With more than 145,000 in attendance over two days in Philadelphia, WrestleMania 40 is officially the most successful and highest-grossing event in WWE history, TKO announced Tuesday. The 145,298 who came out to Lincoln Financial Field broke the previous record set by WrestleMania 39 by 78%, drawing fans from all over the world. On top of that, viewership for WrestleMania 40 was up 41% compared to last year, while the gate for both Friday Night SmackDown and Monday Night Raw were the largest in their respective histories. The WWE event was also a hit on social media, where it became the most socially viewed WrestleMania of all time, with 660 million views consumed. WrestleMania 40 had it all, with appearances from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, and even Eagles greats Lane Johnson and Jason Kelce.

NBC Trending Toward New Olympic Sales Record for Paris Games

There is nothing little about the business of the Olympics. NBC is trending toward a new Olympic sales record, having already sold $1.2 billion in advertising for the 2024 Paris Games, the company said Tuesday. Additionally, ad spending among International Olympic Committee (IOC) sponsors is up 18% from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, with renewed interest from some major corporate sponsors. Some of IOC’s sponsors include major brands like Visa, Toyota, and Procter & Gamble. This is a welcome sight for NBCUniversal, which paid $7.65 billion to renew its broadcast rights deal through 2032. Many attribute the rebound in advertising to the fact that all spectators will be allowed at the Paris Olympics for the first time since the pandemic.

WNBA Teams Up with Opill for Multi-year Partnership

The WNBA and Opill, the first-ever daily birth control pill available without a prescription in the US, are teaming up for a multi-year partnership that “focuses on building confidence, strength and health equity,” the companies announced Tuesday. The relationship will begin with Opill being the associate partner of the 2024 WNBA Draft next week in Brooklyn. “At the WNBA, we are committed to addressing issues that matter to the players, and expanding access to reproductive healthcare is one of those key issues,” WNBA Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison said. “It’s great to be working with a partner whose values align and authentically integrates into the health equity work our players are dedicated to.” The league integrated family planning as a huge part of its ground-breaking CBA, which was ratified in 2020.

NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship Outdraws Men’s March Madness Final

For the first time ever, the women’s national championship between South Carolina and Iowa drew a bigger audience than the men’s title game between UConn and Purdue. According to Nielsen, the Huskies’ repeat championship on TBS and TNT drew 14.82 million viewers, falling well short of the 18.87 million that tuned in to watch Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks complete their undefeated season. However, it was a 4% increase over last year’s final when UConn defeated San Diego State on CBS.

Stephen A. Smith Speaks Out on Mental Health in PSA

ESPN media star Stephen A. Smith opens up about mental health, including his own journey, in a PSA set out to “destigmatize asking for and receiving help.” The PSA is part of the “Love, Your Mind” national campaign from the Huntsman Mental Health Institute and the Ad Council. “I am honored to partner with ‘Love, Your Mind’ to help inspire others to be more open about their mental health. I hope this powerful initiative will empower more people to do the same,” Smith said. Since launching in October 2023, the campaign has driven over 222,000 visits to its website for free mental health resources.

Chicago Red Stars to Play Bay FC at Wrigley Field

In an effort to become more accessible to fans, the Chicago Red Stars are moving their game against Bay FC on June 8 to Wrigley Field, the first time the NWSL has played in the Chicago Cubs stadium. “Playing at Wrigley Field will be the event that fans of the Red Stars, Cubs and Chicago sports won’t want to miss,” said Chicago Red Stars President Karen Leetzow. According to Sportico‘s team valuations, the Red Stars are worth roughly $40 million, while Bay FC, the NWSL‘s newest club, recently sold out its inaugural home opener on March 30.

The post WrestleMania 40 Breaks WWE Records in Philadelphia appeared first on Boardroom.

The WWE’s Monday Night Raw will stream exclusively on Netflix starting in January 2025, parent company TKO Group announced Tuesday. Agreeing to a 10-year deal worth a reported $5 billion, this arrangement also marks the end of a longstanding partnership between Raw and NBCUniversal, as the flagship program aired on USA Network from 1993 to 2000 and again from 2005 to present. In October, USA Network will be the new home to WWE‘s SmackDown. TKO Group Holdings — which, on the same day, also added Dwayne Johnson to its Board of Directors as well as gave him full ownership of “The Rock” nickname — the stock was up more than 18% in early Tuesday trading following the WWE to Netflix news.

Boardroom’s Shlomo Sprung has more on the big moves made by the WWE on Tuesday.

Andre 3000 & His Flute to Tour in New York, Los Angeles & More

Andre 3000 is hitting the road with his flute in tow. On Wednesday, the rapper announced on Instagram he will be visiting several cities in support of his debut solo album, New Blue Sun. A total of 29 intimate shows will be played in New York, L.A., Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, and San Francisco, including a three-night residency at the iconic Blue Note Jazz Club in Manhattan. The jaunt wraps on March 9 with a five-night run at LA’s The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever. Andre 3000 will be joined by collaborators Carlos Niño, Nate Mercereau, Surya Botofasina, and Deantoni Parks. Tickets go on sale Wednesday at 10 a.m. local time.

Netflix Outperforms Expectations, Reaches New Subscriber Record

Netflix added 13.1 million subscribers in Q4, reaching a new high of 260.8 million total paid subscribers. The streamer far outpaced expectations that forecasted it would attract between 8 and 9 million new members. The strong earnings report rounded out a big Tuesday for the streaming giant, as it led all platforms with 18 Academy Award nominations in addition to the announcing that it will be the new home of WWE Monday Night Raw beginning in January 2025.

Chiefs-Bills Breaks NFL Viewership Record as Most-watched Divisional Playoff Game Ever

Sunday night’s divisional round thriller between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills proved to be a ratings boom for the NFL, averaging 50.3 million viewers on CBS. It is now the most-watched divisional playoff game ever, beating last year’s Sunday night divisional playoff game between the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys, which recorded 45.6 million viewers. Kansas City’s win also became the most-watched program on any network since Super Bowl LVII, in which the Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles. Kansas City will face the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday afternoon in the AFC Championship, followed immediately by the NFC Championship between the Niners and the Detroit Lions.

Led by Bitcoin & Ethereum, Number of Crypto Owners Grew Significantly in 2023

A new report published by Crypto.com found that global ownership of digital assets grew by 34% last year, with the user base growing from 432 million in January to 580 million by year’s end. The crypto research also indicated that Bitcoin (BTC) saw exceptional spikes in April and May, alongside Ethereum‘s (ETH) major network upgrade event in Shanghai, which implemented staking and other features. Bitcoin owners rose 33% to 296 million in 2023, while Ethereum owners grew by 39% to 124 million. Finally, BTC and ETH accounted for 51% and 21% of all crypto owners, respectively.

For all the latest in the crypto space, be sure to subscribe to Boardroom’s Tech Talk newsletter with Michelai Graham. 

Zhang & Thompson to Join McIlroy, Homa in First Co-ed Lineup for ‘The Match’

Capital One’s “The Match” is back, but this time with a twist. For the first time in the event’s young history, two female golfers will join the fun, as LPGA stars Rose Zhang and Lexi Thompson will play alongside four-time major champion Rory McIlroy and six-time PGA Tour winner Max Homa. The 2024 iteration will be a 12-hole competition held on Monday, Feb. 26, at The Park Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Fla. Each hole on the course will hold a specific dollar amount going to charity, and the golfer that raises the most at the end of the event will be declared the winner. This year’s nonprofit is First Tee, a youth organization that aims to develop children’s social skills through golf. The competition will broadcast live across TNT networks at 6:30 p.m. ET.

The post Netflix, WWE Agree to Exclusive ‘Raw’ Streaming Deal; TKO Adds ‘The Rock’ to Board appeared first on Boardroom.

Dwayne Johnson has played many important and popular roles over his professional career, but perhaps none are more validating than the one he took on this week.

A legendary, groundbreaking WWE career as “The Rock” in the 1990s and early 2000s, “Attitude Era,” made Johnson a household name around the world and led to a massively lucrative career in film, television, and business. On Tuesday, Johnson was not only named to the board of directors at WWE’s parent company, TKO Group, he was given the copyright ownership of “The Rock” name.

“I’m very humbled to have a seat at the table that has decades of history and family legacy for me,” Johnson said in a statement. “A table that my family helped to build. Being on the TKO Board of Directors, and taking full ownership of my name, ‘The Rock’, is not only unprecedented, but incredibly inspiring as my crazy life is coming full circle.”

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The 51-year-old Johnson came from a long line of pro wrestlers, with his grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, and father, Rocky “Soulman” Johnson, also competing in the squared circle. He was a backup defensive lineman on the 1991 national champion University of Miami football team but ended up with a pro wrestling contract in 1996 after he was cut by the Canadian Football League’s Calgary Stampeders. Wrestling led to a movie career whose films have grossed over $10 billion worldwide.

Johnson was able to parlay his on-screen fame, which included an NBC series, Young Rock, based on his life, into a successful career as an investor. Numerous movies The Rock has starred in were made with Seven Bucks Productions, a production studio Johnson founded with his ex-wife Dany Garcia in 2012, including a live-action Moana that will debut in 2025.

In addition to his Teremana Tequila, ZOA Energy, and Project Rock businesses, Johnson and Garcia also acquired and re-launched the XFL, which merged with USFL in September to create an eight-team spring league — the United Football League — that will debut at the end of March.

A New Sports & Entertainment Behemoth

The blockbuster UFC-WWE merger means a new $21 billion giant on the block in TKO — here’s everything you need to know about the massive deal.

Check it out!

Last April, Endeavor bought 51% of WWE and merged it with UFC to form TKO in a deal valued at more than $21 billion. It became official five months later. The news comes on the same day as WWE signing a landmark 10-year deal to stream Monday Night Raw on Netflix worth a reported $5 billion.

And “The Rock” gets a seat at the TKO table amid rumors he’ll face Roman Reigns, whose nickname is the “Head of the Table,” for the WWE Universal Championship at Wrestlemania in April.

The additions of Johnson and Groupon co-founder Brad Keywell expand TKO’s board membership from 11 to 13.

“I am thrilled to partner with Dwayne and welcome his immense talent to TKO’s Board,” Ari Emanuel, TKO’s CEO, said. “Dwayne brings an incredible track record of creating content and building globally recognized consumer brands, and he will play a key role in realizing our ambitions for TKO.”

TKO Group Holdings stock is up more than 18% in early Tuesday trading.

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April 10, 2024

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January 24, 2024

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The post Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Continues to Solidify Investment Foundation appeared first on Boardroom.

The XFL and USFL announced Thursday that the two spring football leagues plan to merge and begin playing as one in 2024. In a joint statement, the XFL and USFL said the merger will be subject to customary regulatory approvals. “This historic combination will anchor professional spring football with substantial capabilities and resources to ensure future growth and continue to enhance the development of the collective players, coaches, and staff that are coming together,” a portion of the release read. The XFL is owned by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Dany Garcia, while the USFL is under the ownership of Fox Corp.

Boardroom’s Sam Dunn has key details about the merger and what that means for the future of both leagues.

FanDuel Opens Mobile Platform in Kentucky After Online Sports Betting Launches

America’s No. 1 sportsbook has officially touched down in Kentucky. On Thursday, FanDuel announced it has opened its betting platform in the Bluegrass State. By downloading the FanDuel Sportsbook app, fan can make wagers on NFL, college football, NBA, college basketball, MLB, MMA, golf, boxing, soccer, hockey, and more. As an extra incentive, Kentucky bettors who sign up and wager $5 will receive $200 in Bonus Bets for access to special offers on local sports teams. Kentucky is now the 20th state where FanDuel offers mobile sports betting.

SAG-AFTRA, Studios to Resume Negotiations on Monday

With WGA writers officially back at work, the SAG-AFTRA union, Hollywood studios, and streamers have set a date to return to the bargaining table. “SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP will resume negotiations for a new TV/Theatrical contract on Monday, October 2. Several executives from AMPTP member companies will be in attendance,” both sides confirmed in a joint statement Wednesday evening. The thousands of film and television entertainers represented by SAG-AFTRA have been protesting since July 14, 75 days ago. Similar to the WGA strike, SAG-AFTRA members are picketing for a larger cut of the revenue generated by streaming shows, increased base compensation, better working conditions, and stricter safeguards against the use of artificial intelligence technologies.

Beyoncé Shatters Own Billboard Boxscore Record in August

As she prepared for her final Renaissance World Tour show this weekend in Kansas City, Beyoncé is celebrating yet another remarkable milestone. Per numbers shared with Billboard Boxscore, Queen Bey’s 14 shows in August collected $179.3 million and 697,000 ticket sales. Beyoncé set the record for the highest one-month gross profit in Billboard Boxscore history (dating back to 1985) with $127.6 million in July, beating Bad Bunny‘s all-time record of $123.7 million he set last September. That means Beyoncé beat her own record by an impressive 40%. With 10 shows left to be reported, Billboard says the Renaissance World Tour global numbers could certainly pass the $500 million mark and inch closer to $560 million.

Fenway Sports Group Sells Minority Stake in Liverpool to Dynasty Equity

Fenway Sports Group (FSG) has sold a minority stake in Liverpool to sports investment firm Dynasty Equity, the owners of the club confirmed on Thursday. Although details of the transaction were not disclosed, The Guardian reports shares were sold for between $100-200 million (£82-164 million). “Our long-term commitment to Liverpool remains as strong as ever,” FSG president Mike Gordon assured. Don’t expect the funds to solely be available for buying players in the transfer windows. Instead, they’ll primarily go toward paying down debt from the COVID-19 pandemic, stadium expenses to enhance Anfield’s capacity, expenses in building their new training center, repurchasing their old Melwood training ground, and summer transfers.

Issa Rae Teams with TAZO to Create Cafe Collective

In collaboration with teamaker TAZO, Issa Rae is launching the TAZO Cafe Collective, which celebrates local, independent cafes and the innovative lattes and tea drinks they serve to their communities. “When I was just getting my start, community cafes were spaces where I found inspiration for some of my favorite stories. Now as a cafe owner, I’m excited to join TAZO to support more of these spaces and the communities they inspire,” said the Insecure co-creator, who is also co-owner of Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen. To commemorate the launch, Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen released a specialty drink — Issa Rae‘s TAZO Passion Twist, an iced drink now served in all Hilltop locations. Fans can also find the drink’s recipe made to recreate at home at TAZO.com/CafeCollective.

The post XFL & USFL Merging Together to Make One League appeared first on Boardroom.

Football fans are well aware of the impact David Beckham had on the global game — from his early days in Europe, to his later years stateside with the LA Galaxy, and as current owner of Inter Miami CF. Thanks to Netflix, the legendary No. 7 is getting the documentary treatment. Announced Tuesday, Beckham is set to premiere on the streaming platform on Oct. 4 in four parts. A three-minute trailer for the doc promises to provide “never-before-seen personal archive footage from the last 40 years, candid current-day moments and interviews with the family, friends and footballing figures who have been part of his journey.” Among some key insights viewers will see are Beckham‘s early struggles with fame and the relentless criticism that came with his relationship with former Spice Girls member Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham.

Brooklyn Aces Prepare for Fall MLP Season Kickoff in Atlanta

Major League Pickleball’s Brooklyn Aces are headed to Atlanta this weekend, marking the team’s first tournament in the top-flight Premier season. The new-look Aces consist of No. 4 overall draft pick Catherine Parenteau, Andrea Koop, Hayden Patriquin, and Tyler Loong. The team’s new quartet brings valuable experience earned from previous deep tournament runs. In addition to a new logo, the team features two new sponsors: CityPickle and New Belgium Fat Tire Ale.

Read more about the season ahead for the Aces from Boardroom’s Shlomo Sprung. 

NWSL Adds Boston to Expansion, Set to Begin Play in 2026

The NWSL is returning to New England, with the league announcing on Thursday that it has awarded Boston an expansion franchise that will begin play in 2026. The club will be the 15th NWSL franchise, following the additions of two other NWSL expansion teams earlier this year, Utah Royals FC and Bay FC, both slated for their inaugural seasons in 2024. The franchise will be led by an “all-female core ownership group” called Boston Unity Soccer Partners. This will be the third professional women’s sports team in Boston and the first women’s soccer club since the Boston Breakers called Beantown home from 2001 to 2018.

Boardroom’s Vinciane Ngomsi has more on the NWSL soccer club retuming to Boston. 

Disney Plans $60B Expansion of Theme Parks Business

Big changes are coming to The Walt Disney Co. Per a securities filing shared Tuesday for its Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products branch, the mass media brand is preparing to shell out at least $60 billion over the next year “by investing in expanding and enhancing domestic and international parks and cruise line capacity, prioritizing projects anticipated to generate strong returns, consistent with the Company’s continuing approach to allocate capital in a disciplined and balanced manner.” Essentially, consumers can look forward to sizable upgrades and expansions for the company’s domestic and international parks and cruise line capacity. An additional report from The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Disney held a presentation to investors on Tuesday and disclosed it had more than 1,000 acres of land available to expand on at its parks in California, Florida, France, China, and Japan. The expansion also included cruise ship ports in the United States, Asia, and Australia.

Bleacher Report is Coming to Max as Live Sports Package

Warner Bros. Discovery is adding a live sports tier to its Max streaming service, with the add-on set to be available for US customers on Oct. 5, per a release. Launching as Bleacher Report (B/R) Sports, the package will enable viewers to access simulcast streams of NBA, NHL, NCAA, US soccer games, and more. To start, Max subscribers can watch live sports programming on Max free of charge until the promo period ends on Feb. 29. The sports package will cost $10 per month after that and will be available as an add-on for any Max subscription plan in the US. As of the most recent quarter, WBD reported having 95.8 million global streaming subscribers, with most on Max.

Jordy Nelson, Julius Peppers Among New Nominees for 2024 Hall of Fame Class

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has unveiled its list of 173 modern-era nominees eligible for a gold jacket next year, and it includes nine players who are in the first year of eligibility. Those premiering on the list, which dropped Tuesday, are wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Jordy Nelson, tight end Antonio Gates, running back Jamaal Charles, offensive linemen T.J. Lang, Josh Sitton and Max Unger, and defensive linemen Haloti Ngata and Julius Peppers. The 173-name roster consists of 94 offensive players, 62 defensive players, and 17 special teams players. The list will be reduced to 25 semifinalists in November.

The Rock’s Surprise WWE Return Boosts Friday Night Smackdown Ratings

His surprising return to WWE’s Friday Night SmackDown last week was met with plenty of delight, and it’s safe to say that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson‘s shock cameo boosted viewership. The WWE alum’s confrontation with Austin Theory recorded 2.6 million viewers on Fox, up 23% versus the crowd for Friday Night SmackDown the week before. Compared to a year ago, the audience was up 16%. It was also No. 1 on broadcast primetime last Friday among audiences 18 to 49 and 18 to 34. For those who missed the live viewing, WWE posted the video of the 51-year-old’s segment on social media, and it has been viewed well over 100 million times.

The post David Beckham is Getting the Netflix Documentary Treatment appeared first on Boardroom.

Just like his pops, Marvin Harrison Jr. is making a name for himself as a wide receiver.

Sure, his 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2022 have NFL teams salivating over the thought of selecting him as the next great Buckeye receiver, but he’s also among college football’s best when it comes to name, image, and likeness (NIL). While NIL didn’t exist during Sr.’s days at Syracuse, Harrison Jr. is more than making up for it at Ohio State through his name and his play.

So just how much is Harrison Jr.’s market value? What types of deals has he signed thus far in his collegiate career? Boardroom breaks it down.

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Marvin Harrison Jr. NIL Market Value

All data via On3.com’s NIL rankings as of July 19, 2023.

College Football NIL rank: 9
Overall NIL 100 rank: 12
Annual Valuation: $1.3 million
10-week High: $1.3 million
10-week Low: $1.2 million
Total Social Media Followers: 410,000 (207K on IG, 138K on TikTok, 65K on Twitter)

The above monetary figures are via On3’s NIL Valuation, a proprietary algorithm that “establishes the overall NIL market and projected 12-month growth rate by measuring two categories, Brand Value Index and Roster Value Index.”

“While the algorithm includes deal data, it does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals athletes have completed to date, nor does it set an athlete’s NIL valuation for their entire career.”

Notable Marvin Harrison Jr. NIL Deals

ZOA Energy

If you’re going to participate in NIL opportunities, being named one of The Rock‘s Warriors is a pretty damn cool way to go about it. Being one of just seven inaugural NIL members for The Rock’s company, Zoa Energy — alongside LSU’s Angel Reese, Austin Peay’s Hansel Enmanuel, and UNC’s Drake Maye, among others — makes it that much cooler.

“I personally selected these phenomenal individuals because of the energy, tenacity, and excitement they bring to the game,” The Rock said in a release. “With a diverse set of stories and experiences, they’re driven, hungry, talented, and ready for ZOA to help fuel them to greatness.”

Boardroom’s Russell Steinberg has full details on The Rock’s Warriors here.

Next Gen Champs

Similar to Maye, Harrison Jr. hosted a youth football camp through Next Gen Champs over the summer with some of his teammates. While this isn’t atypical from pre-NIL days, the difference now is that Next Gen handles all of the logistics of the event while also being able to promise a profit for the participating players.

In addition to the $175 it costs for kids from kindergarten through eighth grade to register for the camp — which includes group training, a 7-on-7 tournament, and a camp T-shirt — participants had the opportunity to take pictures with and get autographs from Harrison Jr. and his teammates.

Mark Wahlberg Chevrolet of Columbus

Speaking of high-profile names, it doesn’t get much bigger than Mark Wahlberg. The famous actor has a number of car dealerships in Ohio, and according to this dealership’s general manager Brian Gilmore, the partnership was a no-brainer. He told On3.com that it’s “great name recognition for us.” Harrison Jr. is the fifth Buckeye to join the Wahlberg NIL program.

Through the deal, the Biletnikoff Award finalist gets to drive around a brand new car while agreeing to post a few times on social media as well as make a physical appearance at the dealership ahead of the fall season. Even so, Gilmore said the company is conscious of the reality that these are football players with busy schedules.

“He liked it because we don’t smother our kids and ask them to do too much,” Gilmore said. “That side was very important to him. He’s a great kid and he’s so concentrated on football. We didn’t want to take away from that.”

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A post shared by Mark Wahlberg Chevrolet (@markwahlbergchevrolet)

Other notable deals: Monarc, The Foundation, Ronald McDonald House,

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The post Boardroom NIL Report Card: Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. appeared first on Boardroom.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and his energy drink brand ZOA Energy are entering the NIL game, and they’re doing so with a star-studded inaugural class.

Angel Reese (LSU women’s basketball) and Brock Bowers (Georgia football) are two of the seven “The Rock’s Warriors” that The Rock hand-picked because of how they exemplify the brand’s ethos of “optimism, enthusiasm and commitment to strive for something greater.”

The full list can be found below.

The Rock’s Warriors

• Angel Reese, LSU (Basketball)
• Brock Bowers, Georgia (Football)
• Drake Maye, North Carolina (Football)
• Hansel Enmanuel, Austin Peay (Basketball)
• Amaya Gainer, FAMU (Softball)
• Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State (Football)
• Kam Kinchens, Miami (Football)

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“I personally selected these phenomenal individuals because of the energy, tenacity, and excitement they bring to the game,” The Rock said in a release. “With a diverse set of stories and experiences, they’re driven, hungry, talented, and ready for ZOA to help fuel them to greatness.”

If many of those names look familiar, they should. Four of the seven are ranked in On3’s top 12 in overall NIL valuation. And while the corresponding dollar values should be taken with a grain of salt, it demonstrates exactly how active this class has been in the NIL space. As Boardroom previously highlighted, Reese has already done deals with heavy hitters like SI, Starry, PlayStation, Raising Cane’s, and more. Emmanuel signed with Adidas last year as a student-athlete at Northwestern State before transferring to Austin Peay.

ZOA Energy touts itself as a better-for-you energy drink, fueled by natural caffeine, no sugar, vitamins, and electrolytes. The goal is to help people become the best versions of themselves, something Reese can relate to.

“I’m pumped to be a part of such a unique group of athletes, and who better than The Rock to bring us together for a one-of-a-kind opportunity,” she said in the release. “ZOA is all about putting in the work, learning from your wins and losses, and empowering others, something I strive to do every day on and off the court, so it was a no-brainer to join the first class of The Rock’s Warriors.”

In addition to social media posts, The Rock’s Warriors will participate in national and regional retail partnerships and philanthropic events.

The post The Rock’s Warriors: ZOA Energy Announces Inaugural NIL Class appeared first on Boardroom.

On Wednesday, the XFL revealed Under Armour as the league’s official uniform partner. UA will provide all on-field equipment for the XFL, including jerseys, training apparel, sideline apparel, and base layer apparel.

The 2023 XFL uniforms were created through a collaboration with the league’s ownership (Dany Garcia, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and RedBird Capital) and marketing teams alongside Under Armour itself. The Maryland-based athletic apparel company is using its ArmourGrid 2 jersey as the model. The jersey additionally features Under Armour’s signature ArmourGrid Vent and twillot fabric.

“Over the past decade, we have fostered a prolific partnership with Under Armour for Project Rock. They have proven to be a best-in-class partner and true innovators in the high-performance sports space,” XFL Chairwoman and Owner Dany Garcia said in a statement. “Integrating them into the XFL as Official Uniform Partner is a natural extension of this long-standing relationship. We have been closely collaborating with their exceptional talent to ensure these uniforms reflect the dynamic energy of each team and are engineered to deliver state-of-the-art athlete solutions to drive player performance while also prioritizing health and safety.”

As Garcia notes, business partner Dwayne Johnson has a longstanding relationship with Under Armour that dates back to 2016. The deal has seen Johnson and UA join together to create shoes, hoodies, jackets, hats, sweatpants, leggings, shirts, sports bras, and even headphones.

“As a company that was born on the grid iron, we are excited to support the XFL, its athletes, and fans on this new venture. Our partnership with the League is an evolution of Under Armour’s commitment to support athletes on their journey to compete in sport with innovative performance solutions they need to train, compete, and recover both on and off the field,” said Sean Eggert, SVP, Global Sports Marketing, Under Armour in a release. “Dwayne Johnson is an exceptional UA athlete and partner and we’re proud of the work he and Dany have put in to make their vision of next-level XFL a reality.”

As Johnson added on the occasion:

“We have built an incredibly strong relationship with Under Armour over the years as our trusted partner with Project Rock. For almost two years now, we have been working closely with Under Armour to ensure these new uniforms not only represent the pride and history of each city, but are also designed to withstand the physicality of this sport and each player leaving it all on the field come game day. Now it’s time for our players to gear up and ball out XFL style for the 2023 season.”

The relaunched XFL will kick off its regular season on Feb. 18, 2023 following the conclusion of the current NFL campaign. ESPN will serve as the league’s exclusive broadcast partner.

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The post XFL Uniforms: League Reveals Under Armour Designs For All 8 Teams appeared first on Boardroom.

The XFL has officially taken root. Co-owners Dany Garcia, who also serves as chairwoman, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson unveiled the cities and venues that will be home to the league’s eight teams. It’s the most tangible puzzle piece in what has been a string of announcements in 2022, including a new logo, a new brand identity, a litany of hirings, partnerships, and scouting combines. 

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The eight head coaches were originally introduced in April, and now, each has a new home. The release also listed the coaching staff of each XFL team. The cities and venues are as follows:

• Longtime Oklahoma University head coach Bob Stoops will coach the team in Arlington, Texas, at Choctaw Stadium.
• Former Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Philips will spearhead the team in Houston.
• NFL Hall of Famer Rod Woodson will serve as head coach of the team in Las Vegas. (The team does not yet have a stadium location.)
• Former Steelers wideout Hines Ward will lead the team that will be placed in San Antonio, Texas, that will play in the Alamodome. 
• Jim Haslett, who served as the New Orleans Saints’ head coach from 2000-05 will be the head coach of the team in Seattle. Haslett’s team will play at Lumen Field. 
• Reggie Barlow, who coached at HBCUs Alabama State University and Virginia State University, will coach the team in Washington, D.C., at Audi Field. 
• Super Bowl XXXVI champion Terrell Buckley will be the head coach of the team in Orlando. The team will play in Camping World Stadium.
• Anthony Becht, a former NFL tight end, will coach the team based in St. Louis.

Three of the eight cities announced do not have NFL teams. San Antonio has never had an NFL team. In contrast, last November, the city St. Louis settled a lawsuit for $790 million with the NFL and Rams owner Stan Kroenke over the team’s relocation to Los Angeles in 2016.

“Today, our league takes another step closer to 2023 kickoff as we officially announce where our teams will play,” said Garcia in a release. “What brings a league to life is the passion of the fandom behind it. We’ve had a clear vision for the XFL — the values to instill, the diversity of our leaders, the innovation of the game, and how we want to deeply engage with our communities so they can help bring this vision to life. In each of these cities, we will co-create with our fans and build these teams from the ground up so that they represent the unique fabric of our communities. We welcome all football fans to join us as we get ready for kickoff in February.”

“As Dany, Gerry Cardinale, and I put pen to paper rebuilding this league, the first thing we identified as one of the most important elements for the XFL to be successful was selecting the iconic cities and venues for our teams,” Johnson added in a statement. “We have been working on cool, new logos and innovative uniforms that match the dynamic and innovative vision of our league. We can’t wait to share in the electrifying excitement from fans once they meet their new ‘hometown team.’ We’ll see you at kickoff.”

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The post XFL Announces Cities and Stadiums for 2023 Season appeared first on Boardroom.

Paramount Global Garners $2.6B Investment from Warren Buffett

When Warren Buffett makes a bet, the market tends to pay attention. Security filings by Berkshire Hathaway revealed that the Nebraska-based billionaire has made a $2.6 billion investment in Paramount Global throughout Q1, totaling 69 million shares. The brand’s Paramount+ and Tubi streaming services drew an uptick in subscribers amidst a crowded market. The news comes just days before Paramount’s upfronts are scheduled to take place in New York City.

Mike Tyson Returns to the Silver Screen with “Black Files”

Mike Tyson is ready to flex his acting chops once more, and to do so he’ll join Sean Penn in the upcoming film Black Files. It won’t be the Champ’s first foray into acting, as many will remember his epic cameo in The Hangover; however, the role in the dramatic thriller will be a shift. The script, based on a novel by Shannon Burke, centers around the action-packed lives of paramedics in New York City. Its anticipated release date is not yet known.

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Dwyane Wade Predicts the Future with New Series

D Wade sees the future, and it is bright. On Tuesday, the future Hall of Famer will debut a new series in partnership with Bleacher Report that examines the future of the NBA and the WNBA. Wade will be joined by up-and-coming stars such as Obi Toppin, Tyrese Haliburton, and Napheesa Collier. In addition to discussing the game, the guests will also dive into the worlds of business, social media, and fashion – highlighting the multiple dimensions of being an athlete. 

Jerome Bettis Walks the Stage for Notre Dame Degree

Jerome Bettis has one of the lengthiest resumes in football: All-Pro running back, Super Bowl Champion, and Football in America contributor. Now, he can also add “Notre Dame graduate” to that list. The Bus re-enrolled at Notre Dame in 2021, nearly 30 years after he exited early to enter the 1993 Draft. On Monday, he walked with his fellow graduates, collecting his bachelor’s degree in business. 

Overtime Taps Daymond John as Newest Member of Board of Directors

Daymond John has a lifetime of business knowledge to share. On Tuesday, Overtime announced that John will join its board of directors and help the company as they seek to expand the ways in which it is engaging with fans and athletes alike. The board also includes Overtime’s cofounders Dan Porter and Zack Weiner, as well as Sapphire Sport partner Michael Spirito, and former Merrill Lynch exec Ken Miller. 

Limewire 2.0 Links Up with Universal Music Group

Limewire is back – and, hopefully, the newest version won’t critically poison your hard drive. The peer-to-peer music sharing service announced that it had raised $10.4 million and would reenter the market as an NFT platform. Now, it has announced its first partnership with Universal Music Group, opening the door to working with its artists and creating Web3 projects in collaboration. UMG is committed to the emerging world of Web3, as it has signed the NFT project KINGSHIP and, just last week, announced the launch of a metaverse world.

NBC Picks Up “Young Rock” for Third Season

From acting to wrestling and his mountain of business deals, Dwayne Johnson always has a million projects cooking at the same time. On Monday, NBC announced that it is renewing Young Rock, which is based on his life. The show documents The Rock’s ascension, flashing between his childhood to his college years at The U and entry into the wild world of wrestling. The Rock stars on the show and serves as an executive producer.

New York Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin Enters Exclusive Partnership with Fanatics

The Rangers are on to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. With their victory over the Penguins, all eyes are on the Hurricanes. On Monday, the anchor of the Rangers’ defense, goalie Igor Shesterkin announced that he is joining Fanatics for an exclusive partnership. Fanatics will become the sole distributor of his officially licensed memorabilia, including pucks, sticks, jerseys, helmets, and photos.

Apollo Global Management Places $1.25B Bet on LigaMX

The global soccer market is booming. Private equity firm Apollo Global Management is wagering on the emerging popularity of LigaMX, as Sportico reports that it is placing a $1.25 billion investment in the league. In return, Apollo will take 20% of the international broadcasting profits, and would require the league to bundle its rights – as opposed to allowing each team to broker individually. Last year, Apollo purchased Yahoo Sports and a number of Verizon media brands for $5 billion, signaling an enhanced investment in sports and sports broadcasting. 

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The post Spike Lee-directed Spot Celebrates the Future of Nike appeared first on Boardroom.

Why would Tom Brady, the greatest football player who ever lived— who’s also retired, you may have heard— come back to play quarterback in… in… the latest relaunch of the XFL?

Great question, you’re probably thinking. Or an utterly ridiculous one. Either way, you’re not wrong.

But let’s explore this for a moment simply as a thought experiment.

As Brady enters the next chapter in his life as a businessman, any deal to join the XFL would have to come with a significant financial incentive beyond just salary as he builds on an investment portfolio that already includes NFT platform Autograph, TB12 Sports, and clothing and apparel label BRADY Brand. And with the XFL partnering officially with the NFL, placing none other than the GOAT on the marquee alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson would bring the XFL two of the most popular, most marketable sports and entertainment figures on the planet to help it get things off the ground in 2023

And more importantly, keep them off the ground.

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It’s no secret that professional football leagues not named the NFL have unceremoniously failed over the years. But who wouldn’t want to watch every snap Brady takes, no matter whose logo was on his helmet? The Brady bump means star power, ratings, and revenue for the XFL that leagues like the USFL, AAFL, and UFL (and previous iterations of the XFL itself) could never come remotely close to matching. It would be the opportunity for whichever team TB12 plays for to gain a legitimately global fan base and become an anchor brand name known around the world, with Brady making that team a household name like he did with the New England Patriots more than 20 years ago.

In his retirement statement posted to Instagram on Feb. 1, Brady said that he believes football is an “all-in proposition. If a 100% commitment isn’t there, you won’t succeed.”

It’s a matter of motivation; as the Marvelous Marvin Hagler quote goes, it’s a lot harder to get up, run, lift, and stay with the game plan when you’re sleeping in silk pajamas.

But the motivation here goes way beyond the chance to throw a football to a different set of teammates. Rather, the key to sealing this deal is Johnson and Co. offering Brady an ownership stake in the XFL itself.

With the NFL on board as an official partner and backer of the league, that sort of clout takes on a whole new level of magnitude. The kind that could end up being the single most impactful piece of the Tom Brady investment portfolio one day.

It does look awfully clear that while his family supported the seven-time Super Bowl champion walking away from the game, he can still play at a seriously high level even if he’ll be 45 when the XFL launches. He led the NFL in touchdown passes, yards, and completions in 2021 as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and could surely sling the ball around in the XFL for a one-off season that won’t require a 12-month commitment — especially if he’s an equity partner with a vested interest in doing everything he can to ensure long-term success.

Think about it: The stakes would be lower than he’s used to. He could still hang with his family, have fun, win games, and unquestionably be bigger than the league, something that’s effectively unachievable in the NFL. The GOAT would get to continue doing something he loves, stay in the spotlight, build his business empire, and help the NFL grow its newest partner in the XFL.

It sounds bizarre. It sounds impossible. And to be clear, it’s less likely to happen than The Wire coming back for a sixth season. But it’s also a sneaky kind of win-win for every individual and entity involved, something TB12 has gotten used to his entire pro career. If we really haven’t seen the last of Tom Brady as a football player, running it back one more time for a piece of the XFL — forever — is certainly wacky, but not as altogether wacky as you might think.

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The post The Case for Tom Brady Joining the XFL appeared first on Boardroom.

Brian Flores Files Explosive Lawsuit Alleging Racism, Tampering, and Tanking

Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores filed a class-action lawsuit against the NFL on Tuesday. The suit names the Dolphins, New York Giants, and Denver Broncos and claims that the league’s hiring practices remain racially discriminatory — and specifically asserting the NFL is racially segregated and “managed much like a plantation.” The topline allegations in the lawsuit include: racist hiring practices that make a mockery of the Rooney Rule; blatantly tanking for draft picks; and roster tampering in violation of the CBA. Boardroom’s Shlomo Sprung dove in on the details of the lawsuit, which also includes a text exchange with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick that reveals that the New York Giants had extended a largely meaningless interview to Flores, having already settled on Bills OC Brian Daboll. 

Floyd Mayweather Officially Announces The Money Team Racing

Floyd Mayweather has been out of the ring for a minute, but he’s found ample ways to keep himself busy. In his most recent venture, the 44-year-old, 15-time world champion confirmed the formation of The Money Team (TMT) Racing, which will launch a partial Cup Series schedule in 2022 with driver Kaz Grala. Mayweather first teased his interest in NASCAR in 2020, but the Tuesday announcement confirmed TMT’s formation and a primary sponsorship from sunglass company Pit Viper. TMT will race car number 50, which matches Mayweather’s undefeated record of wins.

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The Rock’s Teremana Tequila Attracts Investment from Mast-Jägermeister

These days, The Rock is cooking up a whole host of things. The former wrestler has emerged as one of Hollywood’s hottest stars and built his brand along the way. A cornerstone of that business portfolio is his Teremana Tequila, which closed out 2021 selling over 640,000 cases and becoming the fastest-growing tequila brand in history. Mast-Jägermeister announced it has claimed a stake in the brand for an unknown sum. The German company has served as the exclusive distributor of the spirit since its 2020 release. 

Minnesota Lynx, Sylvia Fowles Ink Deal for Final Season

The Minnesota Lynx has re-signed its star for a final year. Two-time champion and WNBA Finals MVP Sylvia Fowles inked a one-year contract to close out her 15-year career with the team. She re-joins the team after a stellar 2021 campaign during which she claimed the Defensive Player of the Year title for a record-tying fourth time. Feb 1 marked the first official day of free agency for the league, and Fowles was just one of several marquee deals expected in the coming week. 

Erling Haaland NFT Sets Sorare Record

With the close of January, thus closed another transfer window in soccer, and through it all superstar center forward Erling Haaland remains a Borussia Dortmund player. A one-of-one NFT featuring the Norwegian superstar sold for 265.1 ETH on Sorare, which is nearly $750,000 as of this writing. its the most expensive digital sports collectible ever sold, breaking a record previously held by a 1-of-1 Cristiano Ronaldo set in March 2021.

Washington Commanders Make Their Debut on the Today Show

The Washington Football Team officially has a new name. The Washington Commanders revealed their new name and logo on the Today Show on Tuesday morning. In the runup to the reveal, the franchise had a few leakers including famed quarterback Joe Theismann who let the name slip in an interview with Damon Amendolara on CBS Sports Radio, as well as chopper footage, which sniped the team’s paraphernalia. 

Launch House Raises $12M, Sets Sights on Re-envisioning Silicon Valley

Launch House, an integrated physical and digital community built to cultivate rising founders and creators, raised $12 million in Series A funding, the company announced Tuesday. The round was led by Andrew Chen of a16z and joined by CAA co-founder Michael Ovitz, Chris Ovitz of Electric Ant, Mike Dudas of 6th Man Ventures, and Bankless Co-founder Ryan Sean Adams. A significant group of Launch House community members participated as well. The funds bring Launch House one step closer to its goal of helping tech entrepreneurs shape the vision for a Silicon Valley that doesn’t look like it did a generation ago.

Coachella NFTs Serve a Lifetime of Festivals

The desert is ready for its revival. Coachella is set to return this spring with an all-star lineup that includes headliners Kanye West, Harry Styles, and Billie Eilish. The festival has paired with FTX to launch three lines of NFTs on Feb. 4, the most exclusive of which grants 10 collectors a lifetime pass in addition to exclusive digital experiences. Coachella is owned by AEG, which also serves as the parent company.

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The post Tom Brady Hangs Up His Cleats appeared first on Boardroom.

Crypto Drop Yields $1T Market Cap Hit

To kick off the new year, many crypto companies have logged a tumultuous couple of weeks. On Thursday, Bitcoin lost 11% of its value in just 24 hours, and many other coins experienced a similar drop. In combination, the crypto market has taken a $1 trillion cap hit. 

Read more about what’s driving the drop in the market. 

Frances Ngannou Steps Out as Dapper Labs Ambassador

In advance of his big fight tonight, Frances Ngannou stepped out as the first brand ambassador for UFC Strike from Dapper Labs, wearing his Champion Tier Knockout moment in a custom NFT chain. Fans can purchase the custom piece beginning this Sunday, Jan. 23.

Boardroom caught up with the UFC great to discuss his first title defense and his evolving mindset as a competitor.

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New York Drives $603M in Sports Betting in First Eight Days

Sports betting in New York is off to the races. The first batch of numbers are in and bettors around the state placed $603 million in bets in the first eight days of mobile betting, netting $48 million in revenue and $24.6 million in taxes. Caesars topped the list of the purveyors, taking in $257.7 million in handle, and generating $22.7 million in revenue. 

X Games Blast Off with Official Jeep Partnership

The X Games are back in action in Aspen. And this year, amidst the flips and flight, Jeep continues its 19-year run as the Games’ official automotive sponsor. The games will feature big names including Shaun White, Chloe Kim, and Jaime Anderson. 

Read more about the history of the X Games. 

NFL Teams Prepare to Square off in Divisional Matchups

Following last week’s Wild Card round which put up some record-setting viewership numbers with its broadcasts on CBS and Nickelodeon, the divisional playoff are here. There are tons of storylines to keep your eye on, including Derrick Henry‘s return to the gridiron and Aaron Rodgers‘ improbable quest for success this season. 

We’ve identified the five potential breakout stars to keep your eye on in this weekend’s matchups.

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The post The Rock and UFC Team Up for Global Footwear Partnership appeared first on Boardroom.

The Rock Launches XFL Countdown

Dwayne Johnson is no stranger to the gridiron. The multi-hyphenate entertainer won a national championship during his time at the University of Miami. But more recently, Johnson has emerged as a co-owner of the XFL, and on Tuesday, he took to Instagram to kick off the official countdown to its return. Training camp will commence on January 4, 2023, and in the meantime, The Rock said XFL insiders will be scouring the country for talent. 

Salehe Bembury Returns with New Crocs Colorway

The Versace VP is back. After participating in some of 2021’s hottest footwear collabs, Salehe Bembury teased the most recent edition of his partnership with Crocs on his Instagram. Following on the success of one of last year’s most coveted shoes, the newest version returns to the roots with a lime green, crocodile-inspired colorway. 

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Group ONE Holding Kicks Off 2022 with $1B Valuation

The Singaporean sports media company, which serves as the parent company for martial arts platform ONE Championship, announced that it has closed a $150 million funding round. The fundraising efforts were led by Guggenheim Investments and the Qatar Investment Authority. While the company currently broadcasts internationally in more than 150 countries worldwide, it plans to expand its league beyond Asia, including potentially bringing it to the US, where it could be a direct competitor to the UFC.

Cavs’ Creative Director Teams Up with Gunna for Custom Sculpture

Dan Arsham — artist and Creative Director for the Cleveland Cavs — sculpted an exclusive bust for Gunna in advance of his new album. Fire Drip Season 4 is set to drop on Jan 7th, and is an early frontrunner for one of the year’s most anticipated albums. 

Fanatics Formalizes Topps Deal

After reports emerged of the major acquisition that shook up the hobby, Fanatics confirmed that it has acquired Topps’ trading cards and collectibles division. Although the numbers of the deal have not been publicly released, sources familiar estimate that the purchase price was around $500 million, according to CNBC. As part of the deal, Fanatics effectively obtains the MLB‘s exclusive trading card rights immediately as opposed to waiting until 2025. And they’re positioned not only to keep Topps Baseball products around as if they never left, but bring back other Topps products, including its dormant catalog of basketball and football sets. 

NFT Investment and Production Firm Metaversal Raises $50M

Metaversal is positioned to be a big player in Web3. The NFT investment and production firm announced on Tuesday that it had completed a Series A fundraise of $50 million. CoinFund, Foxhaven, Dapper Labs, Franklin Templeton, and Rarible were among the participants in the successful round. To date, Metaversal has invested in over 750 NFTs, while also building a production division. It also recently was an early investor in ConstitutionDAO. 

Adidas and Prada Level Up Partnership

Adidas and Prada are forging new frontiers with their newest collection. The sportswear company and the Italian fashion house released a lookbook of their upcoming collaboration, which, for the first time, features clothing in addition to shoes. The collection leans on classic Prada silhouettes with Adidas’ familiar three stripes. 

Karl-Anthony Towns Takes His Game Off the Court with Republic of Gamers

The Minnesota Timberwolves star, and noted gamer, announced that he is joining Republic of Gamers as a brand ambassador. While details of the deal are unknown at this time, Towns confirmed the partnership on his Twitter, and teased that “big things are coming.”

Will and Jada Smith Sell Minority Stake of Westbrook Inc. to Blackstone-backed Firm 

Will and Jada are not only one of Hollywood’s most discussed couples, the two have quietly assembled an extensive business portfolio through the years. On Wednesday, reports surfaced that they have reached an agreement to sell off a minority stake in their media company, Westbrook Inc, to Blackstone-backed firm, Candle Media. Westbrook is behind some of the most successful projects of the last year, including King Richard, Cobra Kai, and, of course, Jada Pinkett Smith’s wildly popular Red Table Talk.

Logan Paul and KSI Reveal Unlikely Partnership

Former rivals Logan Paul and KSI have announced they’re setting aside their beef and embarking on an entrepreneurial adventure together. The two YouTube stars have partnered to introduce a new hydration drink, Prime Hydration. In the announcement, they jointly said, “We’re humbled by the process of creating a real brand and look forward to competing with some of the biggest beverage companies in the world.”

Two-time World Champ Ricky Wysocki Signs $4M Deal with Dynamic Discs

Disc golf is one of several outdoor activities that gained massive popularity since the start of the pandemic, However, some folks have been honing their craft for ages, including, two-time World Champion Ricky Wysocki. Wysocki has signed the largest annual value endorsement deal in disc golf history: a four-year, $4 million endorsement deal with Dynamic Discs. Wysocki will take his $250k signing bonus entirely in Bitcoin, joining a growing list of athletes who have taken key payments in crypto including Aaron Rodgers, Odell Beckham Jr., Cade Cunningham, Trevor Lawrence, and Saquon Barkley.  

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The post Bored Ape Yacht Club Surpasses $1B in Sales appeared first on Boardroom.

Coach Prime Leads Jackson State to SWAC Title

After years in the shadows, Jackson State is ready for primetime. Legendary NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders took the reigns of the team last year, leading them to a 11-1 overall record and earning SWAC Coach of the Year honors. The Tigers beat the Prairie View A&M Panthers 27-10 to take home the SWAC title on Saturday. Their final stop in the storybook campaign is the Celebration Bowl against South Carolina State, which is set to take place on Dec. 18 in Atlanta.

Kith Previews Custom Monopoly Board

Just in time for the holiday season, the classic game is about to get a whole lot more hip. The fashion brand teased its collaboration with Monopoly on Saturday via Instagram, showcasing the board which is overhauled in the Kith signature color palette and each of the properties reflects the locations of Kith stores. In addition, the board has a leather rolling area, embossed with the Kith logo. The limited-release edition goes on sale in Kith stores and online on Monday and will set you back $395.

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From Unranked to Unbelievable, Michigan Clinches Big Ten Title

In the Big Ten Title game, Michigan was playing for more than themselves. The team wore number 42 patches, honoring Tate Myre and the other victims of this week’s school shooting in Oxford, MI. When the clock expired, the Wolverines had posted 42 points, beating Iowa 42-3. Michigan entered the season unranked but has been dominant, especially late in the season. With the win, they are widely expected to have secured a spot in the college football playoffs.

The Rock Makes Fortnite Debut

The Rock is everywhere these days, most recently gracing the newest chapter of Fortnite as The Foundation. His appearance comes after months of speculation and some eagle-eyed fans spotted an Easter egg on his Instagram account earlier this week when they saw a Fortnite-inspired helmet in his fridge in what was seemingly a post for his Zoa energy drink. Gamers will have to be patient before they catch a glimpse, as The Rock does not reveal himself until the end of Chapter 2. 

Portland Timbers Advance to MLS Finals

The crowd at Providence Park was electric on Saturday as the hometown Timbers took on Real Salt Lake in the MLS Western Conference Semifinals. Portland beat Salt Lake 2-0. The Timbers capped their win with a goal by 21-year-old Colombian star Santiago Moreno, who came to Portland via the league’s Under 22 Initiative. Portland will host the winner of today’s matchup between the Philadelphia Union and NYC FC for the championship. 

Ben Roethlisberger Set to Wrap Steelers Career

The clock is about to strike on Big Ben’s time in Pittsburgh. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Steelers quarterback has told former teammates that this is his final season with the team. Roethlisberger, who turns 40 in March, has had a rough season, throwing for just 14 touchdowns. It is unlikely that he will sign with another team. 

Serena Williams Set to Pen Children’s Book

Once upon a time, there was a GOAT who won 23 grand slams… Serena Williams announced that she will publish a children’s book called The Adventures of Qai Qai. The book will be based on her daughter, Olympia Ohanian’s, favorite doll, and will center around the importance of believing in yourself. The doll has become a popular figure through the years and even has her own Instagram account with 353,000 followers. The Adventures of Qai Qai will be released in 2022.

Prairie View A&M Marching Band to Star in CW Docuseries 

Following in the successful footsteps of sportscentric reality shows such as Hard Knocks and Cheer, the CW announced that they will premiere a docseries centered around the Prairie View A&M marching band. Prairie View A&M’s band received top marks from ESPN’s Undefeated, which called them the best band in the land. The show will take viewers behind the scenes as members balance practice and performance with the competing demands of college life. March is set to debut on Jan. 24.

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The post Bryce Young Sets Records as Alabama Wins SEC Championship appeared first on Boardroom.

“The story of how my (University) of Miami football card’s value continues to rise is surreal to me,” he said in an Instagram post. “I never made it as a player to the big dance, so this humbling irony is not lost on me one bit.”

Johnson won a National Championship with the Hurricanes in 1991 as a reserve but only saw one start in his collegiate career. In Johnson’s defense, the guy in front of him was Hall-of-Famer Warren Sapp. 

Not much is known of the 1994 Miami Hurricanes set produced by Bumble Bee Seafood, adding to the rare collectible’s aura. There is only one other PSA 10 of The Rock’s 1994 Bumble Bee card up for sale currently, with an asking price of $100,000 on eBay.

The post Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Football Card Nets $45K appeared first on Boardroom.