MLS today "made it official" that St. Louis "will be the next addition" to the league. MLS Commissioner Don Garber said, "St. Louis, with its incredibly rich soccer history, not only deserves a team, but has earned one." He added it is "hard to imagine Major League Soccer without St. Louis." Garber indicated that even before the NFL left, the league "wanted to be in St. Louis, consistently adding the city to the top of expansion lists" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 8/20). 

The "build out of the club's operations will be ongoing," and a name, logo and colors "have not yet been publicly announced." The ownership group "has yet to announce key sponsorships, including stadium naming rights and jersey sponsors." A $200M stadium is targeted for completion for the '22 season, but its "precise location and a resolution to a public financing portion of the primarily privately financed venue are still uncertain" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/20).

Pluto TV has partnered with the NFL to "create a new free-to-consumer channel that will stretch the league's brand out even further." The NFL Channel will be devoted to league library content, featuring "highlights and full reels of classic games, recaps of legendary seasons" and archival episodes of HBO's "Hard Knocks." The NFL, which recently partnered with Amazon, is "said to be actively looking to attract younger audiences through digital channels." Since Viacom purchased Pluto TV in January for $340M, the platform has "purportedly swelled to 18 million regular users" (MULTICHANNEL.com, 8/20).

Because Pluto is "available free for consumers, much of the programming on its 150-plus networks approximates but does not duplicate what pay-TV subscribers get via the traditional bundle." This means the NFL Channel "will not mirror the NFL Network" (DEADLINE.com, 8/20).

Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes in now the "title sponsor of the newly-named Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl." The postseason contest will feature a matchup between members of the ACC and Pac-12 at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, on Dec. 31, and will be "televised for the 52nd consecutive year on CBS." The agreement between the Sun Bowl Association and Frosted Flakes was "brokered by Denver-based Impression Sports & Entertainment." The multiyear partnership is "marked by Tony the Tiger being the first mascot to lend his name to a college football bowl game" (EL PASO TIMES, 8/20).

The Hurricanes today revealed their new road uniforms for the '19-20 season, and "gone is the Hurricanes logo on the front of the white jerseys." Replacing it: "'Canes' with the letters spaced down and diagonally from left to right -- the 'C' with two warning flags on it." The team has had the logo on its uniforms since relocating from Hartford in '97. The "swirling hurricane logo will remain," albeit via "raised 3-D decals" on their white helmets. The warning flag secondary logo "will be on the waistline." Meanwhile, the Canes again will wear Hartford Whalers jerseys for the Jan. 11 home game against the Kings (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 8/20).

hurricanes

PDQ restaurants signed a multiyear deal with the Buccaneers that includes PDQ’s designation as the Official Chicken Tender of the team and two concession stands on the main concourse at Raymond James Stadium. The partnership allows for marketing and PR initiatives, such as exclusive sweepstakes, Buccaneers-themed Street Team activations and fan-focused contests. Branding in Raymond James Stadium is also a component of the partnership and PDQ will also serve as the exclusive food provider for pre-flight meals for all Buccaneers road games (PDQ).

NBC's "SNF" will have a new open this season from Carrie Underwood with a nod to the first-ever rendition in '06. She will be joined by Rock & Roll HOFer Joan Jett (NBC).

The Hornets today unveiled a new Classic Edition uniform to be worn during five home games in the '19-20 season (Hornets). 

The purple classic uniform is BACK! 👀🐝 pic.twitter.com/fvibFw0Be7

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) August 20, 2019

Go Fas Racing sponsor Keen Parts/CorvetteParts.net will transform its usual paint scheme for the No. 32 Ford driven by Corey LaJoie into a Scooby Doo-inspired Mystery Machine for the Oct. 27 NASCAR Cup race at Martinsville (Go Fas Racing).

Keen Parts/CorvetteParts.net

SeatGeek and the Arrive app are partnering to allow fans to pay for parking in advance. The collaboration is now live on SeatGeek for 50 of its most popular venues (SeatGeek).

"My dad always told me that ever since I was a little girl one day I would change the world with my racket. So I hope I can do that, and I’m already thinking about ideas on how I can" -- Tennis player Coco Gauff, on using her newfound fame for mental health advocacy (“GMA,” ABC, 8/20).

“We used to just bash each other in the locker room. Now everybody has a voice, right?" -- Golfer Lucas Glover, on slow play becoming the subject of public disputes (TWITTER.com, 8/20).

So, yes -- Local media outlets are no longer allowed to shoot any game footage from any Ohio Valley Conference sporting event that is aired on ANY ESPN platform. We can only use the ESPN video.

As the kids like to say -- this is suboptimal.

— Jeff Bidwell (@AKAJeffBidwell) August 20, 2019

A lot of handwringing over two of this year’s major champions (Tiger and Shane Lowry) not making it to the Tour Championship. Not sure there was the same uproar in 2016 when Willett (non-member) and Stenson failed to qualify for East Lake.

— Rex Hoggard (@RexHoggardGC) August 20, 2019

Today represents what sooooo many soccer fans and sports fans have wanted for decades in STL. Also, it represents progress, dusting ourselves off, and a community coming together. This is more than just soccer. This IS progress. Phenomenal job by @MLS4theLou #mls4thelou

— Dan McLaughlin (@DannyMacTV) August 20, 2019

100% behind #MLS4TheLou . Tremendous soccer history, non-saturated sports market, rivals built in. BUT you lose me if they become a FC or a United.

— Rob Stone (@RobStoneONFOX) August 20, 2019

Mookie Betts to @WEEI: ‘For people who don’t think I like it here, I love it here.’ Describes Boston as his second home, and says his family loves coming to Boston.

— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) August 20, 2019

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

On this week's Sports Illustrated cover ...@SInow | @obj | @God_Son80 pic.twitter.com/buT3mKJ52x

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 20, 2019

Hours away from the start of the @AuroraGamesFest pic.twitter.com/rkF64UKtQs

— Dan McCoy-CountyExec (@MCCoyCountyExec) August 20, 2019

In this video from the NCAA, Basketball HOFer Nancy Lieberman talks about the opportunities provided to her by a college athletic scholarship.

ESPN's hour-long “Daily Wager” sports betting show officially moves to ESPN2 at 6:00pm ET after previously being on ESPNews.

455,000 -- Average number of purchases for UFC's 13 PPV events last year, according to data from Tapology (CRAINSCLEVELAND.com, 8/19).