Howard Megdal in a special to VICE SPORTS noted NWSL attendance was up 10% across the board this season, which is "notable not only for the growth itself," but because the bump followed a year in which the USWNT won the World Cup, which is "often cited by critics as a temporary high point for women's soccer in the country." The bump also came "despite a disappointing" Rio Games. While the Portland Thorns are often cited as a "league outlier," the rest of the league "actually saw greater proportional growth, with attendance up" 15% (SPORTS.VICE.com, 10/5).
CAR & DRIVER: In Indianapolis, Curt Cavin notes yesterday's confirmation of IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden leaving Ed Carpenter Racing for Team Penske allows Penske to "get one of the series' best drivers -- on and off the track -- and have the team get younger in the process." Newgarden replaces Juan Pablo Montoya, and his off-track "abilities can't be understated," as he is "outgoing, funny and trendy while maintaining the professionalism Penske requires" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 10/6).
TEST CASE: In DC, Mark Maske notes the NFL and NFLPA have "added synthetic marijuana to the list of substances for which players are tested under the sport's drug-testing procedures." That change and others were "announced in a written statement by the union" (WASHINGTON POST, 10/6).
