Fanatics Trading Card Takeover Continues with Topps Acquisition
Fanatics will always remember 2021 as the year that it became a one-of-one. Sportico reported on Monday that Fanatics will announce on Tuesday that it is acquiring Topps. As it positioned itself to take over a major portion of the collectibles market with deals with organizations that included the MLB and MLBPA, its most recent move may come as no surprise. The details of the deal are unknown at this time, but early reports indicated that it was worth $500 million.
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Pick up Leidos as Title Sponsor
Bubba Wallace is expected to pick up where he left off in 2021. The driver announced on Tuesday that he will be teaming up with science and technology company Leidos as the title sponsor of the 23XI Racing Team. As part of the deal, Leidos will be the lead sponsor for Wallace and the No. 23 Toyota Camry TRD. Wallace previously partnered with the company as part of his time with Xfinity.
David Beckham Reportedly Sells Majority Stake of DB Ventures to Authentic Brands for $271M
David Beckham achieved singular superstar status during his time on the pitch, but he may be equally well known for his business savvy. The former footballer has major deals with a number of brands, including Tudor watches and Haig whiskey, all of which are housed under the DB Ventures umbrella. Now, the Daily Mail reports that the Beckhams are selling a 55% stake in their business to Authentic Brands Group, which hosts Sports Illustrated, Barney’s, and Brooks Brothers in its extensive portfolio. DB Ventures would figure to use proceeds from a sale to pay off debts and create room for future growth. A spokesperson for Authentic Brands Group later told Boardroom that “ABG does not currently have a partnership with DB Ventures.”
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Elon Musk Posts a $32B Day
Elon Musk was one of the most talked-about individuals of 2021, and in the first week of the new year, he’s making his case to reclaim the title in 2022. With news of Tesla’s successful Q4, which completed a year of moving nearly 1 million units, Musk made $32 billion on Monday, bringing his personal wealth threshold over $300 billion. The news comes shortly after Tesla teased that it is looking into getting in the smartphone game, which would put it in direct competition with Apple for the first time. The Cupertino company, for its part, revealed on Monday that it had reached a $3 trillion market cap — making it the first U.S. company to hit the milestone. The news also comes as Blackberry announced that their phones will stop being functional on Tuesday, marking the end of an era.
Air Jordan 1 Low Golf “Chicago” Gets 2022 Release
Over the course of his basketball career, Michael Jordan balanced his day job of being the best player in the NBA by becoming a good golfer in his off time. Now Jumpman is capitalizing on the recent surge in the sport with the debut of the Air Jordan 1 Low Golf “Chicagos”. While a firm release date is yet to be set and could likely leap around due to COVID-related shipping delays, one would expect recent Jordan Brand endorser Bubba Watson to pop up in a pair in PGA action.
Warner Music Acquires David Bowie’s Music Catalog for $250M
Just a few days shy of the sixth anniversary of his death, the estate of David Bowie has sold his entire catalog to Warner Music. Bowie recorded 26 albums throughout his career and has a posthumous album set for release this Friday. The transaction is the most recent in a number of legendary catalog transactions in recent years. Just last week, KKR confirmed the purchase of ZZ Top’s catalog following Dusty Hill’s passing last summer.
Matteo Berrettini Becomes Newest Boss Ambassador
The Italian tennis star, who is currently ranked No. 7 in the world, has his eyes on the Australian Open trophy. But on Monday, he revealed he will be playing in style. Berrettini joins fellow athletes including driver Nico Rosberg, soccer star Mario Gómez, and boxer Anthony Joshua to partner with Boss. As part of the arrangement, Berrettini will sport the brand on and off the court and also co-create his own collection.
Steve Aoki Secure His 8th Bored Ape and Teases an Epic EDM Collab
Steve Aoki is all about that Bored Ape life. The DJ announced on Monday that he had purchased his eighth ape, #9309, for 81.2 ETH (over $300k). In addition, he teased an EDM collab with none other than Shaquille O’Neal via his Instagram. Back in August, Aoki teased that he had made a “stomper in the studio” with the legendary NBA star, but there is no word if it is the same track.
Samsung Converts Your TV Into Your Favorite NFT Platform
We may only be a few days into January, but skyrocketing NFT sales are already part of the new year’s narrative. And to accommodate a rapidly rising market, Samsung is reimagining the role your Smart TV serves not just in your home, but in the emerging worlds of Web3 and NFT art. Ahead of the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Samsung has unveiled its new lineup of MICRO LED, Neo QLED, and Lifestyle TVs. And for forward-thinkers in the tech space, the new products from Samsung signal much more than high-definition means to watch your favorite game.
Dyal HomeCourt Partners Finalize Minority Purchase of Hawks
A major trend of the last year was the emergence of private equity in professional sports. From minor league baseball teams to the NHL, private equity firms began to take over stakes of various sizes in teams across the country. And on Tuesday, that trend continued as Dyal HomeCourt Partners announced a minority investment (6%) in the Atlanta Hawks. The team’s principal owner Tony Ressler will maintain his majority stake. HomeCourt was founded in 2020 in partnership with the NBA to infuse capital into the league and also currently has stakes in the Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings.
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