Apple Debuts iPhone 15; New Watch & iOS17 Also Announced
After months of anticipation, the new Apple iPhone 15 is finally here. The device was unveiled Tuesday at Apple’s “Wonderlust” event, and it comes in four different models – iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Updated features include a new camera system built around a 48MP main camera that promises richer color and improved low-light performance, automatic portrait-need detection, smarter HDR, and more. Another significant change includes a USB-C port instead of its usual Lightning-based charging capabilities, which was long hinted at but now finally confirmed. The company also announced a new line of Apple Watches on Tuesday, as well as the release of iOS17. The software will be available for download on Sept. 18.
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WWE-UFC Merger Complete With Debut of TKO Stock on Wall Street
With Endeavor‘s acquisition of the WWE being formally closed on Tuesday, Dana White and Vince McMahon are officially partners. The alliance creates a new company known as TKO Group Holdings, bringing together the UFC and the WWE under one umbrella. The deal is valued at $21.4 billion, with the UFC valued at $12.1 billion and the WWE at $9.3 billion. Ari Emanuel, who remains CEO of Endeavor, is the CEO of TKO Group Holdings, while Mark Shapiro keeps his roles at Endeavor as President and COO. McMahon, who maintained a reported 18.5% of WWE shares at the time of the UFC merger, will serve as Executive Chairman of the Board.
Boardroom’s Sam Dunn breaks down the key details of the now-official TKO Group Holdings.
Aaron Rodgers Out for Season with Achilles Injury; Jets Turn to Zach Wilson
The New York Jets confirmed that quarterback Aaron Rodgers ruptured his Achilles in the Monday night matchup against their divisional rival Buffalo Bills. The veteran QB will need surgery and miss the rest of the season. Sans Rodgers, the team pulled out a gutsy overtime win. However, the season was thrown into question with the news. Head Coach Robert Saleh told reporters on Tuesday that Zach Wilson is the team’s quarterback despite reports that they were in discussions with some potential alternatives. The Jets play the Cowboys, who dominated the Giants 40-0 in their opener, on Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
Breanna Stewart Edges A'ja Wilson By 1 Point for AP WNBA Player of the Year Honors
The WNBA playoffs are tipping off this week, and one player has already been recognized for her stellar performance during the regular season. On Tuesday, New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart became the first player to repeat as the AP WNBA Player of the Year, edging out reigning league MVP A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces by one vote from the 12-member group. “It’s quite different after switching teams and coming to New York and having such a positive season going 32-8. It’s been a lot of amazing basketball going on this year and makes you feel good going into the playoffs,” Stewart said of the honor. The Liberty host the Washington Mystics in Round 1 of the playoffs on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET at Barclays Center.
Notorious B.I.G.'s Estate & Budweiser Bringing Back "Word Up!" Magazine
The estate of The Notorious B.I.G. and Budweiser are linking up to honor hip-hop’s 50th anniversary by relaunching the iconic Word Up! magazine for a limited time. The publication, which was in circulation from 1987 to 2012 and even earned a shoutout in the late rapper’s 1994 hit “Juicy,” was established for kids to learn and enjoy hip-hop’s biggest stars during the period. Expect to find handwritten lyrics and rare photos courtesy of Biggie’s estate, along with a heartfelt letter to the Brooklyn-born emcee by fellow New Yorker, his friend and radio DJ, Angie Martinez. According to Variety, the first of two limited editions of the magazine is scheduled to drop on Sept. 13. Only 5,000 collectible copies will be available in select markets across the country, including New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Chicago.
Coco Gauff Draws Largest Audience for a Women’s Major Championship with US Open Win
All eyes were on Queens over the weekend. Coco Gauff took home the championship trophy, but the 19-year-old’s match against Aryna Sabalenka drew historic attention, logging 3.4 million viewers for the ESPN broadcast. The numbers mark an astounding 92% year-over-year jump from the 2022 Women’s Championship numbers and became the most-viewed major women’s championship in history. Meanwhile, the men’s final drew 2.3 million viewers, marking a modest 8% leap from the previous year.
