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.

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

On May 13, Bob Stoops’ Arlington Renegades capped an improbable campaign with an XFL title in the first season of the football league’s rebranded era under the ownership trio of Dany Garcia, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Gerry Cardinale of private equity firm RedBird Capital Partners.

On July 1, the Birmingham Stallions won their second straight USFL Championship cementing their status as top dogs in the springtime football league that revived operations in 2022.

Those turned out to be the last seasons for both leagues — at least as we currently know them.

According to a Sept. 19 report from Axios, the two leagues were in the “advanced” stages of negotiations over joining forces as one. On Sept. 28, the intent to do so became official in a statement from the USFL to its players:

The XFL duly confirmed their own intent shortly after:

All told, the impact of the news promises to touch not just the football itself, but media rights, athlete compensation, ownership structure, and even the NFL — here’s what you need to know about the mutually intended XFL-USFL merger.

Key Details on the XFL-USFL Merger

Merger timeline

Pending regulatory approval, both leagues are understood to favor a deal that combines their operations before the start of the 2024 season.

Some calendar streamlining would be necessary, as the 2023 XFL season began on Feb. 18, while this year’s USFL campaign began on April 15.

Who owns the new league, who runs it, and what’s it called?

Excellent question! Rupert Murdoch’s Fox empire fully owns the USFL — Fox, alongside NBC, is also one of the league’s two broadcast partners — with Daryl “Moose” Johnston heading the day-to-day as president. The aforementioned Brahma Bull, Garcia, and RedBird’s Cardinale co-own the XFL; Garcia serves as commissioner.

The potential for a game of musical chairs in the executive suite would be intriguing to witness. For now, the Axios report anticipates that the partners have an equal stake in a merger agreement.

As for what we call the thing, well, we could be in for some all-new branding.

BREAKING: The #USFL and #XFL are currently pursuing a new league name in regards to their merger discussions, confirmed by multiple sources.

Major development to watch closely. If the XFL-USFL merger goes through, it is extremely likely that we see an entirely new brand.

— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) September 21, 2023

UPDATE 10/16: As noted by trademark attorney Josh Gerben, the XFL filed for 22 trademarks on Oct. 10, 2023 for “United Football League” and “UFL.”

How much will the players get paid and where do they play?

First thing’s first — the two leagues did not have identical pay structures in 2023:

• XFL: Base player salary of $59,000, including $5,000 per game, a $1,000 bonus per win, and a benefits package worth approximately $20,000 for the season. Click here for the full details.
• USFL: Base player salary of $53,500, including $5,350 per week, a $5,000 one-time bonus for members of the championship team, and upwards of $550 in benefits per week ($150 for retirement savings, $400 for room and board). Click here for the full details.

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So, what’s the throughline here that reconciles both of these models? No, they’re not entirely dissimilar, but this is a major question that will need answering. Ideally, a combined operation means more revenue opportunities that can be passed onto the athletes, but it’s too early to say definitively.

Further, the USFL’s eight teams were all ostensibly attached to a home city in 2023, but actually played out of one of four hub cities: Birmingham, Alabama; Canton, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; and Memphis, Tennessee. None of the XFL’s eight teams shared home venues, which stretched as far east as Washington, DC and as far west as Las Vegas.

And on that note:

Developing: Regarding a USFL-XFL merger, it is likely that we do not see all 16 teams in action, per source.

Hearing that organizations without venues currently secured are in hot water. Something to keep a close eye on, more details coming soon.

— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) September 20, 2023

TV and streaming rights

Contrasting with the USFL’s combined media rights deal with Fox and NBC, the XFL existed exclusively on Disney-owned platforms, including ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and FX. Does the sprawling nature of this landscape mean that everyone still gets a piece, or

Looking a bit closer, note that with the exception of FX, every one of these networks already carries NFL games. Why is that important? Well…

How Will the NFL be involved?

Ah, perhaps the most fascinating question of all!

Sure, no league could ever dream of challenging the NFL on its own calendar, but the Shield is so monolithic and all-consuming that for decades, no league has ever been able to survive even as an offseason complement to it. Not the old Vince McMahon XFL or the revived 2020 version cut short by COVID-19 lockdowns. Not the old USFL, the AAF, the UFL, or the AAFL. It’s perhaps already a small miracle that these two merger partners in question made it through an entire season and lived to tell about it.

Inside the XFL’s Long Road Back

Check out Boardroom’s conversation with XFL President Russ Brandon about the incredible effort and innovation that culminated with the football league’s grand return in 2023.

Check it Out!

Only one of them, however, has any formal relationship with the NFL. Spoiler alert: it’s the one with The Rock. The NFL treats the XFL as a staging area for testing out new rules, including the innovative wrinkle that allows a team to attempt to convert a 4th & 15 in the fourth quarter of games in order to retain possession of the ball in lieu of an onside kick. More importantly, the leagues have partnered on health and safety initiatives and talent — a main reason for the XFL season ending in mid-May was to make it easier for players to move directly to NFL practice squads in time for offseason workouts.

The USFL has no such relationship as of this time, but Johnston hasn’t shied away from expressing openness to it.

That bridge to the big time might just be the key to keeping this whole venture afloat for the long haul where all other comers had failed.

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The post XFL & USFL Merge to Create All-new Spring Football 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.

Didn’t get a chance to attend the sold-out North American leg of Taylor Swift‘s Eras Tour? Well, the pop star is allowing everyone who couldn’t secure tickets or simply wants to relive the experience the chance to catch it in theaters. Swift announced via her social media channels on Friday that her concert film, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, will debut across AMC Theaters and Cinemark venues on Oct. 13 in the U.S. market. Passes for the theatrical event will be priced at $19.89 for adults and $13.13 for children. In an effort to avoid another Ticketmaster fiasco, AMC says it has bolstered its server capacity to handle traffic at more than five times the current record for most tickets sold in an hour. By the end of business on Thursday, Deadline was reporting a whopping $10M in ticket presales already.

Lewis Hamilton Extends Mercedes Deal

Mercedes announced it has extended Formula 1 driver Lews Hamilton‘s contract, with the seven-time champion expected to stay with the Silver Arrows through the end of the 2025 season. The 38-year-old currently sits in fourth place in the 2023 drivers’ standings, 183 points behind defending champion, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen. Hamilton joined Mercedes at the start of the 2013 season and they have gone on to be the most successful driver-team combination in F1 history. The Englishman has recorded 82 of his record 103 F1 wins with the German auto brand and also picked up 78 pole positions in a Mercedes uniform. In a statement announcing the news, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff called Hamilton a “pillar and leader of our team.”

Boardroom’s Vinciane Ngomsi has more details on Lewis Hamilton’s new deal with Mercedes.

Following Record-breaking Attendance Marker, Nebraska Volleyball Star Lexi Rodriguez Inks Deal with Adidas

Nebraska volleyball player Lexi Rodriguez has inked an NIL deal with Adidas, the brand said Thursday. The deal comes a day after the record-setting Volleyball Day in Nebraska, in which 92,003 fans watched the Huskers sweep UNO 3-0 at Memorial Stadium, setting a new world record for women’s sports attendance in the process. Rodriguez, an All-Big Ten First Team and AVCA Second-Team All-American libero, will participate in brand marketing campaigns for the Three Stripes.

Oprah Winfrey and The Rock Rally Behind Maui Wildfire Victims

As residents in Maui seek to rebuild their lives following devastating wildfires, two famous faces are stepping up to help. Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson announced the formation of a fund that will disperse cash straight to families and individuals who were displaced due to the disaster. Every adult resident 18 years and older who was affected by the wildfires in Lahaina and Kula is eligible to receive $1,200 per month from The People’s Fund of Maui. Johnson and Winfrey began the campaign with an initial $10 million donation. Every dollar after that will be used solely for the betterment of afflicted individuals.

USWNT Great Julie Ertz Announces Retirement

United States Women’s National Team star Julie Ertz is hanging up her cleats, she confirmed in a statement via social media on Thursday. The 31-year-old Angel City FC midfielder walks away from her international career with 122 appearances for the USWNT since her debut in 2013. In that span, she scored 20 goals and secured two World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019. Ertz also earned U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2017 and 2019. “I gave everything I had to the sport that I love. With that I can walk away with no regrets because while I gave soccer every ounce of myself, soccer gave me even more, and for that I’ll always be thankful,” Ertz said in her announcement.

Golden Globes Makes Key Announcements Amid Seismic Shifts

A new era of the Golden Globes is among us. After Dick Clark Productions and Eldridge acquired it from longtime operator the Hollywood Foreign Press Association earlier this summer, they revealed its new membership board of directors and timeline for the 2024 awards on Thursday. Scheduled for Jan. 7 at its longtime home, the Beverly Hilton, nominations will be on Monday, Dec. 11. With the Golden Globes’ most recent deal with NBC ending this year, a broadcaster for the 2024 ceremony has yet to be announced, but is expected by Oct. 2. A host for the 81st edition will be made public later.

The post ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ Concert Film Coming to Theaters appeared first on Boardroom.

Another beloved Disney film is getting the live-action treatment. On Monday, the company announced the 2016 hit film Moana will be reimagined with real-life characters.

Of course, Disney tapped one of the biggest movie stars and an actor in the animated version to share the news: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who voiced demi-god Maui. According to the wrestler-turned-thespian, Maui was inspired by Johnson’s late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia. The 50-year-old’s mother is of Samoan descent.

“We are so excited and happy to announce that a live-action reimagining of ‘Moana’ is in the works,” Johnson said in a video posted to his socials.

Joined by his daughters, Johnson added that the project is still in preliminary talks. 

“It’s still very early in the process. There’s so much more work to be done. But until then, there is one more thing that I need to kick this journey off right. Girls do want to get that special thing that Daddy needs?” he continued as they brought him Maui’s staff. “Wow, you guys are daddy’s daughters. You are so strong.”

Per the release, Johnson and business partner Dany Garcia’s production company, Seven Bucks Productions, will back the flick. Auli‘l Cravalho, the voice of the cartoon teenage heroine, will serve as executive producer. While no director has been confirmed, original screenwriter Jared Bush is also lending his talents alongside Dana Ledoux Miller, who is also of Samoan heritage. No word on who will play the titular character, or the rest of the supporting cast.

When Moana opened in theaters in 2016, it went on to gross nearly $644 million worldwide. It also picked up an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Movie, losing to Zootopia. Its corresponding soundtrack won a Grammy and a Billboard Music Award. It was also one of the top 15 movies streamed in the US last year.

A tentative release date for the remake has not been revealed. 

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The post Disney Greenlights ‘Moana’ Live-Action Film Produced by Dwayne Johnson appeared first on Boardroom.

From producing Hollywood blockbusters to making history as co-owner and Chairwoman of the XFL, this sports and entertainment exec packs the power.

The word “mogul” is a term thrown around frequently — and sometimes lazily — when it comes to recognizing prominent figures. But a woman who undoubtedly fits within the definition is Dany Garcia. She currently serves as chairwoman of the XFL while investing in or partnering with an ever-expanding number of companies to create a booming portfolio for both herself and her longtime business partner and former spouse, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Garcia’s acquisition of the XFL alongside Johnson and Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital three years ago wasn’t just an investment opportunity, however — it made her the first woman to own a co-equal or majority ownership stake in a professional sports league in the US. Now, the league is officially up and running with four nationally-televised games running across ESPN platforms each week.

But even before then, Garcia, raised in New Jersey as the daughter of Cuban immigrants, was making her way first and foremost as an athlete. Long before the call to XFL ascendance came, she was a professional bodybuilder who went on to earn her International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation Pro card. Her experience in the sport is what she says helped build her determination as an entrepreneur.

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The Mogul

Garcia’s most prominent business is Seven Bucks Productions, a production company she co-founded 2012 with Dwayne Johnson, so named for the paltry sum the future WWE superstar had in his pocket after being cut from the Canadian Football League. To date, the company has grossed a total of $4.6 billion at the box office worldwide from big-time films like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Shazam!, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw, Jungle Cruise, and last year’s Black Adam. On TV, the company has produced Ballers, The Titan Games, and Young Rock.

The Seven Bucks Companies umbrella includes a digital studio and a marketing arm as well.

“At Seven Bucks, we like to say we do not create stories or develop stories alone. We’re not just in a room saying, ‘What do we want to do? What story do we want to tell today?’ We see the audience as collaborators,” she said in 2019. “They’re constantly in our minds: What is the experience? What can we share? What can we bring them? What will delight them? What will be exciting to them? Start with that mindset, symptomatically look at projects that actually have large scopes… that’s how we aim to attract global appeal.”

Garcia additionally sits on the advisory board of Atom Tickets, a relationship that began in 2018 when she and Johnson invested in the company. They are also notable investors in Acorns, a tech-driven financial services platform.

Apart from the entertainment world, Garcia founded GSTQ, a women’s lifestyle clothing brand that creates everything from dresses, jumpsuits, blazers, pants, skirts, shorts and more in all sizes. To no surprise, GTSQ partnered with the XFL for an apparel collaboration with the league’s logo on various items.

Other ventures Garcia manages or co-owns with Johnson include Teremana Tequila, Project Rock, Athleticon, and the Staten Island FerryHawks minor league baseball team.

The Chairwoman

It’s through her work as Chairwoman of the XFL that Garcia has reached a new level over the past three years — and her colleagues will be the first to declare it.

“She’s been involved in the daily business operations and football operations since day one. She is an incredible leader and a powerhouse in life,” league President Russ Brandon said. “She’s a former professional athlete who transitioned to running a multitude of businesses that are extraordinarily successful. I have an opportunity to work with her on a daily basis and she has been a great leader as we have built this.”

Right on cue, Garcia and the XFL have gone on to strike up a number of key partnerships with the organizations like the NFL, ESPN, Under Armour, Genius Sports, Westgate Resorts, Progressive Insurance, Under the Lights Flag Football, the Indoor Football League, Ticketmaster, and BreakAway Data. As the league establishes itself as the premier football competition of the NFL offseason, expect that list to grow.

The XFL kicked off in February with eight teams and a desire to make a sincere kind of splash. In order to stamp her impact on the new football league literally and figuratively, the XFL’s executive team came to Garcia with an idea to put her signature on the official league ball.

“I was both honored and humbled,” said Garcia in a release announcing the news. “As a lifelong football fan, I recognize the acknowledgment and trust that accompanies an ask like this. It inspires within me an even deeper personal commitment to our players, our coaches, our fans, our staff, and to our league. This moment will live in my mind forever.”

As Johnson added, “To see our Chairwoman’s signature on our new XFL ball is a very cool and historic moment in sports and professional football. It’s a testament to Dany and her continued drive and passion to take this league to the next level, which, in turn, paves the way for more women within the professional football industry.”

And so whether it be in the XFL’s front office or behind the scenes of a multi-million dollar production film, Dany Garcia continues to pave roads for more women that will one day come behind her.

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The post Dany Garcia Builds it Bigger appeared first on Boardroom.

It has been over 30 months since Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Dany Garcia and Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital purchased the XFL for $15 million. Since then, that trio, league president Russ Brandon, and many more have been plotting its return.

On Saturday, that day will finally be here.

Along the way, there have been ups and downs. The league had originally planned to partner with the CFL before the two sides eventually parted ways. Months later, the league joined forces with the NFL. Their partnership will focus on health and safety, officiating, new game rules, new technology, and more.

“We feel really good about how we’ve built this over time and it’s been a long time in the making, but we’re thrilled that we’re finally at the doorstep,” Brandon said in a phone interview.

The XFL has familiar faces on the sidelines as well. Rod Woodson, Hines Ward, Bob Stoops, and Wade Phillips will all serve as coaches, and all have playing or coaching experience in the NFL or college football.

The players might also be recognizable. A.J. McCarron, a former Alabama Crimson Tide national champion, will start, and so will Josh Gordon, Martavious Bryant, and Vic Beasley.

We don’t have all the details on player contracts and salaries just yet, but Boardroom provided an overview of what to expect. In addition to payment, the XFL said it will provide lodging, meals, and health and medical safety.

With the league kicking off Saturday and ending just as the NFL offseason workouts begin, there is an opportunity for players to leave the XFL and head to the NFL.

Brandon isn’t concerned.

“It’s no different than a Triple-A baseball player who wins MVP and goes on to play 15 years and you can follow that player and the fandom of that individual,” he said. “That’s what we want. We want to see our athletes’ journeys continue. The bottom line is there is room in the football ecosystem for more development in professional athletes and we are here for that for the longrun.”

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Faces of the XFL

Make no mistake: Garcia, Johnson, and Cardinale are the true faces of the XFL. Brandon spoke about each in his conversation with Boardroom.

“From my perspective as the leader of the day-to-day operations, to have ownership that is so entrenched in the longterm strategy success, sustainability here, that’s all you can ask for,” he said.

Of the trio, Garcia has been the most public-facing owner. As such, her signature will be on the league’s official game ball.

“She is just a powerhouse in life,” Brandon said. “She was a successful athlete who transitioned to running a multitude of businesses that have been successful. I have had an opportunity to work with Dany on a daily basis and she’s been a great leader as we’ve built this.”

Brandon continued, heaping praise on Johnson and Cardinale as well.

“We all know who Dwayne is, obviously, but what I’ve been incredibly impressed with is his attention to detail and his focus. Everyone knows his story, playing at the University of Miami and on national championship teams, and he often says the XFL was built for a player like him, player 54 on a 53-man roster. We’re giving them an opportunity to continue to chase their dreams. Just this year we saw two XFL alumni, Taylor Heineke and P.J. Walker, beat Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady.”

On Cardinale:

“Gerry Cardinale is the straw that stirs the drink. He has had an amazing career in sports and entertainment properties. He’s involved along with the partners at RedBird on a daily basis too.”

The Shield, ESPN, & More

The NFL and XFL announced their partnership shortly after Johnson gave an introduction at Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles last year. It remains to be seen if the NFL will adopt or pick up any of the XFL’s rules.

“The NFL has been extremely supportive in football operations,” Brandon said. “Troy Vincent specifically and his team. I view us as a steward of the game of football and to our athletes and fans. We’re looking at how we can advance the game. We are not rooted in 100 years of tradition so we have to look at it through a different lens on a daily basis. We are league of innovation but not a league of gimmicks, so it is all about finding ways to look at the game differently.”

Outside of the NFL, the XFL’s biggest partner is ESPN. The two partnered in May 2022 in an exclusive multi-year deal that will see all 43 of the league’s games broadcasted on ABC, ESPN, and FX.

ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a release: “The XFL will tap into sports fans’ deep love of football by emphasizing competitive action while dedicating itself to innovation and entertainment. You can see a great path to success when you combine the reach and influence of ESPN and Disney with the collective vision of XFL leadership led by Dany, Dwayne, and Gerry.”

Over the course of three years, the league’s partners have grown to include Genius Sports, Bolt6, GSTQ, Under Armour, Under the Lights Flag Football, and many more.

The XFL’s first game will kick off Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN between the Orlando Guardians and the Houston Roughnecks.

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The post Behind the XFL’s Long Road Back With League President Russ Brandon appeared first on Boardroom.

The conclusion of Super Bowl LVII means that the NFL is over for the next several months — but football isn’t. By the time the champagne reservoir runs dry in Kansas City, it will be time to salute the official relaunch of the XFL, whose 2023 season kicks off on Saturday, Feb. 18.

You can thank league co-owners Dany Garcia, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Gerry Cardinale for that.

This year, the XFL features North and South Divisions consisting of four teams each, with a host of notable names taking on head coaching duties, including two-time Super Bowl champion wide receiver Hines Ward (San Antonio Brahmas), longtime Oklahoma Sooners boss Bob Stoops (Arlington Renegades), and Hall of Fame defensive back Rod Woodson (Vegas Vipers).

However, this league is ultimately all about the players, and that got us thinking about just what an XFL contract entails for a professional football player.

So, what does the 2023 XFL player salary and benefits structure look like as the league relaunches? You have questions, Boardroom has answers.

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XFL Salary 2023: Player Compensation & Benefits Overview

XFL contracts at a glance

• Base XFL player salary: $59,000
  • Weekly pay per game: $5,000
• Bonus per win: $1,000

All rostered players will receive their weekly pay and win bonuses regardless of whether they are active or inactive for a particular game, including for injury reasons.

It is likely that the league will offer increased bonus compensation for participating in and/or winning playoff and championship games, but details remain unconfirmed as of this writing.

Notably, thanks to the XFL’s official relationship with the NFL, players will be eligible to participate in NFL offseason programs after the XFL season concludes with its championship game on May 13.

XFL player benefits

• All players are guaranteed room and board throughout the season via the XFL Hub, the league’s base of operations in Arlington, Texas.
• The XFL will cover health, dental, and vision insurance for all players.
• The value of these benefits is estimated to be worth approximately $20,000 per player.

Click here to see how 2023 XFL salaries compare to those of the rival USFL for its most recent season in 2022.

2023 XFL Teams & Head Coaches

North Division

South Division

Go Deeper on the XFL

• 2023 XFL Schedule Revealed: 43 Games Coming to ESPN, ABC, FX
• XFL Uniforms: League Reveals Under Armour Designs For All 8 Teams
• All 8 XFL Teams, Logos Revealed Ahead of 2023 Relaunch
• XFL, Indoor Football League Join Forces on Player Personnel
• XFL Taps Kerry Gordon to Lead on Health and Safety
• XFL Reveals New Identity, Renewed Mission Ahead of 2023 Return

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The post 2023 XFL Player Salary & Contracts Overview appeared first on Boardroom.

As we look back on the year in the rearview and ahead to 2023, a select group drives the biggest trends across the cultural zeitgeist.

Our list is made up of the people that raise eyebrows and turn heads. They shake up boardrooms and shape the biggest decisions in business, sports, tech, and entertainment.

These 50 people are consistently central to the most important business deals and the hottest parties. Collectively, they change and challenge their industries. They hold incredible influence and stay in our headlines.

Welcome to Boardroom’s first-ever Most Influential list.

The post Boardroom’s Most Influential 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.

On Thursday, the relaunched XFL has announced that its inaugural draft under the ownership of Dany Garcia, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital will take place on Nov. 15-17 at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Over the course of the year, the XFL has held combines across the nation to allow players who are hoping to play in the league to try out. According to the league, nearly 6,000 players have been evaluated at the combines, NFL training camps, and other venues. Of the 6,000, 1,700 players were invited to enter the XFL Draft pool. The players in the pool will aim to receive one of the 528 spots in the league’s training camp. Eventually, when cuts occur, there will be 400 active player roster spots.

“Holding our draft where so many dynamic sports stories have been written is the perfect backdrop for this important XFL milestone,” said Garcia, the league’s Chairwoman and co-owner, in an official release. “The Draft is just the start of an incredible new chapter for these players. We cannot wait to welcome this inspiring new talent to the XFL.”

The draft will be broken down into four positional groupings:

• Offensive skill positions, (WR, RB, TE, FB)
• Defensive backs (CB, safety, nickel)
• Defensive front seven (ILB, edge, DE, DT)
• Offensive line

A release notes that a supplemental draft for players under contract with another professional football league will occur in 2023. The selection order for the draft will be revealed on Monday, Nov. 14.

“Sometimes in life, all you need is one shot to prove yourself and the XFL provides that chance,” added league co-owner Johnson. “These players have been working hard and beating the odds. We have seen their passion at the showcases, we have seen their commitment to the game, and now we – as owners, coaches, and trainers – are in a position to take their game to the next level. I know we have some electrifying ballers in the player pool and I can’t wait to see them all on the field balling out come training camp in January.” 

Today’s XFL Draft details arrived after the league recently revealed the names, mascots, and logos of the eight teams competing in the league in 2023.

As XFL President Russ Brandon said on the occasion, “Our league’s executives, coaches, and their staff have worked tirelessly to prepare for the Draft, and I am thrilled to see these teams come together for our fans and the organization. As our kickoff approaches in February, we’re excited to showcase our tremendous athletes and high-caliber coaching staff to bring a high level of play and excitement for our fans.”

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The post 2022 XFL Draft Details & Location Revealed appeared first on Boardroom.

The XFL has announced a partnership with Under the Lights Flag Football, the kindergarten through 12th grade flag football league for boys and girls. As part of the partnership, the XFL and Under the Lights will co-host the first-ever Youth Flag Football World Championships on Dec. 27-30 in San Antonio, TX.

With Under the Lights already established in seven of the XFL’s eight markets, a partnership is a natural fit for both sides. The XFL’s initial host cities will be in Arlington, Houston, Las Vegas, San Antonio, Seattle, Washington D.C., Orlando, and St. Louis. On top of that, XFL co-owner Dwayne Johnson is partnered with Under Armour, which has been Under the Lights’ brand partner since 2016.

“I love our XFL and Under the Lights partnership and all the phenomenal opportunities that it will bring us,” XFL co-owner Dwayne Johnson said in a release. “But the most important opportunity that this partnership will bring is creating an environment and culture for our kids that is fueled by hard work, discipline, and a whole lot of fun.”

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The announcement also links the XFL to the NFLPA. OneTeam Partners acquired Under the Lights in January 2021, and OneTeam partners is a joint venture founded by the NFLPA, MLBPA and RedBird Capital. The XFL previously tied itself to the NFL in February with a partnership that will be focused on health, safety, scouting, officiating, and testing of different game rules.

“When you partner with somebody like Dany Garcia and Dwayne Johnson what comes along with that is visibility,” Under the Lights Chairman Eric Beach told Boardroom. “This is a growing game that could be super fun if done correctly around the world and we want and need to be leaders in that space. This partnership is perfect for everybody because that’s also one of their goals.”

Flag Football could make its Olympic debut in 2028 in Los Angeles. The NFL partnered with the International Federation of American Football in hopes of helping the sport make its Olympic debut in six years. Flag football was also played at The World Games in Birmingham, Alabama in July.

“We’ve built the XFL to be a league deeply rooted in culture, passion and opportunity,” XFL co-owner and chairwoman Dany Garcia said in a release. “There are such clear and natural synergies between the XFL brand and Under the Lights – steadfast commitment to our communities, diverse and robust engagement opportunities, and at the forefront: an unwavering love for football. By investing in our youth, we can ignite the passion for the next generation of athletes.”

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The post XFL Partners With Under the Lights Flag Football appeared first on Boardroom.

On Thursday, the XFL announced that Kerry Gordon has joined the league to serve as Vice President of Health and Safety. Gordon will oversee all health and safety policies, procedures, and protocols, focusing on delivering premium care and well-being for all XFL athletes and directing athletic training departments for all eight teams.

As a licensed athletic trainer, Gordon is a seasoned veteran bringing 21 years of experience including 15 seasons consulting in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, and Los Angeles Rams. Interestingly enough, Gordon began her career as a seasonal intern athletic trainer with the Los Angeles Xtreme, one of the original teams formed for the XFL’s inaugural season in 2001.

She describes the experience in the original XFL as a full-circle moment.

“It was really that experience that ignited my passion for wanting to work at the professional level specifically with this group of guys that had this chip on their shoulders and grit and wanted to prove something. I, too, wanted to prove something, and that really helped mold me and what became my future experiences,” Gordon said in a Zoom interview. 

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Gordon is a NATA-licensed athletic trainer, NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist, and NCTMB-licensed massage therapist. Gordon earned a Bachelor’s degree in sports injury management from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She also earned a master’s degree in athletic training from the University of South Carolina.

XFL Chairwoman and co-owner Dany Garcia noted that hiring Kerry was about finding the single best candidate. “One of the things we have in ownership is finding the absolute best talent. It’s so easy for us because we have no issues making our net as wide as possible. We look for the absolute best to fill our roles and Kerry is that,” she said.

One of Gordon’s first tasks will be spearheading several aspects of the league’s partnership with the NFL. The announcement came in February. As of now, details are scarce, but health and safety have been confirmed as key areas of emphasis. Both leagues will align to find superior solutions regarding physical and mental fitness; other areas of focus could potentially include international football development and scouting, officiating, the testing of new game rules, and new technology to enhance officiating.

Gordon is looking forward to working with the league again. “This relationship and collaboration with the NFL is going to be an intricate component essential to our success in creating the best health and safety to surround our players,” she said. “Why? Because their historical knowledge and what they’ve developed, it’s clear their intention to always progress the future of football in the way of protecting players, and utilizing the XFL to help support that will give us a kickstart.”

Outside of the NFL partnership reveal, the league has made a bevy of announcements in 2022 that include head coaching hirings, a new brand identity and logo, multiple hirings, a series of athlete showcases, and an XFL Combine tour.

Still, Garcia says the best is yet to come.

“We’ve had a great last couple of months. We’re going to [be] integrating Kerry into those [developments]. We have another full slate of announcements coming in the next two weeks, so the show is only going to continue. We’ve been ramping up weekly,” she said. 

For now, though ,the league is just happy to add someone to their team who’s not just an expert in her field, but an XFL vet.

“Kerry is a critical hire for our League, reinforcing our commitment to player health and safety, a key pillar of our football philosophy. She is a seasoned industry veteran whose expertise will be invaluable as gear up for our 2023 season,” added Russ Brandon, President of the XFL, in an official release.

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The post XFL Taps Kerry Gordon to Lead on Health and Safety 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.

Do you smell what the UFC is cooking?

The world’s premier MMA organization has forged a multi-year deal with Project Rock, the motivational performance brand from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Under Armour, that makes it the UFC’s official global footwear partner, the companies announced Friday.

The official partnership begins this weekend, with Project Rock providing official footwear to the fighters competing at UFC 270 in Anaheim, including heavyweight championship headliners Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane. Starting this summer, UFC athletes will be outfitted with special Project Rock x UFC  co-branded BSR 2 training shoes.

“UFC athletes are among the greatest, toughest, focused, most disciplined, and hardest-training athletes on the planet,” Johnson said. “Every walk to the iconic Octagon by a UFC fighter is fueled with passion, mana, and the deep desire to establish their dominance and LEGACY. I am proud, grateful, and humbled that my innovative Project Rock training shoe is now the official global footwear partner of UFC.  Being ‘the hardest worker in the room’ isn’t just a catchy slogan. It’s my life.  But it’s not just my life. It’s the life and soul of every man and woman that competes in UFC. THEY are the hardest workers in the room. They are the ones who walk the walk.They are champions. Project Rock looks forward to the endless possibilities within this historic global partnership with UFC and all the hardest workers in the room.” 

The agreement also includes opportunities for Project Rock exposure through broadcasts, as well as original UFC content on linear, digital, and social media channels. Co-branded Project Rock x UFC footwear will be available at retail outlets around the world later this year.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Dwayne Johnson and his Project Rock brand to incorporate this innovative footwear into UFC’s iconic fight kits,” said Tracey Bleczinski, UFC’s senior vice president of global consumer products. “The core mission of the Project Rock brand, to help individuals in their journey achieve greatness by equipping them with the right tools, aligns with UFC fighters’ determination, dedication, and perseverance, as they pursue greatness in their own right—both inside and outside of the Octagon.”

UFC 270: Ngannou vs. Gane takes place Saturday night at the Honda Center in Anaheim California. The main card begins at 10 p.m. exclusively on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

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The post UFC Taps Dwayne Johnson for “Project Rock” Footwear Deal 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.