In a move that shook the golf world, the PGA Tour announced a merger with the Saudi Arabian-backed LIV Golf on Tuesday. The deal consolidates the two professional golf tours into one for-profit entity under a yet-to-be-determined moniker. Details concerning the newly formed alliance have not been disclosed, but the Saudi Public Investment Fund is expected to invest billions of new capital into the merger, per a CNBC report. The partnership will also include the DP World Tour, the European branch of the PGA Tour.

Boardroom’s Russell Steinberg has a full breakdown of the shocking merger.

A docuseries chronicling Lionel Messi’s five FIFA World Cup appearances, ending with Argentina’s win in Qatar last year is heading to Apple TV+. The program promises to deliver exclusive scenes shot in Paris, Qatar, and Argentina, covering everything from Messi training in the Middle East to his riotous press junkets, to the quiet footballer few know off the pitch. Audiences can also expect personal conversations between Messi and his teammates, close confidants, and family. The program’s title and premiere date have yet to be announced at this time.

HYPE Sports Innovation and CBS Sports have agreed to form a strategic partnership that centers on creating new technology and innovations for the network’s sports coverage. CBS Sports will tap into HYPE’s vast network of SportsTech stakeholders to explore new and innovative solutions in the artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality, and remote broadcasting space. Jason Cohen, Vice President of Technical Operations at CBS Sports, said of the alliance, “We are excited to work with HYPE Sports Innovation and many of the leading technology companies from around the world to further enhance our coverage and deliver never-before-seen technology to our audiences, while developing more creative and compelling content, as well as innovative experiences.”

A pair of Michael Jordan sneakers sported long before his Nike days are hitting the auction market. Named as one of Air Highness’s “earliest documented sneakers,” the simple white and navy pair of Converse All-Stars were worn by the six-time NBA Finals champion during the 1983 Pan-American Games in Caracas, Venezuela when Jordan was just 19-years-old. Considering anything associated with Jordan is expected to fetch at least six-figures, we have a feeling this pair will have no issue being sold to the highest bidder.

Read more about the history behind the trainers, thanks to Boardroom’s Nick DePaula.

Joining former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, ex-Real Madrid star Karim Benzema confirmed his intent to play in Saudi Arabia next season after much speculation. The reigning Ballon d’Or winner is set to debut for reigning Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad on a two-year deal. Per goal.com, the 35-year-old will reportedly earn $213 million per season, making him one of the highest-paid footballers of all time. Benzema leaves Spain with four La Liga trophies, five UEFA Champions League titles, and four UEFA Super Cup championships.

Dua Lipa has something to celebrate. On Tuesday, it was announced that the Grammy winner won a copyright suit filed by a reggae band in March 2022. Artikal Sound System accused the pop star of borrowing the hook from their 2017 song “Live Your Life” for her 2020 chart-topping single “Levitating.” U.S. District Judge Sunshine Sykes decided in a Los Angeles federal court Monday that “Plaintiffs’ failure to specify how frequently they performed ‘Live Your Life’ publicly during the specified period, where these performances took place, and the size of the venues and/or audiences precludes the Court from finding that Plaintiffs’ live performances of the song plausibly contributed to its saturation of markets in which Defendants would have encountered it.”