Longtime CBS Chair & CEO Les Moonves last night "stepped down ... from the company he led for 15 years" after the "publication earlier in the day of new sexual harassment allegations against him." The CBS BOD said that Moonves will "not receive any severance payment, until the completion of an independent investigation into the allegations." CBS COO Joe Ianniello was named interim CEO. Moonves is "credited with turning CBS into television's most-watched network" (N.Y. TIMES, 9/10). Moonves denied the accusations in a statement issued last night, saying, "Untrue allegations from decades ago are now being made against me." He added, "I am deeply saddened to be leaving the company" (AP, 9/10).

See more in today's issue of THE DAILY.

Elevate Sports Ventures has brought on former IMG College exec Mark Dyer to "head up a college-focused vertical called Elevate On Campus." The new unit "will work with schools on ticket sales and marketing, putting Elevate head to head against the two industry leaders, The Aspire Group and IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions." Based in Charlotte, Elevate On Campus is "introducing a new financial model by charging a flat fee, whereas others in the space traditionally charge a commission based on new ticket sales." Its "first big piece of business" is with the Univ. of Kentucky (SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 9/10 issue).

getty images

Fewer than 10 players across the NFL yesterday "took some sort of action to protest police brutality and social injustice" during the national anthem. Only two of them-- Dolphins WRs Albert Wilson and Kenny Stills -- "kneeled while the 'Star-Spangled Banner' played." Dolphins DE Robert Quinn "raised his fist during the anthem," as did Chargers LT Russell Okung, while 49ers WR Marquise Goodwin "did the same." Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas and LB Brandon Marshall "retreated to their tunnel while the anthem payed" (AP, 9/10).

The Dolphins beat the Titans 27-20 yesterday at Hard Rock Stadium in the "longest game in NFL history," featuring "three hours and 59 minutes' worth of stoppage because of lightning in the area." The first lightning delay began with 1:11 left in the second quarter, and after an "abbreviated halftime break," there was another delay "halfway through the third quarter." Restart plans "were agreed upon" by Dolphins coach Adam Gase and Titans coach Mike Vrabel "during the stoppages" (PALMBEACHPOST.com, 9/9). Instead of the teams "heading into the locker rooms for halftime, they went to their respective benches for a 3 1/2-minute 'halftime' that essentially was a standard commercial break" (PALM BEACH POST, 9/10).

The initial crowd of 65,184 "had dwindled to maybe 7,000 by the end" of the game, which came more than seven hours after the 1:00pm ET start (MIAMI HERALD, 9/10). The Dolphins "rewarded those who stuck it out by inviting all fans to move into the lower bowl, which had been vacated by many departed fans" (ESPN.com, 9/9).

Bud Light last month launched a promotion in Cleveland with special locked refrigerators set to open after the Browns' first victory this season, and even though a tie with the Steelers yesterday "technically ended the team's 17-game losing streak," the brand announced that the "fridges would remain locked" for the time being. Bud Light tweeted, "Cleveland. You fought hard. Unfortunately, the #BrownsVictoryFridge only opens with a W. But after that game, we doubt they'll stay locked for long" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 9/10). Bud Light's Twitter feed continued to engage with fans throughout the day:

Members of the grassroots organization Arizona to Rally Against Native Mascots "rallied against" the Redskins prior to their game against Cardinals yesterday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. The group "lined the street across from the stadium carrying signs that read: 'Not a Mascot' and 'R*dskin is a dictionary-defined racial slur.'" They also "called out fans who passed by in T-shirts and hats bearing the NFL team's logo and nickname" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 9/10).

Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. John McCain's widow, Cindy McCain, served as the Cardinals' "honorary captain" for their season-opener. Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald, a "close friend of the McCains, stood next to McCain on the field" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 9/10).

NASCAR's Brickyard weekend races will be held today after rain "plagued" the events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, "forcing NASCAR to scrap all activity Friday, Saturday and Sunday." The Xfinity Series Lilly Diabetes 250 will begin at 10:00am ET, followed by the Monster Energy Cup Series Big Machine Vodka 400 (regular-season finale) at approximately 2:00pm (ESPN.com, 9/9). This is the "first time the Brickyard has been delayed by rain in the race's 25-year history" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 9/10).

Meanwhile, persistent rain "caused the PGA Tour to suspend the BMW Championship" yesterday, and a poor forecast for today "may completely derail the third leg" of the FedExCup playoffs at Pennsylvania's Aronimink Golf Club. Golfers began teeing off this morning at 7:30am ET in "threesomes off both tees, with the last group going off" at 9:20am. But unless "at least half of the 69-player field completes the final round" by today, the Tour "would not extend the event to Tuesday" (ESPN.com, 9/9). All tickets for Sunday "will be honored" today, and "additional tickets will be on sale at the gates" (PHILLY.com, 9/9).

U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka appeared on NBC's “Today” show this morning and noted it “still feels a little surreal” that she has claimed her first Grand Slam title Saturday. She said, “It’s slowly sinking in.” Osaka also addressed the controversy between Serena Williams and chair umpire Carlos Ramos, noting she was “a little confused” at first about what was going on because she had her “back turned.” Osaka: “I felt a little bit sad because I wasn’t really sure if they were booing at me, or if it wasn’t the outcome that they wanted. I also could sympathize because I’ve been a fan of Serena my whole life and I knew how badly the crowd wanted her to win.”

Osaka apologized for winning during the trophy ceremony. She explained that this morning by saying, “Everyone was sort of unhappy up there, and I know that the ending wasn’t how people wanted it to be. In my dreams, I won in a very tough, competitive match. I just felt very emotional and like I had to apologize” (“Today,” NBC, 9/10).

Adidas has extended its long-running sponsorship of the German Football Association until '26 (AFP, 9/10).

Charlotte, N.C., has "officially submitted its bid to keep the CIAA basketball tournament, the city's most lucrative annual event that it has hosted for the last 12 years" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 9/9).

The Seattle Storm yesterday beat the Washington Mystics 75-73 in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals in front of a "sold-out crowd of 14,212" at KeyArena (SEATTLE TIMES, 9/10).

Both USA TODAY and the WALL STREET JOURNAL run full-page ads paying tribute to late Magic Owner Rich DeVos, who passed away last week: "Loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather" (THE DAILY).

Celtics G Jabari Bird today is slated to appear in Brighton Municipal Court to "face arraignment on charges of domestic assault and battery, strangulation and kidnapping," according to Boston police. Bird was arrested Friday after a "domestic incident." Celtics officials said that they are "investigating the incident and are 'taking it very seriously'" (BOSTONGLOBE,com, 9/8).

"You got a window into just the squeamishness and also the small-mindedness and the short-term thinking that they respond to crises like this with" -- N.Y. Times political reporter Mark Leibovich, on spending time with NFL owners while researching his book, "Big Game: The NFL in Dangerous Times" (RECODE.net, 9/10).

"Thank you, touchdown dances, for giving me a five-second preview of what each player looks like after his third martini at a wedding" -- NBC's Jimmy Fallon (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 9/7).

SI.com writes under the header, "Sexism? Selfishness? It Was Surreal. And Serena Stands At Center Of Ugliest Grand Slam Finish Ever." By the time Serena Williams "finished up Saturday night, losing to Naomi Osaka in a controversial U.S. Open final, she was yet again being framed -- all at once -- as principled or disingenuous, selfish or selfless, calculating or rash, gracious or graceless, self-effacing or self-important and, at least for one day, self-defeating." Meanwhile, the N.Y. TIMES writes Williams over the weekend helped put a spotlight on "tennis inequities," but did she do it in the best way? 

On the NFL: 

• Fight for cash goes on for longtime retirees. 
• ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER takes a look at concussion numbers since '12. 

Also: 

• Detroit baseball card collection exhibit proves a hit with fans, collectors.
• The "secret tennis past of a basketball lifer."

Good Lord, I actually like Jess Mendoza but she just said there “isn’t a bad seat” in “the stadium.” That’s just wrong. There are many bad seats in Fenway, including pretty much all of Section 3.

— Steve Buckley (@BuckinBoston) September 10, 2018

I watched up to the first delay of the Dolphins game at a bar in Washington DC.. hopped on a bird, landed and got home at 6:45pm. I missed 5 minutes of action.

— Chris Cote (@chriscote954) September 10, 2018

Bruce Arians just said the Steelers' target was "wide-ass open." We're gonna need more Bruce Arians.

— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) September 9, 2018

ESPN cameras just caught Meryl Streep coaching Del Potro.

— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) September 9, 2018

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

Some of the top news items from yesterday's edition of Weekend Rap:

• Nike online sales grow after release of Colin Kaepernick ads.
• Rick Welts' speech highlights Basketball HOF induction ceremony.
• Lisa Borders says WNBA doesn't have revenue to pay players more.
• Oath CEO Tim Armstrong in "discussions to depart" Verizon subsidiary.

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

This week's issue focuses on the '18 class of Game Changers, the women driving innovation, engagement and dealmaking in sports.

• Teams, facilities find creative ways to highlight history in venue spaces.
• A look back at Jeff Gordon's landmark '98 season in NASCAR.
• Jan Katzoff joining Engine Shop, with emphasis on '28 L.A. Games.

Get a jump on the big stories in this week's SBJ in the First Look podcast.

Friday’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Geographic History.”

“230 miles long, it defined a boundary between a colony founded by Quakers and one founded by Catholics.”

Friday’s edition of “Jeopardy!” featured the category “Soccer.”
$200: “First held in Uruguay in 1930, it’s the largest single-sport tournament in the world.”
$400: “In 2016, Neymar led this nation to its first-ever Olympic Gold Medal in soccer.”
$600: “The Timbers represent this city in Major League Soccer.”
$800: “Winner for the FIFA award for the Best Soccer Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017, he was named in part for President Reagan.”
$1000: “Also a term used in baseball, it’s what the Brits call a soccer field.”

Fox’ Terry Bradshaw appeared on Friday’s episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live" where he touched on recently turning 70 and the surprise party his wife threw for him. The party was held at Bradshaw's ranch and attendees included Fox’ Howie Long, Curt Menefee and Fox Sports President Eric Shanks. Bradshaw: “My wife, she gave me hints. She said, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if you could go and sit down and you would be able to sit there before you’re dead and listen to people say wonderful things about you?’ … It’s uncomfortable. Eric Shanks? You believe Eric Shanks? The head of Fox? Tells me how much he loves me and needs me? You think next year, when my contract’s up -- ‘Hey, Eric, remember that party we had? How about a raise, buddy?’” Bradshaw also spoke about Fox landing the “TNF” package: “The minute I heard it, I called Eric and I said, ‘Please, let me be a part of it.’" Jimmy Kimmel: “You’ve been on longer than ‘The Simpsons’ on Fox, practically.” Bradshaw: “I don’t think so” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 9/7).

“What is the Mason-Dixon Line?”

Correct responses to the “Soccer” category:
$200: “What is the World Cup?”
$400: “What is Brazil?”
$600: “What is Portland?”
$800: “Who is Cristiano Ronaldo?”
$1000: “What is a pitch?”