Brittney Griner Inks a One-Year Contract with Phoenix Mercury
Brittney Griner is headed back to the desert. After a tumultuous year, the WNBA superstar signed a one-year deal with the Phoenix Mercury. The eight-time All-Star will take in $165,100 for the season, her first contract since her detention in Russia. The move marks the most recent in an active WNBA free agency market.
Coinbase Earnings Report Offers Hope Amidst Difficult Season
Coinbase released its Q4 earnings report after the closing bell on Monday. The cryptocurrency platform outpaced expected revenue by a measure of $629 million as compared to a projected $590 million. Similarly, its earnings losses came up more moderate than anticipated. However, the report also signals a steady decrease in users. In response to the changing crypto landscape, the company has expanded by diversifying its offerings, which resulted in the better-than-expected report. The stock was up more than 1% in after-hours trading.
Venus & Serena Williams to Produce Film about 1971 Women's World Cup
The Williams sisters are teaming up yet again. This time, they are taking their talents off the court. Serena and Venus will join Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith as producers on an upcoming documentary about the 1971 Women’s World Cup. The oft-forgotten moment in sports history brought out 100,000 fans to witness what would ultimately be the final women’s World Cup until FIFA sanctioned its relaunch in 1991. Copa 71 is currently in production and directed by James Erskine and Rachel Ramsay.
HYBE Grew 42% as K-Pop Takeover Goes Global
The music company behind BTS had a huge 2022. HYBE saw its revenue increase 42% to the equivalent of $1.4 billion USD. In its annual report, the Korean music company broke its revenue into two primary categories, that which is directly related to artists and that which is indirectly related. The surge in profits resulted from the company’s artists’ global takeover, including North America and Japan. Additionally, with an enhanced roster over the years, HYBE has been able to be less dependent on BTS as its primary driver, which is perfectly timed with the group’s hiatus.
LIV Golfers Allowed at 2023 British Open
The LIV Golf season tees off this weekend at El Camaleón Golf Course in Mayakoba, Mexico. As key members like Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson lock in on the Saudi-backed golf league’s huge prize pots, they got some good news on Monday. LIV tour members will be allowed at this year’s British Open, as the tournament decided to forego the route other major PGA tournaments have taken. This is especially good news for defending champ, Australia’s Cam Smith, who will be allowed to defend his title at the Royal Liverpool Golf Course.
MLS Introduces Play-in Playoff Format
The MLS season is nearly upon us. Set to kick off on Feb 25, this year’s MLS playoffs will debut a play-in game, mimicking Major League Baseball. In the “wild card,” the eighth- and ninth-seed teams will face off. The new format also includes a best-of-three opening round, in which draws will not be allowed.