Tomorrow's NWSL final between OL Reign and Gotham FC "does yield some tasty storylines," and "perhaps it can bring a few eyes to a professional league of quality" in the U.S. Both teams are "fighting for their first NWSL title," but the bigger storyline is Reign F Megan Rapinoe and Gotham F Ali Krieger are "both playing in their final matches as professionals" in the championship game. Both Rapinoe and Krieger announced their retirement before their respective squads made the title game, and the script writers "couldn't have written a better ending to the careers of two American soccer legends." Two clubs battling for their first title, two legends facing off in their final match -- "we watch sports for occasions like this" (Hot Springs SENTINEL-RECORD, 11/10).

Rapinoe said the NWSL championship game is "the perfect way to go out," with the "backdrop of a possible record crowd for the final and a recent media deal for the league." Rapinoe: "I'm just so proud of my generation and all the players that have worked so hard to put us in this position." She added, "To be able to be in the championship game, to see how much the league has grown, to see how much the sport has grown [and] obviously a historic media deal today is just absolutely incredible." Rapinoe: "I would love to get that one last little thing [NWSL title] but I think in terms of my career I feel really grateful and proud" (ESPN.com, 11/9).

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This week's "Fox NFL Sunday" pregame show will be broadcast "from the Air Force Academy" in Colorado to continue the network's "tradition of going military installations in honor of Veterans Day." In recent years, the network has done shows live from the Military Academy in New York, the Naval Academy in Maryland as well as military bases around the world. The entire pregame crew of Curt Menefee, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Michael Strahan, Jimmy Johnson, Jay Glazer and Rob Gronkowski will appear "along with 1,000 Air Force Academy cadets" (AP, 11/10). The event "will be closed to the public, but cadets will be permitted to watch and will likely participate as the crew breaks down plays on the mini field (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 11/10).

The NBA said "a manufacturing issue" will prevent the Mavericks from "having a ready-for-tournament-play court delivered in time" for tonight's NBA In-Season Tournament game against the Clippers, so the team's regular home court will be installed for the matchup instead. The Mavericks "will still wear their new 'Trinity River Blues' City Edition uniforms" for the game. Since the start of the new In-Season Tournament, some NBA players "have voiced concerns about the courts and their footing on the painted surface." It "wasn’t immediately clear" if the court would be ready for the Mavs' next scheduled home game in the tournament, Nov. 28 against the Rockets (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 11/10).

Manchester United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are "hopeful of announcing their partnership over the international break," which runs from Nov. 13-21, a source said. Ratcliffe, chairman and CEO of chemical company INEOS, is set to acquire a 25% stake in the club for $1.3-$1.5B. The deal will "also give Ratcliffe some influence over the football side of the business." Sir Dave Brailsford, Dir of Sport at INEOS, is "expected to be heavily involved." Sources said Ratcliffe is "hopeful of increasing his stake to eventually become majority owner," but the timescale for him to acquire more shares "is unclear." The source said that "once Ratcliffe becomes a United shareholder, he is ready to invest further funds to improve both Old Trafford and the club's Carrington training ground" (ESPN.com, 11/10).

A DePaul Univ. proposal to "demolish five century-old buildings in the heart of its Lincoln Park campus to build a modern four-story practice basketball facility" was "met with skepticism and criticism" at a community meeting last night. Dozens of neighbors and students "voiced concerns to the university" on the "impact the development would have on student housing availability and the character of the neighborhood." The digital renderings for the new facility illustrate "plans for one large building with two full basketball courts and lounge spaces for varsity teams." Plans include a shading system to "reduce light projecting out at night" and markings on the glass to "lower the risk of birds crashing" into it. School officials said the development would cost $60M and be "raised privately for the facility, not out of the school’s other budgets or fundraising efforts" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/10).

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According to the PPA Tour, Tuesday’s “Celebrity Pickleball Showcase” event on ESPN drew some 390,000 viewers, a record TV audience for the pro pickleball tour. The exhibition featured the likes of former NBAer Dirk Nowitzki, PGA Tour player Scottie Scheffler, former tennis pro John Isner and Mavs coach Jason Kidd, among others, while former NFLer Tony Romo joined ESPN’s broadcast booth on color commentary (Chris Smith, SBJ).

The Penguins announced that they will retire the No. 68 in honor of long-time great Jaromir Jagr. The ceremony will take place on February 18 (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 11/10).

The 76ers announced today that they will be promoting Jameer Nelson to the position of GM of the Delaware Blue Coats, the team's G-League affiliate. A 14-year veteran of the NBA, Nelson had been working with the Blue Coats as their Asst. GM/76ers Scout since November of 2020 (76ers).

Sri Lanka have been suspended with immediate effect by the International Cricket Council "because of government interference in the national cricket board’s administration." In a statement released today, the ICC accused SLC of being in "serious breach of its obligations as a member" (London TIMES, 11/10).

“The hero they need, even if they don’t deserve him, is Manu. There’s an answer here. There’s a man who has experience and a set of skills” -- ESPN’s Pablo Torre, on the Univ. Nevada having issues with bats flying around their home arena, the Lawlor Events Center, and a reference to former Spurs G Manu Ginobili, who once swatted a bat out of the air and took it to the trash during a game (“Around The Horn,” ESPN, 11/9).

"If you asked the ones that I probably go to more than I should, I might have to put Words With Friends on there, where I think I waste a lot of time, and maybe my NBA League Pass" -- Former President Barack Obama, on which apps he uses the most on his iPhone (THE VERGE, 11/7).

An update to the Toucher and Rich breakup news:

Someone who would know reached out and told me that Rich Shertenlieb was in the WEEI offices this morning meeting with management.

Will continue to update at https://t.co/aujs7m4A4E

— Mike Mutnansky (@MikeMutnansky) November 10, 2023

HEY GUYS HEY- I’ve got nothing but gratitude for the 98.5 The Sports Hub listeners that have shared their mornings with us. My thanks to the listeners, and to each member of the Toucher & Rich show and the team at the station. To the T&R team, I’ve appreciated your efforts and… pic.twitter.com/JdWPNyHMQU

— Rich Shertenlieb (@heyrichhey) November 10, 2023

What started off as "First name, Last name, school" has become so much more 😄

A brief history of the @SNFonNBC player intro #NFLFilmsPresents pic.twitter.com/TKgixy4Rxu

— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) November 10, 2023

Me explaining the tournament to my friends… pic.twitter.com/R7YBmcAt3L

— Coyote (@SpursCoyote) November 10, 2023

Wrexham co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have enlisted Vistaprint -- the club's back-of-shirt sponsor -- to create "New Merch Merch" in order to keep up with the massive demand for Wrexham gear. 

37% -- Percentage of sports fans have admitted to watching their favorite teams at work -- otherwise known as the "sports sneak" -- according to a recent survey conducted by Peacock (Peacock).