Valkyries, Liberty, Fever Top WNBA Valuations Amid League-Wide Boom
The WNBA enters its 30th season with the Golden State Valkyries ($850 million), New York Liberty ($600 million), and Indiana Fever ($560 million) leading a surge in franchise value. The average team is now worth $427 million, up 59% year over year, as total league value hits $5.55 billion. Backed by a new CBA, richer media deals, and expansion momentum, the league’s rapid growth is accelerating revenue and pushing it closer to its first $1 billion franchise.
‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ Posts $10M Preview Haul at Box Office
The Devil Wears Prada 2 opened strong with $10 million in U.S. Thursday previews and $50.5 million globally across early markets, pacing toward a projected $180 million worldwide debut. The sequel is already posting No. 1 openings in multiple countries and outperforming the original’s audience scores. Meanwhile, the Adam Scott-led Hokum generated $900,000 in previews, signaling a solid indie genre debut with momentum heading into the weekend box office.
Pickleball’s Growth Draws $225M Investment From Apollo, Tom Dundon
Pickleball’s boom is attracting serious capital. Pickleball Inc. — parent of Major League Pickleball and the PPA Tour — raised a record $225 million from Apollo Global Management and Tom Dundon, valuing the business at $750 million. With 24 million U.S. players, the sport’s rapid rise is fueling expansion across media, events, and infrastructure, as the company builds an integrated ecosystem spanning pro leagues, equipment, and tournament technology.
Anthropic Eyes $900B Valuation, Set to Surpass OpenAI in AI Race
Anthropic is in talks to raise funding at a $900 billion valuation, potentially surpassing OpenAI as the most valuable AI firm. The company, known for its Claude models, has reached $30 billion in annualized revenue as demand for advanced AI surges. Backed by major infrastructure deals with Amazon and Google, Anthropic is scaling compute capacity to support its next wave of high-performance models.
Snoop Dogg to Headline MS Charity Gala in Los Angeles
Snoop Dogg will headline the 33rd annual Race to Erase MS Gala on June 5 in Los Angeles, bringing star power to one of the foundation’s key fundraising nights. The event supports research toward a cure for multiple sclerosis, with proceeds benefiting its Center Without Walls program, as organizers continue to rally high-profile talent and donors around the cause.
Netflix Pushes Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ Adaptation to 2027
Netflix has delayed Greta Gerwig’s Narnia adaptation, The Magician’s Nephew, to Feb. 12, 2027, shifting from its original Thanksgiving 2026 release. The film will debut in theaters before it hits streaming on April 2, 2027. Starring Emma Mackey, Meryl Streep, and Daniel Craig, the project explores the origins of Narnia and marks a major tentpole in Netflix’s upcoming film slate.
Spirit Airlines Nears Shutdown as Final Rescue Talks Stall
Spirit Airlines is preparing to cease operations, according to The Wall Street Journal, after failing to secure a $500 million government bailout. President Donald Trump said Friday that a “final” rescue proposal has been issued, but talks with bondholders remain stalled. Already in its second bankruptcy within a year, the airline is rapidly running out of cash, bringing it closer to a potential shutdown.
Paramount Subscribers Sue to Block $110B Warner Bros., Skydance Merger
A group of Paramount Global subscribers has filed a lawsuit seeking to block its proposed $110 billion merger involving Warner Bros. Discovery and Skydance Media. The complaint argues the deal would violate antitrust law by reducing competition, raising prices, and shrinking content output across streaming, theatrical, and news markets. It seeks to stop and unwind the deal, citing excessive Hollywood consolidation.
TikTok Teams With Paramount, Fandango to Sell Tickets for Billie Eilish Film
TikTok is partnering with Paramount Global and Fandango to let users buy movie tickets directly in-app via TikTok Shop. The rollout debuts with Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft – The Tour, co-directed by Eilish and James Cameron, opening on May 8. The integration streamlines discovery to purchase, reflecting TikTok’s growing role in film marketing and driving theatrical ticket sales through social media engagement.
DAZN Expands U.S. Ambitions With $100M ViewLift Acquisition
DAZN is acquiring ViewLift for reportedly $100 million, in a deal expected to close by late June as it pushes deeper into U.S. local sports rights. The move comes as DAZN targets NBA and NHL teams seeking new 2026–27 broadcast homes after leaving Main Street Sports Group. The combined platform will offer teams flexible streaming models, including direct-to-consumer apps or guaranteed-fee rights packages worth up to $15 million annually.
Taye Diggs Builds Mobile Platform for Short-Form Microdramas
Taye Diggs is launching Microhouse Films, a mobile-first app for short-form “microdramas” filmed in portrait format. The platform lets creators produce, distribute, and monetize low-budget serialized content directly, using a mix of free episodes and in-app purchases. The move taps into the fast-growing vertical drama market popularized on mobile platforms, aiming to give filmmakers more control over storytelling, pricing, and audience distribution.
Image: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images
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