Around the Biz 2/13/18: Activision Blizzard To Invest More in Esports; Networks Hope NFL Ratings Bring New Ad Revenue Next Season

Here’s a quick roundup of the big news buzzing around the sports-media industry today:

Activision Blizzard Lays Off 800 Amid Restructuring; Will Invest More in Esports (Variety)

TV Networks Hope NFL Ratings Will Bring New Ad Dollars in Fall (Variety)

Newzoo Estimates Esports Revenue Will Eclipse $1 Billion This Year (ESPN)

NASCAR To Launch Multi-Market Ads; Developing Barstool Sports Partnership (Awful Announcing)

ESL and Facebook Reach Non-Exclusive Streaming Agreement (DOT Esports)

La Liga Claims Anti-Piracy Win With IPTV Shutdown in Brazil (Sports Pro Media)

Eleven Sports Confirms Expansion in Portugal (TVB Europe)

Sky Deutschland Returns to F1 Rights Grid (Sports Pro Media)

Rabil’s Lacrosse League Gets Investment from Alibaba Billionaire (Bloomberg)

FCC Frees Up More Money for TV Station Repack (Multichannel News)