Alysa Liu, Yeat, Jazzy Davidson Lead Nike’s New Studio Fleece Campaign

Nike is giving everyday essentials a performance upgrade with Studio Fleece, a new women’s sportswear collection designed using insights from more than 300 women. The lineup features elevated hoodies, sweatshirts, shorts, and sweatpants with refined fits and fade-resistant fabrics. Fronting the campaign are Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu, sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson, rising basketball standout Jazzy Davidson, football siblings Lauren James and Reece James, plus artists Karina and Yeat.

John Legend is headed back to the big screen. The EGOT winner has been cast as civil rights icon Harry Belafonte in The Road Home, director Bill Condon’s upcoming drama about the making of Paul Simon’s landmark Graceland album and the controversy surrounding its recording in apartheid-era South Africa. Starring Cynthia Erivo, Johnny Flynn, and Thabo Rametsi, the film explores the intersection of music, activism, and one of pop culture’s most debated creative collaborations.

Netflix is going all-in on The Walking Dead. The streamer and AMC Global Media have agreed to a five-year, $500 million deal that will bring the franchise’s entire TV universe, including all six spinoffs, to Netflix beginning next year. The co-exclusive agreement also expands the franchise into new international markets, including the U.K. and Australia, while allowing AMC+ to stream the original series for the first time starting in 2027.

Barack Obama has released his annual Songs of the Summer playlist, blending current hits, classics, and a tribute to late Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard. Obama placed Hansard’s “Song of Good Hope” at the top of the list, honoring the musician who died this week and calling him a favorite of his and Michelle’s. The nearly 50-song collection also features tracks from Drake, SZA, Doechii, Noah Kahan, Raye, and The Beatles.

LeBron James is already rewriting the record books in Philadelphia. Following his move to the 76ers, James’ No. 23 jersey set Fanatics’ all-time record for sales by a player joining a new team within 48 hours, surpassing Shohei Ohtani’s previous mark after his Dodgers debut. James merchandise also dominated Fanatics’ rankings, accounting for eight of the top 10 best-selling products across all sports after his surprise signing.

Cinemark‘s box office comeback is hitting new highs. The theater chain posted a record $1.09 billion in second-quarter revenue — the first time it has topped the $1 billion mark in Q2 — as strong performances from The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Michael, Toy Story 5, and horror hits fueled record admissions and concession sales. CEO Sean Gamble credited Hollywood’s stronger release slate and said recent releases like The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day should sustain the momentum.

Speaking of The Odyssey, the Christopher Nolan epic starring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, and more has already surpassed Oppenheimer’s $330 million domestic box office total in just 13 days. The film now ranks as Nolan’s third-highest-grossing domestic release ever, trailing only The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises. With strong holds and an extended IMAX run ahead, The Odyssey is continuing to fuel a blockbuster summer at the box office.

Underdog has been acquired by U.K.-based trading firm IG Group in a deal valued at up to $2.15 billion. The transaction includes $1.1 billion upfront, a $200 million earnout, and up to $850 million tied to employee incentives. The acquisition comes as Underdog shifts its focus toward prediction markets, following layoffs earlier this year and recent efforts to build out its regulatory infrastructure.

Adidas delivered record quarterly revenue thanks to the FIFA World Cup, but Wall Street wasn’t impressed. The sportswear giant generated €6.7 billion ($7.7 billion) in second-quarter sales and raised its full-year outlook, driven by strength in soccer and apparel. Still, shares plunged as much as 19% on Thursday after higher-than-expected marketing costs tied to the tournament weighed on profits, marking what was on pace to be the biggest one-day drop in the company’s public history.

J.Crew and the American Museum of Natural History are teaming up again for a limited-edition capsule collection inspired by the museum’s iconic exhibits. The back-to-school lineup features dinosaur-themed designs, graphic T-shirts, accessories, jewelry, and collectible pieces for both kids and adults. Following their first collaboration in 2015, the collection blends J.Crew’s classic style with the museum’s spirit of discovery and launches July 30 online and at select stores.

UEFA is threatening a historic showdown with FIFA over plans to sell a stake in the governing body’s commercial business. The European soccer body unanimously voted to boycott FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, if the proposal moves forward, arguing “the World Cup is not for sale.” The vote by all 55 UEFA members rejects FIFA’s plan to shift commercial operations into a new entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise, and sell a 20% stake to Thrive Capital.

Amazon exceeded Wall Street expectations in Q2, driven by stronger-than-expected cloud growth. Amazon Web Services revenue jumped 37% year over year, while advertising also topped forecasts. Shares climbed as high as 9% after hours following the results. Meanwhile, Apple posted record quarterly revenue gains as iPhone sales jumped 22%, though investors remained cautious over future supply challenges and the company’s leadership transition from Tim Cook to John Ternus.

Legacy Motor Club is adding star power to its NASCAR ownership group. The team has brought in a diverse roster of investors spanning sports, entertainment, business, and motorsports, including Bryce Harper, Kelly Slater, Andy Roddick, Darius Rucker, Guy Fieri, Chase Utley, Jen Rubio, and Indy 500 winners Scott Dixon, Dario Franchitti, and Tony Kanaan. Backed by Jimmie Johnson and Knighthead Capital Management, the group aims to expand Legacy beyond racing into media, partnerships, and fan experiences.

Jameson is joining the NFL lineup. The Irish whiskey brand has signed a multi-year agreement to become the league’s official spirits sponsor, gaining marketing rights across marquee events including the Super Bowl Tailgate Concert, NFL Draft, and Super Bowl Experience. The partnership will also extend to international games, broadcast integrations, and fan activations, as the NFL continues expanding its global footprint.

Image: Courtesy of Nike