Maryland AD Damon Evans and school President Wallace Loh yesterday "faced the media" to discuss the heatstroke death of football player Jordan McNair. They announced the "formation of an independent panel to investigate the damning allegations about the program revealed first in reporting by ESPN on Saturday." But one "big question they did not answer was why Evans is not on administrative leave along with football coach DJ Durkin" (BALTIMORE SUN, 8/15). Loh said the university “accepts legal and moral responsibility" for the events of May 29 that led to McNair's death. Loh: "We will do everything possible that the situation that Jordan McNair found himself in will never happen again" (WASHINGTON POST, 8/15). Maryland also has "parted ways" with Assistant AD and strength coach Rick Court (ESPN.com, 8/15).

The “Today” show aired a report on the scandal, with NBC’s Savannah Guthrie saying, "Officials now admitting mistakes were made that could have saved that teenager's life and there are disturbing allegations this morning that players there were regularly mistreated." NBC's Tom Costello: “McNair's family says they very much appreciate that the university president is taking responsibility” (“Today,” NBC, 8/15). The Maryland news was not the top story on any of the nightly network news shows last night, though NBC and ABC both aired reports (THE DAILY).

SI.com writes under the header, "Maryland's Admission In Death Of Jordan McNair And The Massive Legal Consequences." The L.A. TIMES goes with, "Maryland Takes Step In Right Direction, But Much More Is Needed From Big-Time College Programs."

The Austin City Council today is scheduled to vote on "whether to move ahead with a stadium plan" for the Crew. Austin "delayed the vote a week, but is expected to make a decision whether to enter formal and final negotiations" with Crew Owner Anthony Precourt (AP, 8/15). The runup to today's meeting was "jolted by the report" that Council member Leslie Pool, who has come out against the McKalla Place project, "traveled to Columbus on a soccer tour that included mingling with the fan-based Save The Crew movement" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 8/15). Pool visited Mapfre Stadium as well as a "parcel of land in the Arena District many fans envision as the site for a new stadium" (STATESMAN.com, 8/14).

Meanwhile, an MLS spokesperson said that "there is 'nothing substantive' to comments from actor Mark Wahlberg indicating he would be interested in purchasing" the Crew. Wahlberg was in Columbus on Monday to "announce his purchase of a car dealership." When asked if he would be interested in buying the team, he said, "I certainly would. ... That may be something we need to discuss. I became a huge, huge soccer fan. This World Cup really got me" (ESPN.com, 8/14).

Legends and JMI Sports, the new multimedia rights holders at Notre Dame, have hired Bucks Exec VP/Strategy & Development Ted Loehrke as President of the Fighting Irish property. Loehrke, a Notre Dame graduate with a BS in chemical engineering, will oversee day-to-day operations that include sales, marketing, sponsorship, hospitality and national radio rights for Notre Dame football. The joint venture between Legends and JMI won the Irish’s rights in a competitive bid process in April as part of a 12-year agreement. Loehrke’s move into collegiate marketing comes after spending the last nine years in the NBA, first with the league’s Team Marketing & Business Operations group and most recently with the Bucks.

MLB, ESPN and the X Games today announced the addition of five MLB clubs to the Shred Hate initiative, a program that aims to end bullying in schools. Starting with the '18-19 academic year, the Angels, Dodgers, Phillies, Pirates and Rangers will support the initiative. This adds to the original group of Shred Hate teams that includes the Cubs, White Sox, Twins and Nationals. The effort began at X Games Aspen in '17 and has reached nearly 30,000 students to date (MLB).

DAZN today will announce a "three-year Canadian rights deal to broadcast the World Boxing Super Series," a pro tournament that previously aired on Super Channel. The deal gives Perform Group’s sports streaming service "two tournaments -- one each at 118 and 140 pounds -- comprising 15 fights." DAZN Senior VP/Revenue Joe Markowski said, "(Combat sports) are one of the four or five content pillars we want to roll out. (This deal) will give WBSS the eyeballs and attention we feel it deserves." The company did not reveal "how much it paid for the boxing rights" (TORONTO STAR, 8/15). DAZN also recently "secured Canadian broadcast rights for Italy's Serie A" in a three-year deal through the soccer league's '20-21 season (Vancouver PROVINCE, 8/14).

The Int'l Dota 2 Championships start today at Rogers Arena, and the tournament "holds the largest prize pool of any esports championship" at more than C$24M. With 18 teams at play, the event "goes through a round robin before entering the double elimination stage." Each game "usually lasts between 15 minutes to more than an hour." Tourism Vancouver "hopes to pursue more esports tournaments in the future" (VANCOUVER SUN, 8/15).

76ers G Ben Simmons appeared on CBS’ “The Late Late Show” last night, and host James Corden said Simmons is “going to be on the cover of GQ, he’s on the cover of NBK…what’s the game?” Simmons: “NBA 2K.” Corden: “I’m a FIFA guy.” Simmons said people have started calling him “The Fresh Prince” in Philadelphia, but he “didn't really want to accept it until I played to that level where people can call you ‘The Fresh Prince,’ because that's a lot to kind of live up to. I had a game against LeBron, we both had triple-doubles. That was when I accepted it. I said, ‘I'm going to take it’” (“The Late Late Show,” CBS, 8/15).

The 17th edition of Basketball Without Borders Europe tips off today in Belgrade, Serbia, and the four-day tournament will "bring together 63 boys and girls ages 17 and younger from 25 European and Asian countries." This year's edition will also "include NBA Cares community outreach efforts with youth in Belgrade, including packing and delivering care packages to young people dealing with illnesses." Nike, a BWB global partner since '02, will "outfit the campers and coaches" with apparel and footwear (SACRAMENTO BEE, 8/15).

Ohio State officials "expect to make a decision" in the Urban Meyer investigation "within about a week" (AP, 8/14).

Atlantic City's Golden Nugget casino this morning "will open for sports betting" at 9:30am ET. Ninety minutes later, Resorts Casinos also "raises its window." This "makes six of the eight planned sportsbooks that will be open" in Atlantic City. However, the Golden Nugget will be "prohibited from taking NBA action because owner Tilman Fertitta" also owns the Rockets (PHILLY.com, 8/14).

San Antonio "could host the Davis Cup final," as the city is "preparing a bid to host the event from Nov. 23 to 25 at the Freeman Coliseum" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 8/15).

Rolex runs a full-page ad in the N.Y. Times touting numerous tennis players who endorse the watch, including Roger Federer, Caroline Wozniacki and Garbine Muguruza, among others: "When You Achieve The Extraordinary, You've Made History" (THE DAILY).

"We received the temporary certificate of occupancy last week. We’re just finishing up the turf. ... We’ll be in there at some point this week" -- Univ. of Miami AD Blake James, on the school's new Carol Soffer Football Indoor Practice Facility (MYPALMBEACHPOST.com, 8/14). 

"We all have individual freedoms in this country. It's not something I agree with, but those players have a right to express themselves" -- Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, on NFLers kneeling during the national anthem (K.C. STAR, 8/15).

The SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE goes with, "U.S. Soccer And The Continued Failure Of Its Pay-To-Play Model." The last global count by FIFA "found that the U.S. has as many female players as the rest of the planet combined." They "should win forever," but the fact that they "don’t is an indictment of a pay-to-play youth system that everyone seems to agree is broken but no one can agree how to fix."

Also:

• Vanderbilt Chancellor "can't disrespect his own people over athletics anymore."
• U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and his love of basketball.
• In Worcester, a local boxing legend "returns to the ring at age 45." 

Beginning Oct. 1 I'll be taking a six-month sabbatical from my @OTLonESPN duties. The idea of stepping back to re-charge is fully 100% mine, and one I've been considering for a while. I truly appreciate the company's understanding and cooperation. -30

— Bob Ley (@BobLeyESPN) August 15, 2018

A's get 17,419 on Free Parking Tuesday, up from 10,400 last night.

— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) August 15, 2018

Re the Maryland football program...I don’t know why some of these coaches try to act like they’re ‘tough’ knowing damn well if subjected to the same stuff they would fold like a metal chair in church

— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) August 14, 2018

71% of ppl who currently bet with a bookie say they would shift some or all of their betting activity to a regulated market if they had access to a legal platform, per a new @Nielsen study.

— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) August 14, 2018

An update: After 5 years at the Indy Star, I’m departing. I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of what we accomplished, especially in sports, under @RonnieRamos. It was an amazing ride, making this decision so difficult. A new ride begins elsewhere VERY soon. Stay tuned.

— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) August 14, 2018

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

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The D-backs host a groundbreaking at their new "Las Americas" academy in the Dominican Republic, which is expected to be fully operational for the '20 Dominican Summer League season. 

NYCFC President Jon Patricof rings the opening bell at the NYSE at 9:30am ET to highlight next week's Hudson River Derby against the Red Bulls.

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “U.S. Cabinet Departments.”

“This cabinet department traces its roots back to the Manhattan Project and efforts to develop the atomic bomb.”

Last night’s edition of NBC’s “The Tonight Show” aired a segment called “TNN” or “Trump News Network” where President Trump, played by host Jimmy Fallon, talked about the ongoing feud between him and former White House staffer Omarosa Manigault-Newman. After White House spokesperson Kellyanne Conway noted there were many African-Americans in the Trump White House, including JaRon, Trump said, “Everyone knows who Jaron is. He’s so involved I even know his full name. It’s JaRon James. I know it sounds like LeBron James but JaRon is way better and he’s going to fit in great with our newest hire, Jarmelo Anthony” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 8/14).

Actor Mark Wahlberg appeared on CBS’ “The Late Show” last night where he and host Stephen Colbert discussed the nuances of a good Boston accent. Colbert asked, “What do I have to do to sound like I'm from Boston or do I just scream, ‘I hate the Yankees.’” Wahlberg: “That always works. Now that we're in first place you don't have to hate the Yankees. You can appreciate the Yankees because we’re up 10 games right now.” At that point, the NYC audience groaned so Wahlberg said, “No disrespect. I mean, the Yankees have something like 27 championships. It’s nothing to be worried about. ... They have the second-best record in the league, and these guys are still complaining” (“The Late Show,” CBS, 8/14).

Last night’s edition of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” last night featured host Jimmy Kimmel interviewing Little Leaguer Alfred Delia, who gained fame for his LLWS introduction in which he said he is known as “Big Al” and he “hits dingers.” Kimmel: “There’s a kid from the Little League World Series who made a very big impression, not only on me but on the world.” Kimmel asked Delia, “Are you on steroids or the juice?” Delia: “I do like apple juice.” Delia said when he grows up, he wants to be an “MLB star” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 8/14).

“What is the Department of Energy?”