NEW YORK -- In a boost to the NFL's efforts around social justice, Roc Nation, the entertainment company founded by iconic rapper, businessman and activist Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, has agreed to lead the league's endeavors in music and entertainment.

As part of the long-term partnership, Roc Nation will advise on the selection of artists for NFL tentpole events, including the Super Bowl, as well as play a key role in the production and promotion of new music. The NFL's union with Roc Nation kicks off as the league celebrates its 100th season and serves as a commitment from both parties to amplify the league's Inspire Change initiative.

Among the most important benefits to the NFL is that Roc Nation, through its position as a global entertainment leader, could enhance the Inspire Change platform in ways that the league likely would not be able to on its own. The program, which is run by the league and its players, focuses on education and economic advancement, improving police-community relations and criminal justice reform.

Carter believes Roc Nation and the NFL will accomplish big things together.

"With its global reach, the National Football League has the platform and opportunity to inspire change across the country," he said. "Roc Nation has shown that entertainment and enacting change are not mutually exclusive ideas -- instead, we unify them. This partnership is an opportunity to strengthen the fabric of communities across America."

Likewise, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is excited about the possibilities.

"Roc Nation is one of the most globally influential and impactful organizations in entertainment," Goodell said. "The NFL and Roc Nation share a vision of inspiring meaningful social change across our country. We are thrilled to partner with Roc Nation and look forward to making a difference in our communities together."

The deal calls for Roc Nation, which will also reach out to artists who are not attached to the company, to quarterback the creation and distribution of music content across multiple music and streaming services, as well as consult and collaborate on the production, promotion and marketing of live music events. A Pro Bowl community concert, original music, artists podcasts and a live visual album may be produced under the new banner. The agreement does not call for Carter to perform at the Super Bowl.

For the NFL, the potentially positive impact of Carter being willing to join forces with the league -- especially at this time -- cannot be overstated.

Despite its significant recent efforts to back players in championing social justice, the NFL still lacks credibility with many African Americans, even some who identify as being among the league's fans, because of the Colin Kaepernick situation.

During the 2016 season, the then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback knelt during the national anthem to draw attention to police brutality and systemic oppression. Since the end of that season, Kaepernick has gone unsigned. In February, Kaepernick settled a collusion grievance against the league for an undisclosed financial settlement.

Carter, who has been public in his support for Kaepernick, is among the most revered figures in the black community. Carter is also a vocal activist.

Through REFORM Alliance, a nonprofit advocacy group he founded with acclaimed hip-hop artist Meek Mill, Carter aspires to overhaul the criminal justice system by "changing the laws, policies and practices that perpetuate injustice," according to the organization's website. In a league in which the on-field workforce is almost 70% black, having Carter involved at a high level could please many players.

Right-handed reliever Greg Holland and the Washington Nationals have reached an agreement on a minor league contract, according to multiple reports Tuesday.

The 33-year-old Holland was designated for assignment by the Arizona Diamondbacks last week. He was 1-2 with a 4.54 ERA and 17 saves in 22 chances this season.

He lost the job as Arizona's closer after a blown save in late July. His ERA was 2.33 at the end of June but then began climbing as he allowed at least one earned run in seven of his last 13 appearances for the Diamondbacks.

"We took the role away from him -- we thought it would take some pressure off him. But it didn't get better,'' Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said when the team let Holland go.

Holland, a three-time All-Star who led the National League in saves in 2017 with 41 for the Colorado Rockies, was 2-0 with a 0.84 ERA in 24 games for the Nationals last season.

Washington is leading the NL wild-card race even though its bullpen has been a problem throughout this year, particularly in the eighth inning. Its 6.05 ERA entering Tuesday is the worst in the NL.

After Tanner Rainey allowed two runs in the eighth and closer Sean Doolittle gave up two more in the ninth as a 7-2 cushion became a 7-6 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night, Doolittle acknowledged feeling worn down.

He already has a career-high 27 saves, despite blowing five chances, and has finished a career-high 47 games. Doolittle has pitched in five of Washington's past seven games.

"I'm starting to feel it a little bit,'' Doolittle said. "These are the nights where you've got to dig deep and grind it out.''

The Nationals repeatedly have cycled through relievers in a bid to fix things, including getting rid of two offseason acquisitions the club hoped would offer late-game assistance: Trevor Rosenthal and Kyle Barraclough.

Among the pitchers added during the course of the season are Fernando Rodney, Jonny Venters and three trade-deadline pickups: Daniel Hudson, Hunter Strickland and Roenis Elias, who is currently on the injured list.

MLB Network first reported the Nationals' agreement with Holland.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Christian Coleman, Dina Asher-Smith, Holly Bradshaw, Nafi Thiam and Thomas Röhler are among the entries for the Diamond League meet

Over 60 global medallists – including 10 reigning Olympic champions, two Paralympic champions and 13 reigning world champions – are among those set to compete at the Alexander Stadium for the Müller Grand Prix Birmingham on Sunday (August 18).

The start lists for the IAAF Diamond League meeting are now live and available here.

The men’s 100m is headed up by world 60m record-holder and world 100m silver medallist Christian Coleman.

The American is the fastest man in the world this year with a time of 9.81 and in Birmingham he will face Commonwealth champion Akani Simbine and triple Olympic medallist Andre de Grasse, while British interest comes in the form of world 4x100m champion Adam Gemili and European 4x100m champion Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.

A strong line-up is also set for the women’s 200m, with British record-holder Dina Asher-Smith taking on two-time world champion Dafne Schippers, Olympic 400m champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo, reigning Olympic champion Elaine Thompson and six-time Olympic gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

In the men’s 400m, European champion Matt Hudson-Smith returns to action in his local stadium, while the women’s 800m features American Ajee Wilson, second-quickest in the world this year, plus GB’s in-form Lynsey Sharp and Commonwealth bronze medallist Natoya Goule.

Paralympic champions Sophie Hahn and Kadeena Cox are among the entries for the women’s T35-38 100m.

The women’s long jump is set to welcome heptathlon stars Nafissatou Thiam and Katarina Johnson-Thompson as part of a stacked field which includes world indoor champion Ivana Spanovic, who returns to the city where she won the aforementioned title. Lorraine Ugen is on the hunt for a world qualifying standard and will be looking thrive on the occasion in the West Midlands.

Athletes to have withdrawn from the event include British hurdler Andrew Pozzi and high-jump star Mutaz Essa Barshim, due to ‘small and non-serious’ niggles.

Entry lists for the event can be found here, while tickets for the Müller Grand Prix Birmingham are on sale at https://www2.theticketfactory.com/british-athletics/online/

See the August 15 edition of AW for an event-by-event preview to the meeting.

American teenager Coco Gauff has been awarded a wildcard for the women's singles at the US Open this month.

Gauff, 15, became the youngest player in the Open era to qualify for the main draw at Wimbledon, beating former world number one Venus Williams en route to the fourth round.

The 2011 champion Sam Stosur will join Gauff in the main draw at the US Open after also accepting a wildcard.

The tournament begins at Flushing Meadows in New York on 26 August.

Lewis Ludlam sat down last summer to work out his goals for the new season. Number one was to break into the Northampton first team and hopefully "play a few games". If all went well, a new contract at Christmas time, either at Saints or somewhere else.

For Ruaridh McConnochie, it was a case of settling into 15-a-side rugby with Bath after switching from the sevens programme.

Not even England head coach Eddie Jones - a man who has talked for three and a half years about his carefully laid World Cup plans - could have envisaged taking either to the World Cup.

Yet on Monday Jones named the pair in his squad of 31. McConnochie has yet to be capped; Ludlam only made his debut 24 hours earlier.

'Bizarre and surreal'

The players - World Cup 'bolters' in the extreme - are still in a state of disbelief.

"It's been bizarre," Ludlam told the Rugby Union Weekly podcast. "This time last year I was fighting for a contract at my club.

"I was picking some of these England guys in my fantasy team a few years ago in sixth form - posing for pictures outside Twickenham with Dan Cole - and now I am going out and playing with them! It's surreal."

McConnochie said: "I would be lying if I said 12 weeks ago I thought I would be here."

Given the premium placed on experience at World Cups - a mantra oft-repeated by Jones himself - these kind of late picks appear risky.

But not according to the England boss, who says bringing in rookies at the 11th hour was always part of the masterplan, with scrum-half Willi Heinz and hooker Jack Singleton also making late charges on to the plane.

"We were always looking for that," Jones insisted. "You can't control when a player comes on to the scene, and you can't control how quickly they are going to grow.

"Some players grow, and some players shrink. Both those two boys came into camp and they grew."

'I was a superfan until 24!'

Ludlam's route to the top has been convoluted; he only secured a place in the Northampton team last season at the age of 23.

He credits Saints director of rugby Chris Boyd with giving him an opportunity, while Jones also received a glowing character reference from the Kiwi before selecting Ludlam over some Test veterans.

"Chris Boyd gave him a big rap," Jones explained. "We thought we would roll the dice and get him into camp, and each week he just grows a little bit more."

Ludlam added: "[Fellow Northampton flanker] Teimana Harrison had a kid in the Barbarians week and I was invited in to train as cover. Eddie saw me train there and it's just been a whirlwind."

But while Ludlam had represented England age-grade teams in his youth, as a teenager McConnochie was playing for Cranbrook in Kent, in the sixth tier of the English rugby pyramid. At university he represented Nuneaton on the weekends in National Division Three.

"People forget I was superfan until I was 24," he laughed.

"I wasn't involved in any academies, and went to uni to do a teaching degree - or aimed to do a teaching degree by the end of it - but in my last six months I was offered a trial with the sevens and got a contract."

After winning a silver medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016 - the rings tattooed on his right bicep act as a permanent reminder of that achievement - McConnochie was signed by Bath in 2018, capitalising on back-three injuries to make a startling impression in the second half of the season. A shock call-up to the England training squad in June followed.

"It was pretty last minute, and it did take me by surprise," he admitted. "I just wanted to go into each week and live it as a bonus, because it's incredible."

As well as their versatility and talent on the field, both men have impressed away from training with their attitude and character, embodying the "samurai spirit" and zest for life Jones wants from his men in Japan.

And whatever happens come September and October, Ludlam and McConnochie have set an example to sportspeople everywhere that it's never too late.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Penske Truck Leasing, a transportation services company, will be the primary sponsor of the No. 22 Penske Truck Rental Dallara/Chevrolet driven by Simon Pagenaud for the NTT IndyCar Series race weekend at Pocono Raceway, Aug. 17-18.

Both Penske Truck Leasing and Pagenaud have enjoyed landmark years in 2019 and they will team up for Penske Truck Leasing’s home-state race next month. Based in Reading, Pennsylvania, Penske Truck Leasing is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019, having grown from just three locations to operating more than 3,700 across North America, South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Today, PTL operates and maintains an expansive fleet of more than 323,000 vehicles.

Pagenaud became the first driver in IndyCar history to sweep the month of May at Indianapolis this year by winning the IndyCar Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500 pole position and then producing the record 18th victory for Team Penske in The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

The first French driver to win the Indianapolis 500 in 99 years hopes to continue his remarkable season when he carries Penske Truck Leasing’s iconic yellow Penske Truck Rental livery on his Team Penske IndyCar for the upcoming 500-mile race at Pocono.

“The Pocono race is an important event for Penske Truck Leasing as the only IndyCar Series race in Pennsylvania and it is a great opportunity for our team to represent PTL with the Indianapolis 500-winning team and with Simon behind the wheel,” said Roger Penske. “Pocono will also be a pivotal race in the series championship and we know Simon and the No. 22 Chevrolet team will be working hard to add another 500-mile race win to their accomplishments this season.”

The distinctive yellow and blue Penske Truck Rental paint scheme has a successful history with Team Penske, including four combined wins among NASCAR and IndyCar competition. The most recent race victory for PTL came with Helio Castroneves at the Edmonton City Centre Airport circuit during the 2012 IndyCar Series season. Pagenaud also has a history representing Penske Truck Leasing as the company was featured as the primary sponsor on his car for eight races during the 2015 IndyCar Series season – his first with Team Penske.

“This is a special 50th anniversary year for us at Penske Truck Leasing and what better way to mark our anniversary than by partnering with a winning driver like Simon and Team Penske for the IndyCar race at Pocono,” said Brian Hard, Penske Truck Leasing’s president and CEO. “We’re proud of our founding heritage here in Pennsylvania and we’re sincerely grateful to our customers, associates, and partners for the growth and success we’ve experienced these past 50 years.”

Pagenaud, the 2016 IndyCar Series champion, is currently third in the series standings, just 47 points behind series leader and Team Penske teammate Josef Newgarden with four races remaining on the season. In addition to sweeping the races at Indianapolis, Pagenaud also scored a victory on the streets of Toronto, as his three wins rank second behind only Newgarden among all series drivers this season.

“It is always a special opportunity to represent one of the other Penske companies on the racetrack,” said Pagenaud. “Penske Truck Leasing has a remarkable success story and it will be an honor to help them celebrate their 50th anniversary in their home state of Pennsylvania. A win at Pocono would mean a lot to them, and it would also give our team a great push for the championship as well.”

LAKE ODESSA, Mich. – The American Ethanol Late Model Tour has added an additional event to the series schedule at Indiana’s Plymouth Speedway.

The event will be held Sept. 26-28 and will be known as the Hoosier Autumn Classic. The three day event will pay out a combined $17,000 to race winners. An open practice will begin the weekend on Sept. 26 for drivers to prepare for the unique format.

Friday will feature a pair of $2,500 to win, 25-lap qualifier events. Qualifying race one will be lined straight up from the heat race finish.  After those 25 laps are complete, lead lap cars will be completely inverted, and that will be the starting line-up for qualifying race two. The top four point earners from the qualifying races will be locked in to the Hoosier Autumn Classic on Saturday.

The final night of the weekend will feature the second largest payout of the season, when $12,000 will be on the line during a 50-lap main event.  On top of the large payout, the action on the track will be exciting for another reason as well – the Hoosier Autumn Classic marks the final race of the season before the Championships from I-96 Speedway.

STATESVILLE, N.C. – CarShield will rejoin Ross Chastain and the No. 45 Niece Motorsports team for the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series playoffs, starting this week at Bristol Motor Speedway.

“I’m so pumped to have the folks at CarShield back on board the No. 45 Truck again, especially as we look to make a championship run,” said Chastain.  “They brought us good luck at Gateway, and I’m hopeful we can make that magic happen again.  It means the world to me to have their support.”

CarShield, who visited victory lane with Chastain and the No. 45 team earlier this year at World Wide Technology Raceway, will again serve as Chastain’s primary sponsor for the final seven races of the season, starting at Bristol Motor Speedway.

“Watching Ross win this season has been great,” said Nick Hamilton, co-founder and Principal at CarShield.  “Seeing him pull into victory lane with the CarShield truck was the best.  Ross knows how to have fun while always competing at the highest level.  We do the same thing at CarShield.  That’s why we made the decision to become the primary sponsor for the rest of this season.  Hopefully, our partnership will help push him to keep smashing those watermelons and win the Championship this season.”

Headquartered in Saint Peters, Mo., CarShield offers vehicle service contracts designed to pick up where automobile owners’ existing warranty drops off and to fill gaps in coverage. CarShield was founded in 2005 by principals Nick Hamilton, Mark Travis, and Rick Brettelle and specializes in shielding its members from the high cost of automobile repairs by offering a wide range of flexible vehicle service plans.

“We are proud and honored to have CarShield join the team again,” said team owner Al Niece.  “I think Ross and this team have really shown what they are capable of, and we are excited that CarShield has recognized that potential and wants to help this team chase a championship.”

Chastain earned his first win of the season at Kansas Speedway in May.  In June, Chastain changed his points declaration, looking to make the playoffs in the NGOTS.

After spotting the competition eight races, Chastain would have to win a race and enter the top-20 in driver points to be eligible to compete for the championship.

Two races after changing his points declaration, Chastain found victory lane in the No. 45 CarShield Chevrolet at Gateway.  Two races later, Chastain found himself in the top-20 in driver points on the strength of one top-five and two top-10 finishes.

With the Knoxville Nationals fresh in our minds, we’re back with a new edition of the SPEED SPORT Power Rankings! Did David Gravel’s dominant performance at Knoxville earn him a place in the Power Rankings? Click below to find out!