J. Cole Returns to Pro Hoops, Joins Chinese Basketball Association Team

J. Cole is returning to the hardwood, signing a professional contract with the Nanjing Monkey Kings of the Chinese Basketball Association, according to ESPN. The Grammy-winning artist previously played in the Basketball Africa League (2021) and Canada’s CEBL (2022). A former high school standout in North Carolina, Cole continues to balance music and hoops following the February release of his latest album, The Fall-Off, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

Nigel Sylvester has teamed up with Jeezy to unveil his latest Bike Air collection with Jordan Brand. The “Brick After Brick” campaign features a full apparel range and the upcoming Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4 collaboration. Jeezy fronts the visuals, tying the collection’s message of consistency and growth to his own legacy. The sneakers and apparel are expected to be released in May.

John Travolta will debut his first directed feature, Propeller One-Way Night Coach, at the Cannes Film Festival as part of the premiere lineup. The Apple Original film adapts Travolta’s 1997 children’s book, inspired by his love of aviation. Following its festival debut, the film is set for a global release on Apple TV on May 29.

LVMH has had its worst first-quarter performance on record — worse than during the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and the Dot-com bubble of 2001 — with shares plunging 28%, the steepest drop among major European luxury firms. The decline reflects weakening global demand for luxury goods and broader economic uncertainty tied to geopolitical tensions. LVMH is set to report first-quarter revenue later this month.

Polymarket has signed a multi-year deal with LaLiga to become its exclusive prediction markets partner in the U.S. and Canada, expanding its growing sports portfolio. Polymarket already holds partnerships with MLB, the NHL, MLS, and UFC, strengthening its lead over rivals like Kalshi as sports leagues increasingly explore prediction market integrations and integrity safeguards around trading activity.

Olivia Rodrigo announced her third studio album, You seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, on Thursday, with a release date of June 12. The 23-year-old shared the cover art on social media, confirming the follow-up to her Grammy-nominated 2023 album Guts. The rollout included teasers and LA murals hinting at the new era, marking a visual shift toward a pink-themed aesthetic for the upcoming project.

Netflix dropped the trailer for its upcoming docuseries on Brazilian soccer star Ronaldinho on Thursday, chronicling his rise from a dazzling young prodigy to a global sports icon. Dropping April 16, Ronaldinho: The One and Only covers his time at Grêmio, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, AC Milan, Flamengo, and Atlético Mineiro, and includes key career highlights such as the 2002 World Cup, the 2005 Ballon d’Or, and the 2006 Champions League title.

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AI-driven restructuring was a key factor behind a wave of U.S. layoffs in March, with employers cutting over 60,000 jobs, up 25% from February, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Roughly a quarter of the losses were tied to artificial intelligence as companies like Meta and Oracle reduced headcount. Tech alone saw nearly 19,000 cuts in March and 52,000 for the quarter, even as jobless claims remained near two-year lows.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are calling up No. 1 prospect Konnor Griffin ahead of their home opener on Friday, accelerating the rise of the 19-year-old projected starting shortstop. Griffin, a consensus top prospect, has also signed a multi-year deal with Under Armour, joining a roster that includes MLB stars like Bobby Witt Jr., Juan Soto, and Bryce Harper. His promotion adds momentum to a season that already includes extension talks and strong minor league production.

Euphoria will debut Season 3 with a special fan screening at Coachella on April 12, hosted by HBO Max. The late-night desert event will take place after the festival’s final performances, marking the first time a TV premiere episode has screened on the Coachella grounds. The new season returns after a multi-year hiatus and features a major time jump alongside the original ensemble cast.

Sam Altman said OpenAI remains in discussions with Disney following the shutdown of its Sora video generation tool, which had been central to a potential partnership involving Disney IP. Altman said he informed Disney leadership, including CEO Josh D’Amaro, ahead of the decision. While the original deal is on hold, both sides signaled interest in continuing collaboration around future AI products and tools.

Complex launched Complex TV on Wednesday, a new streaming channel in partnership with Fuse Media, featuring original series, documentaries, films, and exclusives. The lineup includes flagship shows like Sneaker Shopping and GOAT Talk, alongside music/culture programming tied to major celebrities such as Jay-Z, Rihanna, and LeBron James. The channel is live across platforms, including Amazon Prime, Roku, Samsung TV Plus, and others.

Starbucks is expanding tipping options for U.S. baristas and introducing new performance-based bonuses as part of a broader turnaround strategy. Customers will soon be able to tip via credit card on mobile orders and in-store app payments, while hourly workers can also earn up to $300 per quarter ($1,200 annually) if stores hit certain targets. The changes come as Starbucks faces union tensions and works to boost sales under CEO Brian Niccol.

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