The Raiders are set to host their first game inside Allegiant Stadium when they take on the Saints tonight, which also marks the 50th anniversary -- to the day -- of “MNF.” To celebrate that last fact, the game "will be simulcast on ABC" starting at 5:00pm PT, marking the TV institution’s "return to its original home for the first time" since '05. As a result of COVID-19 safety protocols, "not only are fans not allowed inside Allegiant Stadium, the announcers can’t make their traditional on-field appearance to touch base with the players and coaches." Sideline reporter Lisa Salters "isn’t even allowed on the sidelines." Several segments of tonight's broadcast "will be dedicated to showcasing" Allegiant Stadium's "various features" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 9/21).

The Raiders’ arrival in Las Vegas is "more than just a new flag planted on the NFL’s intercontinental map marking where games have been played." It is also "more than the unveiling of the gleaming new, $2 billion stadium." It is the "physical manifestation of a long, slow embrace between the country’s biggest sports league and legal sports wagering that is a stone’s throw from the Las Vegas Strip" (N.Y. TIMES, 9/21).

NASCAR is planning to hold the '21 All-Star Race at Texas Motor Speedway while "taking one of its two Cup Series points races away, a move that is expected to make room for a Cup race at Circuit of The Americas." It is "believed the All-Star Race would shift from its traditional May date toward the middle of the season." COTA would join Nashville Superspeedway as "first-time Cup Series tracks next season, with potentially more new venues to follow." An announcement on the '21 schedule is "expected this week" (THEATHLETIC.com, 9/21).

Activision Blizzard, the video game publisher behind the professional Call of Duty League, has asked owners to consider having the '21 season played from a central location in a bubble-type environment, according to sources. This would require all of the league's teams to relocate for the upcoming season in order to compete. The two cities being mentioned are Las Vegas and Dallas.

Click here to read the full story at The Esports Observer.

Riot Games today "revealed Mercedes-Benz as the latest sponsor of the 2020 League of Legends World Championship." The company will be a "global partner for the World Championship, All-Stars, and the Mid-Season Invitational in a multi-year deal, and will serve as the sponsor for the trophy presentation ceremony at each event." Mercedes-Benz will also be "featured on banners in-game, and has produced a LoL-themed commercial which aired during the broadcast" (ESPORTSOBSERVER.com, 9/21).

Reversing its decision from mid-August, UMass "now intends to play a limited number of football games this fall following a positive review of the program’s COVID-19 safety protocols and testing systems." UMass, which previously decided on Aug. 11 to postpone the season, plans to "start playing games in mid-October and has already begun developing a multi-contest schedule." The school said that it will "announce opponents and sites for games once it becomes official." But fans will also "not be allowed to attend any home games at McGuirk Stadium this fall" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/21).

CAA has elevated theatre agent Kevin Lin and multicultural business exec Ruben Garcia to the positions of co-Heads of Culture Business Strategy, a new division within the agency. In the new positions, Lin and Garcia will work with CAA President Richard Lovett and the CAA board to maximize creative opportunities and business growth for the agency's diverse clients. Lin will also oversee the recently formed Cultural Innovation Task Force, comprised of agents and executives throughout the company to fulfill Lovett's commitments made at the CAA Town Hall in June to support Black owned-and-operated companies, among other initiatives.

Streaming service Quibi is "exploring several strategic options including a possible sale," as the company "struggles to sign up subscribers in a competitive online-video marketplace," according to sources. Quibi, which launched its short-form, mobile-focused video service in April, is also "considering raising more money or going public through a merger with a special-purpose acquisition company, or SPAC." Quibi has "struggled to meet its subscriber targets." Sources also said that the company "has enough cash on hand to last for the next several months and isn’t in danger of shutting down imminently" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 9/21). The platform's sports content includes a daily ESPN show, "The Replay," as well as a documentary, "I Promise," from LeBron James (THE DAILY).

Startup hat accessory company SNAPS today launched its Football Stars Collection of 10 NFL player-identified snapback accessories through a new partnership with the NFLPA via its licensing and marketing arm NFL Players Inc. Players featured include Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr., Tom Brady, Ezekiel Elliott, Lamar Jackson, George Kittle, Patrick Mahomes, Baker Mayfield, Tua Tagovailoa and Chase Young (SNAPS).

In conjunction with National Voter Registration Day taking place tomorrow, the Bucks are introducing a “Bucks Vote” T-shirt that will go on sale to fans. Proceeds from the sale of the T-shirt will benefit the ACLU of Wisconsin and the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County (Bucks).

The UFC and Hyperice signed a deal making the brand the official recovery and technology partner of the UFC (Hyperice).

"You know, (Lamar) Hunt, Mr. (Leon) Hess, the other owners in the AFL, they knew what they were doing, I gather. When we look at it today, it certainly has blossomed and worked out well" -- Pro Football HOFer Joe Namath, on the 50th anniversary of "MNF" tonight (NBCSPORTS.com, 9/21).

“I grew up surrounded by these stories of women breaking barriers, including in sports, and it's never been easy. It still isn't easy and yet we see our women athletes leading” -- Author Chelsea Clinton, on her new book, “She Persisted In Sports,” which chronicles great female athletes and their life stories (“CBS This Morning,” 9/21).

Stanford University leadership and our department of athletics are working diligently with the Pac 12 and Santa Clara County on how, and when, our student athletes can safely return to sports. #GoStanford

— David Shaw (@CoachDavidShaw) September 21, 2020

Cam Newton has adopted the Patriots culture.

There is a high ante to buy-in to the Patriots as a player. Everyone works very hard and holds each other accountable to EXACTLY what they’re paid to do. During my years with New England I watched new players “get it” ...Cam’s got it.

— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) September 21, 2020

Tom Herman didn't want to give an opinion on whether the Big Ten champion should be eligible for CFP after playing a maximum of nine games. "Chalk it up to something out of my control. I'm happy for those players to be able to play."

— Kirk Bohls (@kbohls) September 21, 2020

Big Ten projected win totals per @betonline_ag"

Ohio State 8.5
Penn State 7.5
Wisconsin 7
Michigan 6.5
Minnesota 6.5
Indiana 5.5
Iowa 5
Nebraska 5
Northwestern 4
Purdue 3.5
Illinois 3.5
Michigan State 3.5
Maryland 2.5
Rutgers 1.5

— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) September 21, 2020

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

The NBA and ESPN over the weekend released two new spots for the '20 NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV on ABC. Both spots feature artist Big Sean and his new hit single “Don Life” as the soundtrack. 

$10,000 -- Bonus amount some Pac-12 employees were paid just one month before the conference laid off 94 of its 196-person workforce, according to sources (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 9/21).