March Madness Betting Expected to Hit $3.3B

Americans are expected to legally wager $3.3 billion on the 2026 NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, according to the American Gaming Association, a 54% increase over the past three years. Additionally, data show that 43% of digital sports betting ads seen by U.S. consumers in early 2026 came from prediction market operators, while traditional sportsbook ad spending and overall advertising volume continue to decline.

Bradley Cooper is reportedly in talks to direct, write, and star in Warner Bros.’ upcoming Ocean’s 11 prequel. The film, which will feature Margot Robbie in a starring and producing role, would mark Cooper’s fourth feature as a director following A Star Is Born, Maestro, and Is This Thing On? Set in 1960s Europe, the prequel explores events leading up to the 2001 heist film starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt.

The New York Yankees remain Major League Baseball’s most valuable franchise, valued at $9 billion, up 13% from last year, according to CNBC. They are followed by the Los Angeles Dodgers ($8 billion), Chicago Cubs ($5.25 billion), Boston Red Sox ($5 billion), and San Francisco Giants ($3.8 billion). Across the league, the average MLB team is now worth $2.95 billion, a 13% year-over-year increase.

Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman adds to an already busy 2026 as Tiffany & Co.‘s new global ambassador. The campaign will see her wearing iconic archival pieces from the jewelry house at Sunday’s Oscars. Portman has two highly anticipated films lined up this year: Lena Dunham’s romantic comedy Good Sex and the thriller-comedy The Gallerist, starring alongside Jenna Ortega and Charli XCX.

Former LSU gymnast and social media star Livvy Dunne is making her professional acting debut in Fox’s upcoming Baywatch reboot. Dunne, who will play Grace, an enthusiastic junior lifeguard in a recurring role, will join a cast featuring Stephen Amell, Noah Beck, Shay Mitchell, Brooks Nader, and David Chokachi returning as Cody Madison. The show is set to premiere in the 2026–2027 TV season.

Disney has sold out all advertising inventory for Sunday’s 98th Oscars broadcast, part of its ongoing push in live event programming. Sponsors include Peacock, Microsoft, Starbucks, Rolex, and Burger King. Rates have grown by double digits from last year, with 24 new sponsors joining 18 returning. Disney notes this marks the sixth consecutive live event sellout.

Meta has reportedly delayed the release of its next major AI model, Avocado, after internal tests showed it lagging behind rival systems from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic. Initially targeted for launch this month, the model is now expected no earlier than May. The setback comes as CEO Mark Zuckerberg pours billions into AI development in an effort to keep Meta competitive in the rapidly escalating race.

Paramount Skydance has acquired Tyler Perry Studios’ stake in BET+, shutting down the streamer and moving its content to Paramount+ this June. About 1,000 hours of programming, including All the Queen’s Men, Zatima, The Ms. Pat Show, and Diarra From Detroit, will join Paramount+. Perry will continue producing shows for BET through a content deal. The move aligns with Paramount CEO David Ellison’s strategy to grow Paramount+ ahead of the Warner Bros. Discovery merger.

Peacock has renewed Love Island USA for Season 8, set to premiere June 2, following the show’s most-watched season yet. Season 7 generated more than 18 billion minutes viewed and ranked as the No. 1 streaming original in the U.S. during its finale week, according to Nielsen. The franchise also continues to expand with docuseries spinoff Love Island: Beyond the Villa, which returns for Season 2 on April 15.

Amazon is planning to move its annual Prime Day sale up to June from its traditional July window, according to Bloomberg. The shift would bring the massive shopping event — first launched in 2015 to attract Amazon Prime subscribers — into the second quarter, potentially boosting mid-year sales. The timing change will also impact thousands of third-party sellers that rely on the promotion.

Keith Lee, the viral TikTok food reviewer with more than 17 million followers, is launching a weekly video podcast with Vox Media set to debut in spring 2026. The show will spotlight Lee, his wife Ronni, and their family as they travel for restaurant reviews, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how the family runs its growing content and food-tour business. TikTok’s Creator of the Year announced the project during an appearance at SXSW.

The Big 12 has abandoned its LED-lit glass basketball court midway through the men’s tournament, switching to a traditional hardwood floor ahead of the semifinals after widespread complaints about the surface being slippery. Several athletes and coaches said the surface felt slippery, with Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson suffering a groin injury after slipping.

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