Sports & Entertainment Beat

A Quarter Century Later

Joshua A. Bloomgarden — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 18:36:17 +0000

Welcome back to the Spotlight! Today marks twenty-five years since the September 11th terrorist attacks on US soil that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people. Somehow, a quarter century feels both long ago and just the other day. Despite the divisions and challenges we face as a country, today we show we still endure and renew our commitment to never forget. Just as was the case in 2001, the sports world will aim to lift spirits and pay tribute to all those who were lost and to all those who had lost, in a way that only sports can.

Most notably, the New York Yankees and New York Mets will take the field at Yankee Stadium this evening—both teams having created goosebumps and lasting images of resiliency in the wake of tragedy in the weeks that followed the attacks. For the Mets, it was catcher Mike Piazza’s dramatic home run in the Mets’ first game after the attacks. For the Yankees, it was President George W. Bush’s ceremonial first pitch of Game 3 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium—thrown right down the middle of the plate for a strike. Tonight, we will see at least one more entry to the lore as two ceremonial pitches will thrown by a husband and wife, each who lost a parent on 9/11 and met each other at Camp Better Days, which was established for children who had lost a parent on that tragic day. If that doesn’t give you chills, then I don’t know what will.

Recently retired NBA All-Star and future Hall of Famer Chris Paul launches a media production company called “Ohh Dip!!! Entertainment” with the help of Words + Pictures studio. What’s surprising is not that another prominent athlete is leaning into media and entertainment, but rather that Paul is usually the one who doles out the assists.
A scantily-clad Sydney Sweeney appears in a new commercial for Sports prediction markets platform Novig. If enough of your predictions don’t come to fruition, you too may lose the shirt off your back!
Kendall Jenner links up with Trip, becoming an equity owner and brand ambassador for the functional beverage company. What’s unclear is how her 818 Tequila brand will mix with Trip—whether in a glass or her portfolio.

Endorsement Deals, Sponsorships & Investments

New Funding Doubles TGL Parent Company Valuation to $1B
September 10, 2026 via Yahoo! News

In a Major Increase, CSC Clears More Than $227M Worth of NIL Deals in July and August
September 10, 2026 via Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan

Kalshi’s Latest Celeb Play Sends Marshawn Lynch Into Full Beast Mode
September 10, 2026 via AdWeek

Sophie Cunningham Has Reportedly Dropped Podcast Co-Host West Wilson
September 10, 2026 via Yahoo! News

Denzel Ward Purchases a Stake in the Cleveland Guardians
September 9, 2026 via NBC Sports

‘The Bear’ Star Ayo Edebiri Joins New Balance as Brand Ambassador
September 9, 2026 via WWD

Paramount+ Lands Naming Rights to T-Mobile Arena in Vegas
September 9, 2026 via Smartbrief

Genius Sports, NBA All-Star Chris Paul and Words + Pictures Launch New Athlete-Led Sports Media Company
September 8, 2026 via Genius Sports

Kendall Jenner Invests in Trip
September 8, 2026 via Yahoo! News

Brooks Running Signs Non-Running Ambassadors
September 8, 2026 via SGB Media

The $100 Billion Race to Build the World’s Next Sports Mecca
September 8, 2026 via Hollywood Reporter

Sports

The Women’s Professional Baseball League Is Betting That Women’s Baseball Has A Future In The US
September 10, 2026 via South Florida Reporter

Tennessee Linebacker Arion Carter Was Suspended Over a $427 flight—Now He’s Donating That Amount to Charity for Every Tackle He Makes This Season
September 9, 2026 via Fortune

The Athlete Is the Studio
September 9, 2026 via Hollywood Reporter

Volleyball Makes Historic Debut at Wrigley Field During Big Ten/SEC Challenge Finale
September 7, 2026 via ABC7 – Chicago

Robert Griffin III, Richard Sherman Trade Barbs Over Accusations of Pre-NIL Payments
September 6, 2026 via Awful Announcing

Why College Athletes Should ‘Live Like College Students’ Despite Six-Figure NIL Deals
September 5, 2026 via Fox Business

Baseball Has Eased America Out of Its Slumps
September 5, 2026 via Chicago Sun Times

Music Biz

Is AI Music Going Legit? Suno Launches New Models Built on a Major Label Catalog
September 9, 2026 via Rolling Stone

T-Pain Sues Akon’s Record Label, Claiming Unpaid Royalties
September 8, 2026 via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Someone AI-Generated a Completely Fake Eminem Song and It’s Going Viral on YouTube
September 8, 2026 via Futurism

Film & TV

NBA Champion Jalen Brunson to Host ‘Saturday Night Live’
September 9, 2026 via ESPN

Angel Acquires Michael Keaton-Morgan Freeman Western ‘Rode To Ruin’, Launches Sales Arm Ahead Of TIFF Market
September 4, 2026 via Deadline

Lofty Aspiration(s), Loftier Penalties

Joshua A. Bloomgarden — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 18:48:17 +0000

Welcome back to the Spotlight! In the sports and entertainment industry, as in life, an aspiration is a prerequisite to a successful career. An aspiration is what drives them to dedicate themselves to their craft on their journey forward to reach their goals. For many, the aspiration is not only to reach the top of their field and create their own legacy, but also to land lucrative endorsement deals along the way. Team owners have their own aspirations of their team winning a championship. Unfortunately, in some cases, well-intentioned aspirations sometimes push people to act unethically and try to bend the rules along the way.

Such was the case in the recent saga of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers and their All-Star Forward Kawhi Leonard. Indeed, a recent investigation (spurred by reporting of sports journalist Pablo Torre) found that in an effort to skirt the NBA’s salary cap rules so as to sign Leonard – a top talent in the league – while still having enough cap space to sign an impressive supporting cast, the Clippers’ front office arranged for Leonard to sign sham, multimillion dollar endorsement deals with a number of companies including a company called…”Aspiration.” The NBA’s harsh punishment for the Aspiration scheme must have been met with exasperation, as owner Steve Ballmer was fined $30 million and he and several other members of the Clippers organization were suspended and the Clippers forfeited five future first round draft picks. For his part, Leonard was only fined $700,000 – a drop in the pan compared to the overall value of his deal—both above the table and below. Suffice it to say, the NBA made an example out of the actors involved, as their aspirations landed them in hot water.

“Wonder Woman” actor Gal Gadot’s better-for-you boxed macaroni & cheese brand, Goodles gets acquired by Barilla Foods, as she cashes out for an undisclosed, forcing us to wonder how much that woman made.
Buffalo Bills Quarterback Josh Allen teams up with Skydance Sports to launch his media venture, “Out of Pocket Studios.” To clear up any confusion for Bills fans following Allen’s off-the-field activities, the term “breakage” refers to money set aside to cover anticipated budget overages—not what happens to plastic tables at a tailgate.
Recently retired NBA point guard Russell Westbrook trades the backboard for the boardroom, as he joins upstart Men’s and Women’s basketball league, Project B as a founder, director and Chief Strategy Officer.

Endorsement Deals, Sponsorships & Investments

Pansports Strikes Landmark John Legend x Bang & Olufsen Partnership
September 2, 2026 via Music Week

Russell Westbrook Joins Board of Basketball League Project B
September 2, 2026 via ESPN

MrBeast Partners With Gemini to Turn Impossibly Big Ideas Into Reality
September 2, 2026 via Google Blog

Shaquille O’Neal, Authentic Brands & TNT Sports’ DUNKMAN to Expand in 2027, Introducing Team Competitions, Junior Division & Global Regional Qualifiers Series
September 2, 2026 via PR Newswire

Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce’s Dog in Tommy Hilfiger Ad After Florida Sighting
September 1, 2026 via Yahoo! News

Nike Exploring Formula 1 Comeback After 24-Year Absence
September 1, 2026 via SGB Media

Arte Moreno Era Officially Over as Angels Sell to Rams Owner Stan Kroenke for $4B
September 1, 2026 via Fox News

Deloitte Teams With Billie Jean King to Help Grow the Next Generation of Leaders Through Women’s Sports
September 1, 2026 via PR Newswire

Angels Deal Marks a $30 Billion Summer for U.S. Team Sales
September 1, 2026 via Sportico

Meta’s $18 Billion Settlement Sends Warning to Sports Betting Apps
September 1, 2026 via Sportico

Druski Stars in New PrizePicks Commercial Series for the Upcoming Football Season
August 31, 2026 via PR Newswire

Reebok Names Hilary Duff Latest Ambassador
August 31, 2026 via Women’s Wear Daily

Oppenheimer Welcomes Joel Berry II and Expands North Carolina Private Client Team Focused on Advising Athletes
August 31, 2026 via PR Newswire

Casino Logos Are Coming to College Football Jerseys This Season
August 31, 2026 via Casino.Org

Who Is Behind Monarch Collective? The 10,000-Fan Bet That Changed Women’s Soccer Investment
August 31, 2026 via The Athletic

World’s Best Tennis Players Glam Up for US Open, Wearing Gems Worth Up to $150K
August 29, 2026 via New York Post

US Open Sponsors Pivot From Endorsement Deals To Immersive Experiences
August 29, 2026 via Forbes

Jeanie Buss Mounts Case Against Siblings to Remain Lakers Owner
August 28, 2026 via Sportico

Sports

The Fix Is Not In: Can Sports Gambling’s Trust Crisis Be Solved?
September 3, 2026 via Hollywood Reporter

NBA Levies Astonishing Penalty Against Clippers Over Cap Circumvention Involving Steve Ballmer, Kawhi Leonard
September 2, 2026 via Fox News

LOVB Owner Defends WNBA’s Caitlin Clark Handling, Sees Women’s Sports as Investment Opportunity
September 1, 2026 via Fox News

Making Sense of NCAA Eligibility Legal Chaos
August 29, 2026 via Sportico

Music Biz

Jason Isbell Claims Suno Used Artists’ Identities to Train AI ‘Without Consent’ in New Lawsuit
September 1, 2026 via Rolling Stone

Tupac’s Murder Finally Has a Guilty Verdict. But the Mystery Isn’t Over
September 1, 2026 via Hollywood Reporter

Soundplate Acquires AI Music-Mastering Company Stemmer
September 1, 2026 via Musically

Who’s Afraid of A.I. Music?
August 31, 2026 via Gazer Daily

Barclays Analysis: Major Record Labels Narrow Streaming Growth Gap With Spotify
August 29, 2026 via Yahoo Finance

Atlanta Producer Jermaine Dupri Drops Royalty Lawsuit Against Sony
August 29, 2026 via Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sony and Warner Music Sue Anthropic, Alleging Theft of Intellectual Property
August 29, 2026 via Gizmodo

Film & TV

Peacock Acquires ‘The Office’ Documentary Series ‘Fan Level Midnight’
September 2, 2026 via Deadline

Federal Film and TV Tax Incentive Bill Gets a Name as Momentum Builds
September 1, 2026 via Hollywood Reporter

Movie Stars, Timely Documentaries and Awards Hopefuls Convene at the Venice Film Festival
August 31, 2026 via ABC News

Howard Stern Cuts SiriusXM Show to Once a Week, Inks HBO Max Deal for Streaming
August 31, 2026 via Hollywood Reporter

Back to School… for Pro Athletes?

Joshua A. Bloomgarden — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 18:43:08 +0000

Welcome back to the Spotlight! It’s back to school season around these here parts. Since my childhood, the phrase “back to school” has evoked school supply shopping (anyone out there remember trapper keepers as fondly as I do?) and a fresh start for the year ahead after a gratifying summer.

Then, a watershed moment occurred that offered an unorthodox understanding of the meaning of “back to school.” The year was 1995. An aging Brian Madison sat atop a sprawling hotel empire with one heir apparent: his rough-around-the-edges son, Billy. The only problem was that Billy was not quite ready for the big time, so he went back to school—to, amongst other things, prove to his dad that he wasn’t a fool.

For those growing up in this generation, who may inexplicably miss out on the comedic gold that is “Billy Madison,” the unorthodox “back to school” may be something entirely different. Indeed, ever since the NCAA changed its eligibility rules in June to allow college athletes to play five seasons in a five-year span, a group of seniors who had left campus to pursue professional sports careers have been seeking opportunities to go back to school. And with college sports now putting these players in the position of making money comparable to, or beyond, what they might make early in their professional careers, why wouldn’t they seek to go back? However, not everyone has been happy with this development, so as you might expect, sports lawyers have been volleying arguments through the courts as to whether these professionals should be able to go back to school, and the NCAA’s constituent conferences have been issuing bans that may or may not violate antitrust laws. One way or another, class–school is very much back in session.

Authentic Brands Group adds Drake’s lifestyle brand OVO to its already impressive intellectual property portfolio that includes brands of Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Hart and David Beckham, promising to help scale OVO’s business globally. A fittingly wise transaction for OVO (whose logo is a distinctive owl) – ain’t that a hoot?
Golf brand Good Good loses a sponsorship with Callaway and the title sponsor rights to a PGA Tour event on the heels of a controversial advertisement that depicted a man pushing over a woman reaching for a co-branded Good Good and Callaway driver. Clearly, Good Good is in serious need of a great great public relations firm that can offer the brand a mulligan.
Minnesota Lynx and Timberwolves owner Marc Lore sells his controlling stake in the WNBA and NBA franchises at a $4.5 billion valuation less than 14 months after buying the franchise at a $1.5 billion valuation, adds to the growing lore of flipping sports ownership assets for a premium return.

Endorsement Deals, Sponsorships & Investments

Alex Morgan and TOGETHXR Partner with Bet on Her App to Centralize Women’s Sports Fandom
August 27, 2026 via TOGETHXR

Martha Stewart Teams Up With Waymo in Ojai, Slams Old-School Taxis as a “Horrible Experience”
August 27, 2026 via Hollywood Reporter

Authentic Partners With Drake to Scale OVO Globally
August 27, 2026 via PR Newswire

Dove Brings “Hot Seats” to Charli xcx’s Music, Fashion, Film Tour, Giving Fans Access to One of the Hottest Music Moments of 2026
August 26, 2026 via PR Newswire

Aryna Sabalenka Holds Court at Gucci’s Fifth Avenue Flagship
August 25, 2026 via Yahoo! News

Lebron James Borrowed $300 Million From Insurers Arranged By Guggenheim
August 25, 2026 via Financial Advisor

Under Armour Names Gunna Global Ambassador and P-Star Creative Director
August 25, 2026 via Fashion Network

The AI-Related Reason Every Billionaire Suddenly Wants to Own a Sports Team
August 24, 2026 via CNN

Mild Pitch: Dodgers, Red Sox Quietly Roll Out Kalshi Deals
August 24, 2026 via Sportico

Loop Neighborhood Markets Announces New NIL, Digital Marketing Partnership
August 24, 2026 via Convenience Store Decisions

College Sports’ Talent Race is Turning Each Athletic Department Into a $40 Million Business Empire
August 21, 2026 via Fortune Magazine

Marc Lore to Sell Timberwolves, Lynx at $4.5 Billion Valuation
August 21, 2026 via Sportico

Society Management Partners with Canopy Talent to Give the World’s Leading Fashion, Beauty and Luxury Brands Access to the Next Generation of Collegiate Athletes
August 21, 2026 via PRWeb

Mondelēz International Named Official Snacking Partner of the Kansas City Chiefs
August 18, 2026 via Yahoo! News

Sports

Power Conferences Banning Former Pros Could Spark Lawsuits
August 25, 2026 via Sportico

College Football Morphing Into the NFL Has Big Legal Implications
August 25, 2026 via Sportico

Oregon State University Objects to Women’s Basketball Team’s Petition to Unionize
August 25, 2026 via OPB Headline News

London Follows Dublin as College Football Host City. Are More European Locations in Game Plan?
August 25, 2026 via SFGate

Music Biz

Katseye Drops Out of Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields Festival: ‘It Breaks Our Hearts’
August 27, 2026 via Variety

Dolly Parton Died After a ‘Brief Battle’ With Cancer, According to Her Reps
August 25, 2026 via Variety

Dr Dre Says Only People Who Struggle to Create Are Scared of AI
August 25, 2026 via The Next Web

Apple Music Will Label AI Songs, and the Tags Behind Them Are Now Mandatory
August 21, 2026 via The Next Web

Film & TV

Chris Hansen Considers Legal Action Over ‘Primetime’ Depiction: “It Feels Very Exploitive”
August 28, 2026 via Deadline

‘The View’ Host Sunny Hostin Licenses Her Likeness to AI Studio: ‘A New Art Form’
August 27, 2026 via Variety

Golf Channel Cancels ‘Big Break x Good Good’ After PGA Tour Parts Ways With YouTube Stars
August 27, 2026 via Hollywood Reporter

‘The Sandlot’ Cast Reunites for ‘Dugout Dads’ Comedy Series, Chris Paul Signs on to Executive Produce
August 26, 2026 via Variety

Offseason Edition of HBO, NFL Films Series ‘Hard Knocks’ Set to Return in 2027
August 26, 2026 via NFL

Ad-Supported Streaming Keeps Growing While Broadcast Falls
August 25, 2026 via AdWeek

Reality Shows, Rare Records and Athlete Partnerships

Joshua A. Bloomgarden — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 19:07:53 +0000

Welcome back to the Spotlight! Information travels so quickly today that writing the weekly Spotlight means that there is a lot of material to cover, and inevitably by the time of Friday publication, something related to that week’s edition that pops up and makes me think it would have been perfect to include. Case in point: right after writing about private equity’s growing portfolio of professional sports teams, citing the Los Angeles Lakers’ and New York Yankees’ respective multibillion dollar transactions, news came across the wire that another consortium headlined by Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos was buying a substantial stake in another storied franchise–English Premier League’s Liverpool Football Club. If you hadn’t heard about that transaction yet, now you have. If you had already heard about that transaction, then let’s just chalk this up to pointing out an accelerating trend (if not a healthy dose of self-awareness used as a writing device to lead me to my next point…)

Now, I could try to increase the frequency of the Spotlight, but frankly I just don’t have the time at this point, and it certainly won’t help keep the (literal) lights on. Still, I can take solace in the fact that news outpaces the likes of news organizations themselves. This week, it was reported that, as part of last week’s Los Angeles Lakers sale, the Buss family—who had been owners of the Lakers since Jerry Buss bought the team in 1979—had agreed to sell its remaining ownership of the team to the new ownership group led by Josh Kushner and Bob Iger. A nice and clean break. Only problem was that only five of the six Buss children (Jim, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jesse) had approved, and there was one unreported “J” holding out and insisting on continued control of the team: Jeanie. How the family drama plays out is likely going to be for the lawyers to sort through, but it makes for an interesting dichotomy between the old guard (franchises that are run like a family business) and the new guard (franchises that are treated as institutional assets)—fingers crossed no developments occur before publication…

The Kim Kardashian-produced youth baseball reality series entitled “Team Moms” gets a release date. While certainly no stranger to family drama, Kardashian’s connection to baseball is less apparent until you realize that she knows a thing or two about “Ks.”
Netflix buys the global rights to “The Disciple: A Wu-Tang Fable,” a documentary film surrounding the making of hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan’s notorious record “Once Upon A Time in Shaolin” of which only one copy was produced and auctioned off for $2 million. No bidding will be required to watch the documentary—just your family’s/friend’s Netflix password.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is partnering with Publicis Sports and 3 Arts Sports to launch “Tekta”—an NIL matchmaker of sorts to forge lucrative opportunities between brands and college athletes. Of course, college athletes may find a more lucrative path having a matchmaker pair them with billionaire pop stars.

Endorsement Deals, Sponsorships & Investments

NFL’s Falcons to Sell 10% to Arctos at Over $10 Billion Valuation
August 20, 2026 via Sportico

Woody Johnson Buys Stake in Aston Martin F1 Team
August 20, 2026 via Sportico

NCAA Agrees to Deal to Promote Championship Events and Could Lead to NIL Money for Athletes
August 20, 2026 via Lancaster Online

Next MLS Commissioner Larry Berg Has 2 Years to Divest LAFC Stake
August 20, 2026 via Sportico

Creator Talent Agency Ponte Firm Expands Teams On Both Coasts
August 20, 2026 via Deadline

A Left Tackle Can Make $4M in College Football, Not the NFL. Is This Pay for Play?
August 19, 2026 via Lancaster Online

OG Anunoby Took His Game 4 Winner to Times Square
August 19, 2026 via Yahoo! News

Inside Tennessee’s NIL ‘Carwash’ Day, a Multimedia Smorgasbord to Help Athletes Cash In
August 19, 2026 via WTOP News

Travis Kelce Partners With Publicis Sports to Launch NIL Activation
August 18, 2026 via Yahoo! News

Lakers Sale Complicated by Jeanie Buss Spat With Siblings
August 18, 2026 via Sportico

Kushner’s Lakers Deal Isn’t a Hedge. It’s Another Bet on AI
August 17, 2026 via Sportico

MLB Owners Approve Padres Record $3.9B Sale to Feliciano, Jones
August 17, 2026 via Sportico

NBA, Clippers Clash Over Progress in Kawhi Leonard Salary-Cap Circumvention Investigation
August 17, 2026 via Yahoo! News

Bezos, Bhatia, Saverin Buy Liverpool Stake at $7B+ Valuation
August 14, 2026 via Sportico

Sports

You Are Paying for Your Favorite College Athlete Now: ‘The Next Stage of the Arms Race’
August 20, 2026 via Fortune

With New Lawsuit, 5th Year Eligibility Battle Reaches NCAA D-II, D-III
August 20, 2026 via Front Office Sports

A Tiny Fix Can Ensure the College Sports Bill Won’t Damage Women’s Sports
August 18, 2026 via The Hill

Music Biz

Round Hill is Suing Suno and Anthropic for Up to $1B Apiece. It Isn’t Looking to Settle.
August 18, 2026 via Music Business Worldwide

Megan Thee Stallion Inks Deal With UMG’s Interscope – And Keeps Ownership of Her Masters
August 17, 2026 via Music Business Worldwide

Ellie Goulding Sues Former Managers Over Ties to Live Nation
August 17, 2026 via Hollywood Reporter

Film & TV

Netflix Sued Over ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ by Christian Metal Band
August 21, 2026 via CNN

‘It Finally Feels Like We’re Back in 2019’: Movie Theater Owners Rejoice Over $4 Billion Summer. Can the Fall Keep the Momentum?
August 19, 2026 via Variety

Dane Cook’s Brother Stole $12 Million From Comedian, Hid Bricks of Cash in Pasta Sauce
August 19, 2026 via Variety

Netflix Buys Wu-Tang Clan Doc ‘The Disciple’ Directed by Joanna Natasegara
August 19, 2026 via Variety

‘Good American Family’ Renewed at Hulu, With Season 2 Tackling Lorena Bobbitt
August 19, 2026 via Hollywood Reporter

Kim Kardashian-Produced ‘Team Moms: Baseball’ Gets Cast Reveal & Premiere Date On Paramount+
August 18, 2026 via Deadline

MLB Field of Dreams Game Viewership Craters on Netflix
August 18, 2026 via Awful Announcing

NBA Ad Sales Soar to $2.1 Billion in First Season of New Rights Deals
August 17, 2026 via Sportico

Kevin Macdonald On Capturing Pep Guardiola For Prime Video’s ‘A Beautiful Obsession’: “Like Having Robert De Niro Play A Football Coach”
August 17, 2026 via Deadline

Cineverse Acquires Genre-Bending Thriller ‘Eugene The Marine’ Starring Scott Glenn
August 17, 2026 via Deadline

Disney, F1 Extend Licensing Pact Through 2028, Add ‘Cars’ Franchise to Mix
August 14, 2026 via Sports Business Journal

Jersey Numbers, Golden Retrievers and Athlete Brand Deals

Joshua A. Bloomgarden — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 19:31:34 +0000

Welcome back to the Spotlight! Particularly with many major U.S. and global professional sports leagues’ relatively recent decisions to allow private equity firms to acquire team ownership, it seems to be a weekly occurrence that there is news of a team changing hands. Such is life in the age of sports being treated as an asset class, with team valuations rising beyond what individual buyers can afford, team owners wanting to unlock liquidity and secure guaranteed cash flows and investors wanting to avail themselves of high growth opportunities. This week alone, two of the most storied franchises in professional sports were the subject of huge transactions. First, the New York Yankees’ holding company Yankee Global Enterprises and Apollo Sports Capital entered into an agreement that will see $2.6 billion injected into the Yankees’ organization — more than enough money to sign between 3 and 4 Shohei Ohtanis—without the Steinbrenner family ceding control of the Yankees, in return for a board seat and access to future opportunities. Then, a mere fourteen months after having bought the Los Angeles Lakers for $10 billion, Mark Walter (who is reportedly under Federal investigation for financial improprieties in securing loans as part of his other business ventures and could conceivably use additional cash to pay down said loans) flipped the team to an ownership group comprised of former Disney CEO Bob Iger, venture capitalist Josh Kushner and his investment fund Thrive Eternal for $12.5 billion. A 25% return ain’t too shabby – and it is likely to only fuel stratospheric valuations and private equity’s appetite for sports.

Washington Commanders Quarterback Jayden Daniels sends a nastygram to his alma mater Louisiana State University purporting to revoke the school’s rights to use his name, image and likeness in reaction to the decision to pass his jersey number (#5) on to another player, rather than retiring it. Given swift public reaction against Daniels and the application of First Amendment doctrine allowing the continued use of his name, image and likeness in the context of LSU history, LSU may have his number.
Washington Commanders Quarterback Jayden Daniels sends a nastygram to his alma mater Louisiana State University purporting to revoke the school’s rights to use his name, image and likeness in reaction to the decision to pass his jersey number (#5) on to another player, rather than retiring it. Given swift public reaction against Daniels and the application of First Amendment doctrine allowing the continued use of his name, image and likeness in the context of LSU history, LSU may have his number.
Tennis stars Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz join wearable biometric tracking company OURA as brand ambassadors, marking the first time that the company’s been excited about their technology being on the fritz.

Endorsement Deals, Sponsorships & Investments

How Egypt Dean Turned Childhood Royalties into a Seven-Figure Sports Drink Investment
August 14, 2026 via Boardroom

Tom Brady’s CardVault Gets Judge, Jay-Z, Dana White Investments
August 13, 2026 via Sportico

Kirk Herbstreit’s Dog Landed an NIL deal. Now Kirk Just Holds the Leash
August 13, 2026 via The Athletic

Where Mbappe Will Go if He Breaks Up With Nike
August 13, 2026 via City AM

Lakers Sold: Joshua Kushner Adds $12B+ NBA Team to Portfolio
August 12, 2026 via Sportico

Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz Join ŌURA as Brand Ambassadors Ahead of the 2026 US Open
August 12, 2026 via Business Wire

Roger Federer Loses Billionaire Status as Fortune Wiped Out in Day of Carnage
August 12, 2026 via New York Post

New York Yankees, Apollo Agree on $2.6B Capital Injection, Investment
August 11, 2026 via Sportico

Lifefit Launches and Appoints Neymar Jr. as Global Brand Ambassador
August 11, 2026 via PR Newswire

President Obama’s New Podcast Is Focused on the Books That Shaped Him
August 10, 2026 via Hollywood Reporter

Fenway Sports Group Expands Sports Portfolio with Acquisition of WTGL Team
August 10, 2026 via LPGA

Champion Inks Major Partnership With BTS Star V for Global ‘True Champion’ Campaign
August 10, 2026 via Digital Music News

Pablo Torre: ‘Very Real Chance’ Steve Ballmer Comes Out ‘Relatively Unscathed’ From Kawhi Leonard Scandal
August 8, 2026 via Awful Announcing

CFTC Eyes Prediction-Market Conflicts of Interest: Key Points
August 7, 2026 via Sportico

Sound Familiar? Kawhi Leonard Tied to a Secret Sponsorship Deal With Intuit Dome Scoreboard Maker
August 7, 2026 via Yahoo! News

Family Matters: How Shaq & Jamie Salter Built a Business Dynasty
July 26, 2026 via Boardroom

Sports

Jayden Daniels’ Camp Picked a Fight With LSU and May Have Overplayed His Hand in Baton Rouge
August 13, 2026 via CBS Sports

Walter Sold the Lakers Amid Federal Probes. Are the Dodgers Next?
August 12, 2026 via Sportico

LeBron James’ 76ers Debut Set for Blockbuster Knicks Showdown at MSG
August 12, 2026 via Fox News

WNBA Trans Athlete Policy Gap Raises Legal Questions
August 12, 2026 via Sportico

No ‘Mo Romo? Not So Fast, Says CBS Sports
August 11, 2026 via Sportico

Lawmakers Target MLB’s Sportsbook Deals After Bryce Harper Video Used by FanDuel to Thank Gambling Addict
August 11, 2026 via Los Angeles Times

College Sports Bill Doesn’t Get Vote, But Does Get Spot on the Senate’s September Calendar
August 9, 2026 via The Intelligencer

Music Biz

After Universal and Merlin deals, Spotify Inks Agreement With Kobalt for AI-powered ‘Fan-Made’ Covers and Remixes
August 13, 2026 via Music Business Worldwide

Travis Kelce Breaks Silence on ‘Crazy’ Madison Square Garden Wedding to Taylor Swift
August 13, 2026 via The Independent

Anthropic Seeks Partial Dismissal in Music Publishers’ $3B Lyrics Suit – as CEO Moves to Drop the Direct-Infringement Claim Against Him
August 6, 2026 via Music Business Worldwide

Film & TV

‘Ted Lasso’ Season 4 Opens With 296.6 Million Minutes Watched in Two Days, Apple TV’s Biggest Launch Ever
August 13, 2026 via Variety

Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Jimmy Kimmel & Alex Honnold Join David Letterman’s ‘My Next Guest Needs No Introduction’
August 13, 2026 via Deadline

‘Only Murders In The Building’ Expands Its Collection Of ‘Doctor Who’ Stars, Adds Peter Capaldi To Season 6 Cast
August 13, 2026 via Deadline

David Ellison Threatens to Pull Paramount Out of California Starting Oct. 1 if States Refuse to Negotiate Settlement in Antitrust Suit
August 11, 2026 via Variety

Disney Doubles Down on Video Podcasts, Inks Streaming Deal With iHeartMedia
August 10, 2026 via Hollywood Reporter

Jason Bateman Attached to New York Yankees Scripted Drama Series at Netflix
August 9, 2026 via Awful Announcing

Michael J. Fox Lands Emmy Nom for ‘Shrinking’ After Ending His Five-Year Acting Retirement
July 8, 2026 via Variety

Scotch Deals, Sports Stakes and a Breezy Endorsement

Joshua A. Bloomgarden — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:20:21 +0000

Welcome back to the Spotlight! If you’re looking skyward this Wednesday, you may be treated to a rare trifecta of astronomical phenomena. First, there will there be a solar eclipse, as the moon traverses across the sky to obscure the Sun. There will also be a meteor shower (also known as “shooting stars”) streaking across the night sky. And if that is not enough, in the early morning hours, six planets (Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune) will be aligned and visible to the naked eye in what astronomers call a “planetary parade.” In case you happen to miss out on these events (maybe you couldn’t get your hands on solar eclipse glasses, you live under clouded skies or your more worldly concerns distract you from what’s going on in the cosmos), do not despair. After all, these celestial events mirror what’s been going on in sports and entertainment this Summer.

We’ve seen box office records eclipsed by the likes of the film, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” With strong showings of fellow blockbusters “Toy Story 5” and “The Odyssey,” perhaps rumors of movie theaters’ demise have been overstated. We got our fill of shooting stars, as global soccer (football) sensations Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland were among the most prominent contributors to a total goals scored record at the FIFA Men’s World Cup. And last but not least, we witnessed a jubilant parade to celebrate the New York Knicks’ NBA championship—something that for many’s lifetimes, seemed light years away. But back to the matter at hand, if you want to keep reading something that’s out of this world, look no further than the below (no special viewing glasses required):

English actor (and rumored contender to be the next “James Bond”) Callum Turner strikes a deal with Diageo to be brand ambassador for Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky. In other words, Turner and Walker want to make you a drinker.
Former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, recently back in the sports ownership game, headlining a group of investors in the MLB’s Las Vegas A’s, may also have his sights set on a minority stake in the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. No “Shark Tank” necessary for those deals.
NFL Hall of Fame Inductee Drew Brees is now brand ambassador for Breeze Airways. As hard as it is to believe, I had no involvement in forging that partnership.

Endorsement Deals, Sponsorships & Investments

Under Armour Hits Play on K-Pop Partnership
August 5, 2026 via Retail Dive

Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos Are Teaming to Save Endangered Species With $200M Initiative
August 4, 2026 via Hollywood Reporter

Falcons, RB Robinson Reach 3-Year Deal Worth up to $75M
August 4, 2026 via ESPN

Inside Derek Jeter’s Bet on America’s College Towns: ‘That Passion Isn’t Something You Can Manufacture’
August 4, 2026 via Boardroom

The Influencer Bubble is Finally Popping
August 4, 2026 via Fast Co Design

Man United Announce Record-Breaking Sponsorship Deal with Betting Firm
August 4, 2026 via The Independent

Shohei Ohtani Appointed Global Brand Ambassador for LANDCROS
August 4, 2026 via EIN Presswire

Tyla Joins Kate Spade NY as Global Brand Ambassador
August 3, 2026 via BizCommunity

Why Investors Are Rushing to Bring Athletes Into Sports Ownership Groups
August 3, 2026 via Front Office Sports

Breeze Airways™ Names NFL Legend Drew Brees as Brand Ambassador
August 3, 2026 via GlobeNewswire

The Celebrity Tequilas Making Their Mark in 2026
August 3, 2026 via Haute Living

Liverpool Targets U.S. in Push for 40 Brick-and-Mortar Stores Worldwide
August 3, 2026 via Sportico

Twitch Phenom Cinna Declares for Bang Energy During Record-Breaking Subathon Attempt
August 1, 2026 via PR Newswire

Callum Turner Joins Johnnie Walker Blue Label
July 31, 2026 via The Spirits Business

Mark Cuban’s Las Vegas A’s Investment is His ‘Sports 2.0’ Dallas Mavericks Playbook All Over Again — With One Key Change
July 31, 2026 via Fortune Magazine

Sports

Supreme Court Must Go to Bat for Baseball Great Roberto Clemente — and Defend Our Property Rights
August 6, 2026 via New York Post

The Rise Of The Super Bowl: How Michael Jackson, Elvis Presto & The Apple Mac Changed The Face Of The Halftime Show Forever
August 5, 2026 via Deadline

What Critics of College Athletes Making Money Get Wrong About Name, Image and Likeness Policies
August 5, 2026 via LancasterOnline

Kansas City Chiefs Drop GEHA Field from Stadium, Return to Simply Arrowhead Stadium
August 5, 2026 via ABC

World Cup Hero Ferran Torres of Spain Throws First Pitch at Yankee Stadium
August 5, 2026 via LancasterOnline

A New Football Title Chase Lies Ahead as Women’s Flag Football Closes in on NCAA Championship Status
August 4, 2026 via ABC

Why This Week Is So Important for the Future of College Sports
August 3, 2026 via Sports Illustrated

A League of Their Own: Colleges Launch Flag Football for Women
August 3, 2026 via Inside Higher Ed

Music Biz

Audrey Nuna Signs to Republic Records
August 4, 2026 via Variety

Trebel Music Acquires Superfan Platform Sesh
August 4, 2026 via MusicAlly

Film & TV

ESPN Posts Second-Largest WNBA Regular-Season Audience on Record
August 5, 2026 via Awful Announcing

‘Gilmore Girls’ Documentary Filming for HBO Max
August 5, 2026 via Hollywood Reporter

Celebrity ‘Voice’ Season Set for 2027 on NBC
August 4, 2026 via Hollywood Reporter

Incoming MLS Commissioner Larry Berg Discusses Upcoming Media Rights Negotiations, Hydration Breaks
August 4, 2026 via Awful Announcing

Media Rights Won’t be Enough to Bring MLB Owners to Negotiating Table During Lockout
August 4, 2026 via Awful Announcing

Dua Lipa and Callum Turner Make ‘One Night Only’ Premiere a Designer Date Night
August 4, 2026 via Women’s Wear Daily

J.J. Watt to Fill in for Suspended Tony Romo in CBS Sports’ NFL Booth
July 31, 2026 via Sportico

Streaming Lawsuits, Sponsorship Deals and Sports Docuseries

Joshua A. Bloomgarden — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 18:45:19 +0000

Welcome back to the Spotlight! Hard to believe that it’s already August tomorrow. Time sure does fly when you’re having fun. Then again, it’s even harder to believe that LeBron James is already 41 years old, still playing professional basketball and capable of holding the NBA hostage as he deliberated which team he would be playing for this upcoming season. And it’s that much more hard to believe that James, one of the greatest players in NBA history, is taking a $53 million per year pay cut to sign a paltry 2 year $8 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers (which incidentally may also end up being the age that James finally retires). But don’t go starting a GoFundMe campaign for Bron just yet. He is still worth over $1 billion, just set a record for jersey sales for a new signing, has a wide-ranging endorsement and investment portfolio and his own brands and media companies. If you do still wish to shed a tear for LeBron over the discounted move to the City of Brotherly Love, then do so over the fact that he’s now in the same division as the defending NBA Champion New York Knicks, who are already being written off. How’d that go last time?

Netflix gets hit with a $105 million lawsuit from the producer of a World War II film starring Nicolas Cage, alleging that the streamer failed to secure an unencrypted hard drive containing the film, leading to its eventual theft. Apparently no one thought to hide it behind the Declaration of Independence.
JP Morgan Chase is now the official jersey patch logo sponsor for the Ohio State Buckeyes’ athletic program — except for when the Buckeyes play Michigan, in which case JP _organ Chase will the be sponsor.
NBA Hall of Fame big man Shaquille O’Neal is slated to executive produce a sports-themed true crime docuseries entitled “Game Day Murders,” adding to his expanding media portfolio. Once nicknamed the “Big Aristotle,” Shaq may now be the “Big Arrest Total.”

Endorsement Deals, Sponsorships & Investments

Mark Cuban-Patrick Dumont Dust-Up Typifies Three Decades of Mavs Owner Rifts
July 30, 2026 via Lancaster Online

Kate Spade New York Announces Tyla as Global Brand Ambassador
July 30, 2026 via PR Newswire

Jimmie Johnson Adds Bryce Harper, Andy Roddick as Legacy Investors
July 30, 2026 via ESPN

Jameson® Announces Multiyear Partnership as the Official Spirits Sponsor of the National Football League
July 30, 2026 via PR Newswire

Elsa Hosk Becomes the Face of Popular Haircare Brand Lunesi
July 30, 2026 via PR Newswire

Influence Media Partners to Acquire Anthem Entertainment Catalogs for Over USD $600M
July 29, 2026 via Music Business Worldwide

Female Athletes Surge in NIL Deals as Learfield Reports a 123% Jump in Participation
July 28, 2026 via ABC News

Blackpink’s Rosé Helps Puma Launch Its New Ballet-inspired Speedcat Sneakers
July 28, 2026 via Footwear News

FIFA’s $4.2B Stake Sale Doubles Down on 2 Major Criticisms
July 28, 2026 via Sportico

An Artist Is Suing an AI Meme Generator for Selling His Viral Comic as Ad Templates
July 28, 2026 via Tech Spot

Want to Buy the Runnin’ Rebels? Josh Pastner Looks to ‘Sell’ Program for $10M.
July 27, 2026 via Las Vegas Review Journal

Alexander Ludwig to Become Global Brand Ambassador for Perry Ellis
July 27, 2026 via Yahoo! News

Wasserman Near Deal to Sell Agency to Providence for $3.4B
July 24, 2026 via Sportico

Sports

Women’s Sports Gain Popularity But Face Media, Ad Challenges
July 30, 2026 via SmartBrief

LeBron James Breaks the All-Time Jersey Sales Record After Signing With the Philadelphia 76ers
July 30, 2026 via Hypebeast

College Sports Commission Approves Reworked NIL Deals Worth Total of $7.5M for 18 Nebraska Players
July 30, 2026 via Yahoo! News

Europe to Boycott World Cup in FIFA Protest
July 30, 2026 via Hollywood Reporter

Larry O’Brien Trophy Unveiled at Museum of Natural History
July 28, 2026 via AM NY

College NIL Bill Includes $25 Million ‘Retention Pool’ But Is That Enough to Sway Big Ten, SEC?
July 28, 2026 via AP News

Meet the Washington State Grad Who Helped Launch the NBA’s ’31st Franchise,’ Las Vegas Summer League
July 25, 2026 via The Spokesman Review

Music Biz

Suno Loses Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Brought by GEMA in Germany
July 31, 2026 via Music Business Worldwide

Grammys CEO “Saddened” Over BTS Decision to Not Submit for Awards
July 30, 2026 via Hollywood Reporter

Nas to Receive BMI Icon Award at the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards
July 29, 2026 via Music Business Worldwide

Film & TV

Ben Affleck, ‘Jeopardy!’ Champ Win $1 Million for Charity on ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’
July 30, 2026 via Hollywood Reporter

Netflix Sued For $105 Million After Hard Drive of Unreleased Nicolas Cage Movie Was Stolen From Its Office
July 30, 2026 via Hollywood Reporter

Former Golden Globes Owners Sue Penske Media Alleging Fraud in Acquisition of Show
July 29, 2026 via ABC News

Pop More Champagne, Knicks Fans: Gotham Sports App Is Being Shuttered
July 29, 2026 via Yahoo! News

Shaquille O’Neal Shares True Crime Doc That Made Him Want To Intervene
July 28, 2026 via Yahoo! News

LeBron’s Reverse ‘Fresh Prince’ Move Makes Philly the Toast of TV
July 27, 2026 via Sportico

Robin Schwartz Joins Liz Garbus & Dan Cogan’s Story Syndicate As Head Of Scripted; Company Re-Ups Tomorrow Studios Deal
July 27, 2026 via Deadline

Jon Stewart & Pete Davidson Reunite For 9/11 Charity Benefit At Madison Square Garden
July 27, 2026 via Deadline

MLS Eyes $400 Million TV Deal Amid Crowded Soccer Landscape
July 26, 2026 via Awful Announcing

Paramount Delays Closing Warner Buyout While Judge Considers States’ Challenge
July 26, 2026 via 7News Online WSVN-TV

Royalty Battles, Jersey Deals and Big-Screen Buzz

Joshua A. Bloomgarden — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 18:18:52 +0000

Welcome back to the Spotlight! And just like that, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has come to a close, leaving lasting impacts on those at home and abroad. For supporters from foreign lands, the World Cup was an opportunity to see the better angels of the United States, with many coming away a new appreciation for its people and culture—not the least of which being a newfound obsession with Hidden Valley Ranch. For the victorious team from Spain, they also returned home with a trophy and the national glory of winning the World Cup. So much so that some players were even gifted their weight in tomatoes from their hometown that is well-known for their tomato output. Although those tomatoes would pair nicely with the ranch dressing, I would presume the players wish they had instead come from a mining town.

Meanwhile, many Americans came away from the tournament with a newfound obsession for Norway Striker Erling Haaland along with a deeper appreciation for soccer. But just because the World Cup is over does not mean that Americans need to wait four years until the next tournament. For one thing, the FIFA Women’s World Cup takes place next year in Brazil, and the US Women’s National Team is considerably more competitive and decorated than their male counterparts having won four World Cups in their history (which is, according to my calculations, four more than the men). Until then, the National Women’s Soccer League is rightly garnering attention – just last week, approximately 42,000 fans gathered at New York’s Citi Field to watch Gotham F.C. take on the Washington Spirit—a record attendance for a women’s sporting event in New York City. Gotham F.C. also won the match 1-0, which is on most nights, more than the current occupants of Citi Field can say for themselves. So why not grab a bottle of ranch, pick a favorite team or player and ride the women’s soccer wave?

Cher is unable to recover $1 million in attorneys fees in her royalty row with Sonny Bono’s widow, Mary Bono. Too bad her attorneys weren’t working pro bono.
The Baltimore Ravens announced that a jersey patch sponsorship with Perdue Chicken, creating confusion about whether or not they want their critics to eat crow.
Glen Powell has been tapped to play New York Yankees legend Lou Gehrig in any upcoming Richard Linklater film.
When awarded the role Powell, undoubtedly stated he “considers himself the luckiest man on the face of the Earth.”
Snoop Dogg’s Biopic is due to be released next year – much to the delight of movie theater concessionaires.

Endorsement Deals, Sponsorships & Investments

Mark Cuban, Rashaun Williams Firm Buys Stake in Vegas A’s
July 23, 2026 via Front Office Sports

The Next Big Asset Class May Be Wearing a Jersey
July 23, 2026 via Economic Times

Jeff Bezos Reportedly Might Join Bid for Liverpool Stake
July 22, 2026 via Front Office Sports

Adidas Introduces Originals Sports Womenswear Collection
July 22, 2026 via Women’s Wear Daily

Who is Leading Portland’s Moda Center Negotiations with the Blazers?
July 22, 2026 via OPB

Messi-Driven Inter Miami Sponsor Boom Expands After World Cup
July 22, 2026 via Sportico

Progressive Lands Both Jersey Patch Spots for Cleveland’s New WNBA Team
July 21, 2026 via ABC News

Perdue Named Official Chicken of Baltimore Ravens
July 20, 2026 via WMDT

Publicity Stunts Are Hurting the Tom Brady Brand
July 20, 2026 via Yahoo! News

Did this World Cup Have too Much of Sir David Beckham?
July 18, 2026 via City AM

Texas Tech Signs Naming Rights Deal with Digital Assets Company Galaxy
July 17, 2026 via LancasterOnline

Sports

NWSL’s Gotham FC to Call New York’s Etihad Park Home
July 23, 2026 via Coliseum News

WNBA All-Star Game Ticket Prices Exceed $200, Sellout Expected
July 23, 2026 via Front Office Sports

The Men’s World Cup Awakened New American Soccer Fans. It’s Time for NWSL to Invite Them In
July 21, 2026 via Yahoo! News

Stephen Curry First Active Player to Have Own Exhibit in HOF
July 21, 2026 via ESPN

Erling Haaland, Vozinha Gain Most Followers on Instagram During World Cup
July 21, 2026 via ESPN

How Kawhi Leonard Trade Could Become Very Awkward for Toronto
July 20, 2026 via blogTO

Senate College Sports Bill Faces Critical Two-Week Stretch
July 19, 2026 via 23 ABC

Knicks Stars Provide Back Up for WWE Favorites in Electric Saturday Night’s Main Event at MSG
July 19, 2026 via Fox News

Spain Win the World Cup After Ferran Torres Dethrones 10-Man Argentina in Extra Time
July 19, 2026 via The Guardian

FIFA’s World Cup Halftime Show Puts American-Style Spectacle on the World Stage
July 19, 2026 via Wired

All Across this World Cup, I Saw International Fans Fall in Love with America
July 18, 2026 via SFGate

Music Biz

Music Publishers File Amended Lyrics Lawsuit Against Anthropic – Just as AI Firm’s Separate $1.5B Settlement with Authors Wins Court Approval
July 23, 2026 via Music Business Worldwide

Instagram Now Lets Users Swap the Music on Published Posts and Carousels
July 23, 2026 via Music Business Worldwide

Cher Must Pay Own $1 Million Legal Tab Over Royalties Battle With Sonny Bono’s Widow
July 21, 2026 via Rolling Stone Magazine

Spotify Launches its First Global Music Video Chart
July 21, 2026 via Mashable!

Film & TV

Snoop Dogg Biopic ‘Snoop’ Dated for August 2027, the First Film from the Rapper’s Death Row Pictures
July 22, 2026 via Music Business Worldwide

Glen Powell And Richard Linklater Reunite For Lou Gehrig Film At Universal; Lorne Michaels To Produce
July 22, 2026 via Deadline

FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draws Record 63 mn U.S. Viewers, Boosting Broadcasters and Advertisers
July 22, 2026 via Telecom Lead News

TikTok is Testing an Opt-In ‘Likeness Detection’ Tool that Lets US Creators Find and Report AI Deepfakes of Themselves
July 21, 2026 via Music Business Worldwide

In ESPN Layoffs Tied To NFL Network Deal, On-Air Personalities Karl Ravech & Ryan Clark Depart
July 21, 2026 via Yahoo! News

Emerging Sports

NBA® 2K27 Cover Athletes Revealed: Victor Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark, and Derrick Rose
July 22, 2026 via 2K Newsroom

Ownership Changes, Comedy Milestones and AI Controversies

Joshua A. Bloomgarden — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 18:55:17 +0000

Welcome back to the Spotlight! Thanks to our neighbors in the North, this edition is coming to you with a firsthand account straight from the secondhand smoke-filled room that is New York. I’d like to think that the Canadians would be gracious enough to complement the campfire aroma with some s’mores, but with Ontario native Justin Bieber performing at the halftime show at this weekend’s World Cup final, I guess we can call it even. Fortunately, poor air quality has not detracted from the entertainment quality in the week past and this weekend to come.

Indeed, not even a plume of smoke could drown out the afterglow of Jay-Z’s three consecutive sell-out concerts at his Yankee Stadium residency last weekend, where eager and (for Sunday night’s show that started about 4 hours later than originally scheduled) saintly patient fans to three decades worth of songs from his singular hip-hop career, with special guest appearances by Beyoncé, Rihanna, Eminem, Pharrell Williams, Nas and Usher (to name a few). The residency itself was emblematic of the intersection between sports, entertainment and fashion, not just because the venue is home to the New York Yankees and among the concert attendees were some of the biggest names in the sports world, but also because the branded merch included customized versions of Yankees jerseys and jackets commemorating the residency. The man who made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can, also made Yankee merch more expensive than a Yankee can, with prices 2-3x above retail for comparable non-HOV merchandise.

Wednesday night, at Lincoln Center, New York played host to the biggest night in entertainment and sports, the ESPY Awards. There, the New York Knicks continued their torrid summer, going a perfect five for five in each award category the team or its players (most notably, Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby) had been nominated.

Then, the very next day, Fanatics Fest kicked off at the well-ventilated and air-conditioned Javits Center, where—as the name would suggest—fans gathered to meet their favorite athletes, peruse some of the biggest brands in the sports and entertainment business and step into immersive activations.

And of course, last but not least, on Sunday, the FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina will be played at New York/New Jersey Stadium. Quite a lot of bright spots amidst the gray skies and reddened Sun. But if that’s still not bright enough, the Spotlight is here to illuminate the way.

Billionaire tech founder and venture capitalist Vinod Khosla emerges as the winning bid for the Seattle Seahawks, bringing to the table a similar professional background as the team’s predecessor owner, Paul Allen. On a separate but related note, Khosla also makes for a refreshing summer side dish to bring to the table at your next cookout
Comedian John Mulaney makes history becoming the first comedian to perform at Chicago’s Wrigley Field – a welcome change for Cubs fans used to watching unintentional comedy for years at Wrigley Field.
AI music startup Suno is revealed to have scraped data from Genius, Deezer and YouTube to train its generative AI model. Although this was discovered by analyzing hacked code, the dead give-away about its using YouTube data should have been the facility with which it makes songs about cats.

Endorsement Deals, Sponsorships & Investments

Kickoff Game Announces ‘Multimillion Dollar’ NIL Deal With Auburn Before Opener Against Baylor
July 14, 2026 via WVTM 13

Iron Maiden Sells Music Catalog, Name, Image and Likeness Rights to Pophouse
July 14, 2026 via Variety

Christy Turlington Burns, Ruth Rogers and Ronny Turiaf Inspire Nonprofit Leaders at the American Express Leadership Academy
July 13, 2026 via American Express News

Red Light Therapy is the Latest Fad for a Glow-Up as Celebs Swear by LED Masks
July 12, 2026 via Economic Times

Influencer Lawsuits Spur Insurance Demand as Creators Become Global Publishers
July 12, 2026 via Risk & Insurance

Vinod Khosla to Buy Seattle Seahawks for $9.6 Billion
July 11, 2026 via Sportico

Fast Track Group Secures Strategic Capital to Support Next Phase of Entertainment and Media Growth
July 10, 2026 via GlobeNewswire

REIGN Total Body Fuel Signs QB Keelon Russell and RB Caden Durham to NIL Deals
July 10, 2026 via PR Newswire

Sports

Will Poor Air Quality Impact the World Cup Final?
July 17, 2026 via Front Office Sports

Fox Draws Largest MLB All-Star Game Audience Since 2018
July 17, 2026 via Sportico

England Crash Out World Cup To Lionel Messi’s Magnificence With 22 Million People Tuning In
July 16, 2026 via Deadline

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Says Clippers Probe Should Wrap Up Before the Regular Season Begins
July 15, 2026 via Yahoo! News

Stacks of Wax Packs, Now Obsolete, Summon the Joy of Baseball-Card Childhoods
July 15, 2026 via ABC News

Christian Pulisic’s $20M Endorsements at Serious Risk After USA Star’s ‘Dud’ World Cup
July 14, 2026 via Talk Sport

Official Knicks Garden Gnomes Are the Latest Merch Release Celebrating Team’s NBA Title
July 13, 2026 via Rolling Stone

Why Corporate Logos on Kentucky Wildcats Jerseys Shouldn’t Bother You
July 12, 2026 via Lancaster Online

Bryce Harper Video to FanDuel User With Gambling Addiction Under Review by Pennsylvania Officials
July 11, 2026 via Fox News

The Sports Overload is Here
July 10, 2026 via The Atlantic

Music Biz

Suno Scraped YouTube, Deezer to Train AI, Hacked Code Reveals – Potentially Strengthening UMG and Sony’s Legal Case
July 16, 2026 via Music Business Worldwide

Suno is ‘Building Toward IPO Readiness’
July 15, 2026 via Music Business Worldwide

Jay-Z’s Yankee Stadium Show Is a Family Affair
July 13, 2026 via Vulture

Taylor Swift Reportedly Paid $160,000 for NYPD Cops at Madison Square Garden Wedding Weekend
July 13, 2026 via Police 1

How Music Publishing Royalties Are Tracked
July 13, 2026 via Business Day

RIAA, Grammys, SAG-AFTRA and Other Groups Launch New Labeling Program for AI Music
July 10, 2026 via Variety

Film & TV

Chipmunks Return: Why Waiting a Decade for the Right Deal Paid Off
July 15, 2026 via Business Matters Magazine

John Mulaney Makes History in Chicago, Brings Out David Letterman, Fred Armisen and Richard Kind
July 13, 2026 via Hollywood Reporter

The Comic Book Store Will Never Be the Same: How the Latest ‘Big Bang’ Spinoff Was Born
July 13, 2026 via Yahoo! News

Stephen Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ Bows Out With 9 Emmy Nominations, Its Biggest Haul Ever
July 8, 2026 via Variety

Healthy Investments, Ownership Lawsuits and Emmy Honors

Joshua A. Bloomgarden — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 18:30:16 +0000

Welcome back to the Spotlight! The World Cup is entering its final two weeks of the tournament, and while it has continued to yield memorable on-field performances by some of the sport’s best athletes, the “beautiful game” that is soccer or football/futbol (maybe we just compromise and call it “shootykicks?”) has been marred by recent events that are anything but. First, leading up to this week’s match between the US and Belgium, in which the Americans put forth a performance that was, shall I say, less-than-beautiful (or brilliantly messy at a time when they needed the brilliance of Messi), President Trump raised the ire of the international community (shocking as that may be) by successfully lobbying FIFA head Gianni Infantino to allow US striker Folarin Balogun to play notwithstanding the questionable red card he received in the US’ prior match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Then, there was news – on the heels of Argentina’s controversial (but nonetheless impressive) 3-2 victory over Egypt after scoring 3 straight goals in the match’s final 15 minutes – that the Argentine Football Association was under FBI investigation for possible fraud and money laundering arising from its injecting about $300 million into Miami over the past 4 years. Whether or not related, it is worth noting that Miami is of course where Argentine star Lionel Messi has been playing club soccer for nearly 3 years.

It gets worse – following France’s victory over Paraguay, Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla chose to direct some of the more racist, vile insults that you will ever hear from anyone (let alone an elected official) against French striker Kylian Mbappé. And lastly, not to be outdone by Ms. Amarilla, both Egypt and Morocco’s supporters after their country’s losses to Argentina and France, respectively decided the best way to cope was to blame the Jews. How original! How quaint! Even through all of that, I am still hopeful that the game’s beauty outshines the background ugliness in these final two weeks. If all else fails – we have Madonna, Shakira, Coldplay, BTS, Burna Boy and Bieber in the World Cup Final’s halftime show.

New York Knicks guard and NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson invests in fast casual chain Just Salad. Lettuce hope that the partnership helps fuel another championship run.
Former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban takes current owner Patrick Dumont to court, alleging that Dumont has shut Cuban and his companies out of business opportunities surrounding the team’s potential arena relocation – not quite the court either of them envisioned.
“Law and Order: SVU” star Mariska Hargitay is slated to become the first woman in 15 years to host the Emmy Awards. The show is expected to be the quickest in history, as she’ll be Mirandizing every award recipient before their acceptance speeches.

Endorsement Deals, Sponsorships & Investments

NIL Clearinghouse Has Rejected $90M in Deals
July 8, 2026 via ESPN

Versant Buys Golf Simulator Brand Full Swing in Effort to Diversify Business
July 6, 2026 via Awful Announcing

Knicks Superstar Brunson Invests in Just Salad as Equity Partner
July 6, 2026 via New Jersey Biz Daily

Sports

Seahawks Ownership Bid Down to Two Groups, Ex-Player Involved in One Group
July 10, 2026 via Yahoo! News

NBA Expansion Heats Up in Vegas, Slows in Seattle
July 9, 2026 via Yahoo! News

LIV Golf Signals Looming Layoffs After PIF Funding Cuts
July 8, 2026 via Sportico

The Blind Spot in America’s World Cup Viewership
July 8, 2026 via Awful Announcing

Messi Isn’t Enough for MLS to Be Massive League That America Deserves After USMNT’s World Cup Summer
July 7, 2026 via Talk Sport Football

NCAA Eligibility Lawsuits Continue Even With New Rules
July 7, 2026 via Sportico

World Cup Nationalism Drives Media as U.S. Seeks ‘Soccer Nation’ Status
July 5, 2026 via Sportico

Music Biz

BTS Label Big Hit Music Rejects ‘SWIM’ Copyright Claim, Says Track Was Independently Created
July 10, 2026 via Music Business Worldwide

Bonnie Tyler, Legendary ‘80s Pop Singer, Dies at 75
July 9, 2026 via NBC News

Poet Files Appeal 48 Hours After Taylor Swift Copyright Suit Dismissed With Prejudice
July 9, 2026 via Music Business Worldwide

Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def Sues Sony Music for $18M Over Alleged Unpaid Royalties on Kris Kross, Xscape, Mariah Carey and Usher Records
July 8, 2026 via Music Business Worldwide

Your Voice Can Be Cloned in Minutes Using AI, and Taylor Swift Is Trying to Protect Hers — But What Rights Do the Rest of Us Have?
July 7, 2026 via Techradar

AI Music Start-Up Suno Hires Atlantic Records, YouTube Alums to Lead Marketing and Music Business Development
July 7, 2026 via Variety

Taylor Swift’s ‘Signature Revenge Songwriting’ May Have Been Tackled in Pre-Nup Clause Before Travis Kelce Wedding
July 4, 2026 via Perth Now