Every NFL stadium that hosted a game yesterday held a moment of silence to honor Raiders Owner Al Davis, whose death was announced Saturday. The Raiders, playing the Texans at Reliant Stadium, "wore black decals on their helmets with 'AL' in silver letters." Raiders coach Hue Jackson: "This is a new beginning for this football team. ... We all had coach tied to our hearts today" (USA TODAY, 10/10).

CSNBAYAREA.com's Ray Ratto wrote Davis' role in the history of the NFL "and indeed all of American sports is seminal." SI's Peter King wrote, "Has there ever been anyone like him? In pro football history, I mean. I honestly can't think of one." GRANTLAND.com's Chuck Klosterman: "No one ever personified a sports organization the way Davis embodied the Raiders." The L.A. TIMES' Bill Plaschke: "He was probably the greatest villain in the history of American sports, universally feared but absolutely necessary." The N.Y. POST's Steve Serby: "He was the Frank Sinatra of football, forever doing things his way."

CBS’ “The NFL Today,” ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown,” Fox’ “Fox NFL Sunday,” NBC’s “Football Night In America” and NFL Network’s “NFL GameDay Morning” pregame shows yesterday all began the broadcast with tributes and/or recollections of Davis. ESPN included interviews with former Raiders WRs Jerry Rice and Tim Brown, as well as ESPN’s Jon Gruden discussing his tenure as Raiders coach, throughout the broadcast. NFL Network’s “NFL GameDay Morning” began with a taped segment featuring Raiders QB Jason Campbell, SI’s Peter King, entertainer Ice Cube and Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones speaking on the phone. NBC’s Bob Costas addressed the passing of Davis during halftime of the Packers-Falcons "SNF" game (THE DAILY).

NBA and NBPA reps plan to gather again today at 2:00pm ET after yesterday's "eleventh-hour effort to avoid the cancellation" of regular-season games. NBA Commissioner David Stern last week said that he "will cancel the first two weeks of the season if the sides can't agree" on a labor deal by today. NBPA President Derek Fisher postponed a planned meeting with players today in Beverly Hills and "downplayed any Sunday progress." Fisher: "We're not necessarily any closer than we were" (L.A. TIMES, 10/10). Fisher said of yesterday's talks, "Another intense meeting, similar process" (ESPN.com, 10/10).

The sides met for more than five hours yesterday. They "didn't discuss the proposed revenue split" but addressed "only system issues." Fisher in an e-mail to players said that he and NBPA Exec Committee member Chris Paul "would begin using social media to show fans that the players are determined to resume playing." Fisher wrote, "On Monday, Chris and I will tweet and post 'LET US PLAY.' This was used by the NFL players and many will be joining us on Monday and retweeting the same message" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/10).

NFL owners will meet today and tomorrow in Houston, where they are "expected to name a site for the 2015 Super Bowl and perhaps add to the number of international games." The meeting starts with committees today, with the full ownership "only expected to meet for the day on Tuesday" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/10 issue). Glendale and Tampa are bidding to host the '15 Super Bowl, and Arizona's "successful staging of Super Bowl XLII" in '08 puts it "firmly in the running to host another one" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 10/10). 

Tigers-Rangers ALCS Game Two is scheduled to begin at 3:19pm CT today at Rangers Ballpark "on the first of two scheduled off days in the best-of-seven series." The game was originally slated for yesterday, but MLB decided to postpone the game "more than four hours before the scheduled first pitch and just as a steady rain that started falling overnight had stopped." Yesterday's forecast "called for conditions similar to the ones that plagued" the first game of the series, which had almost two hours of rain delays during two stoppages in the fifth inning (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 10/10).

TCU's board of trustees are scheduled to meet today to "discuss and likely accept the school's invitation to join the Big 12." A source said that the board's meeting "is expected to be followed by a 'major announcement.'" This will be the first time TCU trustees "will gather as a group since the Big 12's invitation" (AP, 10/10). The announcement is anticipated at 5:00 or 6:00 pm CT "on campus" at TCU (STAR-TELEGRAM.com, 10/9).

With TCU no longer slated to join the Big East, that conference's officials "have discussed the possibility of adding Boise State for football-only" (NJ.com, 10/9).

A crowd of 82,000 attended yesterday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway. The Nationwide Series race at the track on Saturday "drew an estimated 68,000 fans, the sixth-largest crowd for the series in 30 races this season." Track officials said that the crowd of 20,000 for Friday's ARCA race "included 7,000 walk-up fans." Track President Pat Warren: "We were up significantly this year over last year."  

The speedway, which previously packaged all NASCAR tickets with its IndyCar race, "started selling [ticket] packages for individual race weekends last season before adjusting the rules again this year, allowing fans to buy tickets for each, individual race" (K.C. STAR, 10/10).

A Fairleigh Dickinson Univ. poll released today shows New Jersey voters "want the opportunity to legally bet on professional sports games," but are "opposed to using public money to help out the owners of the stalled Meadowlands development formerly known as Xanadu." A non-binding referendum on the November ballot will ask voters "whether the state Constitution should be amended to permit sports betting." The poll, which surveyed 800 registered voters, shows 52% favor the measure, with 31% opposed. Also, 58% were opposed to proposed tax breaks to "help out" the American Dream project (AP, 10/10).

The Minnesota Lynx wrapped up their first WNBA championship Friday night with a 73-67 victory over the Atlanta Dream before a record crowd of 11,543 at Philips Arena (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 10/8). The victory ends a 20-year championship drought by major pro sports teams in Minnesota, and the playoff run "brought heightened awareness throughout the region, so much so that it was difficult to get through a day without hearing about the Lynx on sports radio and television news." The Lynx averaged nearly 9,000 fans a game this season, but "crowds of more than 15,000 attended the first two games" of the Finals. The team also sold "nearly 1,000 season tickets" during the playoffs (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 10/9).

The Winnipeg Free Press today will publish a special 48-page edition that "will cover all things Jets," who opened up their season yesterday at home against the Canadiens. It was the Jets' first regular-season game at MTS Centre (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, 10/10). Many had "wondered what type of reaction" NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman might receive at the venue, and fans were "actually chanting his name" when he entered the arena prior to the contest (WINNIPEG SUN, 10/10).

A N.C. firefighter "collapsed about 500 yards short of the finish line" of Sunday's Bank of America Chicago Marathon and "died nearly two hours later." The death was the "first fatality in the Chicago Marathon since 2007, when heat forced the shutdown of the race before it ended" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 10/10).

Infiniti is running a full-page ad in this morning's USA Today congratulating driver Sebastian Vettel for wrapping up his second consecutive F1 championship (THE DAILY).

"The Sky is something our ownership believes in. There is plenty of work to do but we are very encouraged. After six years, we absolutely know that there is a market for this in Chicago" – WNBA Chicago Sky President Adam Fox, on the team recording its best attendance numbers in its history this past season (Illinois DAILY HERALD, 10/8).

"I think I made the right decision coming over here to play" – Magic F Justin Harper, who was drafted in the second round of this year's NBA Draft, on signing a deal to play for the French basketball team SIG Strasbourg (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 10/8). Harper is penning a lockout diary for the Orlando Sentinel (THE DAILY).

"You have done something my wife can never do and got me on the dance floor without alcohol by 3pm" – Manchester United CEO David Gill, on dancing with a group of grandmothers in an African village. Gill is taking part in a two-day visit to analyze the progress of a UNICEF project to fund int'l charity work (London TELEGRAPH, 10/9).

"No mustard, no catsup, no harm, no foul" – PGA Tour Frys.com Open Tournament President Duke Butler, on a spectator running onto the course during Sunday's round and throwing a hot dog at Tiger Woods (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 10/10).

CBSSPORTS.com's Will Brinson: "Wow. That's nuts - Al Davis had a moment of silence for Bob Kraft's wife in Oakland. Last week."

Populous Business Development Manager Joshua Boren: "Picked a good weekend to return to Detroit. Between perfect Fall weather, sports teams & Downtown progress, lots of optimism for City 2.0!"

Agent Evan Morgenstein: "Interesting evolution of #Twitter. Teen at a sporting goods store said he doesn't want autographs just #re-tweets from his fav athletes."

Raptors G DeMar DeRozan: "Shout out all the fans that came out to support the Drew League Vs Goodman. It was a great turn out. Felt like A real NBA game."

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

The Raiders' official team Twitter feed posts this pic of a tribute to Al Davis that appeared on the Reliant Stadium scoreboard during yesterday's Raiders-Texans game.

Steelers S Troy Polamalu posed as a wax figure at Madame Tussauds Hollywood wax museum and "scared customers by popping to life." The promotion was part of a marketing campaign for Head and Shoulders (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/7).

Friday’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Royalty.”

“The son of an Oscar winner, this prince is also a 5-time Olympian.”

CBS’ David Letterman: “Do you folks feel okay? I don't feel good. I'll be honest with you. I have something wrong. You know, it's my own dumb fault. Here's what I did: I should never have gotten that flu shot from Dr. Conrad Murray. … I've been watching that trial out there, the Michael Jackson death doctor trial, and there is a mountain of evidence against this guy. And you know in L.A. what that means? Not guilty. … President Obama was on television yesterday talking about his jobs bill and how he's got to get it through. It's going to create jobs, and the Democrats have already hired ten lobbyists to kill the president's job bill. So already it's working. Creating jobs! … By the way, you know who is back in the United States? Good to have her back after four years, Amanda Knox. She’s back in Seattle and she's working on a new book called, ‘If I Did It.’ … Her parents have invited her Italian boyfriend -- his conviction was also overturned -- and he's coming over for Thanksgiving with the family. And you think your family dinners are awkward? … The thing about it, she was away for four years. She's way behind on Katherine Heigl romantic comedies. … Big movies out, a film called ‘Real Steel.’ You know what this is about? Fighting robots. One of the robots retires, gets too old to be a fighting robot, retires, and introduces a brand new barbecue grill. … Sarah Palin, not running for president. Who better to lead us out of the troubles of the world than a half-term governor from Alaska? … She went on Fox News and announced that she was deciding not to run for president. She said Paul Revere talked her out of it” (“Late Show,” CBS, 10/7).

NBC’s Jay Leno: “The protests in New York City are getting louder and louder. They are attacking the corporate mismanagement of trillions of dollars. They're demanding indictments of those in charge. It's not Wall Street protestors. Those are Yankee fans. They're pissed off. … The Yankees beaten last night by the Detroit Tigers. They're now out of the playoffs. How about A-Rod? Struck out three times last night. Once with the bases loaded, huh? Not so easy without the steroids, is it? … Although there were some slight gains this month, unemployment is still at 9.1%. Well, 9.2% if you count Hank Williams Jr. … As you know by now, ESPN has fired Hank Williams Jr. from ‘Monday Night Football’ for his comments. They'll no longer play the song, ‘With All My Rowdy Friends.’ You know they opened the show with that, which I never understood. Why does ‘Monday Night Football’ open the show with a big song? Is that a big deal to football fans, a big, flashy, musical number? It's football, it’s not ‘Glee!’ … China is now expected to surpass Japan to be the second richest country in the world. Some experts believe it could be the richest country in the world. But that's provided we pay them the money we owe them. … There's now a proposal in Congress to solve our nation's $14 trillion debt by allowing rich people who feel they don't pay enough income tax to voluntarily pay more. Economists say this could bring in as much as $75 a year. … Just a year after GE paid zero taxes on $5 billion profit, General Electric is now recommending that President Obama and Congress lower corporate taxes. They're paying zero! How much lower do you want to go? How do you pay less than zero? Even Wesley Snipes is going, ‘What?!’” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 10/7).

LATE NIGHT LAUGHS:

Jason Sudeikis parodied Hank Williams, Jr. during sketch on "SNL"

This weekend’s broadcast of NBC's “SNL” featured some sports-themed skits, including one featuring cast members Bobby Moynihan, Taran Killam and Vanessa Bayer portraying Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” co-hosts Brian Kilmeade, Steve Doocy and Gretchen Carlson, respectively. Cast member Jason Sudeikis portrayed Hank Williams Jr. and appeared on the show with his media representative Chris Brooks, played by guest host Ben Stiller, to explain his comments he made on the show the previous week comparing President Obama to Hitler. Carlson said, “Mr. Williams compared President Obama to Hitler and we just don’t say that on this show.” Kilmeade: “We imply it.” Doocy added, “That’s right. It’s called manners.” Brooks said, “I understand you’re upset, but you have to admit you made a big mistake by letting Mr. Williams come on your show and speak for himself. I mean, what did you think he would say? Look at him. He looks like a truck stop Santa Claus.” Doocy: “So this is our fault?” Brooks said that “you had a big role in it and Mr. Williams would like an apology.” Williams: “Hell yeah! Apologize to Bocephus!” Brooks said to Williams, “Hank, stop it, you’re not helping.” Williams replied, “Of course I’m not helping, I’m crazy!” Brooks told the co-hosts, “Telling him he’s a political analyst is akin to giving a baby a gun.” Williams: “Don’t give a baby a gun, President Barack Hitler will just take it away!” Brooks: “That’s what Hank does. He calls everyone he doesn’t like Hitler.” Later in the show, Sudeikis as Williams sang the broadcast to a commercial break. Williams sang to the MNF music, “Are you ready for commercial? They’re gonna sell you stuff so don’t change the channel … everything’s alright, all my rowdy friends are here on Saturday night!” (“SNL,” NBC, 10/8).

Last night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Signs You Are Watching A Bad Robot Movie.” Letterman: “‘Real Steel’ opens today and it's all about boxing robots. It's a time in the future not so far from now, when people are not interested in boxing anymore. They want to see boxing robots” (“Late Show,” CBS, 10/7).

10) “‘Robot’ only has the ability to make popcorn.”
9) “Instead of killing, evil robot hacks into other people’s eBay accounts and orders stuff they don’t need.”
8) “It’s not about fighting robots, it’s about fighting rowboats due to a typo.”
7) “Robots spend film sitting around smoking Newport 100’s.”
6) “Doesn’t include Ryan Gosling – how could any movie be good without his smoldering hunkiness?”
5) “Relies on offensive stereotypes like ‘robots never pick up a check.’”
4) “No No. 4, writer watching bad robot movie. What are the odds?”
3) “Robot can’t move more than three feet without pulling out his plug.”
2) “Special effects look like this.” (A video was aired of Letterman in the studio breakroom being zapped into thin air by a toaster oven.)
1) “The robots rock ‘em, but don’t sock ‘em.”

“Who is Prince Albert?”