Activision Blizzard is finalizing a deal to sell a Toronto franchise in the Overwatch League to a group that includes Penguins investor Michael Kimel and Splyce, the esports organization backed by Delaware North, sources said. Splyce is partnering with OverActive Media Group to create the new ownership entity, with additional capital coming from Kimel, a Toronto entrepreneur, and Westdale Construction, part of a real estate development empire controlled by his uncle, Ron Kimel. Splyce will operate the team in addition to owning a 10% stake. Sources said the deal is highly likely to be consummated within days. The price is expected to be $35M, sources said. Splyce and OWL officials declined to comment. Messages left with OverActive and Kimel were not returned.

Toronto would be the second and final North American expansion team added this offseason to the OWL, following Atlanta. OWL officials have said they want to add six teams globally, but only two would come from North America. In the first season, nine of the 12 teams are based in the U.S. Rochester-based Splyce currently fields teams in seven games, most notably in the top-tier European circuit of League of Legends.

Delaware North in February ‘17 acquired a large minority stake in the team. Splyce this year raised additional financing in a round led by OverActive, which was then known as The Ledger Group. Other Splyce backers include First Serve Partners, former NBAer Metta World Peace, former NFLer Roman Harper and sports agent David Meltzer. Splyce’s involvement in the Toronto deal was first reported by over.gg, but its position as an owner and its partners had not been previously disclosed. In addition to his role as minority shareholder in the Penguins, Kimel is co-Founder of Chase Hospitality Group, a Toronto restaurant group.

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

Bruce Bowen "won't be renewed" as Clippers TV game analyst next season following "critical comments" about Raptors F Kawhi Leonard, according to sources. Bowen was under contract with FS West, but the Clippers have "significant input into the hiring of television broadcast talents" and reportedly "withheld approval on extending his contract." The Clippers this past offseason "tried to acquire" Leonard and "plan to be aggressive suitors" for him in '19 free agency (ESPN.com, 8/13).

The Oct. 14 Seahawks-Raiders game in the U.K. has been "moved to Wembley Stadium" amid "construction issues" at EPL club Tottenham Hotspur's new venue. Tottenham was "supposed to open its new stadium" with a Sept. 15 match against Liverpool, but that "also has been moved, along with an Oct. 6 game against Cardiff." NFL Exec VP/Int'l Mark Waller said that the league was "supportive, and committed to future games there" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 8/13).

Despite a "failure to qualify for the playoffs last season," the Blackhawks will be on national TV 19 times during the '18-19 season, "representing nearly a quarter of their regular-season schedule." That also is "more than any other NHL team" (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 8/13). Meanwhile, the Avalanche are "going to be a part of the national broadcast a lot more than a year ago" and will be "featured on six national broadcasts this season." The club was "one of the biggest surprises in the league and making the playoffs a year ago likely has a lot to do with the bump in exposure" (SBNATION.com, 8/13).

Despite adding No. 1 overall NHL Draft selection Rasmus Dahlin and LW Jeff Skinner in free agency, the Sabres "haven’t impressed" NBC execs. The Sabres "aren’t scheduled to get any games on NBC and will make only five scheduled appearances" on NBCSN. That NBCSN figure is even "down from seven last season" (BUFFALONEWS.com, 8/13).

The Colts have "decided to maintain a relationship" with Papa John's, while Pacers Sports & Entertainment "has not deviated from its initial July statement that announced a decision to evaluate its relationship with the pizza company." The Colts believe it is in their "best interest not to change course because of how the company has reacted in the aftermath of the scandal" resulting from John Schnatter's comments. A Pacers official said that PS&E "stands by its original statement." The Pacers today did not respond when asked if they had a "timetable for making a decision" (INDYSTAR.com, 8/13).

AEG today formally announced a deal with Levy Restaurants’ retail arm Rank + Rally to run retail operations at Staples Center and StubHub Center in L.A., plus Target Center in Minneapolis. AEG Chief Revenue Officer Todd Goldstein noted that Levy "already provides food and beverage services at the three buildings." AEG "started talking to Rank + Rally about a retail agreement a couple years ago." Rank + Rally gains the "in-venue retail shops and e-commerce operations" for the Lakers, Clippers, Sparks, NHL Kings, Chargers, Galaxy, T'Wolves and Lynx. The company also "will handle retail sales" at the Kings' and Sparks' Toyota Sports Center practice facility, as well as the Amgen Tour of California (SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/13 issue).

The annual bowl game at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas has been renamed the Servpro First Responder Bowl. The event was formerly the Heart of Dallas Bowl (ESPN). The new game's existence "could be short-lived." The rebranding effort "comes a month before city council will hold a vote on Sept. 12 about giving ESPN $300,000 over two years in order to keep the bowl game at the Cotton Bowl for the next two years." The city previously "rejected an $800,000 proposal in March" (DALLASNEWS.com, 8/13).

Kerri Walsh Jennings' p1440 volleyball series is partnering for the first time with the sport's global governing body to host a double gender FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour event in Las Vegas. The FIVB Las Vegas Open presented by p1440 will be held Oct. 17-21, marking the first time Las Vegas will be a stop on the international circuit. The event will allow athletes to accumulate Olympic ranking points toward the '20 Tokyo Games (p1440).

Our sister publication, The Esports Observer, runs a weekly briefing recapping the week that was in esports. This week: The Intel Extreme Masters will move from Oakland to Chicago, ESL appoints a new co-CEO, and Riot Games, DreamHack and the NFL announce key gaming hires

The Canucks announced that their "third jersey for special occasions for this coming season will be the livery they wore" in '94. The team said that 70% of the fans who "voted at canucks.com chose the skate" design (VANCOUVERSUN.com, 8/13).

DraftKings has "opened an office" in S.F. and "plans to open another location in Las Vegas soon." The new S.F. office "will have five to 10 employees" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/13). 

ESPN+ has reached a multiyear media agreement for several soccer leagues -- Australia's Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League, the Chinese Super League and the Dutch Eredivisie (ESPN).

"That’s our escape from baseball, it’s definitely one of the better things we can be doing post-game" -- Reds P David Hernandez, on playing "Fortnite" alongside fellow Reds P Amir Garrett vs. going out after games (THEATHLETIC.com, 8/13).

"The recent renovations have been critical to our success. Every bid process starts with competition from various venues" -- Tampa Bay Sports Commission Executive Director Rob Higgins, on upgrades to Raymond James Stadium helping the city land big events like the Super Bowl and USMNT matches (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/13).

“All we need is for these guys to actually do the very basic things they are telling everyone else to do. We’re not even arguing about whether they should do that. We’re just saying, ‘Can you live up to the standard you set?’” -- ESPN’s Pablo Torre, on Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones not removing his hat during the national anthem (“High Noon,” ESPN, 8/13).

Yeah, US Soccer's new and improved youth development system (where you pay even more to play) is really working. US women fail to advance out of first round in U-20 World Cup for first time, winning just 1 of 3 games despite having more women's players than rest of world combined

— Mark Zeigler (@sdutzeigler) August 13, 2018

Koepka is a stud. DJ, Jordan, Rory and JT are trying to keep pace. Tiger is back.

Oh, and the next four majors are at Augusta National, Bethpage Black, Pebble Beach and Royal Portrush. This year's majors were great. Next year's might blow 'em away. It's a Golden Era for golf.

— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelTAN) August 13, 2018

The Knicks are strongly considering adding former Orlando Magic scouting coordinator John Halas to the organization, league sources told ESPN. Halas worked with Knicks general manager Scott Perry in Orlando. Halas would likely be added to the Knicks' scouting department.

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) August 13, 2018

It’s official: Today is my first day as a staff writer for SB Nation! I’m so excited to dive in at the site that first got me into this wacky, wonderful world we know as the sports internet (s/o @FieldGulls), and hopefully tell some stories you guys enjoy.

— Natalie Weiner (@natalieweiner) August 13, 2018

Let’s do this! #family pic.twitter.com/m4wz0lekwx

— Scott Dixon (@scottdixon9) August 13, 2018

The Dodgers will debut in-seat beer service for their 7:10pm PT game against the Giants, with vendors available on all levels of Dodger Stadium.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes appears in this new ad for Kansas-based CommunityAmerica Credit Union, which is promoting its Chiefs Checking product.

Rockets F Carmelo Anthony will appear on NBC's "The Tonight Show" at 11:35pm ET. 

16 -- Number of "high-profile instances of alleged wrongdoing in Big Ten athletic departments" since '11. Four football coaches have also been "fired for issues unrelated to winning football games" (CBSSPORTS.com, 8/13).