NJ/NY Gotham FC Adds Carolyn Tisch Blodgett to Ownership Group
Ahead of its appearance in the NWSL Championship against OL Reign on Saturday, NJ/NY Gotham FC announced Wednesday a new face to its ownership group. Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, the CEO of Next 3 Ventures and a strategic advisor to the Tisch Ownership Group of the New York Giants, purchased a stake in the club. Tisch Blodgett joins retired Giants legend Eli Manning, Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s 35V, former USWNT/Gotham star Carli Lloyd, retired WNBA star Sue Bird, and more as investors. Adding to a celebration-filled week, the NWSL also announced Tuesday that Gotham head coach Juan Carlos Amoros was named the 2023 NWSL Coach of the Year.
NBA Announces Virginia Union vs. Winston-Salem State for 2024 HBCU Classic
The teams for next year’s NBA HBCU Classic have been officially announced. On Saturday, Feb. 17, the third installment of the event will feature the Virginia Union University Panthers (VUU) and the Winston-Salem State University Rams (WSSU) men’s basketball programs facing off from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., during NBA All-Star Weekend. The HBCU Classic will air on TNT, ESPN2, and NBA TV. Tickets are on sale now.
Next 'Grand Theft Auto' Installment Confirmed, Trailing Coming in December
Rockstar Games has officially revealed that the next chapter of the Grand Theft Auto franchise will debut a trailer next month. “We look forward to many more years of sharing these experiences with all of you,” the company said on its website. Rockstar Games, which will also celebrate its 25th anniversary in December, confirmed in February 2022 that it was working on the latest installment of the popular video game. Grand Theft Auto V launched a decade ago in 2013, and it became the world’s fastest-selling video game, earning $800 million in its first 24 hours.
USWNT World Cup Docuseries Coming to Netflix on Dec. 12
The four-part docuseries chronicling the USWNT’s FIFA Women’s World Cup journey officially has a release date. Netflix shared that “Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team” will debut on Netflix on Dec. 12. A portion of the logline reads: “Viewers will get a first-hand look at the pressure, the euphoria, the joy, and the hardships that these world-class athletes experience as they strive to capture their third World Cup title in a row. Issues ranging from injury, criticism and doubt, equal pay, and upholding legacies are all brought to light as the narrative unfolds.” Expected to be featured in the show are USWNT co-captains Alex Morgan and Lindsey Horan, rising star Alyssa Thomas, veteran forward Lynn Williams, and more.
Sony to Create 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' Live Orchestra
In celebration of the successful Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse animated feature, Sony Pictures disclosed plans to conduct a live orchestra at the Academy Museum to play the original score from the 2023 release. In addition to the orchestra, attendees can expect an exciting arrangement of electronics and turntables. Metro Boomin, executive producer of the movie’s soundtrack, will also make an appearance. A summer blockbuster, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse made $381 million domestically, making it 2023’s third-highest-grossing film.
2024 Met Gala Theme Announced, Hosts Still TBD
We now know the theme for the 2024 Met Gala. On Wednesday, Vogue shared that the A-list affair held annually on the first Monday in May will be titled “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.” The event will feature about 250 items pulled from the Costume Institute permanent collection, including pieces like an 1877 Charles Frederick Worth silk satin ball gown that boasts over 400 years of history and a 17th-century English Elizabethan-era bodice. The Met Gala dress code and hosts have yet to be announced.