Shohei Ohtani Card Sells for Record $3M at Fanatics Auction
A rare Shohei Ohtani trading card sold for $3 million early Friday morning at a Fanatics Collect auction, setting a new all-time record for an Ohtani-featured card. The 2025 Topps Chrome autographed gold MLB logo patch card nearly tripled the previous high, surpassing the more than $1 million paid for Ohtani’s 2024 Topps Dynasty Black MLB Logoman patch autograph that sold through Heritage. This also marked the first season in which the reigning MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year award winners wore gold MLB patches, part of a collaboration between MLB, Topps, Fanatics, and Nike.
OpenAI Targets $830B Valuation in Latest Funding Round
OpenAI is seeking to raise $100 billion in its latest funding round, a move that would value the ChatGPT maker at roughly $830 billion, according to a Wall Street Journal report on Friday. Sam Altman and the company are targeting a close by the end of the first quarter next year, a goal that could push OpenAI to court sovereign wealth funds to reach the ambitious total.
Texas, Ohio State Top CNBC’s College Athletics Valuations
Much like the College Football Playoff, the SEC and Big Ten dominate CNBC’s college athletics valuation rankings. Texas leads the list at $1.48 billion, followed by Ohio State ($1.35 billion) and Texas A&M ($1.32 billion). Georgia ($1.16 billion) and Michigan ($1.16 billion) round out the top five, while Notre Dame ($1.13 billion) stands out as the first program outside either conference at No. 6. The next non-SEC/Big Ten school doesn’t appear until Clemson at No. 18 ($860 million).
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Opens with $12M in Previews, Eyes ~$100M Debut
James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash launched with $12 million in Thursday night previews in North America and has already generated $60 million overseas after rolling out midweek in select international markets, including a $17 million opening day in China. Early audience reactions have been strong despite the film’s three-plus-hour runtime. Domestically, the latest Avatar installment is projected to debut between $95 million and $105 million.
Bowen Yang to Bid Farewell to SNL After Emmy-Nominated Run
In the middle of his eighth season on the show, popular Saturday Night Live mainstay Bowen Yang is leaving the series after Saturday’s episode. Yang joined SNL in 2018 as a writer for Season 44 before working his way up to the main cast by Season 47. During his run, he’s earned Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in each of 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025. Yang’s last show will be hosted by fellow Wicked star Ariana Grande.
Drake’s OVO Drops Collection with WWE Featuring Undertaker, Stone Cold, The Rock
Drake‘s October’s Very Own brand has teamed up with the WWE to launch a collection featuring some of the league’s biggest names from the early 90’s into the Attitude Era, including Bret Hart, The Undertaker, The Iron Sheik, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and The Rock. The collaboration, which dropped on Friday morning, includes t-shirts, jerseys, hoodies, and more.
Rockets Ownership Intensifies Push to Buy WNBA’s Connecticut Sun
Tilman Fertitta and the Houston Rockets’ ownership group are ramping up their efforts to purchase the Connecticut Sun with plans to relocate the WNBA franchise to Houston, ESPN reported Friday. While no agreement has been signed and no final decision has been made, the momentum appears to be building toward Houston landing a team one way or another. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert fueled that speculation in June, saying the league “has its eye on” the city.
FIFA Expands Gaming Reach with New Roblox Game
FIFA and Roblox announced an expanded partnership with the launch of FIFA Super Soccer, now live on the platform. It’s the latest move in FIFA’s growing push into gaming as it looks to engage younger, global audiences. Roblox, which now boasts more than 151 million daily active users spending nearly three hours a day on the platform, has become a key destination for sports and entertainment brands. FIFA Super Soccer is a rebrand of Gamefam’s Super League Soccer, one of Roblox’s most popular titles, averaging 9.5 million monthly active users.
Charlamagne Tha God Inks $200M Extension with iHeartMedia
Fresh off news that his podcast will stream on Netflix, Charlamagne Tha God has agreed to a reported $200 million extension with iHeartMedia. The longtime co-host of The Breakfast Club, which marked its 15th anniversary this month, will “continue his uninhibited trademark interview style” under the new deal. iHeartMedia will also continue to work with Charlamagne through The Black Effect Podcast Network, which now spans more than 60 shows and draws roughly 11 million monthly downloads.
Sony Takes 80% Ownership of ‘Peanuts’ Franchise in $457M Deal
Sony is doubling down on Peanuts. Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment Japan have agreed to acquire WildBrain’s 41% stake in Peanuts Holdings LLC, a deal valued at roughly $457 million. Once finalized, the transaction will give Sony an 80% ownership position in the Peanuts franchise when combined with SMEJ’s existing stake, while the family of creator Charles M. Schulz will retain the remaining 20%. Rights and day-to-day management of Peanuts will continue to be overseen by Peanuts Worldwide, a wholly owned subsidiary of Peanuts Holdings.
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