Red Bull Racing Team Inks Multiyear, $150M Deal with Bybit
Crypto is everywhere in sports these days, and one company is racing into the world of Formula 1. Bybit announced on Wednesday that they are teaming up with the Red Bull Racing team for a historic partnership. While details have not officially been revealed, inside sources suggest that it is in the ballpark of three years and $150 million, making it the biggest single crypto deal in sports. The news comes on the heels of Red Bull’s announcement that they are partnering with Oracle to help fuel its next chapter.
Super Bowl Halftime Show Up for Grabs with $50M Sticker Price
This past weekend’s Super Bowl halftime show left everyone buzzing. But for Pepsi, it marked the end of an era as its 10-year deal as the naming sponsor expired. Inside sources report that the NFL is peddling the sponsorship opportunity in the market of $40-50 million, while also rebranding it as a content and tech opportunity.
Gabrielle Union, Christina Aguilera Lead Angel City FC’s Newest All-Star Funding Round
The next frontier of soccer has arrived in Los Angeles. Angel City FC announced on Wednesday that it had completed a Series A round led by Alexis Ohanian‘s firm Seven Seven Six that attracted an all-star group of investors that includes Gabrielle Union and her daughter Kaavia James Union Wade, Christina Aguilera, Jay Shetty, and Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson. The team is set for its NWSL debut led by USWNT stars Christen Press and Julie Ertz later this year.
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J. Cole’s DREAMER Links with Mitchell & Ness for Throwback Drop
NBA All-Star Weekend is upon us and all eyes are on Cleveland. Although some of this year’s activities will be scaled back, J. Cole’s DREAMER is launching a limited-release line in partnership with Mitchell & Ness and the NBA. The rapper teased the collection on Instagram, which includes nods to the Celtics, Magic, Suns, Pistons, and many more; however, details are still emerging about the specific teams that will be represented in the final drop. The jerseys will be available starting on Feb. 18 at noon eastern. DREAMER also released a commercial earlier this week featuring high school basketball sensation Hansel Emmanuel.
Chicago Bulls Name Don C as Creative Strategy and Design Advisor
Don C has landed the perfect hometown job. The Bulls announced on Thursday that they have hired the Chicago-born streetwear designer and artist as the team’s strategy and design advisor. The range of his role will be expansive and include creating digital content, apparel lines, and new, immersive fan engagement experiences. The position is new for the team and reflects a league-wide trend in hiring artists as key members of the front office.
Snoop Declares that Death Row Records Will Run as an NFT Label
Coming hot off his incredible halftime performance, Snoop Dogg isn’t slowing down. The west coast rapper and entrepreneur purchased Death Row Records – the label that launched his career with 1993’s Doggystyle. In an appearance on Clubhouse, Snoop told fans that it will be an NFT label and that artists will be performing throughout the metaverse. This isn’t Snoop’s first foray into Web3. Late last year, he purchased a plot of land in the Sandbox.
NBA Teams Up with Fortnite for Vote to Emote
The NBA and Fortnite are letting fans vote on a celebration emote as part of the game’s NBA 75 All-Star Hub. Starting now and running until 10 a.m. on Feb. 23, fans will get to vote on a celebration emote. Their options: Giannis Antetokounmpo sitting up and crossing his arms, Trae Young crossing his arms and rubbing his biceps after a huge made three-pointer, and Joel Embiid extending his arms and flying like a plane. The winner will be revealed on Fortnite’s social channels.
Division Street Taps Nike Legend Tinker Hatfield for First NFT Drop
Oregon Ducks athletes can now add NFTs to their extensive name, image, and likeness repertoire. The university and its NIL partner company Division Street have announced “Ducks of a Feather” — an NFT platform made specifically to benefit Oregon athletes and connect them to fans, boosters, and collectors. Fittingly, the first collection on the platform, called “Flying Formations,” will consist of 120 designs from Nike’s Tinker Hatfield in collaboration with the Oregon football team.
Bubba Wallace Preps for Daytona 500 with McDonald’s Merch Collab
In the run-up to the Daytona 500, 23XI driver Bubba Wallace is launching his latest collaboration. The McDonald’s-sponsored athlete is dropping a new line of merch, which features 23XI iconography and the Golden Arches’ signature lines, like “I’m lovin’ it.” The collection includes jackets, hats, sweats, and tees, and will be available on Feb. 18.
Rugby League World Cup Launches NFT Marketplace
Oct. 2022 marks the return of the Rugby League World Cup in England. This year, digital drops will accompany the on-field action in the quest to crown the sports’ top teams in the men’s, women’s, and wheelchair games. In the run up to the tournament, NuArca Labs will release a number of NFT drops. Fans will have the chance to grab NFT packs featuring their favorite athletes from around the world. And to mark the debut of this new online marketplace, the first 2,021 fans to create an RLWC2021 digital collectible account will receive a free commemorative NFT.
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