner Rick Hendrick as his career winds down (USATODAY.com, 10/28).

"I wouldn't have a problem with it because that's his job. He's going to give it to you from his point of view. There's nothing wrong with that" -- Cowboys WR Dez Bryant, on facing potential criticism from CBS' Tony Romo when he calls his first Cowboys game next week (DALLASNEWS.com, 10/28).

"I'm trying not to miss them, and I record them and I enjoy it very much. It's like old times here. ... There's no question he's gifted in this area" -- Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones, on keeping close tabs on CBS' Tony Romo's game broadcasts this season (DALLASNEWS.com, 10/28).

ESPN.com goes with the header "Ninendo Esports Fans Eager To See What's Next." While it "can be argued that the original Nintendo World Championships was the progenitor of esports," the company does not "call its World Championships an esports tournament." The event "lacked the high-stakes drama you'd would find at the League of Legends World Championship." That is because Nintendo "knows how to play to its fanbase," and at its core, Nintendo of America "considers itself a family entertainment company, with a focus on its well-known cast of characters and more lighthearted, experimental fare."

Elsewhere: 

• Mark Cuban is "not done trolling" President Trump.
• How Kara Lawson is "making history" with the Wizards.
• A look into the market of trading sports memorabilia.

Firefighters honoured to stand on the pitch during the anthems at #MINvsCLE. Thank you @NFL for supporting our emergency services pic.twitter.com/5LNgdkvujW

— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) October 29, 2017

Manfred strikes out when put to the test. Horseshit look for MLB when convenience wins our over stated principles of inclusiveness/diversity https://t.co/kVLvtOgseF

— Jay Jaffe (@jay_jaffe) October 28, 2017

Officials just gave every player in Tennessee-Kentucky a personal foul. Anyone gets one more, they're gone. Never, ever seen that before.

— David Ubben (@davidubben) October 28, 2017

PEOPLE! Autumn wind is not a song. You have to be able to sing a song. Like "San Diego Super Chargers"

— Ann Killion (@annkillion) October 29, 2017

Aftermath of the Dartmouth coach’s tantrum. Harvard 25, Dartmouth 22. pic.twitter.com/lmpEJK9JOd

— WHRB Sports (@WHRBSports) October 28, 2017

The Mavericks get into the Halloween spirit with a vintage horror movie-inspired video featuring F Dirk Nowitzki as "The Big Mummy."