LeBron James Leaving Lakers, Expected to Draw Interest From Warriors, Cavs, Heat
LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons, informing the franchise he plans to play elsewhere for his record-setting 24th NBA campaign. The four-time NBA champion helped deliver the Lakers’ 2020 title and leaves as one of the most accomplished players in franchise history. The Golden State Warriors are expected to pursue James when free agency opens, while his former teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, are also viewed as potential landing spots.
Nike Outperforms Wall Street Expectations Despite China Decline
Nike topped Wall Street expectations in fiscal Q4, reporting $10.97 billion in revenue, driven by stronger-than-expected performance and a $986 million tariff refund that lifted gross margins. However, Greater China sales fell 12%, highlighting ongoing regional weakness, while North America grew 3% but slightly missed forecasts. CEO Elliott Hill said turnaround progress is uneven as Nike pushes for profitability amid macro uncertainty and shifting consumer demand.
Designer Jas Bell to Lead Merch & Design for Pacers, Fever
Pacers Sports & Entertainment has named acclaimed designer Jas Bell its global design and product director, signaling a major investment in premium merchandise for the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever. Bell, whose portfolio includes SZA, Metro Boomin, and the Fever’s award-winning Stranger Things collaboration, will lead limited-edition collections and retail experiences as PS&E looks to grow its global brand and deepen fan engagement.
Rob Mac, Glen Powell Among New Investors in Record $100M PLL Raise
The Premier Lacrosse League has closed a record $100 million funding round led by Ares and Joe Tsai, marking the largest capital raise in professional lacrosse history. The round also brings new investors, including Rob Mac, Glen Powell, and ESPN, which acquired a minority equity stake. The league plans to use the funding to expand media, grow the Women’s Lacrosse League, invest in youth participation, and accelerate growth ahead of lacrosse’s return to the Olympics in 2028.
Kawhi Leonard to Reunite with Raptors In Trade From Clippers
LeBron wasn’t the only major move in the NBA on Tuesday, as the Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly closing in on a trade that would send Kawhi Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors, where he captured the franchise’s first NBA championship in 2019. Los Angeles would receive Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a pick swap, and two second-round picks. Leonard, entering the final year of his contract, views the move as an opportunity to finish his career in Toronto.
Off-White Rolls Out New L/AB Line Aimed at Younger Consumers
Off-White is expanding into accessible luxury with the launch of L/AB c/o Off-White, a new sub-brand aimed at younger consumers. The collection features everyday staples including T-shirts, hoodies, tracksuits, sneakers, and outerwear, priced from $45 to $220. Inspired by founder Virgil Abloh‘s vision of creativity and youth culture, the line debuted globally this week through a dedicated online store and select retail partners.
Gotham FC Builds on NYC Women’s Sports Tickets Record With 30K Sold
After breaking the New York City attendance record for a women’s sporting event in tickets sold last week, Gotham FC announced Tuesday that Queens Classic ticket sales have now topped 30,000 for their July 15 matchup against the Washington Spirit at Citi Field. The amount surpasses the previous high mark held by the 2023 US Open. Demand has been fueled by limited-time ticket promotions, with the match now on track to be one of the largest regular-season women’s soccer crowds ever at Citi Field.
NBA Europe Franchise Race Heats Up With Record Bids Across 12 Cities
NBA Europe has closed its latest round of bidding, with offers topping $500 million in all 12 target cities and multiple bids exceeding $1 billion as the NBA and FIBA move toward a 2027 launch. Ownership groups from major European markets, including Madrid, Paris, London, Berlin, Milan, and Istanbul, are competing for 12 permanent franchises, with several EuroLeague- and soccer-backed bids in play. The NBA will take proposals to its Board of Governors in mid-July before finalizing approvals and structure for the new league.
Paramount-Warner Bros. $110B Deal Faces Possible UK Regulatory Intervention
The U.K. government says it may intervene in Paramount Skydance’s $110 billion bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, raising concerns over media plurality, streaming competition, and children’s content. Companies must respond by July 6 before regulators decide whether to launch deeper reviews via Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority. The deal has already cleared several global markets, but a U.K. probe could delay closing and complicate one of the largest media mergers in history.
Zoë Kravitz, Sadie Sink Lead Cast of Netflix’s Unhinged Video Game
Netflix Games and Night School Studios are launching Unhinged, an immersive survival horror video game starring voice acting from Sadie Sink and Zoë Kravitz. Players use their phone as a controller to navigate a thriller set in a dark, power-out apartment building while evading an unseen force. Developed by the team behind Oxenfree, the experience blends interactive storytelling and gameplay. Unhinged is set to release globally on June 30.
Netflix’s Wonka Competition Series Revives Gene Wilder Voice Using AI
In other Netflix news, the streamer is set to premiere Wonka’s The Golden Ticket, an unscripted competition series inspired by Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. The show features 12 teams competing in physical and mental challenges inside Wonka-themed sets. Notably, it uses an AI-recreated voice of Gene Wilder, developed with permission from his estate and ElevenLabs, to narrate key elements. The series is scheduled to debut on Sept. 23.
OG Anunoby Tip-In Game Ball Pulled From Sotheby’s Auction, Will Stay With Knicks
The game ball from the New York Knicks‘ Game 4 NBA Finals victory, sealed by OG Anunoby‘s tip-in to complete the largest comeback in Finals history, has been pulled from Sotheby’s upcoming auction. The NBA said the ball will remain with the Knicks as a permanent piece of franchise history rather than be sold to collectors. The rest of the NBA Finals memorabilia auction, including game-worn jerseys and court pieces, will proceed as planned.
Waymo, Uber End Phoenix Robotaxi Partnership
Waymo and Uber have ended their Phoenix robotaxi partnership after nearly three years, with the pilot program officially concluding. Uber is preparing to launch a new autonomous vehicle partner in the city, while Waymo has absorbed the vehicles back into its own Phoenix fleet. The collaboration, once seen as unlikely given past legal disputes, helped both companies scale autonomous ride-hailing programs across the country.
Starbucks Launches TikTok Creator Network for Employee Influencers
Starbucks is piloting a TikTok Creator Network designed to scale employee-generated content into paid marketing. Built in partnership with TikTok, the program expands Starbucks’ 2024 “Green Apron Creators” initiative, allowing employees to respond to brand briefs and earn revenue from content. The move reflects growing Gen Z influence in product discovery through employee-driven social media, as Starbucks looks to deepen cultural relevance and amplify authentic storytelling.
Image: Rich Storry / Getty Images
Read More:
Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ (In ‘GTA’): How Rappers Like Tee Grizzley Have Made Millions Streaming, Hosting
The Case for LeBron Going Home One Final Time
The New Playbook: Inside Pat Connaughton’s $600 Million Real Estate Business
Memphis Bleek Reflects on ‘The Understanding’, Roc-A-Fella’s Golden Era, and Jay-Z’s Lasting Influence
‘Supergirl’ May Be Bad News for the DC Universe
