Serena Williams Named the Host of the 2024 ESPYs
ESPN announced on Tuesday that tennis legend Serena Williams, typically a nominee and honoree at these events, is now set to host her first ESPYs this summer. The 12-time ESPYs winner will become the fourth woman to host the event, joining Megan Rapinoe, Sue Bird, and Danica Patrick. “This is a dream come true for me, and something I’ve wanted to do for as long as I can remember,” Williams said in a statement Tuesday. “It has been a sensational year for sports and an unprecedented one for female athletes. I can’t wait to celebrate everyone onstage in July.” The ESPYs are set to take place on July 11 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
Micah Parsons Joins Patrick Mahomes, Tua Tagovailoa at Adidas
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons has inked a multi-year deal with Adidas, the German brand revealed Tuesday. The partnership will see Parsons participate in brand campaigns and wear Adidas footwear and apparel throughout the NFL season. “Since day one, I’ve wanted to be a global ambassador for the game, inspiring the next generation of athletes and fans around the world,” Parsons said in the release. “It’s very clear to me that Adidas is best aligned with my ambitions and career goals. The Three Stripes has already done so much for me and I know that this is going to be special.” Parsons joins the likes of the Chiefs‘ Chris Jones and Patrick Mahomes, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, and Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, among others, at the Three Stripes.
The WNBA Officially Unveils the Golden State Valkyries for 2025
We now know the name of the newest WNBA expansion team set to compete in its inaugural season this time next year. Based in San Francisco, the league announced on Tuesday that it will be known as the Golden State Valkyries. The team name and logo were revealed on Instagram, narrated by Oakland-born signer-songwriter Kehlani. The outer shape of the logo is a V, while the Valkyrie Violet embodies power, ambition, nobility, and women’s empowerment. The team will play its home games at Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors; the WNBA says the Valkyries have already surpassed 7,500 season ticket deposits for the team’s inaugural season.
Roger Federer Documentary to Air in June; On Holding Posts Record Profits
Roger Federer just keeps on winning in retirement. The official trailer for his upcoming documentary — FEDERER: Twelve Final Days — was released and will officially air on June 20 on Amazon‘s Prime Video, the streaming company announced Tuesday. Additionally, Federer‘s investment in On Holding, the company he signed with in 2019 after his split with Nike, seems to be paying off, with On clearing predictions by a wide margin in its 2024 first-quarter earnings report on Tuesday. Profits have never been higher, hitting $558 million in Q1. Furthermore, adjusted earnings per share reached 36 cents compared to a 16-cent forecast from analysts surveyed by S&P Global Market Intelligence. Finally, On said North America continues to be its largest market and is responsible for 65% of sales and a 22% increase in revenue.
Comcast Introduces New Bundle Package Featuring Netflix, Apple TV+ & Peacock
Comcast is planning a bundle that will include access to Peacock, Netflix, and Apple TV+, the company’s chair, Brian Roberts, said on Tuesday. Called StreamSaver, Roberts says the new offerings “come at a vastly reduced price to anything in the market today,” however did not share the price. “We’ve been bundling video successfully and creatively for 60 years,” Roberts added. “This is the latest iteration of that, and I think this will be a pretty compelling package.” Per the latest Digital Media Trends report from Deloitte, US customers subscribe to four streaming platforms and spend about $61 per month on them.
Wrexham AFC Women to Play in Los Angeles, Portland on West Coast Tour
Wrexham AFC Women are coming to the United States this summer with their ‘Wrex Coast Tour.’ Scheduled to play three competitive matches, co-chairmen Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney confirmed via YouTube Tuesday that two fixtures will kick off in Los Angeles against SoCal FC and Tigres Femenil U19, followed by a night game in Portland against Portland Thorns Academy. Wrexham just completed its first season in the Genero Adran Premier and reached the Women’s Welsh Cup Final.