Alex Meruelo is now the Coyotes' Owner, as the team today formally announced his purchase of a 95% stake in the franchise. Former owner Andrew Barroway will retain a 5% stake and "remain with the club as an alternate governor." Meruelo is expected to be "introduced to the local media" on Thursday at Gila River Arena (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 7/29). Meruelo has worked with Coyotes President & CEO Ahron Cohen and President of Hockey Operations & GM John Chayka, and he "has been involved in team decisions this summer, including making the trade" for RW Phil Kessel (BIZJOURNALS.com, 7/29).

As the Crew works toward opening a new stadium in Columbus, the franchise has tapped Legends as its "partner in project planning, the design and naming rights of the new stadium, as well as sponsorship and ticket sales, marketing, technology innovation, data insights and analytics." Legends' global sales department "will manage all sales, marketing and sponsorship assets for the new stadium and training facility." The venue, scheduled for completion in '21, "will include 20,000 seats and an outdoor public plaza" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 7/29).

The A's today are announcing changes to next year's A's Access plan, the "result of listening to customer feedback all year." Topping the list, fans "wanted to be able to use the plan as they’ve always used season tickets -- sharing a set of seats with other families or giving them to friends for a week." For '20, "all fans with Access plans with seats for 24 games can add a full member for $199, while those with half-season or full-season plans can add members" for $99. Also, every fan with a membership will be able to "go anywhere in the stadium." The A’s are "eliminating variable pricing for Access members," and every member will get 50% off concessions, 25% off merch and $10 parking (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/29).

Alex Rodriguez is "no longer being paid" by the Yankees, "nor does he hold a title with the organization." Rodriguez was hired as a special advisor after he retired, but that "arrangement ended during the offseason." Rodriguez "maintains a relationship with the Yankees" and Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner (TWITTER.com, 7/29). A team spokesperson confirmed that Rodriguez "no longer draws a salary from the team." He and the club "remain on good terms," as Rodriguez attended a clinic as part of the franchise's trip to London last month (N.Y. POST, 7/29). 

The NWHL today unveiled an expanded schedule for the '19-20 season, increasing the number of games from 16 to 24 per team. The five-team league's fifth season will run from Sept. 22-March 1. This comes with "more than 200 of the top players in North America boycotting play in hopes of gaining a more financially viable league" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/29).

Meanwhile, the NWHL Buffalo Beauts "will play their home games and practice" at Northtown Center in Amherst, N.Y., after spending their first four years at Harborcenter. The "feature rink at Northtown can accommodate about 2,000 fans," up from the 1,800 capacity at Harborcenter (BUFFALO NEWS, 7/29).

Former NFLer Pat McAfee has signed a multiyear deal with ESPN and will work Thursday night college football games as a "color analyst." McAfee will be "calling games with former Colts teammate Matt Hasselbeck and host Adam Amin." In addition to working as color analyst, McAfee will also "make regular appearances" on ESPN's "Get Up." McAfee called two games for Fox Sports last season. The return to the booth "marks the end of a potential NFL comeback for McAfee." He had been "taking videos of himself kicking field goals, hinting at a possible return to the league as a place kicker" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 7/29).

Our sister publication, The Esports Observer, runs a regular briefing recapping the week that was in esports. This week: Call of Duty franchised league will go straight into home games next year; Blizzard Entertainment’s co-founder departs; The International prize pool exceeds $30M.

Are you a part of the next generation of women leaders in sports business? In partnership with Sports Business Journal, the CSM Mentoring Challenge creates an opportunity for 15 ambitious women early in their careers to be matched with 15 inspiring women executives selected from the ranks of Sports Business Journal’s Game Changers. Learn more and apply at www.CSMMentoringChallenge.com by Monday, Aug. 5.

Bob Costas "will work one" of Saturday’s doubleheader games between the Yankees and Red Sox on YES Network. Costas will call one game, while Michael Kay, who has been away from the booth recovering from vocal-chord surgery, will do the other if he is "up to it" (N.Y. POST, 7/29).

ADATA Technology has signed a long-term partnership with with NBA free agent Jeremy Lin's esports organization Team J.Storm. The company will sponsor the team with the latest XPG headset products (ADATA Technology). 

ActivePDF signed a deal with the Galaxy, marking the first time the company has partnered with an MLS club (ActivePDF). 

The '19 Game Changers Conference agenda is now available! Be sure and check out this year’s line-up of speakers at www.Game-Changers-Conference.com (THE DAILY).

"Success for us is seeing those stands filled with fans, supporting these athletes and the game in a way that is deserving" -- Budweiser VP/Marketing Monica Rustgi, on what the brand is looking for as the official beer sponsor of the NWSL. Budweiser became a sponsor following the USWNT's World Cup championship (THEATHLETIC.com, 7/29).

"AutoNation came in and saved the day. They made it happen. They’ve been a great supporter with Ryan [Hunter-Reay], and they really stepped up" -- IndyCar team owner Michael Andretti, on the automotive retailer increasing its sponsorship to help Andretti Autosport sign a multiyear agreement to keep Alexander Rossi on the team (RACER.com, 7/29).

There is a growing sentiment among GMs to push the #MLB trade deadline back to Aug. 15 to give teams more time to determine whether they are buyers or sellers in light of slow activity. They will discuss at the GM meetings in November in Phoenix.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 29, 2019

Kid at skatepark:
“Are you Tony Hawk?”
me: I am
him: “no you’re not”
me: ok, I’m not
him: “but are you, FOR REAL?”
me: I am, for real
him: I thought you’d look younger
me: ME TOO

— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) July 29, 2019

Take the road on over if you really want to handle it. You have my number

— Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (@StenhouseJr) July 29, 2019

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

Under Armour Founder, Chair & CEO Kevin Plank posted this video to his Instagram. It comes off as a rallying cry for the city of Baltimore, which was recently criticized by President Trump.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

On behalf of the thousands of UA Teammates who proudly call Baltimore HOME... Work to be done but we are of this city and for this city. #WeWill #StandforBaltimore #hometownproud #410 #teamua

A post shared by Kevin Plank (@kevinplank_ua) on Jul 28, 2019 at 3:08pm PDT

Yankees P CC Sabathia will appear on NBC's "Late Night" at 12:35am ET.

500,000 -- Number of subscribers that The Athletic reached in June. The website said that it "expects to nearly double that total by year-end" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 7/29).