A "virtually completed deal to end the NFL's four-month lockout" is expected to be presented to the NFLPA player reps today "for review and possible recommendation of approval." The NFLPA Exec Committee met yesterday and will be joined by the player reps for today's meeting, which could include recommending approval of the deal to all NFL players. The deal would have to be approved by a majority of the nearly 2,000 players, "and their vote could come by conference call or e-mail" as soon as today (WASHINGTON POST, 7/20). Several of the 32 player reps said that they "have no plans of rubber stamping the agreement" if it is presented to them during today's meeting (SI.com, 7/19).

Meanwhile, Chargers WR Vincent Jackson is "the only player among the 10 plaintiffs" in the Brady v. NFL antitrust lawsuit that "has yet to verbally sign off on the proposed settlement." Jackson's support is mandatory before a new CBA can be finalized (SI.com, 7/19).

The increasingly hostile bankruptcy battle between the Dodgers and MLB will continue in a Wilmington courtroom this morning as Judge Kevin Gross of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware will hear arguments on rival interim financing plans. The club and Owner Frank McCourt are seeking approval to maintain access to a $150M loan from hedge fund Highbridge Capital Management. MLB, conversely, has its own competing proposal, one it and several other third parties claim is economically superior to the Highbridge bid. McCourt, however, has steadily argued that the MLB proposal is actually an effort by Commissioner Bud Selig to separate him from the team through a series of default mechanisms, and Monday likened Selig to "the devil."

The league has made its own character assaults back on McCourt, claiming he has looted the team of more than $180M in personal distributions and oversaw a precipitous decline in Dodger Stadium security. Gross does not necessarily have to rule in favor of either bid as currently written, and instead can signal approval will not happen without modifications. But when Gross picks a winner, the prevailing party will have a key early advantage in the ultimate outcome of the club.

McDonald's today will unveil details of its sponsorship of the '12 London Games, which will include "its largest-ever restaurant" at the Olympic site in East London. The two-story restaurant, which "will be one of four at the Olympic site," will be open in time for the start of the Games. The London Olympics will mark "the ninth consecutive games that McDonald's has acted as the event's official restaurant and the only branded food service retailer feeding the athletes" (MARKETINGMAGAZINE.co.uk, 7/20).

The start of SEC Kickoff 2011, otherwise known as SEC Media Days, begins today at the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, Ala. The three-day event features football coaches and players from each team "who navigate about 1,000 media members." The league is credentialing more media outlets than last year, "but generally fewer reporters per outlet." SEC Associate Commissioner Charles Bloom said that the attendance has "increased over the years, except for a slight decrease from 2009 to 2010." Bloom said that pre-registration for the event "is about where it usually is -- 900 or so media members." The record high is 923, set in '09 (BIRMINGHAM NEWS, 7/18).

Del Mar Racetrack today will begin its 37-day summer meeting that will run through Sept. 7 "on mostly a Wednesday to Sunday race-week schedule." The meet is "one of the most popular and successful programs on the Southern California racing calendar." The signature event of the meet is the $1M Pacific Classic Stakes on Aug. 28, and the first Grade 1 race of the meet will be on Saturday with the Eddie Read Stakes. A track record crowd of 45,309 "came out for opening day last year," and opening-day events will again feature "The One and Only Truly Fabulous Hats Contest" (THOROUGHBREDTIMES.com, 7/19).

Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission Chair Ted Mondale said that the artificial turf in the Metrodome "has become riddled with bacteria and likely must be replaced." The mold is "blamed on water that leaked into the Dome after its roof collapsed in December." Mondale said a "recommendation to replace the turf will be made to the commission." Insurance will cover the estimated $600,000 cost and "the work would not delay the ongoing roof-replacement project" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 7/20).

The Bears-Rams Pro Football HOF Game on Aug. 7 in Canton, Ohio, is "still a 'go' at this point" despite some reports to the contrary. NFL Senior VP/PR Greg Aiello said via e-mail, "Nothing has changed. No games, including the Hall of Fame game, have been cancelled" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 7/20).

Rockets C Yao Ming today formally announced his retirement at a "packed news conference in his hometown" of Shanghai. Rockets GM Daryl Morey attended the conference and "had to get permission from the NBA to attend the formal farewell as the lockout prohibits contact with players" (AP, 7/20). 

Economists and L.A. business leaders today will discuss independent economic reports detailing the economic impact of Farmers Field and an expanded L.A. Convention Center during a media event at the L.A. Convention Center (AEG).

Paciolan has announced that Arizona State Univ. has renewed its partnership with the company (Paciolan).

"Something like 40 of our players were in Germany, on a huge stage with a broader audience. Now, there are some new household names" -- WPS CFO Kristina Hentschel, on the number of the league's players that competed in the FIFA Women's World Cup (NYTIMES.com, 7/20).

"We're facing a challenge right now, which is that our expenses are outstripping revenues. And so we need to take a careful look at why that is so and how we can ensure that doesn't happen (again) in the short term and in the long term" -- Univ. of Maryland VP/Student Affairs Linda Clement, who is co-chairing a commission to help the school's athletic department balance its budget (WASHINGTON POST, 7/20).

"The technology is available, it is the fairness that is important and the Premier League would introduce it tomorrow if it could. Now FIFA is constructively engaged we are hopeful the 2012-13 season is a realistic aim" -- EPL CEO Richard Scudamore, writing in the league's new review of last season, on implementing goalline technology (GUARDIAN, 7/20).

"They can get mad at me if they want, but I'm not buying the mistake thing. It wasn't a mistake. They knew what they were doing" -- Ravens coach John Harbaugh, on a botched draft-day trade that stemmed from the Bears failing to confirm the deal with the league (ESPNCHICAGO.com, 7/19).

Saints QB Drew Brees: “I hesitate to even dignify the false media reports with a response, but obviously they are leading people astray.”

Indians President Mark Shapiro: "Thx for all trade advice. It has not yet altered Chris's strategy but I keep gvig him ur insight. Can't undrstnd y he is lkng at me funny!"

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Dejan Kovacevic: "Everybody is up. And I mean everybody. I'll say this and mean it: Best crowd in PNC Park history. Not biggest, obviously. But best."

Sounders announcer Arlo White: "ManUtd players and staff have represented their club superbly in Seattle. Players signed autos for 35 mind after training.Rooney all smiles."

Cavaliers G Baron Davis: "Watching yao retirment press conference. We are going to miss you boss. Your game and what you have done for basketball in China."

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

The NHL's annual two-day licensed products and retail trade show, NHL Exchange, will begin at Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association is holding its annual partner summit in Park City, Utah. More than 140 people will be in attendance.

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “19th Century Novels.”

“This novel’s first epilogue says, ‘The activity of Alexander or of Napoleon cannot be called useful or harmful.’”

U.S. women’s soccer F Abby Wambach and G Hope Solo appeared on CBS’ “Late Show” last night. Solo said the U.S. team “put our best game together for the final and if you know anything about the game I will try to educate you right now.” Letterman replied, “I know nothing about the game.” Letterman noted Wambach scores a lot of her goals on headers and said, “I can remember when I played soccer in college, in gym class we'd play soccer.” Wambach: “They call it gym in college?” Letterman: “Well, phys-ed. We would practice heading the ball and then years and years later they said, ‘Oh my God, are you kidding me? That's going to cause brain damage.’” Wambach said jokingly, “I'm sorry, what?” Wambach said of heading the goal that tied Brazil in the quarterfinal game, “That moment was just so amazing and being dumber for that moment is okay.” Following the interview, Wambach, Solo and Letterman went outside the Ed Sullivan Theater and tried to shoot soccer balls into moving taxi cabs. Letterman asked Solo, who is a goalie, “Do you have any kind of a shot?” Solo: “Yes, I have a shot!” Letterman replied, “Alright, just relax” (“Late Show,” CBS, 7/19).

MONOLOGUES:

CBS’ David Letterman: “It's hot outside. It's oppressive, it's humid, it's lousy hot. So hot today that Harry Potter packed his wand in ice. …You know that movie ‘Harry Potter?’ $476 million! That's a lot of money. Maybe now Harry can afford the laser eye surgery, get rid of the glasses. … By the way, ladies and gentlemen, here's a tip from the board of health: When it's this hot you're supposed to wear loose-fitting clothing and drink plenty of liquids when you're planning on breaking into the theater. …The theater's been broken into twice now and earlier today, we thought we had a third break-in. It was just a guy out front who wanted his money back. The tickets are free! … By the way, over the weekend the annual television awards were nominated and I'm happy to say that once again we were not nominated for an Emmy. … This is sad news: Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony are divorcing. Yup, I'm telling you, this Marc Anthony has no luck with women. First Cleopatra, now Jennifer Lopez. … Folks, have you been following the Rupert Murdoch scandal? So today, the guy is testifying in front of a committee in Parliament and he gets hit with a pie. Police aren't sure whether it was Curly or Moe. … A very small, little known terrorist group is taking credit for the attack: Sara Lee-Qaeda. … Charlie Sheen has a new television show: Lights, camera, train wreck! The show is called ‘Anger Management.’ That's like Mel Gibson starring in a show called ‘Anger Management.’ … Here's good news: In India, two monkeys got married. Formal ceremony, tails, it was lovely. … When Republican candidate president Michele Obama -- O'Bachmann, rather -- heard the two monkeys were getting married she said, ‘Well that's fine, as long as they're not gay’” (“Late Show,” CBS, 7/19).

NBC’s Jay Leno: “Man, what a heat wave we are having right now, especially in the Midwest. Man, people are sweating like Rupert Murdoch trying to explain his phone bill. … It was so hot in London, Lord Voldemort applied sun block where his nose used to be. … A lot of people stunned over this Jennifer Lopez/Marc Anthony split. In fact, you know who the first person was to hear about the split? Rupert Murdoch. … Texas Governor Rick Perry said God is calling on him to run for President. But Michele Bachmann said that God is calling on her to run for President. You know, if God is that indecisive, he's probably for Mitt Romney. … Three people who work for Michele Bachmann have revealed that whenever she has stress, she gets crippling headaches. That should be easy to fix. She should go to her husband's clinic. If he can pray away the gay, how hard can a headache be? … Borders Bookstores now plan to close its remaining 399 stores and go out of business by the end of September. At least that's what the news report said on my iPad. I don't know. … Sunday is ‘Hat Day’ at Dodger Stadium. Little different this year: Only one fan gets a hat and he has to put money in it and then pass it down. … Hey, have you heard about this? There's this talk of splitting California up into two separate states. So apparently, this divorce between Arnold and Maria is bigger than we thought. … Philadelphia announced this week it will start issuing tickets to people who walk into traffic while texting and not looking. First of all, do you have to issue tickets? Isn't this a problem that's pretty much going to take care of itself?” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 7/19).

LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:

Last night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Thoughts Going Through Rupert Murdoch’s Mind During the Pie Attack.” News Corp Chair & CEO Rupert Murdoch had a pie thrown at him yesterday as he was testifying before a British Parliament committee about the News of the World phone hacking scandal (“Late Show,” CBS, 7/19).

10) “Hey, free pie!”
9) “This would have made a great cover for ‘News of the World.’”
8) “How did he get past the pie detector?”
7) “A pie fight in Parliament – what is this, Benny Hill?”
6) “Duh, winning.”
5) “I was Punk’d – wait is ‘Punk’d’ still on the air? Who writes this stuff?”
4) “Mmm tasty.”
3) “You know what was funny -- remember that smoking baby?”
2) “Don’t pie me, bro!”
1) “It’s the same guy who broke into Letterman’s theater.”

“What is ‘War and Peace?’”