Several NFL players last night "took a knee, raised fists or did not take to the field while the National Anthem was played before a dozen preseason games began across the country." Dolphins WRs Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson "knelt during the anthem," while DE Robert Quinn "raised his fist during the song." Eagles DE Michael Bennett "walked out of the tunnel during the playing of the anthem" and headed to the bench, while S Malcolm Jenkins and CB De'Vante Bausby "raised their fists." Several Jaguars players "were not on the field" for the anthem. Meanwhile, free agent QB Colin Kaepernick on Twitter was "lauding the action of two players who protested" (CNN.com, 8/10).

My brother @kstills continued his protest of systemic oppression tonight by taking a knee. Albert Wilson @iThinkIsee12 joined him in protest. Stay strong brothers!✊🏾
📸 @footcandles#imwithkap #imwithereid #takeaknee pic.twitter.com/LimoadfUcW

— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) August 10, 2018

Jenkins said, "It was just a culmination of how the offseason went. Where we are now, I think it's just important that we keep this conversation going, that we don't let it get stagnant. ... Everybody’s kind of waiting to see what the league is going to do. Better that we not stop what we’ve been standing up for" (PHILLY.com, 8/10).

President Trump this morning once again voiced his displeasure with the NFL player protests, tweeting, "The NFL players are at it again - taking a knee when they should be standing proudly for the National Anthem. Numerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their 'outrage' at something that most of them are unable to define. They make a fortune doing what they love. ... Be happy, be cool! A football game, that fans are paying soooo much money to watch and enjoy, is no place to protest. Most of that money goes to the players anyway. Find another way to protest. Stand proudly for your National Anthem or be Suspended Without Pay!" (TWITTER.com, 8/10).

Last night's Browns-Giants exhibition at MetLife Stadium for fans was the "first NFL game in the U.S. with the opportunity to place a legal wager from the comfort of their seats inside the stadium -- on their phones." Last week, DraftKings "entered the sports betting world as well, releasing a mobile betting app" and giving new Jersey residents the "ability to bet on sports from anywhere inside the state." The duration of the Giants-Browns game was "shown on one of the six big televisions inside the FanDuel sportsbook, and betting was available before the game, along with a halftime line." Per DraftKings, there were "no restrictions for mobile betting at MetLife, and in-game wagering was available until late in the fourth quarter" (ESPN.com, 8/9).

The Austin City Council last night was "unable to work its way to a vote" on "whether the city will make a deal to allow Precourt Sports Ventures to privately finance" an MLS stadium in North Austin. A special meeting will be called for Wednesday morning, "when Mayor Steve Adler promised the McKalla Place issue finally would be resolved with an up-or-down vote." PSV and MLS had "wanted an answer by the end of June," then PSV was "granted an extension by the league to Aug. 9." There was "spirited debate" last night, "first among public speakers, and then among the council members" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 8/10).

During last night's Eagles-Steelers preseason matchup at Lincoln Financial Field there was at least one Steelers football found to be "very deflated," and the NFL is "investigating." The ball "was discovered" in the third quarter with Steelers backup QB Mason Rudolph in the game. Eagles sideline reporter Howard Eskin saw the football in question and said that it was "like a marshmallow" (TWITTER.com, 8/10). 

Current and former NFL players today have another chance to "help researchers one day diagnose" CTE in the living, as a large-scale study of the brain disease has scheduled its fourth "collection date" at the Translational Genomics Institute (TGen) in Phoenix. TGen and Aethlon Medical subsidiary Exosome Sciences are "collaborating on the project." They hope to "convince 200 past and present football players, mostly with NFL ties, to participate in the hopes of helping those who have CTE now or might in the future" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 8/10).

Mizuno reported sales of US$386M for Q1, down 6.9% from the year-ago period as "sales in the Americas region slumped" 23.9% from $60M to $46M. The Japan-based sporting goods maker said that the "overall decline was due to weak sales in running business." Sales in Japan "declined mainly because the shrink of player population of baseball and golf and other categories." Steady sales were "seen in the sports facility service business" (SGBONLINE.com, 8/9).

The Saints last night unveiled the jersey patch and helmet decal "they'll wear throughout" the NFL season to honor late Owner Tom Benson (NOLA.com, 8/9).

Serena Williams is "now an investor in female-first shaving brand Billie." The company also donates 1% of "all revenue to women’s causes around the world" (NYPOST.com, 8/9).

"I’m really lost right now -- I don’t have an idea. My wife wants me to retire. I have people looking into some media things and I’m looking into some teaching opportunities in college, sports management programs and things like that" -- Former Pistons President of Basketball Operations and coach Stan Van Gundy, on his future after being fired following last season (DETROIT NEWS, 8/10).

"Even when you have manufacturers and suppliers that are within the United States, they know they can charge more now because of the tariffs" -- Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke, on how the Trump administration's tariffs on steel and other construction materials are raising costs for the KeyArena renovation (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 8/9).

The K.C. STAR asks, "Have Analytics Made MLB Baseball Boring?" The "quest to hit more home runs has led to an all-or-nothing style of play." Fans "might like the additional home runs, but the strikeouts that go with them have resulted in some pretty boring baseball." Meanwhile, CBSSPORTS.com writes under the header, "It's Time For MLB Broadcasters To Embrace The Style And Flair Of Today's Players, Not Lament It."

Also:

• Ohio State will "send a message about its values" with Urban Meyer decision.
• How offensive tweets are "spurring an evolution in sports."
• Ice Cube's Big3 eyes "grander ambitions" in Year 3.

When asked why he is "The Conductor" for Players Weekend, Chris Sale said I should ask "Pedey". Response from Pedey: "You're a smart guy. What does a conductor do? Punches tickets." I must admit, my first thought was a music conductor.

— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) August 9, 2018

Just a reminder that the Lions went 4-0 in the preseason the year they went 0-16.

— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@FO_ASchatz) August 9, 2018

Man, Baker Mayfield is gonna be so good. This is gonna be fun as hell.

— Robert Mays (@robertmays) August 10, 2018

Good lord. Steph Curry shoots 71! Absolutely thought he HAD to regress from last year's 74/74. It sucks that this is going up against the PGA, because this is a seriously compelling story.

— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) August 9, 2018

It's so sad to lose Jarrod after all he went through. I played with him once at Firestone and he had an amazing spirit. We're all family out here and support each other.

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) August 9, 2018

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

A brief hit on the stories you need to know ... Subscribe on iTunes ... Check out our podcast home.

Last night's "Final Jeopardy!" category was "Inventions."

"When Time Magazine named it Invention of the Year in 2007, it was described as too slow, too big, pretty & touchy-feely."

"What is the iPhone?"