NFL COO Tod Leiweke said that when Commissioner Roger Goodell asked him to come on board last year, there was "'real nobility' in the request, and he takes great pride in his role." In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman noted one of Leiweke's main jobs while CEO of the Seahawks "was to connect with the fans and build up interest in the team." Leiweke said that the NFL is "trying to examine those same principles in building up fans around the world." Leiweke: "There’s interesting things happening internationally. If you’re not thinking internationally in today’s world, you can’t just be about the four corners of the U.S. anymore. ... It’s a cool thing to see something uniquely American like American football being able to be transported over borders" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/14).
MISSED OPPORTUNITY: SI.com's Grant Wahl noted the USWNT's CBA concludes at the end of this calendar year, and while "larger-than-expected Olympic TV audiences no doubt helped the players in CBA negotiations, the earliest-ever USWNT exit from a major tournament did not." A Gold Medal in Rio "would have focused even more attention on the players’ push for equal pay to the U.S. men’s team," but now "that’s an opportunity missed" after the team's early exit (SI.com, 8/13).
TICK TOCK: In S.F., John Shea noted the 20-second pitch clock rule "being tried out" in the minor leagues has "reduced times of games." MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred last month said he is a "big fan" of the rule. When asked if the rule could come to MLB, league Umpire Supervisor Ed Montague said, "There's a chance. I've seen it in the minors, and it's working" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 8/14).
FOOT FAULT? SI.com's Jon Wertheim noted the absence of ranking points at the Rio Games tennis tournament "seems to penalize the players." Wertheim: "You schlepp to the Olympics on your dime. You not only play well and beat a litany of opponents, but your success generates all sorts of positive publicity for the sport on a global stage. You have been both an excellent representative for the sport and an excellent corporate citizen, so to speak. And it doesn't help your status at all?" (SI.com, 8/14).
