Tonight's Padres-Mets Game 3 at Citi Field is the lone remaining Wild Card game on the MLB playoff docket, before Division Series get underway on Tuesday. The Mets "gave out orange rally towels to fans at the first two games of the series at Citi Field," and fans "dutifully waved them." The towels say “These Mets,” which the club is "apparently hoping will become some sort of signature phrase around the 2022 team." A “These Mets” branding campaign launched on Thursday in "spots around New York City, including subway trains" (NEWSDAY, 10/8).

The three other Wild Card Series were all two-game sweeps. Below are some of the major storylines coming out of the first playoff round:

• Guardians def. Rays (decisive Game 2 went 15 innings): Cleveland PLAIN DEALER -- "Oscar Gonzalez delivers ‘wake-up call’ to Guardians fans with game-winning home run" ... TAMPA BAY TIMES -- "Until the last one, Rays made their pitches count" 

• Phillies def. Cardinals: ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH -- "End of an era: Phillies shut out, sweep Cardinals and end last run for Molina and Pujols" ... PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER -- "Bring on the Braves: Phillies show they have World Series stuff with sweep of Cardinals"

• Mariners def. Blue Jays: TORONTO STAR -- "‘We were up 8-1.’ The roof caved in on the Jays. This is going to hurt for a long time" ... SEATTLE TIMES -- "Mariners fans embrace rally shoes as Seattle completes wild comeback to advance to ALDS"

Most Wild Card games to date have seen at- or near-capacity crowds. The exception was Game 1 at the Guardians' Progressive Field, which drew 30,741 (88% capacity) on Friday afternoon (SBJ).

The NFL and NFLPA on agreed on changed to concussion protocol that “will take effect” with today’s games. The new protocols will “prohibit a player from returning to play if he shows ataxia, a term describing impaired balance or coordination caused by damage to the brain or nerves.” Under the previous protocol, a player with "'gross motor instability' -- difficulty getting up or walking, for example -- could return to play if doctors decided there was an orthopedic reason for his unsteadiness.” NFL Chief Medical Officer Allen Sills said, “We want to become even more conservative, and if we think that ataxia is present, let’s just go ahead and assume it is coming from the brain and we will hold someone out” (N.Y. TIMES, 10/8).

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at a fan forum in London on Saturday said the league was prepared “to make a change or two” to concussion protocol. He also said that its medical protocols have “served as templates for other sports.” Goodell: “Our job really is to continue to modify those as medical experts or other experiences tell you this is something you can do differently” (L.A. TIMES, 10/8).

The NFL and the NFLPA "determined in a joint review that their concussion protocols were followed 'as written'" in the case of Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa. But they also acknowledged on Saturday that the outcome was “not what was intended.” Sills and NFL EVP/Health & Safety Measures Jeff Miller said that the league “disagreed with the NFLPA’s decision to rescind its approval of the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant involved in the case.” Those doctors “must be approved by the league and the union.” Either side can “withdraw its approval at any time.” Miller added that the NFL has “started conversations” with the NFLPA about “changing the rules that allowed the union to unilaterally remove the doctor” (WASHINGTON POST, 10/8).

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell “hinted at bringing a four-team European division to the NFL.” Speaking yesterday in London, Goodell said, “There’s no question that London could support not just one franchise, I think two franchises. I really believe that.” He added, “We’re trying to sort of see, could you have multiple locations in Europe where you could have an NFL franchise? Because it would be easier as a division.” The NFL is "also expanding out of London this season" by having the Bucs play the Seahawks in “the league’s first-ever game in Germany next month” (N.Y. POST, 10/9).

For the first time ever, “the league has hinted at the possibility for a four-team division based in Europe.” And this one “didn’t come from some mid-level executive whose extemporaneous remark will later be walked back by 345 Park Avenue.” Goodell made the statement himself. The fact that London “has two NFL-ready stadiums proves that, if/when a team moves to London, it will be two, not one.” Just like the league did when it returned to L.A., and it “would be easier as a division because those teams would play each other, twice per year.” That is "twelve games per season that would be played among the European teams," without overseas travel (NBCSPORTS.com, 10/8).

Amazon Prime Video averaged 9.7 million viewers for the Colts-Broncos matchup on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 5, marking Prime Video’s lowest audience yet in Year 1 with the “TNF” package. Each of the previous Amazon games this season had drawn north of 11 million viewers. Amazon also is down 34% from the comparable “TNF” game on Week 5 last season, which was on Fox/NFL Network. It’s the lowest Week 5 “TNF” audience since NFL Net on its own drew 6.9 million for Bills-Browns in 2013 (which was the last season that “TNF” aired exclusively on NFL Net).

Amazon still won the night across all TV. Amazon is now averaging 11.26 million viewers after four “TNF” games, up 18% from the first four “TNF” games last year (three on NFL Net, one on Fox/NFL Net). Amazon also is seeing a median age of 46 for its game telecasts, which is eight years younger than the NFL average on linear networks this season. Amazon also is up 67% thus far in the 18-34 demo compared to the first four “TNF” games last season.

England defeated the USWNT 2-1 on Friday as a sellout crowd of 76,893 gathered at Wembley Stadium -- the highest attended friendly match in USWNT history -- to watch both sides “beginning to fine tune their preparations for next year’s World Cup.” Both teams are seeing “increasing popularity,” and the night showcased “the increasing reach of women’s football” (CNN.com, 10/8). Amid NWSL upheaval, USWNT-England “was what women’s soccer needed.” Before the match, both teams gathered behind a banner that read, “Protect the Players” while wearing teal armbands to show solidarity for sexual abuse survivors (SI.com, 10/7).

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was spotted in a box seat with actor Jason Sudeikis (of "Ted Lasso" fame) at the match; The Packers played against the Giants this morning at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/8).

U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone said that “additional allegations of abuse have come to light” since last Monday's publication of the Yates report on patterns of abuse in the NWSL. Cone made the disclosure “of at least three additional cases” in a pair of interviews with CNN. Per CNN's report, she did not provide any additional details” but said that the cases “have been passed on to the U.S. Center for SafeSport.” Cone: "One of the great things to come out of this report is that it is encouraging more people to come forward" (ESPN.com, 10/8).

NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said she was “just heartbroken and horrified to read every single page of that report.” She added, “It was really soul-crushing and my heart goes out to anyone who had the courage and bravery to come forward. And also to the people who are bystanders, because even that is traumatizing.” The NWSL “has been conducting its own investigation with the player’s union.” Berman said that the investigation “involves new witnesses and documents, and assured, ‘We’re not to be rushed on anyone else’s timetable. We have to get this right, and we’re going to do everything we can to deliver for the players’” (K.C. STAR, 10/7).

MLS Decision Day arrives, with all 28 clubs playing today to close out the regular season. Seven matches start at 2:30pm ET, followed by another seven at 5pm. Heading into the Sunday slate, 10 of the 14 playoff spots have been secured, and seven clubs have a chance to claim the remaining four. In the Eastern Conference, arguably the most significant match is Orlando City-Crew, while Western Conference highlights include Real Salt Lake-Timbers and Minnesota United-Whitecaps. MLS will stream a live watchalong show on its YouTube and Twitch channels (SBJ). ESPN.com has an overview of the implications for every matchup.

The Pac-12’s exclusive negotiating window with incumbents ESPN and Fox Sports has ended without a deal, meaning the conference can now take its full set of media rights to the open market. The next phase of talks is under way with the Pac-12 expected to open negotiations with other media companies for linear TV rights and streaming rights. In the exclusive period, the Pac-12 could only negotiate the package of rights that ESPN and Fox had. Now that the conference has moved its rights into the open market, all of its games are open for bidding. There isn’t a clear picture of when the Pac-12 will be able to finalize a deal (Michael Smith, SBJ).

In San Jose, Jon Wilner cited SBJ's report and wrote Pac-12 media-rights talks have “entered a crucial new phase that will shape the future of the conference.” According to sources, the open-market negotiations are “expected to include at least one major digital player (Amazon or Apple) along with the Pac-12’s current partners, ESPN and Fox, and possibly others.” The shift in direction "had been expected," as the Pac-12 would “only have agreed to extend its contracts with ESPN and Fox if they had made offers (for their existing allotment of games) that the conference couldn’t refuse.” The lack of a deal suggests ESPN and Fox “did not make the Pac-12 an offer it couldn’t refuse” (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 10/7).

NASCAR drivers “met with the sport's executives and safety engineers for 75 minutes” Saturday morning as NASCAR “presented results from a recent crash test.” Drivers “indicated that the meeting did get tense at times,” but they “generally were pleased that the crash test Wednesday will allow for improvements for 2023.” Changes to the “rear bumper construction, rear chassis clip and center chassis clip will be implemented for next year.” The meeting Saturday was the “result of a driver uproar over the safety of the car.” Driver Joey Logano said, "The meeting was very open and honest, which I feel like was necessary for all the drivers to get some things off their chest” (FOXSPORTS.com, 10/8).

The meeting, which “lasted more than an hour, included” NASCAR President Steve Phelps, who “told drivers that changes to the car will be implemented for next year.” Driver Chase Elliot: “I wish we would’ve had maybe a talk like that a little sooner, but hey look, we had it, I appreciate it, I think it’s good, there’s a direction, so let’s make it better” (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/8). Also present were NASCAR Chair Jim France and the leaders of the Next Gen project. The AP’s Jenna Fryer wrote drivers and teams are “clearly fed up with NASCAR.” On Friday, team reps said that the sport business model is “broken” and they “must come to a new revenue sharing agreement” (AP, 10/8).

The Univ. of Kansas is "moving forward with its project to renovate the football stadium," and KU’s athletic department named HNTB the lead architect in partnership with Lawrence-based Multistudio and Nation’s Group. The upgrades to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium are part of a larger “11th and Mississippi Project” that includes mixed-use development. The project is set to break ground next year. Kansas AD Travis Goff: “We won’t cut any corners. ... Profound is what the outcome will be.” No dollar amount was revealed, but Goff was later asked specifically if $350M "would cover the total cost." He said, “That’s what I believe we have … that’s in the Board of Regents-approved kind of rolling annual budget.” The project "will start with renovations to Anderson Family Football Complex" and will later feature "upgrades to the in-game experience such as seating bowl design" (K.C. STAR, 10/8).

BetMGM premiered its newest commercial campaign spot on Friday, featuring Hockey HOFer Wayne Gretzky and Oilers C Connor McDavid. The content debuted in advance of this week’s start of the NHL season. The tongue-in-cheek spot features Gretzky as he stops by McDavid’s on-ice practice session. The tension between McDavid’s focus on perfecting his craft and Gretzky’s excitement as he previews the BetMGM app builds throughout the spot. The spot will appear across broadcast, outdoor marketing, digital and social channels throughout the NHL season, as part of BetMGM’s “It’s On” campaign. McDavid signed with BetMGM in March (BetMGM).

Lakers VP/Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka "has agreed to a multiyear contract extension" that will run through 2026. The Lakers’ ownership group "believes deeply in management and the coach being in alignment on one vision," as Pelinka’s contract "is now set to expire at the same time as first-year head coach Darvin Ham." Pelinka has been with the Lakers since 2017 as GM and was promoted to VP/Basketball Operations in 2020 (YAHOO SPORTS, 10/8).

Spurs players, coaches  and several Spurs Sports & Entertainment employees, traveled to Uvalde, Texas, on Saturday for an "afternoon of events, including a practice at Uvalde High’s Harvey Kinchlow Gym in front of students from Robb Elementary and their families." The Spurs spent "one-on-one time with kids and family members eager for a chance to enjoy the 'positive vibes' the players promised to bring." Spurs chief impact officer Kara Allen addressed the crowd "packed into the gym in an emotional greeting before the practice began." Allen: “The biggest win for us is being here with you all.” After coach Gregg Popovich and his staff "oversaw some drills, the players, coaches and staffers met with children on the court." Popovich "didn’t speak to reporters" after the practice; he did have public comments in May after the mass shooting in Uvalde (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 10/8).

Warriors F Draymond Green "faced the media Saturday morning and apologized for his role” in Wednesday’s physical altercation with G Jordan Poole at Chase Center. His news conference “lasted nearly 40 minutes.” He announced that he will “step away from the team for a few days to focus on himself and allow Poole and his teammates to heal.” Coach Steve Kerr said that this decision was “reached mutually.” It is “unclear” how long his absence will last ( S.F. CHRONICLE, 10/8 ). The San Jose MERCURY NEWS’ Dieter Kurtenbach wrote Green “talked so much” that that he “diluted his own message on Saturday” ( San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 10/8 ).

The Warriors “launched an investigation” into how TMZ “obtained video” of Green punching Poole. Given the “angle of the video and its shaky quality,” the team is “unsure whether it originated from a cell phone or one the numerous video cameras around the practice gym.” Some of those cameras are “used for security purposes, while others collect practice film for coaches to evaluate” ( S.F. CHRONICLE, 10/7 ). Kerr, on the video getting leaked: “That should not make it out beyond the walls of our practice facility. And it did. That’s the problem. We have to get better as an organization” ( San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 10/8 ).

The S.F. CHRONICLE’s Ann Killion wrote under the header, “We’ve never seen Warriors’ Draymond Green this humbled and contrite. Will it matter?” ( S.F. CHRONICLE, 10/8 ).

Sports Business Journal will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its Game Changers Conference on October 26 at MetLife Stadium. Ally Financial’s Chief Marketing and Public Relations Officer Andrea Brimmer will deliver a keynote, examining the “primetime-ification” of women’s sports preceding the NWSL’s Championship Game which will air at 8pm ET on CBS and Paramount. Other speakers include Ann Meyers Drysdale, Danette Leighton, Carla Williams, Cindy Parlow Cone and many others. View the agenda and register here.

Sports Business Journal’s Dealmakers Conference will take place November 9-10 in D.C. and will feature a dynamic roster of speakers. Dealmakers merged with SportTechie’s Sports Capital Symposium and is partnered with Monumental Sports & Entertainment to offer attendees an expanded agenda, compelling content and even more opportunities to network with investors, financers, innovators and visionaries from throughout the sports ecosystem. Speakers include Adam Silver, Ted Leonsis and Strauss Zelnick, just to name a few. View all the confirmed speakers and register here.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin "will stand for a third term" when European soccer's governing body "holds its congress in Portugal next year" (REUTERS, 10/8).

The debut of Rockets G Josh Christopher’s apparel on Saturday "drew lines outside the Rockets’ team shop and around the front of Toyota Center and a near sellout of every item" by the 3pm CT close of the store. Among the five new items, the hoodies "sold out before noon." Rockets assistant coach John Lucas was spotted "wearing one of the T-shirts at the open practice" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/8).

“The Ryder Cup is not the PGA Tour and European Tour against LIV -- it’s Europe versus the US, period. The best of each against the other, and for me the Ryder Cup is above all. I wish they could play, but it doesn’t look good” -- Golfer Jon Rahm, expressing hope that LIV golfers will be able to compete in the Ryder Cup (London TELEGRAPH, 10/8).

"I was pleasantly surprised how responsive the fans are but how much they are like our fans in Milwaukee. People were good at cheering and being a crowd" -- Melanie Ricks, who as part of the Bucks' entertainment team served as an in-game co-host for preseason contests against the Hawks in Abu Dhabi (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/8).

The N.Y. DAILY NEWS goes with "Turf under grass: How the NFL and Tottenham collaborated on a stadium fit for football … and football." The most "impressive part of the NFL/Tottenham collaboration" is how the reportedly $1B stadium "was constructed -- and how it gets transformed -- for its two NFL games each year." The league "invested millions in a 10-year partnership that began in 2019, and it shows." Tottenham Stadium Dir Jon Babbs: "Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is the first stadium to be purpose-built for the NFL outside of the U.S.” 

On the NWSL:

• Disturbing allegations abound in Yates report, showing pattern.

• Removing owners like Red Stars' Arnim Whisler is "only the start."

On college coaching pay:

• Why college football coaches are guaranteed more money than ever.

• The "best gig in college football might just be getting fired."

Also:

• After a Blue Jays loss, Sportsnet’s Jamie Campbell keeps it in perspective.

• Bay Area author Michael Murphy finds ‘Golf in the Kingdom’ still resonates.