OVO Partners with Texas, Kentucky, Memphis, UNC, & Alabama for College Collab
October’s Very Own (OVO) is linking up with some of the most popular colleges in the country. After successful collabs with the NBA, NFL, and MLB, the umbrella brand started by Drake, 40, and Oliver El-Khatib is expanding its sports arm to include the NCAA. On Tuesday, OVO announced limited-edition clothing collections with Texas, Kentucky, Memphis, North Carolina, and Alabama. Consumers can look forward to hats, hoodies, basketball shorts, varsity jackets, and more splashed with distinctive colors and branding from each college and, of course, the OVO owl on each piece. The drop is scheduled for Sept. 29.
Boardroom’s Ian Stonebrook has more details on this forthcoming launch.
MrBeast, KSI, Jake Paul Top Forbes' 2023 List of Top Creators
Forbes has identified the most powerful influencers online in their annual Top Creators 2023 list. This year, the 50 individuals on the list amassed 2.6 billion followers and totaled an estimated $700 million in earnings, a more than 20% increase compared to 2022’s $570 million total. Topping the list is Jimmy Donaldson, famously known as MrBeast, who hauled $82 million in 2023. Olajide Olatunji, who goes by KSI online, comes in second with $24 million to his name. Vine star-turned-boxer Jake Paul is No. 3 with $34 million in earnings. Comedians Rhett & Link take the fourth spot with $32 million in earnings, and rounding out the top 5 is TikTok sensation Charli D’Amelio with $23 million in earnings.
Endeaver CEO Ari Emanuel Taking Home Sizable Payout Following TKO Listing
Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel is a rich(er) man. Following news that the $10 billion merger with WWE became official under Endeavor‘s TKO Group Holdings conglomerate earlier this month, it’s now revealed Emanuel will receive a sizable raise. The exec will reportedly pocket an annual base salary of $3 million, which is subject to increase based on the board’s approval. Bloody Elbow also adds that, for this year, Emanuel qualifies for a guaranteed annual cash bonus of $1.75 million. Perhaps the largest payout comes in the form of a transaction bonus of $20 million, which will be rewarded within 30 days following TKO being registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
CBS Sports Undergoing Major Leadership Change After CEO Retires
After 27 years on the job, CBS Sports announced Tuesday that chairman Sean McManus would be retiring from the company in April 2024. Per the news release, McManus will be succeeded by David Berson — the president of CBS Sports for the last decade — as the president and CEO of CBS Sports. McManus joined CBS Sports in 1996 and was instrumental in helping bring the NFL back to the network in 1998. The Duke graduate was also in charge when CBS signed rights deals with the NCAA, Big Ten, SEC, PGA, PGA Tour, the Masters, and UEFA. After 16 years at ESPN, Berson joined CBS in 2011 and became president of CBS Sports in 2013.
SAG-AFTRA to Strike Against 10 Major Video Game Companies
The SAG-AFTRA has voted 98.32% in favor of authorizing a strike with the 10 major video game companies as the two sides remain at odds over a new contract, the actors union announced on Monday. The SAG-AFTRA video game actors appear to be dealing with an identical problem as TV and movie writers and their fellow actors, which include demands for pay raises and governance when it comes to the use of artificial intelligence. For context, a strike authorization doesn’t automatically mean voice and performance actors will stop working, but it does allow the union to call a strike if it feels negotiations prove idle. “It’s time for the video game companies to stop playing games and get serious about reaching an agreement on this contract,” said SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher
Execs From Klutch, Springhill Team Up to Create Beekeeper Coffee
Fara Leff, Paul Rivera, David Creech, and Nate and Andrew Forbes have teamed up to create Beekeeper Coffee, which the release calls “a new ready-to-drink coffee brand bringing a new voice to coffee for the next generation of consumers.” If the group of founders sounds familiar, it’s because they’ve achieved success working at brands such as Nike, Beats By Dre, Lobos 1707, Klutch Sports Group, and the Cleveland Cavaliers together. With this new venture, the hope is to simplify the caffeinated beverages while also connecting with a new generation of coffee enthusiasts. Find the cold brew coffee and lattes in four flavors – double black, vanilla, caramel, and mocha, all with a drop of honey. Beekeeper Coffee is available to purchase directly at beekeepercoffee.com and soon at select retailers.