Adidas, CAA, & Def Jam Officially Sever Ties with Kanye West
Kanye West is learning that words have meaning and there are consequences for his actions. Following disgusting antisemitic diatribes and other racially charged commentary, CAA released the Chicago rapper. Def Jam also let go West and his G.O.O.D. Music on Monday. Finally, after facing mounting pressure from the public, Adidas officially ended its partnership with Ye on Tuesday morning. The companies become the most recent in a long line of corporate partners who have parted ways with West, including The Gap, Balenciaga and J.P. Morgan Chase.
The NBA Re-ups Resistance to Random Cannabis Testing
The NBA is walking back its cannabis policies, one season at a time. For a third consecutive year, the NBA and NBPA have agreed to suspend random cannabis testing. Weed remains on the NBA’s banned substances list, and players can be tested if there’s probable cause. Random testing became one of many rules that were tweaked during the 2020 season in the “bubble.”
Chris Paul and the RZA Team up for Streetball Documentary
Twelve-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul and Wu-Tang Clan frontman RZA teamed up with RTG Features and Victory Creative Group’s basketball documentary Handle With Care: The League of the Notic Streetball Crew. Paul and RZA executive produced the film, along with Canadian NBA players Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort. The movie will chronicle the rise, fall, and rebirth of an upstart streetball collective from Canada in the early 2000s. The film will premiere at the Urbanworld Film Festival, slated for Thursday, Oct. 27.
The US Grand Prix Sets F1 Attendance Record with 440K in Austin
This weekend, a record-breaking 440,000 people attended the US Grand Prix event in Austin, Texas. That’s almost 200,000 more than the attendance the race garnered in 2018. Not only that, it’s the highest attendance for a three-day weekend in Formula 1 history, per Joe Pompliano. Perhaps the new audience is the most important fact here. F1 said that 70% of the attendees during the 2021 race were attending their first ever. Liberty Media bought the company for $4.4 billion in 2016 and it’s since become one of the fasting-growing sports around the globe, due in large part to the popular Netflix show Drive to Survive.
Beyoncé Confirms Upcoming Tour with Wearable Art Auction Item
The Beyhive must begin saving their pennies because their Queen is heading out on the road. After much speculation, Beyoncé seemingly confirmed her Rennaissance Tour. Queen Bey gifted an exclusive VIP experience at the upcoming tour for the Wearable Art Auction. The package included two international first class plane tickets, a hotel stay, and a backstage experience with her mother, Tina Knowles. The one-of-a-kind item was valued at $20,000.
Messi Kicks Off Web3 Partnership with Bitget
We are rapidly approaching the most exciting time in the global soccer calendar. With the run-up to the Champions League group stage and the start of the World Cup, there is so much action. In advance, Lionel Messi has linked up with the cryptocurrency exchange Bitget. As part of the partnership, fans will have enhanced experiences to connect with their favorite footballer via Web3.
Jim Nantz Announces Final March Madness, Prepares to Pass the Torch to Ian Eagle
Since 1986, Jim Nantz has been booked and busy each March and April as the voice of March Madness and The Masters. The legendary CBS announcer revealed that the 2023 NCAA tournament will be his final time inside the booth, after which Ian Eagle will take over his in-game responsibilities. Despite his departure from the college basketball scene, Nantz will continue to call events for the network’s NFL and golf coverage.