Kendrick Lamar Shocks Fans with Surprise Drop of ‘GNX’
I hope your weekend plans include listening to new music because Kendrick Lamar dropped a surprise album, GNX, earlier on Friday, releasing it on streaming platforms and announcing the news on Instagram. The project serves as the follow-up to 2022’s Mr. Morale and the High Steppers and arrives with enough time to learn the lyrics ahead of K Dot’s headlining performance at the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show next February. The project boasts contributions from Jack Antonoff, SZA, Kamasi Washington, and more.
Jason Kelce Adds Late Night Host to Resume with New ESPN Show
There’s a new king of late night, and his name is Jason Kelce. During a Thursday night appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the retired Philadelphia Eagles legend revealed that he’s set to host a new show on ESPN. They Call it Late Night with Jason Kelce premieres on Jan. 3 and will tape in front of a live audience on five straight Friday nights, which syncs with the last week of the NFL’s regular season and the playoffs. Audiences can expect Kelce to chat with guests from the football and entertainment world, following a traditional late-night format with plenty of humor intertwined.
‘Wicked’ Outpaces ‘Gladiator II’ in Previews Ahead of Weekend Box Office Debuts
One of the year’s highly anticipated films, Wicked, is already off to a roaring start. According to Deadline, the big screen iteration of the Broadway classic has already earned $19.2 million in previews, which includes showings on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week after 2 p.m. Forecasts for its debut weekend fall around the $120 million mark. Comparatively, Gladiator II picked up $6.5 million from Thursday previews and is expected to finish with $60-$80 million made for its domestic weekend total.
Trae Young Ditches Adidas for Jordan Brand in New Sneaker Deal
Trae Young is officially a Jordan Brand athlete, confirming the news to Boardroom on Friday morning. Calling it a “full circle” moment, the Atlanta Hawks star is on a multi-year deal that will see him help headline the Air Jordan 39, the decades-old brand’s flagship annual game sneaker. “This brand embodies basketball, style, a desire to win, and the desire to be great,” said Young, who boasted a signature line under his previous deal with Adidas. “I’m super excited to join the family and get to work.” Chinese-based Anta emerged as another front-runner to sign the former Oklahoma Sooner, but Jordan Brand’s focus on more US-based activations helped ultimately seal the deal for Young.
DirecTV Backs Out of Dish Merger
It looks like DirecTV’s yearslong efforts to acquire EchoStar’s satellite television enterprises, which include Dish TV, are off. DirecTV notified its longtime rival late Thursday night of its decision to cancel the deal. DirecTV was in talks to obtain Dish TV and Sling TV from owner EchoStar in a debt exchange deal that included a payment of $1 and the responsibility of about $9.8 billion in debt. “We have terminated the transaction because the proposed exchange terms were necessary to protect DirecTV’s balance sheet and our operational flexibility,” DirecTV CEO Bill Morrow explained.
Caitlin Clark Gets in on NWSL Expansion, Joins Cincinnati Bid Group
As Cincinnati prepares its case to become the next city to have an NWSL expansion club, one athlete is doing her part to make that a reality. According to ESPN, Caitlin Clark has joined the ownership group as it prepares a Queen City bid for decision-makers. “Her passion for the sport, commitment to elevating women’s sports in and around the Greater Cincinnati region, and influence as an athlete and role model for women and girls around the world make her a vital part of our compelling bid to become the 16th team in the NWSL,” said the NWSL Cincinnati bid team in a statement. The team would be the only NWSL team in Ohio, with the closest club being in Louisville, Kentucky. The NWSL is expected to announce the city of its 16th franchise by the end of the year.
Rams, Mitchell & Ness Honor Kenny Washington with ‘1946 Legacy Collection’
The Los Angeles Rams and Mitchell & Ness have teamed up to launch the 1946 Legacy Collection, a six-piece capsule that celebrates the impact of Rams legend Kenny Washington, who made history as the first Black player to be signed by an NFL team in the modern era. A play on the vintage aesthetic, products include a Kenny Washington jersey, satin varsity jacket, graphic tee, cardigan, hoodie, and cord rope cap. Pieces are available online at both the NFL and Rams websites as well as Mitchell & Ness. They will also be on sale during a pop-up at SoFi Stadium on Nov. 22-24.
Charli XCX is Taking ‘Brat’ on the Road in 2025
The “brat” experience is not ending in 2024, as Charli XCX confirmed via Instagram another round of shows to support her chart-topping Brat album she dropped over the summer. Her first solo US arena tour, the short journey begins April 22 in Austin, making stops in Minneapolis and Rosemont before rocking out for two nights at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on April 30 and May 1. Presale tickets go on sale on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 10 a.m. local time, while general tickets will be available later that day at 2 p.m.
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