The Los Angeles Dodgers have single-handedly won the MLB offseason. After landing Shohei Ohtani with a record-smashing $700 million contract, the club has reportedly signed the highly sought-after Japanese hurler Yoshinobu Yamamoto. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that the deal clocks in at 12 years, $325 million, marking the largest overall value contract for a pitcher in league history. The Dodgers will also give Yamamoto a $50 million signing bonus. The 25-year-old is widely held as one of the best pitchers ever to come out of Japan. The deal includes two opt-outs, according to Passan. The signing is contingent on an outstanding physical.

Awards season is nigh. The Golden Globes kick things off on Jan. 7. This year’s winners and presenters will take home a coveted gift bag worth over $500,000. The bags will include everything from caviar to future trips to Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton properties. However, this year, Golden Globe recipients will receive vouchers and be able to decide if they want to cash in the options — and thus be subject to the significant 37% tax bill affiliated with the haul. This year’s bags are curated by the luxury website Robb Report. 

Lil Wayne is low-key one of the greatest sports fans out there. This year, he’s been seen everywhere, from the sideline at Colorado football games to courtside at The Las Vegas Aces. Now, he’s pleading his case to take the main stage at one of the sporting calendar’s biggest events. In a conversation with Taylor Rooks, Weezy discussed his hopes to be the halftime performer at the 2025 Super Bowl in his hometown of New Orleans. And if Lil Wayne makes it, he won’t bring anyone on stage, with one exception: Beyoncé.

Florida State football is still reeling from its College Football Playoff snub. The university’s board of trustees voted unanimously to sue the ACC to re-coup the $130 million fee affiliated with departing the ACC. “I believe this board has been left no choice but to challenge the legitimacy of the ACC grant of rights and its severe withdrawal penalties,” board chair Peter Collins said in a statement. “None of us like being in this position. However, I believe that we have exhausted all possible remedies within the conference and we must do what we believe is best for Florida State not only in the short term but in the long term.” The board cites financial mismanagement by the ACC in the way it has pursued broadcast opportunities, which has trickle-down effects for the participating schools. While there is no precise conference target for Florida State at this time, the Big Ten is thought to be the top contender.

Lionsgate is preparing for the future. The entertainment conglomerate is working with a blank check company to spin off Starz as a separate company, which will be traded publicly. The deal estimates Starz to be worth $4.6 billion due primarily to its catalog of over 20,000 titles. The separate entity will also include 28 million global subscribers. The move is seen as a way to benefit Lionsgate shareholders in both the short- and long-term. More details on the move will become available during a shareholder call on Jan.  4

The Chinese government proposed new restrictions on online gaming. The draft guidelines, released this week, seek to decrease “excessive gaming.” However, the regulations may have a far-reaching impact on business. On Friday, Tencent shares dipped more than 12% in response to the news, totaling a more than $43 billion loss. One analyst told CNBC that the move — if passed — would fundamentally change the business models of gaming companies, as many reward player loyalty.