In Philadelphia, Bob Ford writes things had been going well for the NFL this offseason before a "grisly picture surfaced" of Bills RB LeSean McCoy's ex-girlfriend, who "looked as if she had been pummeled." McCoy was accused on social media of domestic abuse, and the NFL said that it is "monitoring the situation." The league also is "weighing the question of whether" McCoy will be a "bigger distraction if he plays or if he is not allowed to play while this process moves forward." Ford: "As we've learned ... all that matters in the court of public opinion is what people can see." Someone is "going to have to answer for the picture," and if it does not turn out to be McCoy, that "would be a surprise" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 7/13).
WHAT ABOUT THE WOMEN? The AP's Ronald Blum noted FIFA has "done little-to-no promotion of the Women's World Cup during the men's tournament." Coca-Cola Head of Global Sponsorships Ricardo Fort said, "They missed an opportunity to talk about it here." Players on the USWNT "protested the decision by FIFA to play" the '15 Women's World Cup in Canada on "artificial turf." U.S. players also have been "outspoken in their criticism of FIFA's prize structure" (AP, 7/11).
MONEY TALK: Alliance of American Football co-Founder Bill Polian said that the league "will give players three-year, non-guaranteed contracts worth $250,000 each." Salaries will "be in line with AAF competitor the XFL, which has said it will pay players an average of $75,000 per season." Polian said that a contract will "include state-of-the-industry health insurance and an education stipend to any player who completes a year in the league" (ESPN.com, 7/12).
