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NFL hires Activision Blizzard's Tim Ellis as new CMO....NFL, union reps meeting to address anthem policy....Nike launches Serena Williams spot around start of U.S. Open

NFL Hires Activision Blizzard Exec Tim Ellis As New CMO

By Daniel Kaplan

The NFL today named Activision Blizzard’s Tim Ellis its new CMO, replacing Dawn Hudson, who departed in March. He joins the NFL after seven years in the same role at Activision Blizzard. At the NFL he will report to COO Maryann Turcke. In his new role, effective Sept. 17, Ellis is responsible for the league's marketing, and will oversee research, content development, consumer engagement, advertising, promotions, marketing operations and branding. Since Hudson left, marketing has been overseen on an interim basis by Exec VP/Int’l Mark Waller.

NFL, NFLPA Reps Meeting In N.Y. To Address Anthem Policy

NFL and NFLPA reps are set to meet today in the N.Y. area as "part of their ongoing deliberations over the sport's national anthem policy." The meeting is to include "players and owners, along with league and NFLPA officials." Chargers OT Russell Okung on Twitter indicated that he "will attend the meeting." Okung wrote, "I’m looking forward to today’s meeting in NYC. I believe this face to face conversation is pivotal (and) will determine if meaningful progress will be made" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 8/27).

Meanwhile, a week after U.S. Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke "created an online phenomenon with his statement" about NFL player protests, U.S. Sen Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is "trying to use that same video against O'Rourke on the campaign trail and in new ads." On Friday during a campaign stop in Central Texas, Cruz "called out O'Rourke for his support of the kneeling NFL players, casting it as a Hollywood-versus-Texas thing" (CHRON.com, 8/27).

Nike Rolls Out Serena Williams Ad Around Start Of U.S. Open

Nike today released a new spot from Wieden + Kennedy that "seamlessly merges archival footage" of a young Serena Williams and her father, Richard, with "scenes of the adult Williams in action." The ad, timed with the start of the U.S. Open, "will run on ESPN during the first two rounds" of the tournament. It is "part of a summer-long celebration of the 30th anniversary of Nike's iconic 'Just Do It' tagline" (ADAGE.com, 8/27). This comes after Chase last week "released a video about her 'comeback' that Williams said to not call a comeback" (SI.com, 8/27).

Hospital Owner Gets Naming Rights To Bucs' Training Facility

The parent company of Florida Hospital "has secured naming rights" to the Buccaneers' new indoor training facility, which will become the AdventHealth Training Center. The NFL team "has been growing the partnership with the parent company over the past six years." The naming-rights deal "should boost" Adventist Health System in its "effort to rebrand itself AdventHealth." That renaming takes effect Jan. 2 (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/27).

Monumental Employees Getting Capitals Championship Rings

Monumental Sports & Entertainment employees today "received a surprise" email informing them that they "will receive championship rings as a gift" from Capitals Owner and MSE Founder, Chair & CEO Ted Leonsis. About 500 employees, all of whom worked for Monumental when the Capitals won the Stanley Cup on June 7, "will be fitted for the rings this week." The employee rings will be "presumably less lavish" than those given to players and coaches, and they will be "delivered sometime in the fall." It has become "common for owners to recognize the contributions of non-players, coaches and front-office personnel with championship rings" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 8/27).

Gateway Motorsports Park Draws 30,000 For IndyCar Event

By Adam Stern

Gateway Motorsports Park Exec VP & GM Chris Blair said that a crowd of around 30,000 people attended Saturday night's Verizon IndyCar Series Bommarito Auto 500. That is off slightly from the crowd of around 35,000 for last year’s race, which was the first IndyCar race at the track in years, but this year's event had several fresh challenges including rain and competing concerts in the St. Louis area that it went up against. The track also announced that next year’s race will be another Saturday-night race, this time on Aug. 24, 2019.

Speed Reads....

fathom events

Notre Dame today formally announced that the first-ever concert at Notre Dame Stadium, "featuring country artist Garth Brooks, will be held Oct. 20" (SOUTHBENDTRIBUNE.com, 8/27).

Longtime Churchill Downs VP/Racing Communications John Asher "died of an apparent heart attack while on a family vacation in Orlando." Asher, 62, was a "highly visible spokesman for the track" (DRF.com, 8/27).

The Sept. 15 Canelo Alvarez-Gennady Golovkin boxing rematch will be shown live at movie theaters across the U.S. as part of a deal among Golden Boy Promotions, GGG Promotions and Fathom Events. Tickets for the fight can be purchased online at www.fathomevents.com or at participating theater box offices (Fathom Events).

Quick Hits....

"Removing the stigma is part of changing the conversation. ... Making it a conversation you can have with parents who have, unfortunately, experienced it firsthand is one of those really important steps” -- Former U.S. skier Bode Miller, on losing his daughter to a drowning accident and working to prevent further tragedies (“CBS This Morning,” 8/27).  

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Tonight's Events....

The Astros will give commemorative replica World Series rings to all fans in attendance at their home game against the A's at Minute Maid Park. This is the team's third such giveaway this season.

Daily Download....

Mercedes-Benz Stadium posted this video showing highlights of the venue's first year of operation.

Daily Digit....

$65M -- Guaranteed money in Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr.'s new contract. The deal, worth a maximum of $95M over five years, makes Beckham the "highest paid WR in the NFL" (TWITTER.com, 8/27).