Rockets Owner Les Alexander reportedly is "in the final stages of negotiations to purchase" the MLS Dynamo and secure a 30-year lease and development agreement on BBVA Compass Stadium. The deal "is not complete, but the sides are close" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 8/17). Sources said that Alexander is "buying out the three partners who currently own the Dynamo." AEG owns 50% of the team, while Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya and Brener Int'l Group Chair & CEO Gabriel Brener each own 25% (MYFOXHOUSTON.com, 8/16).

The first effects of NHL labor uncertainty were felt yesterday when the Red Wings cancelled the annual prospects tournament scheduled to be held in Traverse City, Mich. Eight NHL clubs were scheduled to participate in the tournament in early September: the Red Wings, Sabres, Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, Stars, Wild, Rangers and Blues. Red Wings GM Ken Holland said the tournament was cancelled "due to the uncertainty surrounding the collective bargaining agreement and the advance commitments required from the various parties, including hotels, airlines, teams, players and their families." Holland said all eight teams were committed to having the tournament in Sept. '13.

The NFL argued in court papers yesterday that the NFLPA should have suspected in ‘10 that the league was colluding to restrain player salaries and filed a complaint then, but because it did not, the union is barred from its current collusion complaint. While the league denies the union’s charge it instituted a secret salary cap in 2010, the NFL argues because the union appears to have suspected collusion in 2010, it was limited to the 90 days following that season to file the claim. “It suffices to say that it is simply incredible for the NFLPA and Class Counsel to assert on the one hand that over $1 billion in player compensation was ‘missing’ in 2010 but assert on the other that they did not know -- and would not have known with the reasonable exercise of due diligence -- until two years later that they had a potential claim of collusion,” the brief states. 

The brief also quotes NFLPA Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith saying in March ‘10, “[Y]ou see almost a uniform decrease (in club payrolls) … Virtually all of them are down. That’s something you wouldn’t expect in a completely free market.” The argument was a new line of attack from the NFL. The brief included the league’s other arguments, most notably that the current CBA, legal settlement agreement from last year and the dismissal of the lawsuits that ended the lockout all contained language barring the collusion lawsuit. But the NFL also appeared to be poking at the union, saying if its players feel they should bring a lawsuit, it should be one against their own union. “If a member of the NFLPA’s bargaining unit is now unhappy with that Dismissal, his remedy is a claim against the NFLPA for breach of the duty of Fair representation, not a petition to this Court to reopen an expired settlement Agreement.”

Read more of the article.

U.S. Olympians continued their rounds on the talk show circuit as Ryan Lochte and Erik Kynard stopped by CBS and NBC for late-night appearances.

Swimmer Ryan Lochte appeared on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” last night and walked on-stage wearing the five medals he won at the London Games. Lochte said, “These are a little heavy. I'm gonna have to take them off.” Host Jay Leno replied, “You want to wear those when you walk into a singles bar.” Actress and fellow guest Kristen Bell, who was sitting on-stage next to Lochte, picked up the medals and said, “I like jewelry.” Leno asked, “You swam against Michael Phelps. Are you secretly glad he's retiring?” Lochte said, “You know what, no. I'm not. I've been racing against him for eight years and every time I go up on the blocks, he's right there next to me. So I'm used to it.” Lochte said of his desire to get into television, “If they asked me to do ‘The Bachelor,’ I'd consider it, but I would talk with my family first. That's something I'd have to do. The ‘Dancing With The Stars’ … in college, I took a dancing class. I got an A. I think I’d be pretty good at it” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 8/16).

High jumper Erik Kynard appeared on CBS’ “Late Show” last night and CBS’ David Letterman said prior to Kynard walking on-stage, “If you know anything about me at all then there’s something wrong with you. But you know one thing, I love the high jump to. To me that’s the reason to have the track and field world championships and the Olympics is the high jump because there is no more pure athletic achievement.” Kynard said his father was a good sprinter and noted that growing up in Toledo, Ohio, he “didn't mind participating in track but I didn't want to run.” Letterman asked, “Why is that?” Kynard: “Toledo, Ohio, wasn't the biggest place so you hear about your dad all the time and ‘he did this, he’s going to be the next Carl Lewis.’ You know how people are and I just didn't want to follow his footsteps. I wanted to make my own.” Letterman: “So you said, ‘I won’t go into track, I’ll go into field’” (“Late Show,” CBS, 8/16).

NASCAR today will announce plans and begin selling tickets for the '12 NASCAR After The Lap fan event sponsored by Ford and Coca-Cola, which returns to Las Vegas for its fourth consecutive year Nov. 29 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. ESPN's Jamie Little will host. Also starting today is a sweepstakes, with a grand prize package that includes a '13 Ford F-150, round trip for two to Las Vegas, two nights at Planet Hollywood and two VIP tickets to After The Lap. Tickets are $20 each, with proceeds benefitting The NASCAR Foundation.

Ford Racing is running a full page ad today in USA Today’s sports section promoting After The Lap. The ad was chosen by consumers via an online vote on the Ford Racing Facebook page (THE DAILY).

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will "square off in China this fall in a one-day exhibition" at Lake Jinsha Int'l Golf Club in Zhengzhou, China. The one-day "Duel at Lake Jinsha" will be played Oct. 29, the Monday after the two players "compete in different Asian tournaments." Woods' agent Mark Steinberg said that the exhibition "has been in the works for a couple of months" and described the event "as customer entertainment" (AP, 8/15). McIlroy discussed the exhibition earlier this week on Golf Channel's "Morning Drive," and said, "It should be a lot of fun. First time I've really ever done something like this with Tiger" ("Morning Drive," Golf Channel, 8/15).

The St. Petersburg City Council passed a resolution last night that "will allow a prominent real estate developer to pitch a plan for a new baseball stadium." The resolution invited CityScape to "present its plan to the council, but it barred the company from discussing a new plan directly with the Rays -- unless the team signs an amendment to its current use agreement with the city" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 8/17).

Univ. of Idaho officials today will “make their case to the Idaho State Board of Education that playing outside of a formal conference is in the best long-term interests” of the school’s football program. The school currently is a football-only member of the WAC (AP, 8/16).

Cowboys Exec VP & COO Stephen Jones "all but said Thursday the club will hold its entire 2013 training camp in Oxnard, Calif." The team signed a three-year deal with Oxnard after their five-year deal with the Alamodome ended last year, but San Antonio officials "were hopeful the club would split camp between Oxnard and San Antonio beginning next year" (MYSANANTONIO.com, 8/17).

A fan died in the hospital last night “after suffering cardiac arrest” during the White Sox-Blue Jays game at Rogers Centre. The game was briefly stopped in the seventh inning “while a medical team administered CPR to the man, who was sitting in the first row of the third-base stands” (GLOBE & MAIL, 8/17).

Packers WR Donald Driver this morning served as a correspondent on ABC's "Good Morning America." Driver introduced a segment on a trip his family took this summer to Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels, Texas, "to spend a day testing the park's extreme water rides" (GREENBAYPRESSGAZETTE.com, 8/17).

Citi is running a full-page ad in this morning’s USA Today featuring several U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes and the copy, “They Ran, Swam, Biked, Jumped, Kicked, Served, Threw And Flipped Their Way Into Our Hearts. Congratulations To Team Citi For An Unforgettable Performance” (THE DAILY).

“If you ask me right now, today, I would say it is somebody else’s turn” – UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma, saying he has no interest to return as coach of the U.S. women’s national basketball team for the ’16 Rio de Janeiro Games (HARTFORD COURANT, 8/17).

“During my eight years there, we never really had a whole lot of drama outside the clubhouse. The idea is to keep it in-house” – ESPN analyst and former Red Sox manager Terry Francona, on a report that some Red Sox players met with ownership and asked that manager Bobby Valentine be fired (USA TODAY, 8/17).

"I think it’s a little unfortunate that we can’t focus some more on the playing field and a little less on the melodrama, but it’s part of the territory” -- Red Sox President & CEO Larry Lucchino, on the “drama” and controversy surrounding the current Red Sox team (“NESN Daily,” NESN, 8/16).

"We're working to expand the existing capacity. Once we can figure out what that number is we'll announce the availability" -- U.S. Soccer Senior Manager of Communications Neil Buethe, on the organization having to postpone ticket sales to the general public for a U.S. women's national team exhibition at Sahlen's Stadium after 11,000 tickets were sold during three days of presale specials (ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, 8/17).

Newsday's Neil Best: "Number of sports-oriented TV channels is reaching unsupportable levels. Most humans have only two eyes, and we all have only 24 hours a day."

The London Times' James Ducker: "#MCFC have appointed former Barcelona vice president Ferran Soriano as their new CEO. Starts Sept 1."

SportsOneSource analyst Matt Powell: "Will black/white Nets gear bring back all black or white shoes? Nets #1 in NBA market share. Jay- Z influence on Nets."

ESPN's Michele Steele: "According to records, Lochte has applied to put "Jeah" on products incl workout DVDs, hoodies, swim goggles, trading cards & gift cards."

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

Soccer blogger Jamie Sanderson posts an image of F Robin van Persie sitting alongside Sir Alex Ferguson this morning as he officially signs his contract with Manchester United.

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “The Presidential Cabinet.”

“Seven women have been secretary of this, the most for any department in the president’s cabinet.”

Actor Rob Corddry appeared on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” last night wearing a “Gold Medal” around his neck. Host Jon Stewart asked, “Are you an Olympian of some sort?” Corddry said, “I thought this was why I was on? This is super embarrassing then. I feel like I’m showing off.” Stewart relied, “I watched a lot of Olympic coverage. I don’t recall seeing you.” Corddry said his event -- mugging gymnastics -- “was not televised.” Stewart asked, “You mugged a gymnast for their medal?” Corddry: “A lot of people make that mistake. It’s not mugging as some people think you mug a gymnast for their medal and then you tumble away with streamers. It isn’t that. No, it’s mugging like making stupid faces. That’s why it’s not televised” (“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” Comedy Central, 8/17).

During his Letterman's monologue, actor Richard Frost walked on-stage and told the studio audience, “I'm Richard Frost. I’m an actor playing IOC Chairman Jacques Rogge. … You know, that last joke was world-class and it was so impressive in fact…” Letterman interjected and said, “You mean the one that made the audience groan?” Frost: “World-class standards have dropped some.” Letterman: “Yeah, I guess so.” Frost continued, “It was so impressive in fact, on behalf of the International Olympic Committee, I’d like to present you with this, a Gold Medal from your props department.” Letterman: “That's wonderful. Thank you very much. I'll treasure that. That's a beauty.” Frost added, “Thank you and I'll see all of you at the next Olympics in the Ukraine or wherever” (“Late Show,” CBS, 8/16).

Actor Tracy Morgan appeared on CBS’ “Late Show” last night wearing an American flag polo shirt. Letterman said, “You’re very patriotic tonight and I appreciate that and I know all of our Olympians and Olympic supporters appreciate that.” Morgan: “I’m getting ready to go to the Olympics.” Letterman replied, “You know they’re finished, they’re all done.” Morgan exclaimed, “What!? Nobody told me! The government is doing it again! They banned me in Beijing … because I gave a couple of kids from the Yugoslavian hockey team some Flintstone pills! You can’t ban me just because I’m hanging around that village” (“Late Show,” CBS, 8/16).

NBC’s Jay Leno: “San Francisco Giants’ outfielder Melky Cabrera has been suspended for 50 games without pay for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. But the good news: Today he was made an honorary member of the female Chinese swim team. … For the first time ever, the U.S. men's national soccer team beat México in their home stadium. … In New York City, to promote a new line of underwear, they've come out with these ten-foot-high statues of David Beckham in his underwear. …I don't want to say the underwear is tight, but you can see where that phrase ‘Bend it like Beckham’ came from” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 8/16).

ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel: “Gold-medal winning swimmer Ryan Lochte is parlaying his Olympic fame to break into Hollywood. He said in a few interviews he would like to be the next ‘Bachelor.’ Which I think is great; he would swim around in a hot tub. … Here's a point of much national pride or at least it should be: For the first time ever the U.S. men's soccer team beat México in México. Americans reacted by not caring whatsoever” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 8/16).

Last night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Things We’ve Learned About Mars.” Letterman: “This is what I like about NASA. Do you remember anybody coming to you like in a census form or a tax form and saying, ‘Is it okay if we go to Mars?’ ... I mean it's our money, but did they ask anybody?” (“Late Show,” CBS, 8/16).

10) “Temperature: Minus 67° F; ‘feels like’ temperature: Minus 70° F.”
9) “It’s completely overrun with cats.”
8) “Orbited by three moons – Phobos, Deimos and Shemp.”
7) “Everyone leaves for the summer.”
6) “Only half as many Kardashians.”
5) “Red surface is largely paprika.”
4) “Crops doing poorly due to several million year drought.”
3) “With reduced gravity of Mars, Governor Chris Christie would still be morbidly obese.”
2) “All trails are open; all lifts are running.”
1) “Easier to get to than Romney’s tax returns.”

“What is labor?”