USWNT, NWSL Legend Alex Morgan Announces Retirement
Legendary soccer player Alex Morgan announced her retirement in a video posted to social media on Thursday. In the video, Morgan also shared that she is pregnant with her second child and confirmed her final professional match will be this Sunday when the San Diego Wave take on the North Carolina Courage at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. Some of her club and country accolades include two World Cup titles and Olympic gold and bronze medals with the USWNT, an NWSL Championship with the Portland Thorns, and a UEFA Champions League win with Lyon, to name a few.
Cowboys, Rams Top CNBC’s Inaugural NFL Team Valuations List
Ahead of the first game of the NFL season between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens Thursday evening, CNBC shared its first-ever official list of NFL team valuations. Topping the 32 franchises are the Dallas Cowboys, with a valuation of $11 billion, followed by the Los Angeles Rams at $8 billion. In third are the New England Patriots ($7.9 billion), while the New York Giants ($7.85 billion) and the Las Vegas Raiders ($7.8 billion) round out the top five.
A$AP Rocky & J. Cole Collaborate on New Song
A$AP Rocky and J. Cole are set to release a joint track called “Ruby Rosary” at midnight on Friday. This is the duo’s first official collaboration outside of a 2013 remix to Justin Timberlake‘s “TKO” that also features Pusha T. Per Hypebeast, The Alchemist is listed with producer credits on the upcoming single. The drop comes on the heels of A$AP Rocky having to delay the release of his new album, Don’t Be Dumb, to the fall.
Billie Jean King to Narrate Own ’30 for 30′ Documentary
ESPN has officially ordered a 30 for 30 documentary chronicling the rise of tennis great Billie Jean King, the media network announced Thursday. The upcoming project is described as “the unfiltered, untold story of how King broke the rules and proved her critics wrong.” King will narrate the film that centers around 1973, the year that brings her life and career into focus. Ridley Scott Associates and Story Syndicate will produce the film in association with Elton John’s Rocket Sports.
Magic Johnson Adds Washington Spirit to Portfolio by Joining Investor Group
Magic Johnson is the newest member of the Washington Spirit investor group, the club confirmed Thursday. In an appearance on CBS Mornings alongside the Spirit’s majority owner Michele Kang, Johnson said that he and Kang are aligned on Washington’s future and share the same vision of winning NWSL championships. A five-time NBA champion with the Lakers, Johnson is also part owner of the Los Angeles Sparks and Los Angeles FC, as well as a founding member of the Guggenheim Baseball Management, the managing firm of the Los Angeles Dodgers. His portfolio also includes an ownership stake in the Washington Commanders.
Verizon Boosts Network After Acquiring Frontier in $20B Deal
Verizon has purchased Frontier Communications in an all-cash transaction valued at $20 billion, the mobile phone company confirmed Thursday. In addition to strengthening its fiber network, the company said that the acquisition will also bolster its involvement in artificial intelligence, smart devices, and other advances in the digital space. Frontier boasts 2.2 million fiber subscribers across 25 states, which will merge with Verizon’s roughly 7.4 million Fios connections in nine states and Washington, DC.
NFL, Roc Nation Reveal 2024 Songs of the Season
The NFL, in partnership with Roc Nation, unveiled its 2024 Songs of the Season playlist on Thursday. Leading the tracklist is Flau’jae‘s viral hit “Came Out A Beast,” featuring Lil Wayne. Available to stream now on all platforms, you can expect to hear these tunes across league channels, broadcast partners, and stadiums throughout the new campaign. The Songs of the Season project continues to support the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative, which the league started in 2019 to advance social justice initiatives.
Shoehei Ohtani Increases Massive Endorsement Earnings with Beats by Dre Deal
Shohei Ohtani is the latest superstar to be added to Beats by Dre‘s impressive roster of athlete ambassadors. Like others a part of the Beats team, the Los Angeles Dodgers star will appear in company marketing campaigns wearing the latest Beats products. In a statement, Ohtani said he is “truly honored” to work alongside other revered Beats athletes like LeBron James and Lionel Messi. Prior to this new deal, Ohtani had already been reportedly raking in $65 million in endorsement earnings. For reference, Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper is second in MLB at $7 million.
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