Basketball

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin S ue Bird, nearing retirement, announced she’s buying a minority stake in the National Women’s Soccer League franchise NJ/NY Gotham FC, the parties told Forbes . For the Women’s National Basketball Association star, 41, it’s more about the possibility of growth in the league than a get-rich-quick scheme. She joins an all-star list of Gotham FC investors that includes New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, and his wife, Tammy Murphy; NBA star Kevin Durant’s investment firm, Thirty Five Ventures; and former U.S. national team soccer star Carli Lloyd. The financial terms of Bird’s stake weren’t disclosed, but the investment includes the stipulation that Bird act as an “advisor” to the club as Gotham FC looks to increase its brand profile in the crowded regional and national sports landscape. How much the NWSL franchise is worth remains unclear. Sports bankers told Forbes to consider businesswoman Michele Kang’s February … [Read more...] about WNBA Star Sue Bird Sees Growth In Women’s Pro Soccer, Buys Stake In New York-Area Team

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin The 2022 edition of NBA free agency is mostly over, but front offices still have plenty of work ahead. Beyond filling out their remaining open roster spots and continuing scout work on the 2023 draft class, they must plan for the long-term future, too. In particular, the 2025 offseason has the potential to upend the NBA landscape, much like the halcyon summer of 2016 did. The NBA's national television rights package expires after the 2024-25 season, and the league could be looking at a massive windfall in its new deal. Last March, CNBC's Jabari Young reported that the NBA would "seek a $75 billion rights package, up from its current $24 billion deal, which pays $2.6 billion per year." If the league succeeds in that mission, the salary cap will soar in the ensuing years. “I think there’s going to be a huge jump,” longtime NBA agent Mark Bartelstein told Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. “The NBA is as hot as can … [Read more...] about Why NBA Teams Should Already Be Planning For The 2025 Offseason

Moscow said Friday that it’s open to discussing a possible prisoner exchange involving American female basketball star Brittney Griner but warned Washington against publicizing the issue. WNBA star Brittney Griner, a two-time Olympian and eight-time all-star with the Phoenix Mercury has been detained in Russia since Feb. 17 for allegedly having vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage. The 31-year-old athlete was convicted Thursday of drug possession and smuggling and was sentenced to nine years in prison. Her conviction comes amid high tensions between Moscow and Washington over Russia’s actions in Ukraine. President Biden told a media briefing Friday that he is hopeful that Griner will be released. “ We’re working hard to make things happen,” he said. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke last week to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He urged the Kremlin to accept an exchange deal under which Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, an … [Read more...] about Moscow Luke Warm to Brittney Griner Prisoner Exchange

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin The Chicago Bulls are in a potentially difficult spot with guard Coby White, who is currently eligible for a contract extension. The 22-year-old will become a restricted free agent (RFA) in the summer of 2023 if he receives no extension, and that can be a bit of a drag for both parties. Look no further than the ongoing Collin Sexton situation in Cleveland these days. The former 24-point scorer has been offered $40 million over three seasons, which is substantially below market value for what he provides. Yet, the Cavs might get away with it due to the small market that remains out there. For White, the situation will be much the same next year, if he enters RFA. Seemingly, the Bulls should then be in the driver's seat and be able to dictate his future. There's some truth to that, but White's cap hold could complicate matters for Chicago. $22.2 million cap hold White is, indirectly, on the books for $22.2 million … [Read more...] about Extending Coby White Makes Future Trade Easier For Chicago Bulls

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin With its sleek designs and groundbreaking technology, Athletic Propulsion Labs (APL) has become a force to be reckoned with in just over a decade. Identical twins Adam and Ryan Goldston were just 22 when they founded their company. Since then, they’ve introduced patented technology in nearly every area of their footwear and created a brand with a devoted following thanks to its purity of design and dedication to excellence. The brand favors quiet luxury, with minimal logos and branding in designs that blend form and function. How functional? Well, their first shoe, the Concept 1, was the first and only shoe to be banned by the NBA for providing an unfair competitive advantage. Simply put, the shoes helped players jump even higher thanks to its patented Load ‘N Launch technology. “It’s a compression spring base system that sits in the cavity of the forefoot. You put pressure on it, it compresses, you jump, it releases and … [Read more...] about APL’s Founders On Discipline, Design, And Their New Collaboration With McLaren

The best real money online casinos in Australia should have all the top games, the most generous bonuses, and a sterling reputation. But with so many sites to choose from, how can you be sure the real money Australian casino you choose is up to scratch? Well, we’re here to help: These AU casino sites host thousands of immersive games (including the latest online pokies!) and promote generous bonuses that get you started on the right foot. You’ll also get to enjoy hassle-free payouts if you win real money thanks to their variety of banking options. Ricky Casino was our #1 pick overall, but we’ve got more casinos ready to compete for the throne. Sounds good? Let’s go. Top Real Money Online Casinos in Australia Ricky Casino: Best overall Hellspin: Best game variety Las Atlantis: Top pick for mobile Cloudbet: Best for sports betting Casino Rocket: Best bonuses 1. Ricky Casino – No. 1 Real Money Online Casino in Australia Overall Pros 3,000+ online … [Read more...] about Online Casinos in Australia for Real Money: Best Real Money Australian Casinos Online

If you’re looking for the perfect success story for how to dominate Kickstarter and get your project fully funded, look no further than Web Smith and Kevin Lavelle from Mizzen+Main . If you’ve ever thought about doing a crowdfunding project, follow every move they made (and steal with pride!). This applies to Kickstarter, Indiegogo, other crowdfunding platforms, and even product launches on your own website. The Mizzen+Main Kickstarter project recently launched and between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. it was already more than 100 percent funded. As of publishing this post, they’ve raised nearly $34,000 and have almost doubled their goal in just 24 hours. This definitely isn’t the norm with most crowdfunding projects, but here are some of the reasons I believe their Kickstarter project was such an “overnight success” and yours can be too. They Built A Solid Brand But Jason, I’m starting my brand with Kickstarter. I want the world to meet me for the first time through my … [Read more...] about How to Dominate Kickstarter

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin On a recent morning, Eran Reshef was touring an archive that will go on display at the soon-to-open Maccabi Museum on the outskirts of Tel Aviv. As he moved through the hundreds of medals, trophies, badges, flags, pictures, films, and memoirs from more than a century of sports competition, the Israeli entrepreneur kept thinking about how to move the past and present into the future. Inspired by his observation of the artifacts and wanting to find ways for technology to create connections between younger generations of people on social networks and in the metaverse, “Project Max” was born. Project Max is an initiative that makes use of nonfungible tokens as a way to reach the public. The NFTs are officially-licensed digital memorabilia generated from Maccabi’s physical archives. But they do more than serve as the latest attempt by an established organization to grab on to the recent popularity of NFTs among collectors, … [Read more...] about Maccabi And Sighteer Use Sports History NFTs To Build Community Across The Metaverse

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin The Muhammad Ali Thing is happening again. This time, it features Bill Russell, evolving in death from the guy who the New York Times NYT said the FBI wrote in its files was “an arrogant Negro who won’t sign autographs for white children” to somebody who supposedly was hugged by the masses forever. Well ... Not exactly. Russell led the Boston Celtics to 11 of their 17 world championships during the 1960s. Courtesy of his aura in general, he also set the foundation for why the franchise is fifth on Forbes ’ list of NBA team valuations at $3.55 billion. Still, Russell didn’t make New Englanders feel warm and fuzzy when he said Boston was racist, and he refused to attend the ceremony at Boston Garden in 1972 when his No. 6 jersey was retired. He was active in the Black Power movement. He created enemies by blasting the Vietnam War during the height of his playing career, and by insisting the Boston … [Read more...] about Stop Rewriting History For Bill Russell, Muhammad Ali And Other Powerful Black Athletes

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Here is the published version of this week’s Forbes Careers newsletter, which brings the latest news, commentary and ideas about the workplace, leadership and the future of work straight to your inbox every Wednesday. Click here to get on the newsletter list ! A mid soaring inflation, getting a pay raise is on everyone’s mind. How to negotiate for more pay . How to get a great performance review that leads to a boost in comp. How to develop a side project for a boost in income. But a new analysis of government data from the Pew Research Center finds your best bet might just be switching jobs. Our communities and leadership team intern Ethan Steinberg covered the report last week, writing that it not only confirms the conventional wisdom that changing companies is the best route to a pay bump, but appears to suggest a growing gap in the fortunes of those who stay put versus those who switch jobs. … [Read more...] about Pay Raises Really Are Tied To Switching Jobs, Workers Want Abortion Access Benefits And Bill Russell’s Leadership