Late last year, Pharrell auctioned off a number of his personal items to jumpstart his new venture, Joopiter. The site’s first auction, Son of a Pharaoh, brought in over $5 million in sales. It appears that it had at least one famous customer. Drake was spotted wearing the $104,000 Jacob & Co. skateboard necklace that was part of the first sale. 

Lisa Leslie is an indisputable hoops GOAT. Now, she’s taking her talents to the cycling world. The two-time WNBA champion announced that she will serve as an equity partner and chief executive of Jelenew. The company declares itself as “the world’s first haute couture professional cycling brand created just for women.”

Thom Browne got his stripes. Adidas took the designer to court over his use of a four-stripe design the German sportswear brand deemed too close to its signature three stripes. Adidas sought $867,225 in damages to cover would-be licensing fees. The company was also asking for an additional $7 million in returns for potential profits earned from the design. However, a Manhattan jury voted in favor of Browne, indicating that the case showed insufficient evidence to make the claim. 

Boardroom’s Vinciane Ngomsi offers insights on the case.

The heartbreaking story of Amy Winehouse got the greenlight after much anticipation. Back to Back is set to be produced by Focus Films and will feature Marisa Abela, a star of the HBO drama Industry, as the wildly talented, but deeply troubled singer. Fifty Shades of Grey director Sam Taylor-Johnson shopped the project with Studiocanal. The film also secured Universal Music Group’s support to use Winehouse’s catalog in the production.

Gary Vee is launching a production studio with Eric Wattenberg, a former CAA agent and Wheelhouse executive, and Matt Higgins, co-founder of RSE Ventures. Coined VaynerWatt, the new studio will produce original long and short-form content for networks and streaming services.

Boardroom’s Michelai Graham has the details.