Google Bets Up to $40B on Anthropic as AI Race Intensifies

Google plans to invest up to $40 billion in Anthropic, including an immediate $10 billion at a $350 billion valuation, with another $30 billion contingent on performance targets. The deal deepens an already complex partnership as Google both funds and competes with the AI startup. Anthropic, maker of the fast-growing Claude Code tool, will also receive expanded Google Cloud computing power over five years.

A rare Michael Jordan card has sold privately for a record $4.25 million via Goldin Auctions, setting a new high for a solo Jordan collectible. The 1997–98 Upper Deck Game Jersey card features an on-card autograph, a game-worn jersey patch from the 1992 NBA All-Star Game, and is one of only 23 produced. The sale highlights surging demand for ultra-rare sports memorabilia, breaking the previous record for a Jordan card of $2.9 million set in 2024.

Meta has signed a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar deal with Amazon Web Services to use hundreds of thousands of Graviton CPU chips for AI workloads, particularly powering AI agents and post-training systems. The agreement, lasting at least three years, makes Meta one of AWS’s largest Graviton customers. It reflects Meta’s broader infrastructure push alongside recent deals with CoreWeave and Nebius.

Lionsgate’s Michael is tracking for a record-breaking $70 million-plus domestic opening after pulling in a strong $12.6 million in previews, including $3.8 million from premium formats like IMAX. The Antoine Fuqua-directed Michael Jackson biopic is poised to deliver the biggest debut ever for a music biopic, surpassing Straight Outta Compton and Bohemian Rhapsody.

Ja Morant revealed the Nike Ja 4, sharing the first look at his next signature sneaker on social media following an earlier leak. The model continues key design cues from previous editions, including a J-shaped Swoosh and updated performance cushioning. Nike is expected to release both low-top and laceless high-top versions as part of the rollout, with Morant previewing multiple upcoming colorways.

Michael B. Jordan is attached to produce and potentially star in a feature adaptation of EA’s hit video game Battlefield, with Christopher McQuarrie set to write, direct, and produce the project. The film is being shopped to studios and streamers with a strong push for theatrical release. Based on the best-selling 2025 game, it is expected to command significant rights and talent costs as interest accelerates.

ESPN opened the NHL Playoffs with record-setting first-round viewership, delivering its most-watched opening weekend of the current rights era. Flyers–Penguins led with 2.1 million viewers, the most-watched first round cable game ever (excluding Game 7s), followed by Wild–Stars (1.9 million) and Bruins–Sabres (1.7 million). The five-game slate averaged 1.6 million viewers, up 141% year over year.

McLaren have signed 11-year-old karting prospect Harry Williams to their Driver Development Programme, making him the youngest driver ever recruited in the team’s history and breaking Lewis Hamilton’s previous record, who joined McLaren’s system at age 13. Williams only began karting in 2021 but has already won the 2025 British Open Championship and earned strong results in Europe.

Tesla has begun production of its Cybercab robotaxi, CEO Elon Musk confirmed on X, marking a key step toward its long-promised autonomous ride-hailing network. The two-seat, steering-wheel-free vehicle is designed for Tesla’s Robotaxi fleet, which mixes monitored and fully autonomous cars. Tesla plans to expand ride-hailing services to multiple U.S. cities this year, though Musk cautioned meaningful revenue likely won’t arrive until at least 2027.

Billie Eilish’s concert film Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour, co-directed with James Cameron, will premiere May 6 at Westwood’s historic Village Theatre ahead of its year-long renovation. The Paramount-backed event precedes the film’s wide theatrical release on May 8. The screening highlights a push to preserve the iconic 1930 venue, with Dolby upgrading projection for the one-night premiere.

Pittsburgh set a new record for NFL Draft attendance on Day 1, drawing 320,000 fans for the opening round of the 2026 event. The figure, announced by commissioner Roger Goodell, surpassed Detroit’s previous mark of 275,000 in 2024 and far exceeded Green Bay’s 2025 total. Fans packed Acrisure Stadium and surrounding fan zones across the city, with turnout expectations for the full three-day event projected to reach as high as 700,000 attendees.

Tommy Hilfiger has launched a limited-edition Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix capsule as part of a broader strategy to tie fashion drops to key global race moments and deepen Formula 1’s lifestyle positioning. The release extends its partnership with the Cadillac F1 team and reflects a push toward city-specific merchandise tied to major Grand Prix events. The Miami drop is one of several planned activations across the F1 calendar this year.

Image: Courtesy Images