President Trump on Friday said Colin Kaepernick should only get another opportunity to play in the NFL "if he’s good enough." Trump said, "If he was good enough, they’d hire him. Why wouldn’t he play if he was good enough?" He added, "I know the owners -- I know (Patriots Owner Robert) Kraft, I know so many of the owners -- if he’s good enough, they’d sign him. I know these people. They would sign him in a heartbeat." More Trump: "I’d love to see Kaepernick come in, if he’s good enough. But I don’t want to see him come in because somebody thinks it’s a good PR move." Two days ago, Kaepernick posted a video to his social media accounts, saying he is "still ready" to play (USA TODAY, 8/9).

Meanwhile, Trump also addressed the controversy surrounding Stephen Ross' fundraiser, saying, "I didn’t speak to him yet, I’ll see him in a little while. The controversy makes Steve Ross hotter. He’ll figure that out in about a week" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 8/9).

The Univ. of Memphis has "found its next athletic director," as UM President David Rudd announced Friday that the school hired Florida Exec Associate AD/Internal Affairs Laird Veatch to "succeed Tom Bowen." Veatch, who was featured as a "Power Player" in last week's SBJ, spent the past two years at Florida and has 25 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics, having "served at Texas, Missouri, Iowa State and Kansas State." Veatch "also spent seven years" with Learfield IMG College from '03-10. At Florida, he "led administrative oversight of capital improvement projects and served as the sports administrator for football while also being the primary liaison with Gator Boosters, the fundraising arm for Florida Athletics" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 8/9).

The Univ. of Missouri’s athletic department has "approved the sale of beer and wine" during football games at Memorial Stadium starting this fall. Missouri AD Jim Sterk said that the university police department "was in favor of the move because it would put fans that elect to drink in a more controlled environment." The school will "sell alcohol through its vendor, Levy, but didn’t specify the types that will be available to fans" (K.C. STAR, 8/9).

MLB on Friday unveiled the uniforms that the Cubs and Pirates will wear during the '19 Little League Classic on Aug. 18 at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport. The jerseys will feature a "color stripe across the chest with the team’s nickname for that day." The Cubs’ jerseys feature a "blue stripe with lettering that reads 'Cubbies.'" The Pirates jerseys have a "yellow stripe with lettering that reads 'The Burgh.'" The new uniforms are a departure from how MLB has "handled the game in the past." In previous seasons, teams "wore their colorful Players’ Weekend uniforms during the game." Both teams will have '19 Little League logo patches on the "left sleeves of their jerseys." On the right sleeve, players will have the "opportunity to pay tribute to someone close to them who helped them make it to the majors" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 8/9).

ESPN has chosen "not to broadcast a recent video-game competition -- one that features gun violence -- in the wake of last weekend’s mass shootings," according to a source. The source said that ESPN is "delaying" Saturday's planned broadcast of a recent tournament for Apex Legends, a popular battle royale game made by EA. The source added that ESPN2 will "air the taped segment on three nights in October." It will still be "available this weekend on ESPN’s digital channels." The original coverage was "planned across ABC, ESPN2 and ESPNEWS" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 8/9).

NBC Sports will create a new "Pub Pass" OTT service for the retail pub/restaurant market in the U.S. to deliver a package of international sports. The pass will be targeted and sold to bars, clubs, restaurants and other commercials venues as an exclusive subscription service for soccer, rugby and cycling. Content includes 140 EPL matches, 185 rugby matches and extra coverage of the top cycling races not shown on linear TV (NBC Sports).

Oklahoma State as part of a multiyear partnership will make PepsiCo the official soft drink provider of the school. The deal also includes signage across OSU's athletic facilities (OSU).

HBO Sports on Friday launched the official "Hard Knocks" podcast, a new weekly feature hosted by NFL Network's Peter Schrager (HBO Sports).

ESPN’s "College GameDay" will be on site before the Georgia Tech-Clemson game at Memorial Stadium on Aug. 29. The show will be "going on air for one hour on ESPN and the soon-to-launch ACC Network before switching over exclusively to the ACC Network for the final hour" leading to the 8:00pm ET kickoff (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 8/9).

"Whatever the exact opposite of a vacation was, that’s what it was" -- MLB Giants President & CEO Larry Baer, on how he spent his time during his three-month suspension (THEATHLETIC.com, 8/9).

"They don’t constantly have their face in the device. It’s refreshing" -- Rory McIlroy, on fans at Augusta National compared to PGA Tour events. The Masters "bans cellphones from the premises outright," while the Tour allows spectators to take photos and videos during competition (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 8/9).

Details still being worked out, but in discussions with Saudia Arabian officials, talk has centered around the government building a small venue in Riyadh to hold Joshua-Ruiz II. Capacity: 6,000-7,000.

— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) August 9, 2019

All Celtics broadcasters will return next season: Mike Gorman, Tommy Heinsohn, Brian Scalabrine, sideline reporter Abby Chin, and Celtics Insiders Sherrod Blakely and Chris Forsberg on NBC Sports Boston, and Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell on 98.5 FM.

— Bill Doyle (@BillDoyle15) August 9, 2019

White Sox announce Bill Walton will call their Aug. 16 game against the Angels with Jason Benetti for @NBCSChicago.

This should be interesting.

— Kyle Glaser (@KyleAGlaser) August 9, 2019

Virtual violence only desensitizes you to virtual violence. I've seen some of the most gruesome films, played the goriest games...but I would freak if I saw a dead body. Don't want to ever use a firearm. Am a pacifist.

Just my view, but one I believe is common among gamers.

— Graham Ashton (@Graham__Ashton) August 9, 2019

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

Looks like Lowe’s is putting some signage up at Bank of America Stadium’s east entrance this morning #Panthers #cltnews #SportsBiz h/t SBJ circulation staff for noticing lol pic.twitter.com/JZuZwzcwzz

— John Aceti (@john_aceti) August 9, 2019

Friday

The Dr. Bill Sutton Career Celebration kicks off its two-day event honoring the longtime USF professor. Several events will be taking place throughout the campus.

Saturday

The Adidas Streetball Challenge tips off at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Sixteen teams made up of N.Y. sneaker boutiques, media companies, former NBAers and rookies will compete for cash prizes.

82 -- Number of dogs that have been adopted at Browns training camp this summer as part of a program with a local nonprofit (TWITTER.com, 8/9).