Billionaire mortgage lender Mat Ishbia is expected to finalize a purchase for the Phoenix Suns and the WNBA’s Mercury for a new record price of $4 billion. The deal would mark the official end of disgraced owner Robert Sarver’s tenure there. Ishbia, 42, was on the Michigan State 2000 national championship team, before graduating from MSU’s Eli Broad College of Business in 2003. 

Who Is Mat Ishbia? Shlomo Sprung has more details on the businessman.

Recent rumors indicate that Grizzlies star Ja Morant is one of the next in line at Nike for the signature shoe treatment. Ahead of the drop keen eyes captured Morant earing a new signature logo. Boardroom’s Nick DePaula spotted the artwork, which features a stylized version of “JA” with a design resting underneath it. There is no clear timeline for the upcoming release.

Mark Zuckerberg appeared on trial in San Jose, CA on Tuesday to discuss what is next for Meta. The CEO indicated that the company will continue to invest heavily in metaverse and Web3 technologies. The hearing comes as the Federal Trade Commission brought the company’s purchase of virtual exercise company Within Unlimited into question. The outcome of the trial in could redefine antitrust laws in the U.S. When asked if he was trying to “change the future of technology,” Zuckerberg responded with a brisk yes, but pointed out that the question was a broad one and not an indicator of sinister strategy on the part of the tech giant. Prior to Zuckerberg’s appearance, the company’s head of Reality Labs, which spearheads Web3 innovation, indicated that the company would continue to invest heavily in the metaverse in the year ahead.

There’s been no shortage of animosity (and lawsuits) between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. In the past, the PGA maintained that any golfer who defected to LIV would be banned from PGA Tour events. Then, the tide turned. The Masters announced that any golfer who meets the qualification standards for the 2023 tournament at Augusta National will be allowed to play during the iconic tournament. This set of regulations inlcludes LIV golfers. Therefore, one can expect to see past champions Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson on the links.

Boardroom’s Shlomo Sprung has more details here.

Janelle Monáe is a multi-threat. The singer has given award-worthy performances in some of the decades most important films, including Moonlight. Now, her peers will recognize her for her talents at the 2023 Critics’ Choice Awards. She will receive the SeeHer Award, which “honors a woman who advocates for gender equality, portrays characters with authenticity, defies stereotypes and pushes boundaries.” Past winners include Zendaya, Halle Berry, and Kristin Bell. The ceremony will take place on Jan. 15. 

The NWSL is looking to take active steps toward righting its troubling past. Following a recent report that highlighted the legacy of abuse and player mistreatment, the NWSL brought on a new Chief People and Culture Officer. Lauren Lopez joins the league from the New York Times, where she served as Senior Vice President of Talent Management. As part of her position, Lopez will “identify, develop and implement human resource strategies, initiatives and best practices across the league and club ecosystem.”