Former NFL Exec VP/Business Ventures Eric Grubman has invested in On Location Experiences, and he will now serve as BOD Chair for the sports hospitality company that originated as a spinoff from the NFL. Grubman, who at one point oversaw the NFL’s relationship with On Location while at the league, began informally advising the company over the summer, and in the last month became Chair once he fully separated from the NFL. The firm did not have a chair before Grubman, who will have a vote in that role. He said On Location will be one of a handful of projects he plans to work on. On Location CEO John Collins said the board meets once a month.

See more in today's issue of THE DAILY.

Advance Publications has acquired a majority stake in the Dutch esports and gaming research shop Newzoo. Founded in Amsterdam in ‘07, Newzoo has become a go-to data source for brands, investors and journalists evaluating the emerging world of competitive video gaming. Advance, the parent company of Sports Business Journal/Daily and Conde Nast, will “make a significant capital investment” to accelerate Newzoo’s growth, according to a statement. Newzoo will also support Sports Business Journal’s expansion into market intelligence, data and analytics for the traditional sports industry, with the first such product expected to be published in early '19.

Today’s deal follows on the SBJ’s recent acquisition of Leaders and investment in The Esports Observer. Talks with Newzoo first began as Advance execs were looking for more investment targets in esports, but enthusiasm grew as they met with the founders and realized Newzoo’s potential in other sports verticals. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The Calgary City Council "has agreed that talks should resume" with the Flames on "proposed plans for an entertainment district in Victoria Park centered around a new arena." Flames CEO Ken King "declined to offer a detailed response to council’s decision," which was "near-unanimous." No price tag or cost breakdown "has been presented for the new arena proposal." Mayor Naheed Nenshi said that he "was 'very happy' to see talks resume with the Flames, but questioned whether a new arena is really a prerequisite for growth in Victoria Park" (CALGARY HERALD, 10/10).

A new poll from grassroots organization NOlympics LA finds that 45% of respondents from L.A. County and 47% from across California "oppose bringing the 2028 Summer Games" to L.A. Those numbers "differ markedly from previous polls conducted" by the IOC and Loyola Marymount Univ. that "showed between 78% and 83% support for hosting the sporting event." The new poll, released yesterday, "surveyed 1,000 state and county residents," finding 32% of county respondents "voiced support for hosting the Games and 24% were neutral" (L.A. TIMES, 10/10).

76ers C Joel Embiid is signing with Under Armour, with the "endorsement deal expected to be finalized" today, according to sources. The move gives UA a "co-star at the highest levels of the NBA to go along" with Warriors G Stephen Curry. Embiid was "considered the top sneaker free agent on the market" headed into the NBA season. He has been "spotted wearing Under Armour shoes this preseason, including at 76ers media day" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/9).

Shoe free agent Joel Embiid is wearing Under Armour again in Shanghai. pic.twitter.com/3RbZJOFTLr

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) October 5, 2018

Longtime FS Detroit broadcasters Rod Allen and Mario Impemba "will not return" to the booth for Tigers games next season after a "late-season falling out escalated to a physical altercation on Sept. 4," according to sources. The end of their lengthy run is "not surprising," as both Allen and Impemba "did not appear on the air for the remainder of the season after the incident." Impemba "served as the Tigers' play-by-play broadcaster" since '02 and Allen was the "chief color commentator" since '03. Matt Shepard and Kirk Gibson "called the majority of games in Allen and Impemba's absence," though no decision has been made as to who will replace Allen and Impemba in ‘19 (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 10/10). 

Disney Chair & CEO Bob Iger was interviewed at the Vanity Fair New Establishment Summit in Beverly Hills, and while he did not delve "deeply into Disney’s big swing in buying much of Fox from Rupert Murdoch," there was a "slight undercurrent of his motivations." Iger: “If you are going to fail, fail daringly. In this day and age, if you are timid and not capable of taking risks, you are not going to enjoy success or make success for your company” (L.A. TIMES, 10/10). He also offered his "firmest statement yet about not running for president." Iger: "It's off the table. I am running the Walt Disney Co." (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 10/9).

Mark Leibovich appeared on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” last night to promote his recent book, “Big Game: The NFL In Dangerous Times.” Leibovich said of writing about the NFL, “I needed a break from politics, because football affords you such a great and easy break from politics, right? That was sort of the dirty little secret here: It's all a swamp, but the NFL has gone from being one of the most unifying institutions in this country to probably the most divisive sports brand we have. One of the reasons is politics.”

When asked about the most surprising thing he learned about the NFL owners, Leibovich said, “Just how inept they are. I mean that in the most respectful way. ... A lot of them just sort of lucked into their team, inherited their teams. ... These are people who own some of the most powerful entertainment companies in their various markets, and I just found them to be a motley crew, with a few exceptions.” Leibovich said the NFL owners “are smaller-than-life characters and yet they have outsized -- I mean that in a very respectful way -- influence on how we spend our Sundays and how we spend our tax dollars.” Host Trevor Noah: “If you love football, you want to read this” (“The Daily Show,” Comedy Central, 10/9).

The "final batch of single-game tickets" for the NLCS games at Miller Park "sold out shortly after they went on sale" at 10:00am CT yesterday at Brewers.com (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/10).

The Bucks yesterday "sold a team-record 10,000th season ticket," 10 days before their home opener at Fiserv Forum (ESPN.com, 10/9).

New Mexico's Santa Ana Star Casino next Tuesday will "open a new sports book," and there "doesn't appear to be any regulatory agency trying to block it." Las Vegas-based USBookmaking will “provide sports betting risk services” at Santa Ana (ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL, 10/10).

Paul McCartney was spotted at Gillette Stadium last night, where he was reportedly part of a "private event" (TWITTER.com, 10/9). Patriots Owner Robert Kraft was said to be throwing a "swanky private bash" (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/10).

The Golden Knights Drumbots, mascot Chance the gila monster and the team's cheerleaders yesterday "gave a show" for the "18th annual Global Gaming Expo show floor to open" at the Sands Expo and Convention Center (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/10).

OTT service DAZN runs a full-page ad in USA Today touting its boxing package, with a not-so-subtle dig at the UFC and Saturday's post-fight brawl: "Here For The Fight. Not The Circus. 80+ Fights A Year. $9.99/Month. No B.S." (THE DAILY).

"You know what’s interesting about that job -- McDonough arguably had the best offseason of any general manager in the NBA" -- TNT NBA analyst Charles Barkley, on Suns Owner Robert Sarver dismissing Ryan McDonough less than two weeks before the regular season tips off (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 10/10).

"I think media, first day of spring training, was pretty negative, even though we won the division two years in a row. We just needed to be a little more aggressive in our approach" -- Red Sox Owner John Henry, on the team advancing to the ALCS (NBCSPORTSBOSTON.com, 10/10).

"It's pretty cool. I don't think you would have guessed it when he was with the Cavs when he started his rookie season, but it's adding a ton of interest in the league, and the Lakers are about to get the usual media coverage that I was used to growing up" -- Warriors G Klay Thompson, an L.A. native, on seeing LeBron James in a Lakers jersey (ESPN.com, 10/9).

“People are going to forget that I won a Super Bowl, but they’re never going to forget the kind of impact you have on them personally” -- Pro Football HOFer Kurt Warner, on opening a residential community for developmentally challenged persons, including his own son, to live on their own and be independent (“Evening News,” CBS, 10/9).

The WALL STREET JOURNAL writes under the header, "Atlanta Braves Owner Says County Wins Big From Development Near New Stadium." Liberty Media says that its $700M real-estate development surrounding SunTrust Park has "been a hit for fans" and Cobb County. Now if the Braves succeed on and off the field, SunTrust and its adjoining development "could serve as a new formula for how commercial property can help finance sports stadiums and arenas."

Also: 

• N.Y. TIMES: "When Trump Made The USFL Great Again."
• Uncanny number of Indianapolis sports figures serve as national broadcasters.
• In London, Olympic Park's legacy is "sustainability." 
• DETROIT FREE PRESS goes deep on former Red Wing Joe Murphy.

Frank Sinatra “New York, New York” on blast in the #RedSox Clubhouse...

ABSOLUTE SAVAGERY.

🍾

— Jahmai Webster (@WebsterOnTV) October 10, 2018

On a great night for the Red Sox, one bummer: Turns out Eck isn't doing the ALCS. TBS going with Anderson/Darling/Shehadi. Mistake was mine -- looking at an old piece of info.

— Chad Finn (@GlobeChadFinn) October 10, 2018

Now I remember why baseball is terrible -- you have all this time between pitches to think about the terrible things that are about to happen to your team.

— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) October 10, 2018

The World Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2019:
Retief Goosen
Peggy Kirk Bell
Billy Payne
Dennis Walters
Jan Stephenson

— Rex Hoggard (@RexHoggardGC) October 10, 2018

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

Mookie hit Guerin Austin with his cork. Omg I'm dying. 😂😂😂 (she's fine) pic.twitter.com/pyL2Sg1n0c

— Rob Wright (@robwright11) October 10, 2018

A brief hit on the stories you need to know ... Subscribe on iTunes ... Check out our podcast home.

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “World Leaders.”

“He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize twice and the Literature Prize seven times, winning for the latter in 1953.”

“Who was Winston Churchill?”