Knicks Set Fanatics Sales Records After NBA Championship
The Knicks’ long-awaited NBA title is delivering one of the biggest merchandise surges in Fanatics history. Within 24 hours of the championship win over the Spurs, New York became the platform’s top-selling sports champion ever in that timeframe, surpassing the 2025 Philadelphia Eagles, and is on pace to challenge the 2016 Chicago Cubs as the all-time leader. Fanatics reports peak demand above 8,000 orders per minute, with Knicks championship sales already more than doubling the 2020 Los Angeles Lakers‘ previous NBA record.
Fox Bets Big on Streaming With $22B Roku Acquisition
Fox is making its biggest move in streaming yet, agreeing to acquire Roku in a $22 billion cash-and-stock deal. The acquisition gives Fox access to Roku’s 100 million-plus households and valuable ad-targeting data as the media giant looks to accelerate its digital and streaming ambitions. Roku shareholders will receive $160 per share, a 33.7% premium, while Fox shareholders will own roughly 73% of the combined company once the deal closes in the first half of 2027.
NCAA, Big 12 Takes Texas Tech to Court in Sorsby Dispute
A legal battle over Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility has escalated into multiple court fights involving the NCAA and Big 12. The NCAA is seeking to pause a Texas court injunction that allows Sorsby to play despite a gambling-related ineligibility ruling tied to admitted betting activity, including wagers on his former team. Separately, the Big 12 has filed suit in federal court to protect its authority to enforce conference rules, as the case moves toward urgent offseason resolution.
Spielberg’s ‘Disclosure Day’ Tops Worldwide Box Office in Strong $92.8M Launch
Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi thriller Disclosure Day dominated the global box office with a $92.8 million opening weekend, including $48.8 million internationally and $44 million domestically. The Universal and Amblin release outperformed expectations and debuted No. 1 worldwide, fueled by strong results in the U.K., Latin America, and Brazil. The film also topped China’s Hollywood releases despite a softer turnout across Asia, marking one of Spielberg’s strongest openings in years.
EA Unveils EA Advertising, Pushing Brands Directly Into Gameplay
Electronic Arts is pushing deeper into in-game advertising with the creation of EA Advertising, a new platform that lets brands integrate directly into gameplay across titles like Madden NFL and EA Sports FC. The initiative includes dynamic stadium signage, branded content, in-game challenges, and reward-based activations aimed at EA’s audience of more than 120 million monthly players. EA also unveiled a new EA Sports Partner Program designed to expand brand access across live events, creators, and digital experiences.
USMNT, Mexico World Cup Matches Draw Record-Breaking TV Audiences
The 2026 FIFA World Cup opened with record-setting U.S. audiences for Fox, Telemundo, and their streaming partners. The USMNT‘s 4–1 win over Paraguay drew roughly 25 million viewers across platforms, while Mexico’s 2–0 victory over South Africa topped 19 million. Both matches set new benchmarks for group-stage and Spanish-language World Cup viewership in the U.S., signaling strong early momentum for the first North American tournament in 32 years across both broadcast and streaming platforms.
Netflix Adds Video Podcasts From Martha Stewart, Kate Hudson, More Via iHeart Deal
Netflix is expanding its podcast push through an extended deal with iHeartMedia, adding video versions of shows hosted by Martha Stewart, Kate Hudson, Oliver Hudson, and Lele Pons. Titles including The Martha Stewart Podcast, Sibling Revelry, and Suite 305 will stream on Netflix, while iHeart retains audio rights. The move builds on Netflix’s growing slate, which includes dozens of iHeart titles, as the streamer leans further into video podcasts.
ESPN to Chronicle Toronto Tempo Launch in New WNBA Docuseries
ESPN is producing a four-part docuseries, Setting the Tempo, chronicling the formation of the WNBA’s expansion franchise, the Toronto Tempo. The project will follow the team’s buildout as Canada’s first WNBA club enters its inaugural season under the league’s new CBA. Executive producers include Serena Williams, Ryan Reynolds, Robin Roberts, Lilly Singh, and Masai Ujiri, with Williams, Singh, and Ujiri also tied to the ownership group. The series will be directed by Kathleen Jayme.
Growing Golf Community swang Teams with Callaway
Callaway has partnered with growing Los Angeles-based golf community swang to expand access and cultural engagement in the sport. The collaboration integrates Callaway equipment into swang’s bi-weekly meetups, FREE RANGE clinics, and community events, blending golf, music, art, and connection, reflecting a shared push to grow the game through new entry points. swang recently also signed with Jordan Brand, underscoring its growing crossover between golf and culture.
Disney, BBC, NYT Join New Coalition for Responsible AI in Media & Publishing
A new coalition called the Alliance for Responsible Innovation in the Arts & Media (ARIAM) has launched to push for responsible AI development across entertainment and publishing. Members include Disney, The New York Times, Adobe, BBC, Condé Nast, and others, with leadership from former Netflix executive Victoria Furniss. The group aims to shape legal and policy standards around AI use, focusing on protecting creators, consumers, and intellectual property as the industry rapidly integrates generative AI tools.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas Joins Rolex as Global Brand Ambassador
Priyanka Chopra Jonas has joined Rolex as a global brand ambassador, marking a major luxury endorsement deal that underscores her influence across film, fashion, and global culture. The partnership is notable given her ongoing role as a Bulgari ambassador, a rare crossover in the luxury watch and jewelry space. Rolex cited her international career spanning Bollywood and Hollywood, along with her long-standing UNICEF humanitarian work, as key factors in bringing her into its ambassador family.
Manchester United Opens Doors for Amazon Prime in Docuseries
Manchester United’s 2026–27 season will be featured in a new Amazon Prime All or Nothing docuseries, giving viewers behind-the-scenes access to the club across Old Trafford, Carrington, and matchday environments. The series will follow Michael Carrick’s squad throughout the campaign and is set for release next summer. Amazon says the project aims to deliver unprecedented access to one of the world’s most-followed football clubs, following its previous coverage of Arsenal, Tottenham, and Manchester City.
Taylor Swift Earns 15th No. 1 Hit With ‘Toy Story 5’ Track
Taylor Swift has debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with her Toy Story 5 track “I Knew It, I Knew You,” earning her 15th career chart-topper. The song, inspired by Jessie and co-written with Jack Antonoff, marks her first release since last year’s album The Life of a Showgirl. It arrives ahead of the film’s release this week, as the track tops charts on strong streaming and sales performance.
Duffer Brothers’ First Paramount Film Lands 2028 Release Date
Paramount has dated the Duffer Brothers’ untitled event film for Nov. 3, 2028. Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer will write and direct under their Upside Down Pictures after their decade-defining run with Stranger Things at Netflix. Plot details remain under wraps. The project is part of their four-year exclusive pact with Paramount, marking a move into theatrical event filmmaking. No additional casting or story details have been announced yet.
Salesforce to Acquire AI Startup for $3.6B to Boost Agentic AI Push
Salesforce is acquiring AI customer service platform Fin for $3.6 billion, expanding its push into agentic AI as competition in autonomous enterprise tools intensifies. Fin’s AI agents handle customer queries across chat, email, voice, and messaging platforms, and will be integrated into Salesforce’s Agentforce system. The deal, expected to close in fiscal 2027, is part of Salesforce’s broader effort to strengthen its AI stack amid pressure on its traditional SaaS business and rising competition in enterprise automation.
Image: Ronald Cortes / Getty Images
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