As the Astros, Rockets and Dynamo "return to action after months on hiatus, one local pro team never stopped playing," according to Glynn Hill of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. The OWL Houston Outlaws "continued to thrill its fans throughout the live-sports drought." Since MLB, MLS and the NBA interrupted or postponed seasons, the Outlaws "have played 17 matches and compiled a record of 6-11." The Outlaws and the OWL "returned to their online roots after the league shut down live events" and "moved them to YouTube." The OWL "created a series of regional tournaments through its May Melee, Summer Showdown and Countdown Cup series, raising the level of competition for players and engagement for fans." Meanwhile, to "offset some of the losses from the cancellation of live events, the Outlaws and other teams have sought sponsors, held promotions and scheduled online events to attract fans." The Outlaws in May partnered with their rival, the Dallas Fuel, in an "online skills competition called the Lone Star Challenge." The competition "attracted sponsorships" from Samsung, San Antonio-based grocer H-E-B and Jack Links, among others. Outlaws execs "hope these initiatives won't just help them chart a path through this season, but also cement the Outlaws into the Houston sports landscape" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 7/7).
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