“Pancake Factory” to Support Texas Linemen with $50k NIL Deal
The University of Texas is wrapping up a difficult season and preparing for its impending move to the SEC in 2025. To do so, the Longhorns are hoping to attract big man talent with the announcement of a new NIL opportunity in collaboration with the local nonprofit Horns with Heart. “The Pancake Factory” will provide each lineman with $50,000 and the chance to support some of their favorite charities. The news comes on the heels of a previous announcement that the Clark Field Collective will provide an additional stipend, meaning linemen will make $150,000 at minimum when they come to play in Austin.
Paul George, Baron Davis Bet on Chalkboard
The social betting app Chalkboard integrates various aspects of the betting experience while allowing users to never miss a message and to have some insights on their friends’ most recent betting moves. The company recently closed a $1.5 million pre-seed round, thanks to a lengthy list of investors that includes Paul George and Baron Davis, which will fund continued product scale and development.
US Diplomats to Boycott Winter Olympics
Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Monday that the United States will withhold diplomatic representation from the Winter Games. The move comes as a response to human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Psaki noted that despite the boycott, the athletes will have the full support of the country behind them.
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NFLPA and DraftKings Team Up to Gamify NFTs
The NFL Players Association and DraftKings, in conjunction with NFLPA group licensing organization OneTeam Partners, have announced plans to launch gamified NFTs by the 2022 NFL season. The collections will debut on DraftKings Marketplace, making this DraftKings’ first partnership with a major professional sports league. The agreement gives DK licensing rights for active NFL players, including the authentic use of name, image, and likeness.
Maria Sharapova Partners with Public for Equity Stake
The five-time grand slam champion has partnered with Public. The online investing platform has raised over $300M from investors including Will Smith, J.J. Watt, and Tony Hawk and currently boasts over one million users, a significant portion of whom are women, people of color, and first-time investors. As part of the arrangement, Sharapova will receive an equity stake in the company, host events, and also provide financial advice to college athletes who use the platform.
Trey Lance Tapped as Ambassador for Jerry Rice’s G.O.A.T. Fuel Energy Drink
Trey Lance may be the future of the San Francisco 49ers, but he draws inspiration from the legends of the past, including the G.O.A.T receiver Jerry Rice. The two may be separated by a few generations in the locker room, but they linked up as Lance was announced on Tuesday as the newest ambassador for Rice’s energy drink company G.O.A.T. Fuel, joining NBA star Tyler Herro. The “health-forward” energy drink also serves as the official sports drink of the Los Angeles Lakers.
MLS NEXT Pro Kicks Off in 2022
In March 2022, MLS NEXT Pro will kick off and will include 21 teams in its inaugural season – with an additional eight teams slated to join in 2023 – each of which will play a 24-game schedule. The league “will offer young players and experienced professionals the opportunity to develop and showcase their talents,” all while competing towards a title championship. Adidas will extend its existing relationship with MLS to serve as a founding sponsor.
GameOn Preps for New World of NFT Gaming with Polygon Investment
GameOn’s sports gaming technology, which allows fans to connect, make predictions, and track live scores in real-time, got a hefty investment in its future. Polygon will help GameOn as they continue to develop fan engagement opportunities, with a focus specifically on NFT gamification. GameOn currently has partnerships with the WNBA, NWSL, and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Inter Milan Gets Formal with Moncler Partnership
Inter Milan connected with another local when selecting its official formalwear partner. The Milan-based luxury fashion brand best known for its coveted skiwear will provide formal and outerwear to the entire club, including their coaching staff. They revealed the partnership with a stunning black and white photoshoot, featuring several members of the club including Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Denzel Dumfries, Lautaro Martinez and coach Simone Inzaghi.
“Citizen Ashe” Reveals Tennis Legend’s Lasting Legacy On and Off the Court
Arthur Ashe transformed the world of tennis when he became the first African American to win a major. However, his legacy extends far beyond the court and is reflected in his tireless activism raising awareness about apartheid in South African and helping to eliminate the stigma of HIV/AIDS. Citizen Ashe tells the story of Ashe’s incredible life, highlighting the intersections of his excellence in the sport and his commitment to the causes that he held dear. The film debuted as part of Deadline’s For the Love of Docs series and is currently streaming on Amazon.
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