Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has backed legislation that would allow college athletes in the state to "make money from endorsements," but state House Republicans "convening this week in the fall veto session are likely to oppose it." Pritzker is backing a bill filed by state Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch  that "would put the state in line" with California's Fair Pay to Play Act. But House Republican leader Jim Durkin  yesterday said that he "would urge his GOP colleagues to oppose the measure." Durkin: "I just have this problem with the commercialization of undergraduate and collegiate sports" ( CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/28 ).

The N.C. Courage yesterday won their second consecutive NWSL title, defeating the Chicago Red Stars 4-0 before a "Sahlen's Stadium record crowd of 10,227" at the facility within WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. The game aired on ESPN2. The franchise, which relocated in '17 after winning the NWSL championship in '16 as the Western New York Flash, "has played in four consecutive finals and won three of the four" ( Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 10/28 ). The '19 season may have been the Courage's "toughest, interrupted by the Women's World Cup, where seven players spent part of the summer" ( SOCCERAMERICA.com, 10/28 ).

Falcons Owner Arthur Blank after yesterday's home loss to the Seahawks spoke publicly on the state of the franchise, which is now 1-7 on the season. Blank: "We're extremely disappointed. ... We'll take the next couple of weeks, get through the bye, to evaluate where we are, and whatever decision we have to make, we'll make." Blank did not hint at any specific coaching or front-office moves, saying simply, "We’ll make the right decision. ... I understand I have a responsibility to the fans." When asked about empty seats at recent home games, he said, "It's very painful" ( ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 10/28 ).