Steph Curry Joins Links DAO, Drives Up Floor Price
Steph Curry is combining two of his interests: golf and crypto. The FTX ambassador announced on Monday that he purchased “membership” NFTs for Links DAO, a decentralized autonomous organization. DAOs take venture capital to the metaverse using blockchain technology, and Links DAO seeks members to help jointly invest in a physical golf course – the location of which has yet to be determined. Curry, an avid golfer, bought both a “Leisure Membership” ($892) and “LinksDAO Global Membership” ($3,443), driving up the floor price of the former by 248%.
Take-Two Interactive to Acquire Zynga in Blockbuster $12.7B Deal
Video game conglomerate Take-Two Interactive, which operates the brands that produce the successful Grand Theft Auto and NBA 2K franchises, made a huge investment in the world of mobile gaming on Monday, announcing the acquisition of mobile game behemoth Zynga for $12.7 billion. JP Morgan and LionTree Advisors are serving as financial advisors to Take-Two, with the former reportedly funding $2.7 billion of the deal.
Jorge Masvidal, Whatnot Announce Streaming Auction Platform BRKRZ
Back in September, Whatnot received $150 million in Series C funding that brought their valuation to $1.5 billion. Now the online marketplace is teaming up with UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal for a live streaming auction platform. The BRKRZ will serve as a dedicated streaming channel run by the “BMF champion” himself. And he doesn’t just have a whole lot of auctions and giveaways in the works — he plans to use BRKRZ to take enthusiasts behind the scenes of his daily life, too.
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Reebok and A Bathing Ape Harness Hip Hop in Newest Collab
Reebok and BAPE are teaming up once again and throwing back to vintage hip hop stylings with their new collection. In 2022, Reebok is starting off the new year by telling tales of timeless models through the lens of BAPE’s most evocative motifs. Redressing Reebok’s revered Instapump Fury and Club C, BAPE brings a 2000s hip-hop homage to running and tennis staples from the 80s and 90s.
Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala Added to Cash App’s Roster
Members of the Golden State Warriors are no strangers to entrepreneurial endeavors. Andre Iguodala and Klay Thompson each have extensive business portfolios, but the three-time NBA champs announced on Monday that they will be taking part of their salaries in Bitcoin through Cash App. To celebrate their brand partnership, the duo is giving out $1 million in bitcoin to fans. They join Aaron Rodgers and OBJ as part of Cash App’s athlete ambassador team.
Disney’s Metaverse Moves Will Enhance Magic Kingdom Experience
Pretty soon your trip to the Magic Kingdom will add an extra dimension. Disney Enterprises had a “virtual-world simulator” patent approved as 2021 came to a close, setting the stage for its metaverse debut. The technology will track tourists through the park and would create personalized effects in physical spaces around the happiest place on earth.
NFL’s Coaching Carousel Begins
The NFL season may have been the longest in the league’s history, but one thing remained the same: Black Monday. And with the end of the regular season comes the mass firing of head coaches following performances that just didn’t measure up to expectations. After a season-long discussion, Matt Nagy was finally let go in Chicago and his northern neighbor Mike Zimmer was dismissed in Minnesota. Perhaps the day’s most surprising firing was Miami’s Brian Flores, who was hot off a win against the division-rival Patriots. Vic Fangio’s two-year reign with the Broncos is also over.
World of Women Adds Napheesa Collier and Eva Longoria to Community
Napheesa Collier has entered the NFT space. The two-time WNBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist bought into the World of Women NFT community. World of Women is a collection of 10,000 unique NFTs that feature diverse and powerful women. Actress Eva Longoria also announced on Monday that she had purchased one of the limited-run digital collectibles, and just last week, Logan Paul sold his for 200 ETH ($765k).
Topspin Invests in Serena Williams and D. Wade’s MISSION
In 2009, Serena Williams and Dwyane Wade joined a team of world-class athletes to found a company that provides a critical solution to heat and cooling. MISSION is a pioneer in cooling technologies. On Tuesday, Topspin announced that it had invested in the company. The private equity firm will provide operational assistance as the company aims to further develop and scale.
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