Emma Raducanu Introduced as Evian’s Newest Global Ambassador
Emma Raducanu capped off a huge year on Thursday with her latest endorsement. The 19-year-old U.S. Open champ was announced as the newest global ambassador for Evian. Raducanu previously revealed partnerships with Tiffany & Co., Dior, Nike, Wilson, and Aston Martin.
LeBron James Rookie Sneaker Set to IPO
LeBron James’ game-worn rookie sneakers are headed for IPO. His signature Nike Air Zoom Generation debut was one of the most hyped sneaker unveils in NBA history and now fans can capture a piece to call their own. The Collectable app is auctioning off 90,000 shares of a pair that has been photo-matched to 3 games in LeBron’s earliest days at $5 each. The IPO goes live on 12/12 at 9 p.m. EST.
NHL to Allow Private Equity Investment with New Rules
The NHL announced on Thursday that it has come to an agreement to change its ownership rules and allow institutional investments. It is the latest major sports league to approve private equity ownership of its teams, joining the NBA, MLB, and MLS. On the heels of the news, reports emerged that the Minnesota Wild and Tampa Bay Lightning are both in talks to sell minority stakes to Arctos Sports Partners.
UK Basketball Team Gets Into NFT Game with Blue Chips
The Wildcats are all about blue-chip basketball, and now fans will be able to secure custom digital collectibles to commemorate their favorite team. The University of Kentucky revealed their newest NIL team sponsor, Boston-based NFT company Mercury. Together, they will link up to launch the Blue Chip platform.
Dustin Poirier to Team Up with Complex to Produce Food Fight
The UFC’s Sauce Boss has set his sights on his next move. Dustin Poirier tells Boardroom that he has inked a deal with Complex to produce a show called Food Fight. The show will see him traveling to various cities and exploring gyms, kitchens, and restaurants along the way. But for now, Poirier is transfixed on his upcoming fight at UFC 269, where he seeks to walk away as the Undisputed UFC lightweight champion.
WNBA Drops Biggest Schedule in History
The WNBA revealed its 2022 season schedule on Thursday. Fans have a lot to look forward to in the upcoming season, which is set to tip-off on May 6 with the 2021 champion Chicago Sky taking on the Los Angeles Sparks. It is the longest season in the history of the league with 36 games and will feature a modified playoff format, which was announced last month.
EA Sports Aiming for Summer 2023 Release for College Football Reboot
EA Sports is looking to bring back its wildly popular college football game. However, the path to its return has been complicated by various factors, including the emergence of name, image, and likeness opportunities for student-athletes. This week, Collegiate Licensing Co.’s CEO Cory Moss revealed that they are hoping for a Summer 2023 launch date although the company hedged via Twitter that the precise date is still not secure.
Pat McAfee Lands $120M Deal with FanDuel
The retired NFL vet who made two Pro Bowls and was named All-Pro is no stranger to success, but on Thursday, he revealed his biggest win to date. Pat McAfee and FanDuel agreed to a four-year, $120 million contract. The agreement marks one of the biggest deals in sports media history. With the news, McAfee donated $6 million to various charitable causes, including a $1 million donation to the WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital.
Josh Christopher Joins Beyond Meat’s All-Star Ambassador Team
Health is wealth. That’s what Houston Rockets shooting guard Josh Christopher captioned his Instagram announcing his newest partnership with the meat alternative company Beyond Meat. Christopher joins an extended team of athlete ambassadors, which includes Kyrie Irving, Maya Moore, and Chris Paul.
NFL Prepares for International Expansion with German Hire
The shield is looking to build on its record of success of international play. For decades, the NFL has been staging preseason and regular-season games in other countries, including England and Mexico. Earlier this year, the NFL signaled its interest in expanding that reach, and on Thursday they announced Alexander Steinforth as the General Manager of Germany. Germany is widely held as one of the top prospects for a future game, which could potentially take place at Steinforth’s former employer – soccer club Fortuna’s – home pitch
HBO Drops Winning Time Trailer, Sets March Debut
When Dr. Jerry Buss took over the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979, he launched a legacy. The new show Winning Time takes a dramatized look back on Buss, Magic Johnson, and the Showtime Lakers. The show, which stars John C. Riley and Adrian Brody, is set to debut in March but earlier screeners have yielded some harsh criticism from the Buss family and the NBA.