A-B InBev today will formally announce the launch of Draftline, a U.S. in-house ad agency that it has been "quietly brewing" for the past year. Draftline will work across all 42 U.S. A-B InBev brands, "offering a range of services including TV production, packaging, out-of-home, radio, email marketing and data collection," while fulfilling "all programmatic media buying." In addition to "working alongside external agencies for large brands like Bud Light, Budweiser and Michelob Ultra, it also handles the entire creative and media needs of new brands like Patagonia." A-B works with more than 50 ad agencies, and Draftline will have to "pitch for business along with any other agencies invited to do so" (ADAGE.com, 5/16).

Sources confirmed that the Cubs and Cardinals have "accepted invitations to play a series next season in London" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 5/17). There is "no word yet" on which club would be designated as the home team, or "who would lose a series at their home ballpark." It also will be "interesting to see" how MLB "manages the schedule around the series for both teams" (NBCSPORTS.com, 5/16). This will be the "first international series for the Cubs since they played the Mets in Japan" in '00 (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 5/17).

Port of Oakland leaders have assured shipping execs that plans by the A's to build a 35,000-seat ballpark along the estuary by '23 "won't stop the local maritime industry from growing." Port officials, in a letter to the port's 85 tenants and shippers around the world, said that the proposed venue "could 'enhance the port’s commercial real estate portfolio,' and that the provisions were included in the term sheet that would address potential impacts." The term sheet calls for the A’s to "create a buffer zone between any proposed housing and nearby seaport businesses’ footprints," and to submit a "comprehensive transportation and circulation" plan to the port (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 5/17).

UEFA today launched a five-year plan for women's soccer, "aiming to double the number of women and girls playing the sport" by '24. The strategy aims to raise female participation in UEFA's 55 member associations to 2.5 million and "significantly boost the profile and value of the women's European Championship and Champions League," while improving player welfare. UEFA said that it "already increased funding" to its women’s development program by 50% in the budget period through '20. This comes as the '19 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France is "expected to be the highest profile edition yet of the tournament" (REUTERS, 5/17).

The NFL Panthers moved a "step closer" to building a $200M HQ in Rock Hill, S.C., after a state conference committee "needed less than an hour to reach consensus aligning House and Senate versions of an incentives bill." With unanimous approval from the six-member committee, the measure "goes back to each side of the General Assembly on Monday for final approval and then to Gov. Henry McMaster." It is "likely that by the end of next week the South Carolina incentives law will be in place, clearing the way" for an incentives package totaling $155-160M (BIZJOURNALS.com, 5/17).

Padres 2B Ian Kinsler has denied that his shouting expletives after a home run was in "any way directed toward the fans" during yesterday's home win against the Pirates. Kinsler: "Not at all. ... We need the fans to bring energy for you every day." Kinsler "profanely celebrated as he crossed home plate," and it was "clearly audible on the television broadcast." He said, "(Expletive) every single one of these (expletives)." This came after some Petco Park fans "could be heard amidst the sparse crowd heckling as Kinsler was making outs in his first two at-bats" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 5/17).

76ers C Boban Marjanovic appears in the opening sequence of the new film "John Wick: Chapter 3 -- Parabellum," an "epic fight scene" inside the N.Y. Public Library. The Serbian player "had some acting experience" before his cameo in the film, which stars Keanu Reeves. However, his "working visa is to play basketball, not to play an assassin, and when the shoot originally conflicted with his schedule and his agents feared he might be unavailable, they suggested other NBA clients for his part." But they were told that it "had to be Boban" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 5/17).

The NHL named three finalists for its GM of the Year award: the Blues' Doug Armstrong, Bruins' Don Sweeney and Hurricanes' Don Waddell (Mult., 5/16).

The USWNT's friendly last night against New Zealand drew a crowd of 35,761, the "third-largest standalone domestic crowd in U.S. women's soccer history" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 5/17).

New Mexico State has selected Learfield IMG College Ticket Solutions for representation of its outbound ticket sales (Learfield IMG College).

With the second round of the PGA Championship underway, Omega runs a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal touting its PGA of America sponsorship with an image of the Wanamaker Trophy (THE DAILY).

“I felt like he was giving me the finger for four-and-a-half hours” -- Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee, on Brooks Koepka’s opening 63 at the PGA Championship. Chamblee has been a noted critic of Koepka (“Live from the PGA Championship,” Golf Channel, 5/16).

"Expansion is probably inevitable. ... In the greater scheme of things, I think it's probably good for the game and for the teams involved if you move it from four to eight" -- Michigan State AD Bill Beekman, on the CFP format (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 5/17).

"In certain markets in the NHL, hockey is more than a sport, and this is one of those markets. It is a cultural thing, it is a family thing, it is a tribal thing. ... Our players have done a fabulous job of going out and exuding that pride" -- Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan (TORONTO STAR, 5/17).

"There's a sense of excitement without question. I don't think it will be business as usual for us over the summer behind the scenes" -- ACC Commissioner John Swofford, on the August launch of the ACC Network in partnership with ESPN (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 5/17).

The N.Y. TIMES goes with the header, "The Rays Are A Surrealist's Delight." In an era of MLB's "richest teams dominating smaller-market clubs, Tampa Bay has managed a third way: spending less and winning more through ceaseless innovation." One of the "least-watched, lowest-paid teams is also one of the best."

Also:

• Megan Rapinoe is ceaseless in her activism for social justice.
• Horse racing in Maryland is recovering despite new threats to the sport.
• What will the next Mountain West TV deal mean for member schools?

So I guess this means Patrick Peterson will never make it to Cooperstown.

— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) May 17, 2019

Blessed to have the opportunity to do the national book launch for "What to Do #WhenThingsGoWrong at the @ProFootballHallofFame in Canton, Ohio. An honor that I will treasure always!

— Frank Supovitz (@SupEvents) May 16, 2019

For the price of one of Nike’s Women’s World Cup shirts you can get three flights back from Nice to London Stanstead and still have some money left over

— Flo Lloyd-Hughes (@FloydTweet) May 16, 2019

Doris Burke is the best sideline reporter going and it’s not close.

I usually don’t pay attention to postgames, but yeah... she is great at what she does. 🎤

— Brendan Bergen (@BrendanBergen) May 17, 2019

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

The Sun Belt Conference is hosting its inaugural Diversity & Inclusion Summit as part of its annual spring meetings in Point Clear, Ala.

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 “20th Century Bestselling Authors.”

“He once said, ‘In all of us there is a hunger, marrow-deep, to know our heritage … who we are and where we have come from.’”

NBC’s Seth Meyers said former VP Joe Biden “announced today that the headquarters for his presidential campaign will be in Philadelphia, and he’s already getting to know the locals” (“Late Night,” NBC, 5/17).

CBS

ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel said President Trump's new immigration plan is intended to "focus on merit-based immigration." Kimmel: "In other words, he would permit highly-skilled workers to enter the United States, where they would be then given their choice at caddying at any one of his golf clubs for just over minimum wage” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 5/16).

CBS’ Stephen Colbert noted Basketball HOFer Dennis Rodman is "accused of stealing a 400-pound crystal from a yoga studio." Colbert: "That headline is brought to you by ‘Meth Addicted Lady at the Bus Stop Saying Random Words.’ The yoga studio's owner caught Rodman and his friends stealing clothes and the 400-pound amethyst crystal, because he watched the events unfold on live security video. And yet, Rodman insists they offered him the clothes in exchange for moving the crystal. That is some quick thinking, Dennis. 'How dare you? I have no need to steal. I have a thriving business moving crystals in exchange for clothing'” (“The Late Show,” CBS, 5/16).

“Who was Alex Haley?” 

Haley published “Roots” in '76.