• Turner To Launch OTT Service For UEFA Champions, Europa League
• Las Vegas Officials Getting First Look At Raiders Stadium Funding
• WNBA, Players Pay Tribute To Victims Of Charlottesville Violence
• Nielsen Launches New Vertical To Measure Esports Sponsorship Value

Turner Sports will launch an OTT sports service next fall with UEFA Champions League and Europa League games. Turner is expected to make an official announcement on its OTT plans this morning as part of a larger formal confirmation of its three-year, $60M English-language rights deal to carry games from the two leagues in the U.S. through '20-21. SportsBusiness Journal first wrote about Turner’s UEFA rights deal in February. Univision picked up the Spanish-language rights over three years for around $35M per year.

“This is untethered content rights that aren't attached to any of our existing brands,” said Turner President David Levy. “It is an opportunity for us to think about how we keep the current ecosystem healthy with a strong premium video content, build out Bleacher Report with tremendous video content and then start a new OTT business. As consumers have choices and may not subscribe to cable, they’ll still have the opportunity to watch this sport and many other sports when they want and where they want.” Turner outbid BAMTech, NBC Sports and Fox Sports for the UEFA rights. Combined with Univision’s bid, UEFA is making close to $100M annually from the U.S. market, double its previous deal with Fox.

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The Las Vegas Stadium Authority today "will get its first look at the financing of the 65,000-seat domed football stadium" for the Raiders. The nine-member body is "expected to receive specifics on the four-pronged construction financing package." The Raiders "haven't submitted materials to the authority in advance" of today's meeting, so it is "unclear how much detail will be provided on dollar amounts" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 8/15).

The WNBA and its players are "showing their support for the victims of racially charged violence in Charlottesville." The Sparks and Mystics prior to last night's game "locked arms at center court," and the Lynx and Storm "did the same thing before their contest later in the evening." The league in a memo to teams said from Aug. 16-25, it is "suspending the national anthem protocol (which entails lining up in a dignified posture along the foul lines)." The WNBA is "doing this at the request" of Sparks F and union President Nneka Ogwumike. Players last year "wore black shirts in support of the black lives matter movement" (AP, 8/17).

Mystics G Kristi Toliver, who is from Virginia, "led the initiative" to lock arms and "penned a statement on behalf of both teams." WNBA President Lisa Borders "expressed her support ahead of the game" (USATODAY.com, 8/16).

Nielsen today announced the launch of Nielsen ESports, a new vertical devoted to measuring sponsorship value in the emerging world of competitive video gaming. The business is centered on two product developments: (1) New international viewer data in the U.K., France, Germany, China, South Korea and Japan, and (2) Esports 24, a database of events that can help customers quantify ROI with standardized measurements. “Clients are coming to us with these questions,” said VP/Nielsen Games Nicole Pike, who will co-lead the new vertical along with Stephen Master, the Managing Dir of Nielsen Sports North America.

The PGA Tour Wyndham Championship began today in Greensboro, N.C., and Commissioner Jay Monahan said that the future of the tournament "is safe." That "wasn’t a foregone conclusion last week after the announced move of the PGA Championship and the inferred alterations to the schedule." Monahan said Wyndham "is and always will be a very important part of the PGA Tour and the FedEx Cup season.” He added that the event's history and "solid reputation would assure that the Wyndham is part of the Tour’s long-term plans" (Greensboro NEWS & RECORD, 8/17). 

The British Embassy in DC "opened its doors yesterday to over 200 soccer football fanatics for a live recording of this season’s inaugural ‘Men in Blazers’ podcast." The event "sold out to the public in 10 minutes." Hosts Roger Bennett and Michael Davies sat down with CBS’ Major Garrett, CNN’s Chris Cillizza and British Ambassador Kim Darroch to "talk soccer," the start of the EPL season last weekend and the league's popularity in DC, one of the "top local markets for Premier League coverage on NBC Sports over the past few years" (POLITICO.com, 8/17).

Big crowd at the British Embassy in DC for the Men in Blazers taping. pic.twitter.com/AeX2J3v7IE

— John Ourand (@Ourand_SBJ) August 16, 2017

Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather Jr. continue to make the late-night talk show rounds in advance of their Aug. 26 fight. McGregor appeared on TBS’ “Conan” last night via satellite from his training camp in Las Vegas. Host Conan O’Brien asked if after competing in the UFC, will McGregor “forget and start kicking" Mayweather? McGregor: “Never say never.” O’Brien said his “most important question of the night” was, “Did you study Floyd Mayweather on ‘Dancing With The Stars’?” McGregor: “I heard he was on the show but I didn't check it out. I doubt he was any good, though” (“Conan,” TBS, 8/16).

Meanwhile, Mayweather appeared in the opening segment of CBS’ “The Late Late Show,” with host James Corden offering to be his "hypeman." Corden: “Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, my main man J. Biebs: They’ve all accompanied you as the ringman. I’m saying this is your biggest fight ever, you're going to need the biggest hypeman ever.” Mayweather: “You are right.” Corden: “I'm the perfect hypeman. I'm light on my toes. You probably saw the opening number of the Tony's? … I beat up Richard Shed in eighth grade and unlike you, I did it without gloves on. I can help you. You want to do some sparring?” Mayweather: “I'm going to pass” (“The Late Late Show,” CBS, 8/16).

Alabama is in negotiations with Miami to "play in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game" in '21 at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Ole Miss will "play Louisville in a second Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game" that same year (TUSCALOOSA NEWS, 8/17).

McDonald's expanded its relationship with Leo Burnett London after "awarding the agency its global sports sponsorship activity" for the '18 FIFA World Cup (CAMPAIGN LIVE, 8/16). 

A St. Louis judge yesterday ordered that City Comptroller Darlene Green has "until Sept. 15 to respond in a lawsuit brought by the owners of the Blues" over renovations to Scottrade Center (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 8/17). 

Tanner Ainge's campaign for Congress "came to an end on Tuesday night when he conceded" the primary election for Utah’s recently vacated U.S. House seat to John Curtis. Ainge is the son of Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/17).

"I honestly believe that it will take a white player to be able to really get things changed" -- Seahawks DE Michael Bennett, on what could move his and other NFLers' social protests forward ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 8/16). 

"It really became a full-time job. I told Coach (David Shaw) I’d almost be bored if I didn’t have to worry about this project" -- Stanford Senior Associate AD & Dir of Football Operations Matt Doyle, on the football team opening its season in Australia against Rice on Aug. 26 (S.F. CHRONICLE, 8/17). 

"If you take other leagues, they always have a minor-league system. ... It’s extremely vital not only from a resource, from a funding standpoint for the entire brand, but also it’s to find the next Misty May or Phil Dalhausser through this developmental pipeline" -- AVP Managing Partner Donald Sun, on his efforts to provide an established path to the tour (Long Beach PRESS-TELEGRAM, 8/17). 

"Lambeau Field is not able to accommodate a regulation-sized soccer field" -- Packers Dir of Public Affairs Aaron Popkey, on the venue being unable to host a '26 FIFA World Cup match (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 8/17).

"I read that New York City could host the World Cup in 2026. Thousands of people trying not to use their hands, or as that's also called here in New York, riding the subway" -- NBC’s Jimmy Fallon, on the city being in the mix for a World Cup hosting slot (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 8/16).

Under the header, "The End Of Season Tickets," THE RINGER writes, "The great unbundling of season tickets is upon us, thanks to an aggressive rise in the secondary market. So why do fans still shell out for their annual fees? The dirty little secret of sports is that they don’t."

In a DENVER POST Op-Ed addressed to fans, Rapids interim GM Padraig Smith and interim Chief Business Officer Wayne Brant write, "There has at times been a disconnect between the club's vision and the product on the field. Alongside the rest of our talented front office, our primary goal is to fix that disconnect."

Also:

• YES Network's Jon Litner talks RSN business, Comcast ordeal.
• For fans, hero worship of Tom Brady fills deep psychological need.
• Tom Coughlin returns to Jaguars, the team he first made a contender.
• Writer argues UNLV should scrap "Mr. Physics" logo, start over.

Now under #BAMTech control #NHL TV All Access 2017 sub pricing now more expensive than #MLB.TV ($139.96 vs $112.99 per season)

— Daniel Cohen (@AnotherDanCohen) August 16, 2017

Yes, I'm up at 5:30 am while on vacation to watch my beloved @AU_MBasketball play an exhibition in Australia on Facebook. What of it? :-)

— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) August 17, 2017

Congrats to JD for getting his 1000th win as a general manager! Btw he isn't even 40 yet... 😳 cheers to many more!!! #texasrangers

— Delino DeShields (@LinoDeShields) August 17, 2017

RIP Tommy Hawkins, former #Dodgers VP, #Lakers player, LA radio and TV personality. He was 80.

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) August 16, 2017

If you see a tweet we will not want to miss, send it to us at editorial@sportsbusinessdaily.com

Cubs manger Joe Maddon and his wife Jaye host the third annual Respect 90 boxing event at the Wintrust Building Grand Banking Hall in Chicago. The event will feature local youth boxers as well as a special main event bout. 

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Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “U.S. Political Parties.”

“Shortly before its demise, it had split into ‘conscience’ and ‘cotton’ factions.”

Last night’s edition of CBS’ “The Late Show” featured a segment called “Late Show Rescue Dog Rescue” in which host Stephen Colbert and guest Ellie Kemper told “lies about some puppies to get them adopted,” with the puppies actually available for adoption from the North Shore Animal League. Colbert said Lilly the puppy, “in addition to being fully housebroken, Lilly is an Olympic medal-winning highjumper. So you may be wondering -- Olympic medalist -- why is she up for adoption? She only took the Bronze.” Kemper said of Lucky the puppy, “You know those psychic animals that predict sports winners, like the octopus from Germany who accurately called eight World Cup games in a row. Amazing, right? Well, Lucky ate that octopus” (“The Late Show,” CBS, 8/16).

“What is the Whig party?”