OpenSea Continues Wild Week with Successful $300M Series C
The Ethereum-based NFT marketplace, which is home to some of the internet’s most popular collections including CryptoPunks, Bored Ape Yacht Club, and Doodles, has hosted over $1 billion in sales in just the first five days of the new year. To support its meteoric growth, OpenSea reports that they closed a $300 million Series C at a $13.3 billion valuation — up from $1.5 billion just six months ago.
A-Rod Being Considered by ESPN to Host “Manningcast for Baseball”
Although the impending MLB season is on ice due to the ongoing lockout, ESPN is already putting the pieces in place for its return. Following the success of the Manningcast, the network is considering launching a baseball equivalent featuring Alex Rodriguez for its Sunday Night Baseball broadcast. The 14-time All-Star has charmed fans over the last several years as a booth announcer, but this type of format will allow him to have a less formal stream of consciousness throughout the broadcast and bring on players, friends, and pop culture icons. The move would be part of an overall shake-up for ESPN’s primetime production.
Kanye West and Billie Eilish Tapped to Headline Coachella’s Return
Music fans will swarm the polo fields in Indio in April as Coachella is set to return with a huge lineup. While the full bill has yet to be revealed, reports suggest that Kanye West and Billie Eilish have been tapped as headliners for two nights of the three-day festival. The third is often a “throwback” and has yet to be announced, but Variety reports that it may be supergroup Swedish House Mafia.
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Mavs Unveil Statue as Franchise Celebrates Dirk Nowitzki
Forever 41. Mark Cuban and Dallas fans everywhere celebrated the legacy and impact of Dirk Nowitzki on the Mavericks franchise on Wednesday night. Cuban wore a custom t-shirt made for the event which featured Dirk’s draft night photo, commemorating the start of his 21-year career with the team, and raised his number 41 to the rafters. Additionally, the Mavericks revealed the design of the signature statue that will make its home outside of the American Airlines stadium. The celebrations were sweetened as the Mavs beat the Warriors 99-82.
Future Technologies Revealed as CES Kicks Off in Vegas
After a year-long hiatus, the Consumer Electronics Show returned to Vegas on Wednesday. The annual conference highlights emerging technologies across a number of different industries. This year, the event kicked off with BMW‘s reveal of a color-changing car, which transforms with the touch of a button. Another highlight from day one includes PlayStation‘s foundation for the future of gaming with a VR console and VR controller, which is bound to alter the multi-sensory experience of gaming.
Malik Rose Appointed G League’s Head of Basketball Operations
Malik Rose has been named Head of Basketball Operations for the NBA G League and will oversee NBA G League Ignite. Rose had previously been working with the NBA Basketball Operations. The two-time Drexel alum replaces Brad Walker, who was named Commissioner of the America East Conference last summer.
KFC Teams Up with Beyond Meat
Starting next month, vegans everywhere will rejoice as KFC announced on Wednesday that they are teaming up with Beyond Meat to offer a meat-free alternative on the menu. Following in the footsteps of the success of Beyond Meat’s beef-inspired lines, they’re looking to make strides in the chicken alternative market, and there is no more iconic partner than the Colonel. The launch will be for a limited time only but could tease a new direction for KFC.
Blitzer Extends Ownership Reach with Real Salt Lake Purchase
Just weeks after announcing his investment in the Cleveland Guardians, David Blitzer has revealed that he is expanding his sports team portfolio. Blitzer is part of an ownership group that is set to purchase MLS club Real Salt Lake, per Sportico. The acquisition gives Blitzer an ownership stake in five pro leagues with ownership stakes in the New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Sixers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Guardians. Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith is also part of the ownership group.
Drone Racing Enters the Metaverse
The Drone Racing League and Playground Labs are taking their talents to Web3, bringing together the worlds of gaming and blockchain technology. Together, they announced a partnership on Wednesday that will extend the DRL’s races into the metaverse, building out “the infrastructure of the metaverse economy” and enable users to earn “economic utility” as they play. The DRL-Playground Labs news comes as the world of drone racing celebrates the 2021-22 DRL Algorand World Championship Season finale Wednesday night at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Lululemon’s Legal Woes Accelerate with Nike Suit
It pays to be a lawyer on the lululemon team as the Canadian-based sportswear company has recently been subject to a number of recent lawsuits. After suing Peloton around the design practices of the at-home fitness company’s signature line, Nike is now suing lululemon claiming that its at-home fitness product, Mirror, utilizes technologies developed by the Beaverton brand. Nike is seeking to cease production of products that include these patents and also to reclaim profits that were made from their previous use.
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