Tilman Fertitta Brings the WNBA Back to Houston in $300M Sun Deal
Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta and his Fertitta Entertainment have agreed to purchase the WNBAโs Connecticut Sun for a reported $300 million and relocate the team to Houston, pending league approval. The franchise will be rebranded as the Houston Comets and begin play at Toyota Center in 2027, marking the return of one of the leagueโs original dynasties. The move ends the WNBAโs run in Connecticut, where the Sun had sustained success, including multiple Finals appearances.
Ryan Goslingโs ‘Project Hail Mary’ Continues to Dominate Box Office
Project Hail Mary continues to surge at the box office, topping $300 million globally in just 10 days to become 2026โs biggest Hollywood release so far. The Ryan Gosling-led sci-fi hit has earned $164 million domestically, powered by a strong second weekend despite a 32% drop. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, itโs now Amazon MGM Studiosโ top post-merger release, surpassing Creed III.
BTS Records Biggest Group Debut in Over a Decade
BTS has scored its seventh No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with Arirang, marking a massive comeback after nearly four years. The album debuted with 641,000 equivalent units, including 532,000 in pure sales, the biggest week for a group in over a decade. Itโs also the largest debut of 2026, highlighting BTSโs global dominance as they return from hiatus to reclaim the top of the charts.
CNBC Sport & Boardroomโs Game Plan Summit Moves to NYC at Fanatics Fest
After several years in Los Angeles, the fourth annual Game Plan Summit, presented by CNBC Sport and Boardroom, is heading to New York City for the first time on July 16. The event will be held at Fanatics Fest inside the Javits Center, bringing together top athletes, executives, and investors shaping the future of sports and media. Speaker announcements are expected in the coming weeks.โ
Tom Brady, Serena Williams Join Investor Push for NFL Flag Football League
The NFL is partnering with TMRW Sports to launch a professional flag football league for women and men, capitalizing on the sport’s rapid global growth. Athlete investors include Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, Larry Fitzgerald, Serena Williams, Alex Morgan, Billie Jean King, and more, while institutional backers include Silver Lake, Sixth Street, and Arctos Partners, among others. TMRW Sports was reported last month as the leagueโs expected operator following a competitive selection process.
NFL Awards Super Bowl LXIII to Las Vegas
In other NFL news, the league announced it has awarded Super Bowl LXIII in 2029 to Las Vegas, marking the cityโs second time hosting the game at Allegiant Stadium. The decision follows a league vote on Monday at the NFL’s annual meeting, building on the success of Super Bowl LVIII in 2024, which drew more than 330,000 visitors and generated over $1 billion in economic impact.
Eli Lilly Doubles Down on AI with $2.75B Partnership
Eli Lilly has entered into a new AI-driven drug development partnership with Insilico Medicine valued at up to $2.75 billion. The deal includes $115 million upfront, milestone payments, and potential royalties, while giving Lilly exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize therapies discovered using Insilicoโs AI platforms. The collaboration builds on their existing relationship and expands Lillyโs push into AI-powered drug discovery.
Lisa Makes History With First K-Pop Vegas Residency
Lisa has announced her first Las Vegas residency, Viva La Lisa, set for November 2026 at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The shows on Nov. 13โ14 and Nov. 27โ28 mark the first time a K-pop artist has headlined a Vegas residency. The announcement comes on the heels of her solo album, Alter Ego, and her recent global tour with Blackpink.
Travis Kelce Lands Major Fashion Deal With Tommy Hilfiger
Tommy Hilfiger has named Travis Kelce as global brand ambassador and creative collaborator in a multi-season partnership beginning this fall. The deal will feature campaigns, co-designed menswear and accessories, and events spanning fashion, art, music, entertainment, and sport. Kelce, a three-time Super Bowl champion, will help refresh the brandโs โPrep Made Currentโ aesthetic, extending into a Spring 2027 design collaboration and campaign rollout.
Apple Shifts AI Strategy to App Store Model
Apple is reshaping its AI strategy around an App Store-style platform, shifting focus away from competing directly with ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Anthropic. The company plans to embed limited AI into iOS while opening Siri to third-party chatbots via upcoming iOS 27 extensions and a dedicated AI App Store tied to the App Store ecosystem. Apple is also discontinuing the Mac Pro in favor of the Mac Studio.
James Harden Honors Nipsey Hussle’s Legacy with Adidas x Marathon Collab
Adidas has unveiled a special Harden Vol. 10 โMarathonโ colorway in collaboration with The Marathon Clothing, honoring the legacy of Nipsey Hussle. The design features royal blue tones, Crenshaw detailing, and โThe Marathon Continuesโ branding. James Harden will debut the sneaker on March 31 when the Cavaliers travel to take on the Lakers in Los Angeles. The shoe launches April 12, 2026, priced at $160.
Kid Cudi Launches New Interview Series, Kylie Jenner Joins Debut Episode
Kid Cudi is launching a new digital interview series, Big Bro With Kid Cudi, with Kylie Jenner set to appear in the premiere episode. Debuting April 1 through Wave Sports & Entertainment, the weekly series features Cudi in his โBig Bro Scottโ persona, interviewing artists and cultural figures in candid conversations. New episodes will roll out every Wednesday across YouTube and major podcast platforms.
Sabrina Ionescu Returns to Asia With Nike for Multi-City Basketball Tour
Sabrina Ionescu is teaming up with Nike for her second Asia tour following a successful inaugural run last year. The April 6โ9 trip includes stops in Changsha and Beijing, where sheโll connect with young athletes and promote the Nike Sabrina 2. The tour builds on the 2025 tour, with activations across the Philippines and China, featuring youth clinics, retail takeovers, and appearances aimed at growing Ionescu’s global basketball footprint.
Sydney Sweeneyโs ‘Housemaid’ Sequel Gets 2027 Release Date
Lionsgate has set a Dec. 17, 2027, release for The Housemaidโs Secret, the sequel to the 2025 hit The Housemaid, which grossed nearly $400M worldwide. Sydney Sweeney reprises her role alongside returning cast members and new addition Kirsten Dunst. The film, directed by Paul Feig, continues the adaptation of Freida McFaddenโs best-selling thriller series. Production is set to begin later this year.
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