Welcome back to the Spotlight! I write this week with a heavy heart, as I was not selected by a team in the NBA Draft for the 37th straight year. To the naysayers out there who would try to tear me down by pointing out that those who are drafted are generally taller and better than me at basketball, I say that I never completed the paperwork to be eligible for the NBA Draft. So there! Jokes aside, this happens to be the last Draft taking place before the July 1, 2025 date House settlement comes into effect, allowing colleges to directly pay their athletes a portion of revenue derived from the use of their athletes’ name, image and likeness. In the NIL era, athletes have already performed the calculus of determining whether it would be more lucrative to stay in school and get more experience under their belts rather than playing in the pros under a cut-rate rookie contract. That will only come into sharper focus with more money being available to college athletes and it will be interesting to see how the earning capacity for college athletes affects the talent pool for future professional drafts to come. Whatever the outcome, it is clear that college athletes are finally able to achieve financial independence much earlier in their careers. Speaking of independence, in observance of Independence Day for these United States, the Spotlight will be replaced by fireworks next week but will return the following week. Until then, hopefully this will tide you over.
Steve Burns, who played the role of…well…“Steve” on the original Blue’s Clues children’s television show is debuting a grown-up podcast tailored to adults who grew up watching the show. I have to say, I’m intrigued, though mail time stopped making me wag my tail when bills started rolling in.
Kim Kardashian is rumored to be cast in a starring role in a film based on the popular “Bratz” dolls. The working title of the film? You guessed it: “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.”
Following a debut at the X Games, AI-powered sports tech firm The Owl raises $10M as it looks to leverage artificial intelligence to displace human judges and officials in competitive sports. That all sounds very impressive, but I am still waiting for The Owl to give a credible answer as to how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop.
Endorsement Deals, Sponsorships & Investments
LSU Will Pay Athletes $20.5 Million Over the Next Year. Here's How the Tigers Plan To Do It
June 27, 2025 via Advocate
How Cooper Flagg and AT&T Schooled Brands on NBA Draft Values
June 26, 2025 via AdWeek
On and FKA Twigs Co-Design Limited-Edition Capsule, Including a Signature Pair of Cloud Shoes
June 26, 2025 via HollywoodReporter
Kalshi, Polymarket Crack $1B Valuations, Ride Political Wave
June 25, 2025 via Sportico
ESPN Gains Premier Lacrosse League Equity in New Rights Deal
June 25, 2025 via Sportico
Women's Tennis Association Extends Media Rights Deal with Tennis Channel Through 2032
June 25, 2025 via NBC News
Calum Worthy’s AI Company 2wai Launches Video Chat App, Aiming to Put ‘Control Back in the Hands of the Artists’
June 25, 2025 via Variety
The Party’s Over for Kate’s Clean Living Brand — Here’s Why
June 25, 2025 via The Times
NBA Draft: How College NIL Money is Reshaping the Landscape
June 24, 2025 via Los Angeles Daily News
Minnesota Timberwolves, Lynx Sale to A-Rod, Lore Approved by NBA
June 24, 2025 via Sportico
A Guide to NIL Taxes
June 23, 2025 via Newswise
Jets Owner Woody Johnson Buying John Textor’s Crystal Palace Stake
June 23, 2025 via Sportico
Lakers Sale Agreement Follows UAE Investment in Walter’s TWG Global
June 21, 2025 via Sportico
Fanatics Fest Prioritizes Building Brand ‘Evangelists’ Over Profit
June 20, 2025 via Sportico
Wisconsin Sues Miami Over Transfer as College Sports Turns Pro
June 20, 2025 via Sportico
Sports
NCAA Considering Proposal to Allow College Athletes, Staff to Bet on Professional Sports
June 26, 2025 via Lancaster Online
Mavs Take Flagg at No. 1: 'A Dream Come True'
June 26, 2025 via ESPN
House v. NCAA: Era of Revenue Sharing in College Sports Begins
June 25, 2025 via Wisconsin State Bar
The U.S. Revoked Visas from a Top Basketball Player's Country. How the NBA Kept his Dream Alive
June 25, 2025 via NBC News
‘Caitlin Clark Effect’ Hits Seattle: Storm Ticket Prices, Attendance Soar for Tuesday’s Game
June 24, 2025 via KIRO 7
Team Physicians in College Sports Wary of Greater Liability Risk with Athletes Now Making Big Money
June 24, 2025 via ABC News
Heir Ball: How the Cost of Youth Sports Is Changing the N.B.A.
June 23, 2025 via New Yorker
WNBA Players Make Public Push for New CBA Ahead of All-Star Break
June 22, 2025 via Chicago Sun Times
NFL Tries to Build Flag Football Pipeline, With Girls Leagues Spreading Rapidly
June 20, 2025 via Sports Business Journal
Music Biz
Cam’ron Announces Six-Figure Book Deal to Write His Memoir: ‘I’m Happy to Have This Deal Done’
June 26, 2025 via Billboard
Sabrina Carpenter Unveils Alternate ‘Man’s Best Friend’ Album Art That’s ‘Approved by God’ Amid Controversy
June 25, 2025 via Variety
The Music Industry is Building the Tech to Hunt Down AI Songs
June 23, 2025 via Techmeme.com
Senators Urge FTC Probe Into Spotify’s Subscription Bundling
June 22, 2025 via Radio Ink Magazine
Film & TV
Ben Affleck, Matt Damon & Gerry Cardinale’s Artists Equity Inks Theatrical Pact With Sony Pictures
June 26, 2025 via Deadline
Amazon MGM Studios Developing Animated Comedy ‘No Sleep’ From Writer Brian Schacter; Blake Griffin & Ryan Kalil’s Mortal Media Producing
June 26, 2025 via Deadline
Kim Kardashian And Picturestart Team On ‘Bratz’ Movie At Amazon MGM Studios
June 25, 2025 via Deadline
Steve Burns, Original ‘Blue’s Clues’ Host, Is Launching a Podcast for Grown-Ups That’s a ‘Continuation’ of the Beloved Kids’ Show
June 25, 2025 via Variety
‘Social Network’ Sequel in the Works With Aaron Sorkin Writing, Directing for Sony
June 25, 2025 via HollywoodReporter
Byron Allen’s Freestyle Digital Media Acquires ‘One But Many,’ Documentary On Human-Wildlife Conflict, Ahead Of Dances With Films Premiere
June 20, 2025 via Deadline
Emerging Sports
Emerging Sports Firm The Owl AI Raises $11M Seed Round, Taps Google Vet Josh Gwythe As CEO
June 25, 2025 via Deadline
Cirque du Soleil Collaborates With The Sandbox to Bring Its Signature Spectacle Into the Metaverse
June 25, 2025 via Business Wire