Carmelo Anthony is Headed to the Basketball Hall of Fame on First Ballot
Carmelo Anthony has been notified of his official first-ballot selection into the Basketball Hall of Fame, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, the three-time Olympic gold medalist made 10 All-Star appearances while playing most of his NBA career with the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks. Additionally, the Syracuse legend is scheduled to return to his alma mater and deliver the commencement address on May 11.
For more on what makes Anthony a Hall of Famer both on and off the court, catch up on Boardroom’s February Cover Story star here.
Amazon Submits TikTok Bid as Ban Deadline Approaches
Amazon has submitted a last-minute bid to purchase TikTok, the New York Times reported Wednesday. With the app scheduled to go dark on Saturday unless an American buyer is found, the Times adds that those involved in the acquisition conversations do not appear to be taking Amazon’s bid seriously. Other offers, including one involving tech company Oracle and private equity firm Blackstone, are still being considered.
Travis Scott, Sheck Wes to Play Pop-Up Show at Men’s Final Four
Fans attending the NCAA Men’s Final Four in San Antonio this weekend can catch Travis Scott perform live, as he and Sheck Wes are scheduled to take over the 1902 Nightclub on Sunday night ahead of Monday’s championship game. Tickets start around $75 and the event begins at 9:00 p.m. local time. San Antonio will also host the March Madness Music Festival this weekend, which features artists like Doechii, Jelly Roll, and T-Pain.
Brad Pitt Returns for ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ Follow-Up on Netflix
Brad Pitt will reprise his Oscar-winning role in 2019’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood for a Netflix sequel that chronicles the adventures of stunt double Cliff Booth. Although Quentin Tarantino directed the feature also starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie, David Fincher will lead this production. Plot details haven’t been revealed, but Deadline teased that it will include Booth’s backstory, solving questions left unanswered in the original film.
Anthony Edwards, Mikaela Shiffrin Headline Adidas Docuseries
Adidas announced Wednesday a new four-part docuseries featuring some of its signature athletes told from the viewpoint of those closest to them. Starring Anthony Edwards, Aitana Bonmatí, Rebeca Andrade, and Mikaela Shiffrin, each episode promises “a rare, intimate portrait into the deep connections that exist beyond their fields of play.” The docuseries will premiere on April 11 on Adidas’ YouTube channel, first focusing on Edwards and his longtime best friend, Nick Maddox.
UFC, Meta Team Up in New Sponsorship Deal
TKO Group’s UFC confirmed Wednesday a multimillion-dollar partnership with Meta, with plans to rework its fan experience to include artificial intelligence capabilities. Meta will become the official fan technology partner of the league and will have its branding showcased in UFC’s Octagon ring for pay-per-view and Fight Night events as well as across social media.
Average MLB Salary Surpasses $5M for First Time Ever
A study from the Associated Press showed that for the first time on Opening Day last week, the average salary in Major League Baseball cracked the $5 million barrier. Thanks to the offseason blockbuster signing of Juan Soto, the New York Mets tops the league for the third straight opening day with a $322.6 million payroll, followed by reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers at $319.5 million.
Kiki Iriafen Signs Sneaker Deal with Skechers
Ahead of the WNBA Draft, Skechers has added USC forward Kiki Iriafen to its women’s basketball roster, joining LA Sparks star Rickea Jackson. In her lone season at USC, Iriafen earned unanimous All-American and All-Big Ten first-team honors. When she takes to the hardwood at the next level later this year, the LA native will be wearing the SKX NEXUSTM, one of Skecher’s low-top hoop sneakers designed for speed, stability, and support.
Tesla Records Worst Sales Quarter Since 2022
Tesla’s first-quarter earnings report revealed that vehicle sales declined 13% last quarter to 336,681, its worst performance since the second quarter of 2022. Furthermore, the car company reported the total production of EVs came in at 362,615, down from the 433,371 developed in Q1 of 2024. Despite that, Tesla stock reversed course later Wednesday, closing the day up 5.3%.
Andre Agassi Joins TNT’s French Open Broadcast Team
Tennis legend Andre Agassi will join TNT Sports‘ inaugural broadcast group covering the Roland-Garros for TNT Sports this year, the network announced Wednesday. The 1999 French Open champion will be a studio analyst for the semifinal and championship rounds of the clay court competition beginning at the end of May. Earlier this week, the eight-time Grand Slam winner also revealed the launch of Agassi Sports Entertainment, bringing more awareness to pickleball and padel through youth activities, scholarships, digital media, and more.
Image: Nina Westervelt / Variety via Getty Images
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