The inaugural Overwatch League playoffs begin tonight, with coverage across various ESPN networks and Disney XD. It also will be available to stream live on the ESPN App and DisneyNOW. This will mark the first live telecast of esports on ESPN in primetime, and the July 29 finals recap will mark also the first broadcast of a competitive gaming championship on ABC. Starting July 27, all finals matches will also be streamed on Twitch (Overwatch League).

In Philadelphia, there will be a watch party tonight at NBC Sports Arena at Xfinity Live! for the Philadelphia Fusion-Boston Uprising match. Fusion staff members "have filmed videos of the players answering fan questions and going about their lives to post on social media" (PHILLY.com, 7/11).

Activision Blizzard’s deal to distribute Overwatch League action on Disney-owned platforms marks a new phase in esports’ attempt to break into the mainstream. Since its launch, the OWL has primarily focused on converting the 43 million people who play the game casually. But Disney’s plans, which include an ESPN broadcast of the opening night of the OWL Finals at 7:00pm ET on July 27, are targeting general sports fans. Streaming site Twitch until now was the only third-party rights holder in the U.S. “We think on ESPN, you’ve got an audience of people who love sports, and competition played at the highest level, and so we think there’s a good chance to expose Overwatch League to new audiences,” said Activision Blizzard Esports CEO Pete Vlastelica.

The deal runs through '19 and includes a Finals recap special on ABC on July 29. Live OWL '18 playoff action will primarily air on Disney XD and ESPN3, with ESPN2 and ESPNews showing some action. Blizzard will handle most of the production, Vlastelica said. Financial terms were not disclosed, but Overwatch community sources said they believe the ESPN exposure generated by the deal will be as important as any cash. “For us to be the thing that’s on in bars when they don’t change the channel is massively significant,” said Immortals President & COO Ari Segal, whose company owns the L.A. Valiant OWL franchise.

For more coverage of the business of esports, visit our partners, esportsobserver.com.

Joe Mansueto, the Founder & Chair of investment research firm Morningstar, is acquiring a 49% stake in the Fire. Andrew Hauptman, who purchased the MLS club in '07, will remain Chair, Controlling Shareholder and the club’s Governor on the MLS Board. Mansueto will become Vice Chair of the club and serve as an Alternate Governor. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately available. Hauptman and his investment firm, Andell Inc., was represented in the transaction by Moelis & Company and Latham & Watkins. Mansueto Sports was represented by BDT & Company and Covington & Burling.

ESPN+ will carry Wayne Rooney’s debut with DC United on Saturday, which also will be the first match at the club’s new Audi Field. The game will be carried locally on WJLA-ABC in DC and WUPW-CW in Richmond, but MLS lifted the local blackouts and will allow the stream from ESPN+ to co-exist with TV. MLS’ live out-of-market schedule is available to ESPN+ subscribers. The Whitecaps-DC United match is slated to start at 8:00pm ET.

The Univ. of Oregon today unveiled some "tweaks" to the design of the new Hayward Field, "meant to recreate some of the old venue's airy charm." On the stadium’s north side, the "concrete bowl for lower-level seats that previously wrapped around the full field will be brought down to ground level." This "eliminates 400 permanent seats, leaving the new capacity at 12,500." For big events, "temporary seating will be installed in the open section, expanding the stadium’s capacity to up to 30,000, as required for the 2021 World Track & Field Championships" (REGISTERGUARD.com, 7/11).

Some changes to the Hayward Field design in latest renderings released. Tower moves nearer to east seating and no permanent seating on north end. pic.twitter.com/JYuYg7NWZw

— Paul Swangard (@PaulSwangard) July 11, 2018

Monumental Sports & Entertainment today announced an overhauled game-day experience for Wizards and Capitals games in their respective '18-19 seasons. The initiative includes a new sound system, DJ stage, permanent 3D on-ice/on-court projection system and new entertainment squads for both the NHL and NBA team. In addition, the new digital signage experience throughout the fully-renovated concourses will create an all-Capitals or all-Wizards team experience, with each night highlighting player and team imagery (MS&E).

Binghamton Rumble Ponies LF Tim Tebow will appear in tonight's Double-A Eastern League All-Star Game in Trenton, N.J., and the former Heisman winner's presence has "created the most buzz" among ticket buyers. Fans visiting online ticket brokers such as Vivid Seats, StubHub and SeatGeek will see that the "most expensive ticket" to the game is "much higher than the $20 or $22 face value" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 7/10). The crowd is "expected to be one of the 15 largest in Arm & Hammer Park’s history" (TRENTONIAN.com, 7/6).

Nike is "guaranteed to come out on top" at the FIFA World Cup as France, England and Croatia are all Nike-branded teams. The "on-field success has corresponded with stock gains as Nike is up nearly 5% since the World Cup kicked off" ("Squawk Box," CNBC, 7/11).

Adidas has partnered with summer hockey league Da Beauty League, serving as its official hockey brand for ‘18. The Minnesota-based league, which features 4-on-4 games and serves as a training and preparation ground for NHL and AHL players ahead of their respective seasons, begins play tonight (Ian Thomas, Staff Writer).

Coca-Cola and MLSE have reached a new partnership that includes renaming the AHL Toronto Marlies' arena to Coca-Cola Coliseum (MLSE).

The S.F. Marathon and Biofreeze have reached a three-year partnership, with the pain relief brand assuming the title sponsorship of both the S.F. Marathon and the Berkeley Half Marathon (S.F. Marathon).

"Rugby already has a significant following in L.A.. Our goal is to draw non-rugby fans to the sport" -- Stuart Proctor, on co-Founding the LA Coast Rugby team, which will join Major League Rugby next year (REUTERS, 7/11).

"It’s on the bucket list. It’s one of those things you grow up watching (Ken) Griffey and (Mark) McGwire. Now that I can do it, it’s a thing you want to do at least once" -- Cubs LF Kyle Schwarber, on participating in next week's Home Run Derby (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/11).

Jeff Long introducing family: Daughter studies journalism at a university "in a bordering state and that's where I'll leave it."

— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) July 11, 2018

I find the "my boss tells me what to do and I do it, so you should shut up and do what your boss says!" tough guys a fascinating bunch. Perhaps they should consider seeking better rights and protections at their job through a union.

— George Atallah (@GeorgeAtallah) July 11, 2018

Looking at the AP story from 1931 at Carnoustie, we referred to players as "niblick wielders." That alone makes me miss the days of niblicks.

— Doug Ferguson (@dougferguson405) July 11, 2018

Colin Kaepernick can't get a job in the NFL because of his political beliefs. But when Michael Bidwill, the owner of the football Cardinals, comes out in support of a Supreme Court nominee he says it isn't political. Got it.

— Mike Lupica (@MikeLupica) July 11, 2018

Orioles decide they want no part of this fall's minor league affiliation shuffle, renew 5 affiliates (AAA Norfolk, AA Bowie, High A Frederick, Low A Delmarva, Short A Aberdeen) through '20 season in one shot

— Eric Fisher (@EricFisherSBJ) July 11, 2018

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

Someday, maybe the New York Times will cover another amazingly exciting global sporting event with this kind of unbridled enthusiasm and inspiring creative flair. The first step to reality is to dream, right? pic.twitter.com/mZE622KiAr

— Sean Gleason (@pbrceo) July 11, 2018

This new trailer for HBO's "Hard Knocks" utilizes audio clips of Browns fans professing their devotion to the team.

1,358 -- Number of MLB players used in a game in the '17 season, an all-time high. MLB "went over 1,200 players used in a game last night," while prior to '99, "the 1,200 mark had never been reached." Teams are increasingly "willing to use DL, young players, shuttle to create roster depth/versatility" (TWITTER.com, 7/11).