Simone Biles Teams Up with Powerade to Celebrate the Power of Pause
Simone Biles rang in 25 yesterday, and to commemorate a new year, the GOAT gymnast announced her most recent collaboration with Powerade. Together, they rolled out the “Pause is Power” campaign, which celebrates the prioritization of mental and physical health over all other things. Last summer, Biles famously had a debilitating case of “the twisties” which kept her out of Olympic competition and has been open about her ongoing mental health journey. The campaign also features soccer player Antonio Conte and Olympic diver Tom Daley.
March Madness Brackets Build a $3B Economy
Sportsbooks everywhere are preparing for one of their busiest months on record. A report from PlayUSA estimates that the bracket economy will bring in $3 billion in legalized wagers across the country this March Madness season, more than double last year’s $1.4 billion. That is due to the expanded number of states that have legalized gambling in the last calendar year, including New York, Arizona, and Louisiana.
Stephen Curry Surprises “2974” NFT Holders with Birthday Drop
Stephen Curry rang in 34 on Monday, and he made sure that collectors of his “2974” NFT were part of the celebration. The all-time three-point scorer surprised holders with a birthday-themed addition to their crypto wallets. The 38 individuals who own a moment that took place on past birthdays got a special bonus in a free trip to the Bay to see Stephen and the Warriors in action and the opportunity for a meet and greet, sponsored by FTX. Steph celebrated on the court as well with 47 points, including seven 3s, in the Warriors win against the Wizards.
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FTX Founder Unveils Ukrainian Aid Site
Sam Bankman-Fried is no stranger to creating new spaces where one did not previously exist. The FTX founder announced that his company will host a crypto fundraising platform that will direct aid to those in need in Ukraine. The move comes as a response to the widespread allocation of crypto funds to assist individuals and families in need amidst the war, totaling an estimated $93.6 million. To do this, FTX will team with Everstake, and donations can be made with a wide range of crypto coins, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana.
Aliyah Boston Tunes Into New Campaign with Bose
South Carolina’s quest to cutting down the nets begins on Friday although its first foe has yet to be determined. Regardless of who they suit up against, the No. 1 team in the nation will bank on the ferocious performance of its star player Aliyah Boston. The junior is a front runner for the Lisa Leslie Award, but she’s also begun to make space for herself off the court, announcing that she has signed an NIL deal with Bose. She joins Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren and Duke forward Wendell Moore as part of the brand’s student-athlete team.
Candy Digital Paints a Sweet Future with New NFT Collection
This year, college basketball fans have a chance to remember the games unlike ever before. This is due, in large part, to the emergence of NFTs which grant the chance to collect key moments of the action and cash in on your favorite players. Candy Digital is offering expanded collectible sets featuring this year’s most exciting stars, with new sets dropping each Monday and offering three tiers of collectibles. This week’s drop included: Wisconsin star guard Johnny Davis, Alabama guard JD Davison, and Iowa forward Keegan Murray.
Metaverse Game Studios Raises $10M, Backed by Animoca Brands
It is no secret that the metaverse will be the next frontier in gaming. One creative company has just secured an investment round to ensure that its ready for the expedition. Metaverse Game Studios raised $10 million, backed by Animoca Brands, Pantera Capital, Solana Ventures, and Everyrealm. The company is scheduled to release its first game Angelic in the coming months and is hoping to disrupt the industry with a new model for web3 gaming.
Philadelphia Union Nets Slew of New Sponsors for 2022 Season
The Philadelphia Union had one of its most successful seasons on the pitch last year, and now it is reaping the rewards. The club announced that has brought on a large number of new sponsors in the off-season, including investing in sustainability with Green Mountain Energy and cashless stadium experiences with Fiserv. The deals signal the growth in popularity of the team and the MLS more generally, which is currently looking to broker a major deal worth upwards of $300 million for a new broadcast partner.
The North Face Invests in Athletes with New Development Program
Since 2020, a number of outdoor retailers have expanded their commitments to diversifying the outdoors. The investments have come at the same time as the industry has boomed, as people sought to escape their homes in the midst of the pandemic. The North Face joins this effort, announcing its new program that will offer up to 20 athletes with a two-year contract to invest in their training, growth, and development across climbing, skiing, snowboarding, trail running and/or alpinism.
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