Negotiations will start "right away" with Paris and L.A. over the running order for the '24 and '28 Games, IOC President Thomas Bach said in his first comments after IOC members approved the combined award plan. Bach said this is a “great, great moment” in Olympic history, because “ensuring stability for 11 years is really something, in our world, that is extraordinary.” Both cities' mayors during a joint press conference avoided expressing any thoughts on accepting '28 versus '24. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo was non-committal when reminded of the Paris bid’s earlier statements that it did not want '28, as was L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti when asked a similar question.

Garcetti did hint at the financial nature of the upcoming talks. “Both will have to have the resources necessary, through their own fundraising, or through the IOC and others, to make that happen,” he said. "But I wouldn’t describe it as a moment of leverage. I would describe it as a moment of friendship and common understanding."

Though potentially difficult questions still must be addressed, the two cities’ mayors and Bach struck a triumphant tone, indicating they fully expect negotiations to succeed. Garcetti said, “For the first time in a generation, we’re going to bring you an Olympics home. For my daughter, for your children and your grandchildren, they will experience what the magic of that experience is, they will see what it means to have the world in your back yard." Hidalgo also spoke in lofty terms: "I pledge all my creativity and all my efforts and all my desire to reach this agreement so Paris too can get back to a wonderful adventure that it has been waiting for 100 years."

MLB All-Star festivities culminate tonight in Miami with the Midsummer Classic on Fox, and the net "plans to enhance its coverage with 13 microphones planted in the field." Two of the microphones are to be "placed in front of the pitcher’s mound – one to pick up sounds from righthanded pitchers, the other on lefthanders." The others will be "spread around the field – one behind the mound, two on each side of the infield, and six in the outfield." But viewers should not expect a "lot of live use of these devices – what they pick up is designed to enhance replays" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 7/9).

Meanwhile, Yankees rookie RF Aaron Judge has emerged as the sport's "next big thing" after wining last night's Home Run Derby, and his presence alone tonight "should help boost the ratings for Fox, which focused on retiring stars Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter and David Ortiz in recent All-Star Games and now has a fresh face to work with" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/11). Fox last year averaged 8.7 million viewers for the ASG telecast, marking a new low for the event (THE DAILY).

The Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Conor McGregor fight "will be held at T-Mobile Arena" in Las Vegas after promoters "reached an agreement with Ice Cube to move the championship game" of the BIG3. The basketball league's inaugural season finale "will now be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Aug. 26," with a 4:30pm ET start. The boxing match is at night. Terms were not disclosed, but BIG3 co-Founders Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz called it a "generous offer that we could not refuse." The Big3 said that those who have purchased tickets "will earn priority seating" for the event, with "additional ticket information to be announced in the coming days" (AP, 7/11).

Richmond's NASCAR venue today unveiled a new identity and a planned $30M investment to "improve the fan experience with a modernize infield." The track "will now be known as Richmond Raceway, dropping the 'International' from its name." The renovation, to be "done entirely with private money, will modernize the infield, including dedicated viewing areas to watch teams working on their cars in the garages, as well as viewing stations for post-race inspections." It also will "bring victory lane closer to the grandstands." The infield modifications are "expected to be ready in time for the fall race" in '18, the track's first Monster Energy Cup playoff race (RICHMOND.com, 7/11).

Lee Westwood has left Int'l Sports Management and split with his manager Chubby Chandler, and the golfer is now "joining IMG." The reasons "remain unclear, although it is understood that there is a legal dispute between the golfer and the agency." Westwood was one of Chandler's "first signings after he founded the agency" in '91, and the two have "owned many horses together" (TELEGRAPH.co.uk, 7/11).

Mark Schlereth today announced via Twitter that he has moved to FS1 "as a studio analyst." Schlereth, who "has contributed on ESPN" since '01, made his FS1 debut today on "Undisputed." Schlereth "joins a list of ex-ESPN talents" that recently ousted Jamie Horowitz "had recruited during his two years at Fox" (NYDAILYNEWS.com, 7/11).

Thank you for 16 great years. Appreciate everything you did for our shows. https://t.co/Hv6SxFilTs

— Seth Markman (@tunasweasel) July 11, 2017

Palace Sports & Entertainment "filed for federal trademark protection for the 'Detroit City Soccer Club' name last week" (CRAINSDETROIT.com, 7/11).

Adidas has signed rookie Jazz G Donovan Mitchell to a multiyear shoe deal (TWITTER.com, 7/11).

The Colonial Athletic Association and CBS Sports Network announced an agreement to televise the semifinals and finals of the conference's men's basketball tournament through '21 (CBS).

"I'm sure it's going to be a circus ... But when push comes to shove, it should be about the players and the women's game. It should be about applauding us instead of bashing us" – Fox Sports' Juli Inkster, on the attention President Trump will attract to the U.S. Women's Open this week (NYTIMES.com, 7/11).

"Expansion will always be on the burner. It's just not on the front burner right ow. It's not something we talk about each and every conference meeting" – West Virginia AD Shane Lyons, on talks of Big 12 expansion (Clarksburg EXPONENT TELEGRAM 7/11).

"He has been a supporter of Derek's bid to be an MLB owner since the beginning" – Estee Portnoy, the manager for Michael Jordan, on the HOFer joining Derek Jeter's bid to buy the Marlins (ESPN.com, 7/11).

“It's probably good news, because every commercial break, you're like, 'This is getting a little repetitive.' ... But seriously, that's a big revenue (for the NFL). Who’s going to fill it?” – CNBC’s Brian Sullivan, on Viagra and Cialis decreasing their NFL ad spending (“Power Lunch,” CNBC, 7/11).

Not working for @SHOsports anymore on the May/Mac tour. Just learned UFC specifically asked to have me removed. Incredibly disappointed.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 11, 2017

Rob Manfred said not to expect any "dramatic development" in Cleveland's Chief Wahoo situation until at least after the 2017 season.

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 11, 2017

MLBPA chief Tony Clark says he agrees with the idea of a uniform entry system for foreign professionals. So changes are coming.

— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) July 11, 2017

Dan Gilbert met Cavs assistant GM Koby Altman for dinner in Las Vegas on Monday and discussed future of front office, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 11, 2017

Robert Kraft, Jerry Reinsdorf, Adam Silver, and Roger Goodell are all expected to attend Sun Valley starting today

— Eric Jackson (@ericjackson) July 11, 2017

Fun Fact: This is what a 513' HR would look like down the lines at A&H Park. @TheJudge44 would have almost hit it into PA 😲😳💪 pic.twitter.com/deqNbWa4Nh

— Trenton Thunder (@TrentonThunder) July 11, 2017

The new trailer for UFC 214 focuses on the interpersonal drama between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier, who headline the stacked PPV card on July 29.

$15M – Amount the $135M HOF Hotel and parking garage project planned for Johnson Controls HOF Village in Canton will receive in "loans from the state of Ohio" (Canton REPOSITORY, 7/11).