Franchise Notes: Nigerian Billionaire Still Wants To Buy A Football Club

Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote is ready to go after another club if Arsenal controlling shareholder Stan Kroenke "refuses to sell" the Gunners to him. Dangote has "often spoken about his desire to buy Arsenal," and once stated that he would "seek to take over the side when he completes his refinery in Lagos." But with Kroenke fully in control of Arsenal, it "seems impossible for Dangote to buy the club." Dangote: "I'm very much a fan of football. I have to have a club. I don't have to own Arsenal" (PULSE, 11/6).

Riot Games accepted applications from Movistar Riders, North, Rogue and SK Gaming as permanent partners for its European League of Legends Championship Series, league sources said. Those four join five existing teams whose applications were approved: Fnatic, G2 Esports, Misfits, Schalke 04 Esports and Team Vitality. The fifth new team, and sixth overall in the league, will be owned by Astralis and its parent company, RFRSH Entertainment (ESPN.com, 11/3).