This Week in Sports & Entertainment: Netflix Revives Grown Ups, Yankees Legends Enter the Snack Game and Dua Lipa Takes on Samsung
Welcome back to the Spotlight! For the better part of my life, if the New York Knicks weren’t playing basketball for a long stretch of time around this time of year, it meant that they were eliminated from the playoffs (or, more often than not, were not anywhere close to being in contention to begin with). So you could understand my excitement by the fact that this time off was earned. Indeed, As of this writing, since their next opponent is not yet known (either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Detroit Pistons) they’ll get another two or four days to rest up and regroup since handily sweeping the Philadelphia 76ers last Sunday afternoon on their way to a second consecutive Eastern Conference Finals berth.
For now, the closest to Knicks action that I have been seeing is the Knicks’ Miles “Deuce” McBride endorsing Vuori active apparel, Josh Hart appearing in a Patrón Tequila commercial, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson and Jose Alvarado appearing alongside former Knicks John Starks and Patrick Ewing in an AT&T spot, former Knicks star Carmelo Anthony partnering with skin and haircare brand CeraVe to help launch its new anti-dandruff shampoo and even Brunson’s wife Ali Marks Brunson endorsing Brodo bone broths. Turns out that winning basketball games in the greatest city in the world is a powerful marketing tool.
Speaking of powerful marketing tools, the Spotlight will be following the lead of its hometown team and taking time to recharge. If the bodies of the New York Knicks could stand to benefit from some recovery, so too could the wit of my New York-ness. So, I’ll catch you on the other side of Memorial Day. Until then, it’s “Go NY Go NY Go!”
- Buddy comedy “Grown Ups” is getting another sequel at Netflix with its original cast – Adam Sandler, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Chris Rock and Kevin James. The film comes 13 years after the last sequel, “Grown Ups 2”—so in a way, it is the Grown Ups sequel’s bar mitzvah.
- Former New York Yankees Hall of Fame Closer Mariano Rivera is launching his own line of hot sauces, while teammate Alex Rodriguez partners with sunflower seed brand, “SMACKIN” to unveil a limited edition Honey BBQ flavor. Both sound great, but my preferred Yankees flavor would be the taste of a 2026 World Series victory.
- Pop star Dua Lipa sues electronics giant Samsung for allegedly using her image on the box of its televisions without her permission – evidently not what the singer had in mind when she dreamt as a little girl of being on TV.
Endorsement Deals, Sponsorships & Investments
Gap Inc. Hires Another Ex-Paramount Exec in Push to Expand Fashion Brands to TV, Film and More
May 14, 2026 via Variety
In Baseball, the New Endorsement Deal Comes in a Jar
May 14, 2026 via Baseball and Brands
WNBA, NBA Approve Sun Sale to Fertitta, Relocation to Houston
May 13, 2026 via ESPN
Shohei Ohtani, Francisco Lindor and the Family-Oriented Strategy that Made New Balance a Baseball Powerhouse
May 13, 2026 via Fox Business
Hayden Panettiere Claims Neutrogena Tried To Axe Her Ten-Year Deal After She Spoke About Postpartum Depression
May 13, 2026 via International Business Times
Meet Goldman’s Athlete Whisperer: The Woman Who Stands Guard Against $1 Billion of Fraud Targeting Sports Fortunes
May 10, 2026 via Fortune
Hello Palou: IndyCar’s Unstoppable Driver Palou to Endorse Luxury Watch Retailer Fourtané
May 8, 2026 via Sports Business Journal
Sports
FIFA Taps Madonna, Shakira and BTS for Halftime Show Performance
May 14, 2026 via Hollywood Reporter
30 Days Out, Los Angeles is Ready for the World Cup. The Playing Surface? Not Just Yet
May 12, 2026 via Associated Press
Alabama Football’s Next Dynasty is in the Content Game
May 11, 2026 via Awful Announcing
Music Biz
Indie-Pop Duo The Twigs Sues FKA Twigs Back, Seeking to Ban Her from Performing Under the Name
May 13, 2026 via Music Business Worldwide
Sony Music Publishing Lands Iconic Song Catalog In Major Blackstone Deal
May 13, 2026 via Benzinga
Kobalt Inks Strategic Partnership with LAA Music, Founded by NFL Agent Zac Hiller and Music Exec Justin Goldman
May 12, 2026 via Music Business Worldwide
BLACKPINK’s Jennie Rakes in Billions After Establishing Her Own Agency
May 12, 2026 via Aju Daily
Dua Lipa Sues Samsung, Claiming they Used Her Image to Sell TVs Without Her Permission
May 10, 2026 via ABC 9
Film & TV
Netflix Deepens Its NFL Ties With Expanded Five-Game Package
May 13, 2026 via Front Office Sports
Steph Curry & Erick Peyton’s Unanimous Media Teams With Bryan Smiley’s Hard Carry Media For Next-Gen Sports Content Platform
May 13, 2026 via Deadline
‘Grown Ups 3’ Officially in the Works at Netflix With Adam Sandler
May 13, 2026 via Variety
Why this Hollywood Director Thinks AI Can Save L.A. Film Jobs
May 13, 2026 via AOL
AI Protections and a Merged Pension Plan: SAG-AFTRA Leaders Tout Gains for Members
May 12, 2026 via Los Angeles Times
Neon, Winner of 6 Straight Palmes d’Or, Comes into the Cannes Film Festival An Unlikely Heavyweight
May 11, 2026 via ABC
Miami Cops Sue Over Matt Damon, Ben Affleck ‘True Events’ Film, Claim it Falsely Paints Them as Corrupt
May 11, 2026 via Fox
Streamers Would Need to Offer NFL ‘Astronomical’ Rights Fee for League to Move Off Broadcast
May 10, 2026 via Awful Announcing
