Bill Russell died Sunday at age 88, and an announcement from his family "did not say where Mr. Russell died or disclose a cause." He was the "cornerstone of basketball’s greatest dynasty and an exemplar of racial harmony and progress," the "imposing man in the middle for an unsurpassed string of [NBA] titles that made the Celtics the league’s most feared and admired club." He was also basketball’s "first African American superstar and the first in any sport in Boston." His "front-and-center prominence made him both an icon and an irritant in a city that was unaccustomed to a visible and vocal Black man." He became a "role model for African Americans who appreciated both his athletic prowess and his unabashed candor on social issues." The Celtics, which in 1950 had been the first club to draft an African American, "also was the first to start five Black players in the ’60s and, in Mr. Russell, to have a Black coach" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/31).

Prior to their home game against the Brewers at Fenway Park, the Red Sox "held a moment of silence" as an image of Russell from his playing days was "displayed on the jumbotron with his name and life span (1934-2022)" (MLB.com, 7/31). Multiple back page sports covers this morning pay tribute to Russell:

See more in today's SBJ Dailyissue. 

Judge Sue Robinson this morning ruled that Browns QB Deshaun Watson "be suspended six games for violating the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy." Watson was accused of "sexual misconduct and sued in civil court by more than 20 women who were hired to massage him while he was a member of the Texans ahead of this year’s trade to Cleveland." Watson has "settled the cases with all but one of those women as of Monday morning, but the matter of his NFL suspension may not be a settled matter" (NBCSPORTS.com, 8/1). The NFL had recommended an "indefinite suspension of no less than a year." The NFLPA argued that Watson "had paid his price while sitting out all of last season" (USA TODAY, 7/31).

An NFLPA statement prior to the ruling suggested that the union and Watson "won’t appeal Judge Robinson’s decision, whatever it may be." The "biggest question becomes whether the NFL will abide by her ruling" (NBCSPORTS.com, 7/31). The NFLPA likely "wants the ruling to be in the hands of an impartial former judge and not in the hands of Roger Goodell or his designee." In calling on the league to "abide by whatever Robinson rules, the union looks magnanimous in the court of public" opinion (NBCSPORTS.com, 8/1).

Meanwhile, Watson "has agreed to settle three of the remaining four active civil lawsuits against him," according to Houston attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the women suing the QB (ESPN.com, 7/31).

A record crowd of 87,192 was in attendance at London’s Wembley Stadium for England's 2-1 victory over Germany in yesterday's final of the Women’s European Championship. The attendance was the "largest ever for a men’s or women’s match in the history of the Euro tournament." England’s "previous triumph in the final of a major international competition came in 1966." The victory "set off raucous celebrations not just on the field and in the stands but also in pubs and at watch parties across England" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/31).

The match was watched by a "record audience of nearly 17.5 million on BBC One." The peak viewing figure was the "highest recorded for a women’s football match in the U.K." It was also the "most-watched television moment of the year to date." A celebration event in Trafalgar Square was set to kick off at 11am local time today. The "gates to the fan zone, which had a capacity of 7,000, were not meant to open" that time, but by 10am there were "well over 1,000 people queuing up" (London TIMES, 8/1).

Henrik Stenson "took home the individual title" of the LIV Golf event at Trump Bedminster by two shots at 11 under, netting him $4M. The Dustin Johnson-led 4 Aces team has "stacked the LIV Golf deck and won for a second consecutive event, claiming the team competition by eight shots over Lee Westwood’s Majesticks." The 4 Aces team will split $3M ($750,000 each), with the Majesticks earning $1.5M ($375,000 each). Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs finished third and will split $500,000 ($125,000 each) (GOLFWEEK, 7/31). 

Volunteers at the tournament "never had to deal with sizable crowds." The attendance for Sunday’s final round was "no more than several thousand," though that was "substantially improved from the meager gatherings that turned out for the first two rounds." On Sunday, there was an "unmistakable carefree air to the undertaking, a sense that everybody had already gotten their money." The vibe from Friday to Sunday in northwestern New Jersey was "decidedly younger, less stuffy and clearly more open to experimentation than on the established PGA Tour" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/1).

The PGA Tour’s FedExCup Playoffs will commence Aug. 11 with a three-week run that concludes with the Tour Championship in Atlanta. LIV Golf "steps aside and won’t play again until its event outside of Boston, Sept. 2-4." That was "intentional." LIV Golf "never planned to interfere with any of the Tour’s big events, hoping its players could still compete in them" (MORNING READ, 7/31).

Meanwhile, Fox News' Tucker Carlson was seen with Donald Trump on Sunday at the LIV tournament. Carlson will interview LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman on his show tonight (Mult., 7/31).

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Massachusetts "finally cleared the way for legalized sports betting on the final day of its legislative session," with an announcement coming at 5:10am ET this morning "as the midnight deadline was extended." The compromise legislation "will allow wagering on college sports, except for Massachusetts colleges." This is "similar to how New Jersey allows college betting, but not for in-state schools like Rutgers." This was the "major sticking point that held up an agreement for months, as the House bill allowed for college betting but the Senate bill outlawed it entirely." The bill includes a 20% mobile tax rate, 15% retail tax rate, "no credit cards and no advertising ban." Casinos and racetracks "will get licenses and there will also be 7 mobile licenses awarded" (VSIN.com, 8/1).

Heading into training camp, NFL ticket sales "were up 5% over the same time last year." NFL SVP/Club Business Development Bobby Gallo said that the league is "confident it will set a new high-water mark for gross ticket revenue for the third consecutive season, not including the pandemic-ravaged 2020." The year-over-year revenue growth "will be the highest ever in a season with no new stadiums opening, which is being read in league offices as a sign of improved inventory management by clubs along with fan interest." The NFL does not publish actual ticket sales and revenue. In 2021, box score attendance numbers "showed a 0.9% increase in per-game attendance leaguewide, but declines in 19 of 32 teams." Season-ticket sales have driven the growth this year; Gallo said that "renewals are at a five-year high" (SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/1 issue).

The Pac-12 is hiring veteran sports and entertainment HR exec Quashan Lockett for the newly created role of Chief People & Inclusion Officer. Lockett assumes the position effective immediately and will report to Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff. Serving on the Pac-12 Leadership Team and working across the conference office and with university athletic departments, he will oversee the organization’s holistic people function encompassing HR, talent development and change management, along with and diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging. He most recently served as Global Head of HR for On Location, prior to which he was at Legends. He also is the founder of change agency Color of Sports (SBJ).

Former Univ. of Florida football coach Dan Mullen is "considering an offer to join ESPN as a studio analyst & is expected to accept," according to sources (TWITTER.com, 7/31).

Bally's reached a marketing partnership with the Yankees, designating Bally Bet as an official sports betting partner of the club (Bally's).

Amazon Web Services said it has partnered with golfer Max Homa (SBJ).

“It’s hard from a business sense, especially with the Angels. Ohtani is an industry. This isn’t just a baseball player, this is a guy around whom international marketing campaigns are built” -- ESPN’s Jeff Passan, on the Angels possibly trading P/DH Shohei Ohtani ( “Baseball Tonight,” ESPN, 7/31).

The PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER looks at the "goofy" new Guardian Cap NFL players are wearing during training camps. It is a "new piece of headwear, a "soft, padded outer shell that is worn around the outside of players’ helmets." Although some have "said it’s not aesthetically pleasing, NFL offensive and defensive linemen, tight ends and linebackers are required to wear it hoping it will decrease the rate of concussions." The Eagles' Lane Johnson said that one of his fellow lineman was "making a mockery of it." He said that he "doesn’t feel awkward wearing it, but that it does look ridiculous."

Also:

• A day in the life with YES Net's Meredith Marakovits.

• Pirates give back to community with Miracle League camp.

TUESDAY

• MLB trade deadline 

• Electronic Arts, Caesars Entertainment, Big 5 Sporting Goods report earnings

WEDNESDAY

• Under Armour, MGM Resorts International, The New York Times Company report earnings

THURSDAY

• Hall of Fame Game: Jaguars-Raiders in Canton, Ohio

• Gen Con (International Gaming Convention) begins in Indianapolis (4 days)

• Alibaba, WWE, Live Nation Entertainment, FuboTV, Shift4 report earnings

SATURDAY

• Pro Football HOF enshrinement ceremony

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

• Reax pour in after Bill Russell's passing

• LIV Golf Bedminster event playing to mixed reviews

• Fans pack Rose Bowl for Real Madrid-Juventus

• NBA opens tampering probe into 76ers

This week'sIn-Depth is on Technology and Data in Sports. Look for upcoming sections on: 

• Aug. 8: Champions profile of John Swofford

• Aug. 15: The Business of Sports Rivalries

Also, see this week's SBJ for stories on ...

• As soaring inflation drives prices up, will fans attend fewer games?

• Rocket Mortgage Classic keeps Detroit connected

• NFL ticket sales rise with new record in sight

Friday night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was "Tech History."

"For about 20 years after its invention, it had few practical uses; then suddenly it revolutionized grocery checkouts & home audio."

"What is the laser?"