Kendrick Lamar Commemorates ‘good kid, m.A.A.d. city’ with Prime Stream
After an extended hiatus, Kendrick Lamar has had a big year. Following the release of Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, the Compton rapper has taken the tour across the globe. But this week, he’s looking backward as he looks to the 10th anniversary of the release of his breakthrough album, good kid, m.A.A.d. city. K-dot is teaming up with Amazon Prime for a live stream of his Paris performance to celebrate. The broadcast is an extension of the streaming service’s live event coverage, which included Tyler, the Creator’s Call Me If You Get Lost tour.
Draymond Green Documents Preseason Drama with New Series, ‘The Countdown’
The Golden State Warriors’ four-time NBA champion Draymond Green has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons as of late, but that might draw even more eyes to what he has coming next. Warner Bros, Omaha Productions, and Green 23 debuted an all-access series called The Countdown before Tuesday night’s season tip-off. The premiere featured Green’s journey throughout the preseason, including his reaction to the practice altercation with Jordan Poole that set fire throughout the sports world.
Chiney Ogwumike Signs Multi-year Extension with ESPN
Chiney Ogwumike is making moves. In addition to her regular presence on NBA Today and NBA Countdown, the Los Angeles Sparks forward struck a new deal with ESPN that’ll not only extend her stay, but expand her presence on the network as well. “We don’t have many women analysts outside of Doris Burke calling NBA games on linear TV,” said Ogwumike. “That’s the next challenge for me. I’ve called women’s basketball games. I know how to call a basketball game, but I like to make sure to master my craft before I jump into another one.” Expect to see her a whole lot more during the 2022-23 NBA season.
NBA Team Valuations Leap 13% in Less Than a Year
The NBA season is upon us. Since Forbes’ last set of valuations for NBA franchises, the average value of a team has risen to $2.48 billion — a 13% increase since February. The Knicks ($5.8B), Warriors ($5.6B), Lakers ($5.5B), Bulls ($3.6B), and Celtics ($3.5B) lead the way. Not only are all five storied franchises, but they all play in giant markets. The Phoenix Suns — who are currently up for sale — are worth an estimated $1.8 billion.
Rihanna Gets into the Game with Savage X Fenty Sport
The announcements keep coming from Rihanna. In the run-up to her Super Bowl Halftime performance, Rih is releasing a new sports line for her billion-dollar brand, Savage X Fenty. The multi-hyphenate took to Instagram on Wednesday to announce the new collection. The new gear is likely to debut during the brand’s November 9 fashion show, which is set to stream on Amazon.
Amazon Unveils Black Friday NFL Game in 2023
Amazon’s got a Black Friday announcement — and no, it isn’t a sale. Beginning next season, the NFL will begin airing games on Black Friday (Nov. 23). The league announced Tuesday that Prime Video will stream one game the day after Thanksgiving, marking the first NFL game ever to occur on Black Friday. The teams will be announced when the schedule releases in May. Per ESPN, Amazon’s NFL package goes through the 2033 season for an average of $1.2 billion per season. The streaming network will pay between $50 and $70 million per year for the additional game.
Kylie Jenner and Dak Prescott Stay Hydrated as GLOW Ambassadors
Kylie Jenner and Dak Prescott are all about that high quality H20. The celebrity mogul revealed that she is an equity stakeholder in the sparkling water company GLOW. She will team up with the Dallas Cowboys’ QB as brand ambassadors for the company. The investment is only the most recent in a packed portfolio for the youngest Jenner sister. Will she team up with her sister, Kendal Jenner’s, 818 Tequila company for a new signature cocktail?
EA SPORTS Amplifies Investment in Women’s Soccer
EA SPORTS is invested in growing the women’s game of soccer. The gaming company committed $11 million to the “Starting XI Fund,” dedicated to expanding the game across the globe. Additionally, EA is collaborating with UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) to enhance the fan experience. Finally, it rounded out its announcement trifecta by revealing a new partnership with DAZN that will enable more game coverage during FIFA 23.
Walmart Doubles Down on Gen-Z with Content Creator Hub
Walmart is already in a class by itself, but its latest strategy plays directly into the next generation of consumers. The box store announced the launch of a new platform called “Walmart Creator.” The content portal enables creators to monetize shoppable products from the retailer. “We know our customers are inspired by the content and stories they see from their favorite influencers in their social feeds every day,” said William White, chief marketing officer, Walmart U.S. “This next step in our strategy will help fuel inspiration for our customers by connecting their favorite creators directly with our brand and the brands they love at Walmart.”