The CBS BOD will "investigate allegations of misconduct" against CEO Les Moonves, who is the "subject of a forthcoming article in The New Yorker focused on claims about his behavior toward women." The BOD in a statement said, "Upon the conclusion of that investigation, which involves recently reported allegations that go back several decades, the board will promptly review the findings and take appropriate action." Moonves is "separately embroiled in a legal dispute with Shari Redstone, who controls the company" (NYTIMES.com, 7/27).

Santa Anita is "finishing up negotiations to be the host of next year’s Breeders’ Cup." An announcement "should come within the next couple of weeks that the Arcadia track will be hosting the event for a record 10th time." This year, Churchill Downs will "host for the ninth time." It also "may be announced" that Keeneland in Kentucky will host the '20 race, and Del Mar "gets it back" for '21. This is "late for the Breeders’ Cup to make an announcement about the next year’s event." The snags in negotiations "almost always are the same: the cut of the money" (L.A. TIMES, 7/27).

The WNBA and Puma are beginning a new partnership, starting around Saturday's All-Star Game in Minneapolis. Dallas Wings G Skylar Diggins-Smith, a brand ambassador, will debut a Puma sneaker during the game and will wear Puma shoes for the remainder of the season. Puma will highlight the WNBA and Diggins-Smith through a variety of marketing efforts to promote its newest basketball sneakers throughout the season. The new basketball performance shoe the Clyde Court Disrupt also will be available at retail this fall.

Meanwhile, EA Sports revealed that gamers will be able to create female players in "NBA Live 19," a first in the video game world. The new feature follows last year's introduction of the WNBA's full roster in the "Live" franchise.

Finally, Kobe Bryant's next episode of "Detail" on ESPN+ will be focused on Seattle Storm G Jewell Loyd ahead of the game, marking the first time a WNBA player has been featured on Bryant's show (THE DAILY).

Shareholders of 21st Century Fox and Disney this morning "voted to approve" Disney’s $71.3B buyout of major Fox assets. Shareholders gathered in N.Y. for "separate meetings to vote on the historic transaction." The meetings "were brief, lasting less than 15 minutes." Neither Fox Exec Chair Rupert Murdoch nor Disney Chair & CEO Bob Iger "attended the meeting" (VARIETY.com, 7/27). Disney "will be required to divest itself" of Fox’ RSNs, because it "already owns ESPN." Fox’ remaining assets -- Fox News, Fox Business, Fox Sports and some local TV stations -- now "will be spun into a new company called New Fox" (THEVERGE.com, 7/27).

The Washington Valor and Baltimore Brigade, two teams owned by Ted Leonsis, “play for the Arena Football League championship on Saturday.” The game is at 7:00pm ET at Royal Farms Arena, in what will be Baltimore’s “first time hosting the championship game.” Leonsis’ Monumental Sports & Entertainment owns half of the four teams in the AFL, which has “shrunk dramatically in recent years and nearly folded altogether last spring.” Leonsis said that this season was “focused on stabilizing the league.” Much of that was “accomplished" under new Commissioner Randall Boe, who also serves as MS&E’s Exec VP & General Counsel. Boe “helped negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement in March” (WASHINGTON TIMES, 7/27).

RAHAL LETTERMAN LANIGAN RACING

Verizon IndyCar Series team Rahal Letterman Lanigan is running a locally based sponsor and hosting a couple hundred guests for Sunday's Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Course, its de facto home venue. RLL co-Owner Bobby Rahal and son/team driver Graham Rahal both grew up close to the track and the team has a shop close to it. Cincinnati-based Fifth Third Bank is the primary sponsor of Graham Rahal’s No. 15 Honda, and Bobby Rahal said that the team will host 200-300 guests. Rahal is also involved with a Columbus-based charity called Buckeye Ranch that held an event Thursday honoring Danica Patrick, who was in attendance.

Meanwhile, Bobby Rahal said sponsorship is looking up for RLL heading into ’19, and that it is possible the two-car team could expand to three cars. Rahal said that French oil company Total is expected to grow its one-race deal to more next year, and that the team is in discussions with former major sponsor Steak n’ Shake about returning to the team in ’19.

Overwatch League team N.Y. Excelsior is the latest OWL team "looking to expand their merchandising options by producing limited-edition jerseys" in collaboration with L.A.-based fashion brand Undefeated. Made to celebrate the culmination of OWL’s inaugural season, Undefeated and NYXL "will sell 75 of the jerseys at a team-branded pop-up shop" near Barclays Center on Saturday -- where OWL's grand finals are being held. Undefeated last year "worked with EA Sports" for an activation around "NBA Live 18" (ESPORTSOBSERVER.com, 7/27).

Milwaukee-based Good Karma Brands purchased WTMJ-AM/FM from E.W. Scripps. WTMJ is the flagship home of the Bucks, Brewers and Packers (Good Karma Brands).

Creative agency Summit Athletic Media signed a deal to work with UNC Charlotte athletics for '18-19 (TWITTER.com, 7/27).

USL named Harvard Group Int'l its official executive recruiting partner and preferred office staffing partner through '20 (USL).

"I don't see Jeffrey as a bully like Jerry Jones is. Lucky for me I don't play for the Cowboys, nor would I want to" -- Eagles CB Malcolm Jenkins, on Owner Jeffrey Lurie and the ongoing national anthem situation (DALLASNEWS.com, 7/27).

“If you told me five years ago that we’d be watching Jared Sullinger in his mid-20s with Greg Oden in his late 20s, Aaron Craft in his 20s playing basketball against Jimmer Fredette in his 20s ... and we’re on ESPN, then it’s an absolute home run success” -- The Basketball Tournament Founder & CEO Jon Mugar. TBT's Super 16 games are being played Friday night in Atlanta (BOSTON HERALD, 7/27).

NBA news breaker @ShamsCharania has had serious talks to contribute video content to Chicago-based @WatchStadium, source says. @AndrewMarchand previously reported Shams leaving Yahoo, close to deal to write for The Athletic. 2018 media: two checks is the new one.

— Ryan Glasspiegel (@sportsrapport) July 27, 2018

Sitting in the arena before rehearsal and it’s starting to sink in, this weekend is going to be historic.

Can’t wait for you all to see the venue. #TheFirstFinals

— Chris Puckett (@MLGPuckett) July 27, 2018

Watching the Tour de France & inevitably missing Robin Williams. He and I went up the Col de Tourmalet in less than an hour. Of course we were in a car, but still it’s bloody steep.

— Eric Idle (@EricIdle) July 27, 2018

Saw my colleague @chambleebrandel. On playing with the over 50 set he said, “Saw a lot of reading glasses in the scoring tent.”

— Rich Lerner (@RichLernerGC) July 27, 2018

$30.35 -- The most recent royalty check that Brent Musburger said he received for his role in "Rocky II" (NBCSPORTS.com, 7/26).