Bijan Robinson Becomes Highest-Paid RB in NFL History After Falcons Extension
The Atlanta Falcons made Bijan Robinson the highest-paid running back in NFL history, signing the two-time Pro Bowler to a three-year extension reportedly worth up to $75 million with $51 million guaranteed. Robinson’s $22.25 million average annual value tops Saquon Barkley ($20.6 million) and Christian McCaffrey ($19 million). The deal, which keeps Robinson in Atlanta through 2030, ends his training camp hold-in after he led the NFL in scrimmage yards last season.
Spotify Surpasses 300M Premium Subscribers for First Time, Revenue Climbs 14% YoY
Spotify reached a new milestone in the second quarter, surpassing 300 million Premium subscribers for the first time, the highest total ever for an audio streaming platform. Revenue climbed 14% year over year to €4.8 billion ($5.5 billion), while operating income jumped 61% as the company continued to benefit from recent price increases and improved profitability. Monthly active users also grew to 777 million, reinforcing Spotify’s position as the world’s leading music streaming service.
Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeff Bezos Back $200M Conservation Initiative
Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos are backing one of the largest conservation efforts ever launched for endangered wildlife. The new Phoenix Species Project debuts with a $200 million commitment from the Bezos Earth Fund and Re:wild to help recover 100 critically endangered species across 30 countries. Rather than relying on short-term grants, the initiative will provide sustained funding for scientists, Indigenous communities, and conservation groups, with progress tracked through measurable population recovery.
Disney Sells A+E Stake to Hearst in $1.2B Deal
Hearst is taking full ownership of A+E Global Media after agreeing to buy Disney’s 50% stake for $1.2 billion in cash, ending a four-decade partnership between the companies. The deal gives Hearst full control of brands including A&E, History, and Lifetime, as well as the company’s content studios and streaming business. The acquisition comes as legacy media companies continue reshaping their portfolios amid a rapidly evolving entertainment landscape.
Anthropic Signs $10B Computing Deal to Expand AI Infrastructure
Anthropic has reportedly signed a six-year, $10 billion computing agreement with cloud infrastructure startup Volta Infra to expand the AI capacity powering its Claude models. The deal, which will use Nvidia-powered data centers in Norway operated alongside Bitdeer, underscores the escalating race for AI infrastructure. Anthropic has aggressively secured additional computing resources this year as demand for generative AI surges and the company weighs a potential IPO.
WNBA’s Cleveland Expansion Team Reveals Its Name: The Sirens
The WNBA is returning to Cleveland in 2028 with a new identity: the Cleveland Sirens. The expansion franchise will take the court at Rocket Arena, bringing women’s basketball back to the city for the first time since the Rockers folded in 2003. Inspired by Cleveland’s connection to Lake Erie, the Sirens’ name and logo represent a new era for the franchise and the continued momentum behind the growth of women’s sports.
Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things’ Remains Streaming’s Biggest Hit of 2026
Netflix‘s Stranger Things remained streaming’s biggest title in the first half of 2026, totaling 23.3 billion viewing minutes in the U.S., according to Nielsen, despite its series finale airing at the end of 2025. Bluey ranked second overall and again led all library series, while HBO Max‘s The Pitt topped new originals with 21.1 billion minutes. Among films, Zootopia 2 led all streaming movies with 6.5 billion viewing minutes.
ESPN Adds 5 Football Creators Ahead of 2027 Super Bowl Coverage
ESPN is expanding its Creator Network ahead of the company’s first-ever Super Bowl broadcast in 2027, adding five football-focused voices to its latest class. The group includes former NFL player Isaac Rochell, flag football star Diana Flores, The QB Plug founder Chase Murman, analytics creator Leah Cammarano, and host Simone Scott. The creators will produce social-first content across their own platforms and ESPN channels as the network continues investing in creator-driven storytelling.
Keke Palmer, Joe Jonas Headline NBC’s New Celebrity Versio of ‘The Voice’
Keke Palmer is set to take on hosting duties for The Voice: Celebrity, NBC’s new spin on the hit singing competition set to debut in 2027. The series will feature actors, athletes, comedians, musicians, influencers, and other well-known personalities competing, with Joe Jonas joining the coaching panel alongside Queen Latifah and Riley Green. The celebrity edition will also introduce new behind-the-scenes elements, including a pre-audition boot camp and a VIP lounge for contestants.
MLS Names Larry Berg as Next Commissioner, Succeeding Don Garber in 2027
MLS has selected Larry Berg as the league’s next commissioner, with the LAFC co-owner set to succeed longtime leader Don Garber in 2027. Berg, a former Apollo senior partner, was chosen after a yearlong search and will guide the league through a pivotal period following the 2026 World Cup and ahead of future media rights negotiations. He will become the third commissioner in MLS history, with Garber transitioning to chairman.
Polymarket Eyes $20B+ Valuation in New Funding Round
Prediction market platform Polymarket is in talks for a new funding round that would value the company above $20 billion. The potential raise comes months after the company launched its regulated U.S. exchange and reported annualized revenue above $1 billion. Polymarket’s growth reflects the broader surge in prediction markets, with rival Kalshi recently reaching a $22 billion valuation as investor interest in the space continues to accelerate.
Joe Budden Takes His Podcast Brand Into True Crime
Joe Budden is expanding beyond music and culture commentary with the launch of Crime in America, a new weekly true-crime video podcast. The series, created through Budden and Ian Schwartzman’s Prime Crime Productions, will debut Aug. 11 in partnership with Wolf Entertainment, Advance Local, and Headline Studio. The show will examine developing criminal cases through Budden’s perspective alongside local journalists, blending independent podcasting with traditional crime storytelling.
SpaceX Tops Revenue Estimates in First Earnings Report Since IPO
SpaceX topped Wall Street’s expectations in its first earnings report as a public company, posting $7.8 billion in second-quarter revenue, up 92% from a year ago. The company also narrowed its net loss to $541 million, though heavy spending on AI infrastructure weighed on results and sent shares lower after hours. Starlink remained SpaceX’s profit engine, offsetting continued losses in its rocket and AI businesses as the company ramps up long-term investments.
Image: Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images
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