The ITF's bid to "radically revamp the Davis Cup competition was ratified" today at the organization's annual general meeting in Orlando. The change received 71% of the votes, "clearing the two-thirds majority required to pass." Instead of a "series of matches scattered throughout the year around the world, the late rounds of the new competition would be held in one week," bringing teams to "one neutral site for round-robin and knockout rounds." Grand Slam federations were "split on the vote: France and the United States voted for it, while Australia and Britain voted against." Those countries hold the "most power, with 12 votes each in the ITF's weighted system" (NYTIMES.com, 8/16).

Toyota has "ended its 44-year sponsorship" of the Grand Prix of Long Beach, and the Verizon IndyCar Series race now "must look for a new title sponsor." Toyota "began providing a pace car ... in 1975, created a charity match race the next year and, in 1980, became the title sponsor." The '19 race is set for April 12-14. Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President & CEO Jim Michaelian said that Toyota Motor North America "told organizers it would not renew its latest three-year contract shortly after this year’s event ended in April" (PRESSTELEGRAM.com, 8/16).

The Univ. of Colorado is making "several changes and improvements to its football game day experience," including "stadium-wide beer and wine sales." For the "first time in more than two decades, there will be alcohol sales in the general concourse areas" at Folsom Field. CU stopped alcohol sales at the stadium in '96, the "year the Big Eight expanded to the Big 12." The athletic department in '14 introduced "two beer gardens at Folsom for those 21 and older." CU will "stop alcohol sales at the end of the third quarter" (DAILYCAMERA.com, 8/16).

Notre Dame and Under Armour today unveiled the "latest installment of the Shamrock Series uniforms," showing the "Irish will wear pinstripes" for their Nov. 17 game against Syracuse at Yankee Stadium (NDINSIDER.com, 8/16). Notre Dame football has "never been afraid to deviate from its traditional blue and gold, even before it signed a 10-year deal with Under Armour" in '14. But the program is "wading into even more uncharted territory" with the Shamrock Series look (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 8/16).

The Fighting Irish.
The @Yankees.

Two Iconic Brands.
One Uniform.

One Night.
Yankee Stadium.

November 17 - 2:30pm.#GoIrish ☘️ #ShamrockSeries pic.twitter.com/bH6yr4BfiG

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 16, 2018

Former Panthers Owner Jerry Richardson's name "will stay on the UNC Charlotte football stadium." UNCC Chancellor Philip Dubois today confirmed that school trustees "will honor the naming rights agreement." The '13 contract "between Richardson and the university is worth" $10M. The football venue's full name is McColl-Richardson Field at Jerry Richardson Stadium (CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.com, 8/16). Trustees reached “unanimous agreement” as part of a "closed session teleconference Tuesday, but didn’t take formal vote" (TWITTER.com, 8/16).

ESPN and Marvel have partnered for "four comic book covers" around early-season college football matchups taking place over Labor Day Weekend. The featured games are Miami-LSU, Louisville-Alabama, Oregon State-Ohio State and Washington-Auburn. All four games "will be televised on ABC," with three of them taking place Saturday, Sept. 1. The Miami-LSU game is on Sunday night, Sept. 2 (MIAMIHERALD.com, 8/16).

A new season of the College Football Playoff is here!

We've teamed up with @Marvel once again to bring you special edition custom comic covers for college football's 2018 kickoff weekend! pic.twitter.com/I0Av4XCsv7

— ESPN (@espn) August 16, 2018

Idaho AD Rob Spear today was "fired" by the State Board of Education following sexual harassment complaints. Spear, who had been on paid administrative leave since April, "likely will be paid for the time left on his contract" (IDAHOSTATESMAN.com, 8/16).

Bush's Beans signed a multiyear renewal with JTG Daugherty Racing as a primary sponsor of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series No. 37 Chevy for select races and an associate sponsor on both the No. 37 and No. 47 Chevy (JTG Daugherty Racing).

NFL Network has added two TV reporters: Mike Girardi to cover the Patriots and MJ Acosta to report on the 49ers and Raiders (NFLN).

UnitedLex announced a deal with Kayla Harrison, naming the Gold Medal-winning U.S. judoka-turned-MMA fighter the legal services company's first global brand ambassador (UnitedLex). 

The Big South Conference today unveiled its new Big South Network Studio as part of an eight-month renovation/expansion of the conference's Charlotte HQ (Big South).

Big South Conference

“Colin had his chance here. We offered him a contract. He didn’t take it. So, As I said it in my deposition, I don’t know if i’ll be legally able to say this, but he’s had his chance to be here. He passed it" -- Broncos President of Football Operations & GM John Elway, on potentially adding Colin Kaepernick as a backup QB option (TWITTER.com, 8/16). The contract was offered in '16, "before Kaepernick started protesting" (KDVR.com, 8/16).

"Still to this day, I haven’t heard anything (from USA Gymnastics)" -- Olympic gymnast Madison Kocian, on a statement from USA Gymnastics stating its “support is unwavering” for the athletes affected in the Larry Nassar scandal (“CBS This Morning,” 8/16).

Wishing @JoeTessESPN, @ESPNBooger & @JasonWitten good luck tonight on their first broadcast together! Three incredibly good dudes.

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) August 16, 2018

Well thats one of the perks of being in the building! @DezBryant just crashed @Browns_Daily and said “What’s up Cleveland!” Went on to say he likes the city, thinks he would look good back in orange and “we are just trying to work some things out.” #CostanzaShowOvah

— Nathan Zegura (@NathanZegura) August 16, 2018

From the FIFA report today: the 2018 World Cup was the most engaging one yet in terms of digital:
- 7.5 billion engagements across all digital platforms
- 580M+ interactions on social
- 1.25 billion video views

— Cristian Nyari (@Cnyari) August 16, 2018

Have heard for a while that the Jets are adding Dave Socie to their front office to aid in negotiations/conracts. Would imagine that gets announced at some point

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) August 16, 2018

Surprising development: #Jets Director of Football Adminstration Jackie Davidson is leaving the organization, per source. ....

Davidson was the chief contractor negotiator for GM Mike Maccagnan.

— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) August 16, 2018

Best jobs in America, ranked:

1. @ScottHanson (NFL RedZone host)
2. @BBQsnob (@TexasMonthly BBQ Editor)
3. Literally everyone else

— Josh Hammer (@josh_hammer) August 16, 2018

If you see a tweet we will not want to miss, send it to us at editorial@sportsbusinessdaily.com.

The sports world joins the public at large in mourning the great Aretha Franklin. The Motown legend performed at many sporting events over the years, such as the '93 World Series and a famously deliberate rendition of the national anthem at the Lions' Thanksgiving game in '16.

3,000,000 -- Number of fans who have attended games at the Triple-A PCL Omaha Storm Chasers' Werner Park since the venue opened in '11. Christy Hofer, the 3,456th fan through the gates for Tuesday night's game against the Oklahoma City Dodgers, was dubbed Werner Park's three millionth fan (Storm Chasers).

Storm Chasers