* Moneyball. No, they won’t look like NASCAR drivers, but college athletes will soon be sporting advertising patches on their uniforms. NCAA Division I leaders have approved such uniform patches in a move that could generate millions to fund athletic departments looking for new ways to pay players. Beginning Aug. 1, Division I teams can place up to two patches of no more than 4 square inches on uniforms for regular-season games. Stay tuned for additional changes in the post season.
* “I believe that it’s either going to be located at Hillsborough College or the team’s going to be in Orlando.” That was County Commissioner Ken Hagan pragmatically weighing in on the Rays’ stadium plans. Hagan, of course, is well aware that Orlando, although a smaller TV market than Tampa Bay, has a lot more bed-tax revenue. The city is also home to the “Orlando Dreamers” group that is looking for an MLB franchise. It’s serious and has more than $1.5 billion in investor pledges. Orlando is either Rays’ de facto leverage or Rays’ Plan B.
* At a White House ceremony, the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers gave the gilt aficionado two championship rings, a “Trump 47” jersey and a gold hockey stick.
* This summer’s World Cup will be played in sites in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The next World Cup, in 2030, will also be tri-hosted: Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
* The Bucs disappointed by not making the playoffs, but they did beat the Super Bowl champs.