MLB is "discussing a 20-round international draft concept, with a goal of implementing the draft" as soon as '20 or '21. MLB officials met yesterday with international club personnel in Miami and "told them that owners are in support on an international draft and want it in place as soon as possible." The MLBPA "would need to sign off." One of the "bigger twists in MLB's latest draft concept is the draft order." Instead of "replicating the order of the June draft," teams picking at the top would "rotate annually by division" (BASEBALLAMERICA.com, 7/17).

The ACC today revealed the schedule for the Aug. 22 launch of ACC Network, starting at 7:00pm ET with a two-hour edition of "All-ACC," its "flagship studio show that will cover all of the league's sports and serve as an introduction to the network's on-air personalities." That will "segue to one of the network's first original programming projects," a show on Duke basketball's '82 recruiting class. Other programming teased by the net included a "documentary-style project" on former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, a look at Clemson football's '18 national championship season and a "behind-the-scenes look" at Louisville football (Syracuse POST-STANDARD, 7/17).

Boxer Canelo Alvarez will be "sitting on the sidelines come September" after three consecutive years of fighting on Mexican Independence Day Weekend (Sept. 16). Golden Boy Promotions made a "strategic decision to forgo its typical fight in the fall," so Alvarez' next fight "now will take place later" in '19. Golden Boy was in "monthlong negotiations with a handful of fighters but eventually missed the mark on making a deal for the most notable star in its stable." DAZN reportedly "only green-lit two opponents" in Gennady Golovkin or Sergey Kovalev (L.A. TIMES, 7/17).

Precourt Sports Ventures is "no more," as the investor group that operates Austin FC is changing its name to Two Oak Ventures in the "first of several expected business-oriented moves over the coming months." Anthony Precourt remains CEO. Besides operating the MLS club, Two Oak Ventures will build and lease its 20,500-seat, $242M stadium. Local investors and training facility plans are "two of the items expected to be announced soon." Two Oak Ventures also will "explore potential real estate developments around the stadium at McKalla Place." The Two Oaks name is a "nod to the Austin FC crest" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 7/17).

The CFL has entered into a partnership with HeadCheck Health that will "allow its teams to utilize a digital platform to execute and monitor the effectiveness of the league's concussion protocol" in real time. All nine CFL teams will use Vancouver-based HeadCheck's digital platform from a "phone, tablet or computer to execute baseline, sideline" and post-injury concussion assessments (CP, 7/17).

Roundtable participants from this week's SBJ In-Depth review where inclusive leadership efforts should originate. Appearing in the video are Braves exec Adrian Williams, USADA Chair and Olympic legend Edwin Moses, Morehouse College's David Wall Rice and the Hawks/State Farm Arena's Nzinga Shaw.

Crime alert/prevention app Citizen.com closed on a $40M funding round that included LeBron James, Maverick Carter and Drake as investors (David Broughton, THE DAILY).

The Univ. of Kansas "will begin the sale of beer and wine at home football games this season" (AP, 7/17). 

The NBPA has signed a multiyear deal with Ireland-based sports data, biomarker and performance company Orreco, which becomes the union's official bio-analytics provider (NBPA).

Minnesota United broadcaster Callum Williams will call tonight's home friendly against EPL club Aston Villa, with coverage streaming on MNUFC.com at 8:00pm ET. Williams grew up "watching Aston Villa as a 6-year-old boy in Birmingham, England" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 7/17).

"I'd rather not go to a Royal Box with a starred shirt, but it's what I had" -- Golfer Jon Rahm, on a "mismatched look" he donned while sitting in the Royal Box at Wimbledon last week (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 7/17).

“I was actually pleased that something was done about it, because it really didn't look good for the league to have those charges hanging over the head of an active player” -- NBC Sports Washington' Christy Winters Scott, on the WNBA suspending Sparks G Riquna Williams for 10 games for domestic violence (“OTL,” ESPN, 7/17).

The NFL and NFLPA bargaining session, originally scheduled for 3 days, is already over. One source described it as “productive.” Now need time to review and regroup. Plan is to resume on July 29.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 17, 2019

I had it laid out before you knew what a plan was
Three Hundred mil’ later, NOW you understand us! 🤷🏾‍♂️🤫

— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 17, 2019

I love the local #RollTide media. Questions on the backup QB, special teams, inside linebacker.

— Matt Hayes (@MattHayesCFB) July 17, 2019

Good reasons for the Knicks and Lakers to fear Steve Ballmer. He’s got Doc Rivers, Jerry West, Paul George and that other guy. What’s his name....

— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) July 17, 2019

Lost in the shuffle amid The Athletic's CFB expansion and rapid UK growth is the company plucking off another Sports Illustrated staffer in @Eric_Single.

— Mark J. Burns (@markjburns88) July 17, 2019

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

This is a practice round! pic.twitter.com/VIX15nl1oU

— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) July 17, 2019

NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will throw out the first pitch for the Blue Jays-Red Sox game at Fenway Park.

In this segment from last night's "We Need To Talk" on CBS Sports Network, USWNT MF Allie Long receives a replacement key to N.Y. from the city's first lady, Chirlane McCray. Long's original key, awarded as part of Women's World Cup victory festivities, was stolen from her hotel room last week.

.@USWNT midfielder Allie Long was gifted a key to New York City as part of the team’s victory parade. However, it was stolen from her hotel room later in the week.

She got a big surprise on tonight’s We Need to Talk when @NYCFirstLady gave her a spare. pic.twitter.com/ITSJjbhGa6

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) July 16, 2019

Pistons F Blake Griffin will appear on NBC's "The Tonight Show" at 11:35pm ET.

$85,800 -- Median annual household income for MLS game viewers on Fox and FS1, the highest it has ever been at this point in the season. At the same point during the '18 campaign, that figure was $80,600. Two years ago it was $77,400, and three years ago it was $83,000 (THE DAILY).