Pegula Sports & Entertainment is ending its relationship with the NWHL and will turn operational control of the Buffalo Beauts back over to the league. Terry and Kim Pegula acquired the team in December '17 in exchange for covering its operational costs. Sources said that Kim Pegula informed the NWHL and Commissioner Dani Rylan yesterday of their decision, citing unsatisfactory conditions across the other league markets. Sources said that the NWHL is still committed to the Buffalo market and will look to continue having the team play at the Harborcenter, which is owned by the Pegulas.

Kim Pegula in a statement said, “We will continue to look for ways to successfully grow the women’s game.” More than 200 players last week released a joint statement saying they would not play in any North American women’s pro hockey league next season.

The Fire "will no longer play its home games" at SeatGeek Stadium after occupying the Bridgeview, Ill., venue since '06. Sources said that the team is "expected to play home games in Soldier Field." The club "will likely complete" the '19 season at the stadium before making the move, which "had been hinted for several years." The team "would pay the village" of Bridgeview $60.5M to exit its lease, with a $10M upfront payment and the "balance paid over the next 15 years" (DESPLAINESVALLEYNEWS.com, 5/8).

NFL Network is being "forced to cut" $20M out of its projected budget and, in the process, "already has eliminated at least five shows." The "less-than-hoped for budget has made negotiations with on-air personnel tense, and there is a feeling some will either not be retained or be forced to take pay cuts," according to sources. NFL Net said that it was "actually upping its investment, but it was shifting where the spending is taking place with the NFL 100 celebration" (NYPOST.com, 5/8).

DAZN logged more than 1.2 million worldwide viewers for the Canelo Alvarez-Daniel Jacobs fight on Saturday, the company said. The event peaked at nearly 700,000 concurrent streams, with more than 600,000 coming from the U.S., sources said. DAZN does not release subscriber numbers, but sources said the concurrent stream totals in the U.S. suggest that the subscriber base there is around 600,000. Company officials termed the fight a success, saying that it "generated significant paid subscriptions -- both annual and monthly -- to deliver against projected revenue targets," according to a release.

Longtime sports exec John Vidalin has rejoined the Heat after a stint of less than a year as Orioles COO. Vidalin, who had served as Heat Exec VP & Chief Revenue Officer until his departure last August, returns to the NBA team as Chief Commercial Officer. He will report to Heat President of Business Operations Eric Woolworth. Vidalin began his new job last week, replacing Kim Stone, who last month left the Heat to become GM of the Warriors’ new Chase Center.

MLS expansion club Inter Miami CF today announced that fans can "put deposits on season tickets and suites" for the inaugural '20 season. Fans can go to InterMiamiCF.com/tickets and "reserve priority access to select season tickets with a minimum deposit of $50 and access to a suite with a minimum deposit of $4,000." Full ticketing information will be "made public in early summer, and single-game tickets will go on sale" in January '20. The announcement was made as "demolition of Lockhart Stadium officially began" in Ft. Lauderdale, where the team will build its temporary home stadium for its first two years in MLS (MIAMIHERALD.com, 5/8).

Actor/comedian Kenan Thompson will host the '19 NHL Awards presented by Bridgestone on June 19 (NHL).

Chip Ganassi Racing announced a deal with Badger Sport, which becomes the official apparel provider for CGR's NASCAR and IndyCar programs (CGR).

Altos Tequila today announced a partnership with the PGA Tour's Charles Schwab Challenge. The brand will be featured as the Official Margarita of the tournament, which starts May 20 at Colonial Country Club in Ft. Worth (Alto Tequila).

"We'd like to be there. ... But I could be [happy] with a (practice) bubble and a cafeteria in Charlotte, too. So it's up to them" -- NFL Panthers Owner David Tepper, as a proposed South Carolina bill that would offer tax incentives for a Panthers HQ in Rock Hill struggles to pass the state Senate (CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.com, 5/8).

"I don’t think we’re going to see it happen in this session. From my point of view I want a global solution to this thing that’s been stuck in legal limbo for an awful long time" -- Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, on whether sports betting legislation will be enacted before the General Assembly adjourns in four weeks (COURANT.com, 5/8).

"The White Walkers were the bad dudes, man. If we were recruiting, we'd go north and try to recruit some of those guys" -- Alabama football coach Nick Saban, in a radio appearance earlier today, discussing his "Game of Thrones" fandom (TWITTER.com, 5/8).

“In New York City, the annual Met Gala took place. It's one of fashion's biggest nights, or as it's also known, the Super Bowl for theater kids” -- CBS’ James Corden (“The Late Late Show,” CBS, 5/8).

Jim Nantz just gave an impassioned answer on behalf of @BKoepka, including rattling off his impressive finishes at recent majors. Said he's the most dominant golfer since Tiger and yet "he can't get a sniff" in terms of coverage.

— Alex Myers (@AlexMyers3) May 8, 2019

Currently figuring out a work/dinner schedule that allows for a 5 p.m. nap so I can stay up to finish Warriors-Rockets. This is what I’ve become.

— Robert Mays (@robertmays) May 8, 2019

We launched our first slate of original videos today at The Athletic. We're striving to be the best place on earth to find stories on sports. Now you can read them, listen to them, and watch them. We'll be releasing a story once a week from here on out. https://t.co/3b22hTHfVU

— Alex Mather (@alex3780) May 8, 2019

David Wright has been around the team for the last couple of days. He will be headed to Bethpage next week to serve as an honorary ambassador for the PGA championship.

— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) May 8, 2019

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

Recent episode of The Simpsons used Quebec Nordiques-esque rug pattern. pic.twitter.com/ZR0j4zJVUi

— Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) May 8, 2019

On scene of new @UnderArmour distribution house grand opening in Sparrows Point. @GovLarryHogan here as well pic.twitter.com/41HEU9XN6H

— Jennifer Franciotti (@wbaljfro) May 8, 2019

#Titans host over 700 soldiers from the @101stAASLTDIV at @NissanStadium to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Battle of Hamburger Hill. 💪🏽🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/2OBd10susQ

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) May 7, 2019

14.7% -- Asics' growth in e-commerce in the U.S. for Q1, when compared to the year-ago period (Asics).