Things at the PGA Tour have been tumultuous over the last few years. However, a major funding round brought some big names who are committed to growing the brand. Per The New York Times’ DealBook, Drake and LeBron James were part of a group that recently financed as much as $3 billion into the PGA Tour. Additional backers include actor Chris Pratt, investor and entrepreneur Steve Stoute, James’ business partner Maverick Carter, and his agent, Rich Paul. In addition to financial capital, Drake and James will be considered “strategic investors” and will use their marketing influence to help the tour expand its audience. Previous reports of the funding round revealed that it also attracted the likes of Fenway Sports Group, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, the Mets‘ Steve Cohen, and many more sports execs.

After a federal judge blocked the deal earlier this year, JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines announced Monday they ended their proposed $3.8 billion merger. According to The New York Times, JetBlue will pay a $69 million termination fee to Spirit. Following the announcement, shares of Spirit dropped about 11% in late-morning trading, while shares of JetBlue Airways rose slightly (4.5% at the time of writing). The earlier ruling argued that that the merger would hurt consumers who depend on Spirit’s lower fees, thus putting the whole deal at risk.

While it won’t be made official until the new league year starts next week, the Denver Broncos have decided to release Russell Wilson, the team informed the quarterback on Monday. The Broncos, who signed Wilson to a five-year, $242.6 million deal after trading five draft picks for him two seasons ago, will be forced to pay a record $85 million in dead money. “As we move forward, we are focused on building the strongest team possible for the 2024 season and beyond,” Head Coach Sean Payton and GM George Paton said. Wilson, who will now be a free agent when released, threw for 6,594 yards, 42 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions in his two seasons in Denver.

The return of EA Sports College Football 25 is nearly upon us. The game, which is scheduled for release this summer, will be eligible to feature the likeness of more than 10,000 college football players, according to ESPN. The numbers stream in after the video game maker offered college athletes $600 and a copy of the game for use. In order to be verified for inclusion, athletes must currently have a place on the roster and have an active email address for their university. EA Sports is expecting additional athletes to sign up as next year’s freshman class completes its official enrollment at universities across the nation.

The History Channel has extended its partnership with the SpringHill Company by ordering three new documentary features, Variety exclusively revealed Monday. The first title project will chronicle when Black track and field athlete Jesse Owens made history by winning four gold medals at the 1936 Summer Games in Berlin, while the second revolves around Jim Thorpe, the baseball, football, and basketball player who made history as the first Native American Olympic gold medalist. Details on the third feature have not been revealed. The SpringHill Company was founded in 2020 by LeBron James and Maverick Carter and past productions include a 2023 doc on racism in hockey and of course, Space Jam: A New Legacy starring James that came out in 2021.

Online sports betting is almost legal in North Carolina. As the state prepares to open its books on March 11, FanDuel announced that is teaming up with the Carolina Panthers as its official mobile sports betting partner. As part of the arrangement, FanDuel TV‘s Up & Adams with Kay Adams will tape its March 6 program live from Bank of America Stadium and feature members of the franchise, including former standout linebacker Luke Kuechly. North Carolina residents are also eligible for $100 in Bonus Bets.