LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant Top NBA’s Highest-Paid NBA Players of 2024
All eyes are on the NBA as a new season tips off Tuesday night, and Forbes dropped its 2024 list of the league’s highest-paid players. No surprise, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James tops the list for the 11th straight year at $128.7 million when you combine his on and off-court earnings, the highest mark in Forbes’ 15 years of NBA rankings. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry sits in second with $105.8 million, followed by Phoenix Suns standout Kevin Durant at $99.9 million. Rounding out the top five are current Milwaukee Bucks teammates Giannis Antetokounmpo ($93.8 million) and Damian Lillard ($64.8 million).
Cristiano Ronaldo Invests in Bioniq, Pushing Total Valuation to $82 Million
Cristiano Ronaldo is adding to his investment portfolio by purchasing a stake in Bioniq, a personalized supplement brand that uses an AI-powered algorithm to create a unique daily formula for each user. With the added investment, the company’s valuation has increased to $82 million. Ronaldo, a member and regular user of Bioniq since 2022, will also work on developing future marketing campaigns and products. Ronaldo is also an investor and global ambassador for wearable health, fitness, and recovery device company Whoop.
Fanatics & Lululemon Team Up to Launch NHL Fan Collection
Fanatics is linking up with Lululemon on a new line of NHL merchandise. Per the Tuesday release, the pieces will feature 11 pro hockey teams for the 2024-25 season before expanding to a full 32-team assortment in 2025-26. Dropping on Oct. 29, products include shirts, hoodies, pants, crews, and belt bags splashed with NHL logos and team names. Lululemon signed Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard as its first NHL brand ambassador in June 2023
Timbaland Joins AI Music Company Suno as Strategic Advisor
Suno shared Tuesday that veteran hitmaker Timbaland has taken on a new role within the company as a strategic advisor. Founded in 2023, the AI music company that can generate singles on demand confirmed the Grammy Award-winning producer has been a “top user” of its technology for months and will also lend his expertise in the “day-to-day product development and strategic creative direction” of new generative AI capabilities. Timbaland is expected to preview his latest single, “Love Again,” exclusively on Suno’s platform to kick off the partnership.
IRS Reveals Tax Bracket, Standard Deduction Increases for 2025
The IRS announced Tuesday new increases to the federal income tax brackets and standard deduction for 2025. In addition to raising the income threshold for every tax bracket, the standard deduction will climb to $30,000 for married couples filing jointly in 2025, a roughly 2.7% increase from the current tax year’s $29,200. Meanwhile, single filers and married couples filing separate returns will see their standard deduction go to $15,000 from this year’s $14,600.
A’ja Wilson’s No. 22 Jersey to be Retired by South Carolina Next Year
Adding to an already memorable year of accomplishments, A’ja Wilson will have her No. 22 jersey at South Carolina retired at Colonial Life Arena next year. The ceremony is scheduled for Feb. 2 before the Gamecosk takes on Auburn. Wilson is South Carolina’s all-time leading scorer with 2,389 points and led the program to its first national title in 2017. The Las Vegas Aces star and three-time WNBA MVP is already forever enshrined outside the arena when the program honored Wilson with a statue in 2021.
Target Cuts Prices on Over 2K Items to Prep for Holiday Shopping Season
Ahead of the holiday season, Target said Tuesday that it plans on reducing the price of more than 2,000 items for the second time this year. Included in the cuts are home goods, beauty products, food, beverages, and toys. In a press release, the big box store said it “routinely adjusts its prices to remain competitive in markets across the country,” and markdowns will continue through December. By the end of 2024 alone, Target will have cut costs on more than 10,000 products.
‘Shogun’ Co-Creator Justin Marks Staying with FX in New Deal
Following the Emmy-winning success of Shogun, FX Productions has awarded the show’s co-creator Justin Marks a new overall deal. According to Variety, Marks will create new material for FX, as well as a potential two additional seasons of Shogun alongside co-creator Rachel Kondo. Shogun took home 18 Emmy Awards at this year’s ceremony, setting the record for the most wins by a series in a single season. Marks is also an Oscar nominee for Best Adapted Screenplay for his work on Top Gun: Maverick while also penning the screenplay for Disney’s live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book in 2016.