Tom Hardy Enters His Rap Era With CZARFACE Album
Tom Hardy is fully diving into music, teaming with underground hip-hop group CZARFACE for a collaborative album, Czarface Meets Frankie Pulitzer, arriving Aug. 28. Hardy, who raps under the alias Frankie Pulitzer (aka Face Puller), trades verses with Wu-Tang’s Inspectah Deck and 7L & Esoteric on the lead single, “Brothers Grimm” in his latest collaboration with the group after appearing on several of its projects since 2021. The album also includes features from Busta Rhymes and Method Man.
Check out the new single here. >>>
Novak Djokovic Moves Into Private Equity With General Atlantic Deal
Novak Djokovic is making his first major move into private equity, joining General Atlantic as a global strategic adviser. The 24-time Grand Slam champion will work alongside the firm’s leadership on investments in sports, wellness, healthcare, and emerging technologies, leveraging his global network to source new opportunities. The partnership drops just ahead of Djokovic attempting to win his eighth career Wimbledon title next week, starting with a first-round match against Wu Yibing on Monday.
Directors Guild Locks In 4-Year Deal With Studios, Streamers
The Directors Guild of America has overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year contract with major studios and streaming companies, completing Hollywood‘s latest round of labor negotiations without disruption. The agreement includes record increases to employer-funded health benefits, new protections around generative AI, and measures aimed at creating more directing opportunities. It also commits studios to support federal film tax incentives, reflecting the industry’s focus on preserving jobs and long-term production growth.
Golden State Warriors Ink Historic Jersey Patch Deal With AI Firm Iren
The Golden State Warriors have landed the richest jersey patch deal in North American sports history, partnering with AI infrastructure company Iren in a sponsorship reportedly worth more than $50 million annually. The multi-year agreement extends across the Warriors, the WNBA‘s Golden State Valkyries, and the G League‘s Santa Cruz Warriors, while also funding AI education initiatives, STEAM programming, and community basketball projects.
Disney to Add Aquatic Robots, Advanced Ride Tech to Parks
Disney is developing a new generation of robotic attractions for its theme parks, including dolphin-like aquatic robots and a manta ray prototype that could appear in future rides. Built by Walt Disney Imagineering, the technology is part of a broader $60 billion investment plan to modernize parks over the next decade. The robots will use hydrofoil systems and advanced projection tech to create more lifelike, interactive characters across attractions.
Fanatics Sportsbook Launches Animated Series With SNL’s Kam Patterson
Fanatics Sportsbook is turning customer wagers into entertainment with Sketchy Bets, a five-episode animated series narrated by Saturday Night Live cast member Kam Patterson. The social-first series transforms real betting wins, losses, and improbable parlays into hand-drawn animated shorts, aiming to capture the memorable moments that fuel sports betting conversations. The project reflects Fanatics’ continued push to blend original content with its expanding sports betting platform.
Caleb Williams’ ‘Iceman’ Brand Bid Blocked Over Trademark Conflict
Caleb Williams has hit an early roadblock in his bid to trademark “Iceman.” The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued an initial refusal, citing a likelihood of confusion with an existing trademark owned by footwear company LaCrosse for its insulated boots. The decision is preliminary, and the Chicago Bears quarterback can appeal. Williams’ separate application for an “Iceman” logo remains under review as he continues building his personal brand.
‘Scary Movie’ Franchise Joins Billion-Dollar Box Office Club
The Scary Movie franchise has officially surpassed $1 billion at the global box office, 26 years after the original spoof debuted. The milestone was powered by the latest reboot, which has earned more than $208 million worldwide in just three weeks, including over $100 million domestically. The film also became the first traditional R-rated comedy since Girls Trip (2017) to top the $100 million mark at the U.S. box office.
Chicago Bulls Sell Minority Stake to Walmart Heir
Lukas Walton, heir to the Walmart fortune, and his wife, Samantha, are acquiring a minority stake in the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, including a portion of the United Center, the team confirmed, after Bloomberg first reported the news. The Reinsdorf family will retain controlling ownership. While terms were not disclosed, the Bulls are valued at $6.45 billion, fifth in the NBA, but have missed the playoffs for three straight seasons.
SpaceX Considers Consumer Mobile Network Built on Starlink
SpaceX is reportedly planning to launch a Starlink mobile service directly to U.S. consumers, potentially putting it in competition with Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. The move would shift Starlink from a partner-based satellite connectivity model to a retail telecom business, selling phone contracts directly. The expansion could significantly broaden its revenue base, but raises questions about spectrum limits, infrastructure costs, and whether it can realistically challenge established wireless carriers.
MLBPA Pushes for League-Wide Ban on Player Prop Bets
The MLBPA has reportedly proposed banning all individual player prop bets, including in-game wagers and fantasy-style markets, in an effort to reduce athlete harassment from angry bettors. The union is also pushing MLB to jointly lobby sportsbooks and regulators to eliminate such markets entirely. The proposal comes amid growing scrutiny of betting-related threats toward players and follows earlier league limits on certain prop wagers tied to integrity concerns.
OpenAI Weighs Pushing IPO to 2027 Amid Investor Concerns
OpenAI is now considering pushing its long-anticipated IPO to 2027, per The New York Times, as broader volatility in public tech markets and SpaceX’s uneven post-listing performance prompt caution among advisers. The company had been targeting a possible late-2026 debut and is reportedly still pushing for a $1 trillion valuation. While OpenAI has filed confidential IPO paperwork, executives have not finalized timing amid concerns about investor appetite and profitability in the AI sector.
DC’s ‘Supergirl’ Launches With $13M Global Box Office Start
DC Studios’ Supergirl opened to a strong global start, earning about $13 million on its first day across international and domestic markets. The film’s U.S. previews alone totaled $7.8 million, outperforming several recent superhero launches and signaling solid early interest for the James Gunn–Peter Safran era of DC. With a rollout across 70-plus international territories underway, early projections suggest a global opening potentially above $80 million.
Mets Move On From Carlos Mendoza Amid Costly, Disappointing Campaign
The New York Mets have fired manager Carlos Mendoza after a 34–47 start and a six-game losing streak, ending a tenure that included a surprise 2024 playoff run but two seasons of decline. Bench coach Andy Green will serve as interim manager for the remainder of the year as New York sits last in the NL East and well out of playoff position. The move comes amid another disappointing campaign despite one of MLB’s highest payrolls and offseason roster turnover.
Millie Bobby Brown, David Harbour Reunite for New Netflix Spy Series
Netflix has ordered a new spy thriller starring Stranger Things duo Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour, reuniting the pair as estranged father and daughter. The series follows a former FBI agent pulled back into action when his FBI agent daughter disappears on a mission, forcing them into a high-stakes search. The project comes from writer Jack Thorne and A24, marking another collaboration between Brown and Thorne following the Enola Holmes franchise.
Image: Kate Green / WireImage / Getty Images
Read More:
From Cursed to Contenders: LeBron James Picks the Sixers for Final Run
Diana Taurasi, Cathy Engelbert & Kristyn Cook on the WNBA’s Explosive Growth, Future of the League
LeBron James Is on a Mission to Change Golf
LeBron James Says Nike Needs to ‘Get Back Into the Roots’
LeBron James Calls Jay-Z His ‘Big Brother’ and a Major Influence on His Career
