The Boston Celtics majority ownership group, led by Wyc Grousbeck, announced plans to sell the franchise. Grousbeck and Steve Pagliuca purchased the team in 2002 for $360 million. With recent franchise valuations soaring, such as the Phoenix Suns selling for $4 billion and the Milwaukee Bucks for $3.5 billion, the Celtics’ sale is highly anticipated.
BREAKING: The Boston Celtics majority ownership group — led by Wyc Grousbeck — is planning to make the franchise available for sale, sources tell ESPN. The investment group purchased the team in 2002. Massive development for one of sports’ most valuable properties. pic.twitter.com/ICixdcJtLF
The Celtics, an iconic franchise with 18 NBA titles, announced Monday that the managing board expects to sell a “majority interest” in the team later this year or early next year. According to ESPN, Grousbeck will remain the team’s governor until the second closing in 2028.
Since Grousbeck’s group, Boston Basketball Partners, took over, the Celtics have consistently been among the league’s best teams. They have won two titles and most recently defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals last month.
Following the premiere of Bad Boys: Ride or Die, actor and Welcome to Miami singer Will Smith triumphantly returns to the music scene with his new gospel-leaning single, “You Can Make It,” released at midnight on Friday, June 28. Collaborating with artist Fridayy and featuring the soulful Sunday Service Choir, this inspirational track aims to empower listeners and remind them of their inner strength to overcome hardships.
Distributed by the minority-owned, multi-featured music sound house SLANG Music Group, “You Can Make It” marks Smith’s first independent music release. Known for his dynamic presence in film and music industries, Smith is set to reconnect with his fans through this powerful message of hope and perseverance.
2x GRAMMY-nominated recording artist Coi Leray attended the NYC Pride Parade, demonstrating her unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ community. Coi’s presence at the event highlighted her commitment to equality and inclusion, making a powerful statement of solidarity with the millions who gather each year to celebrate love and diversity.
Coi Leray’s participation in the parade comes just one day before her highly anticipated July 1st performance at the Barclays Center as part of Jhene Aiko’s sold-out Magic Hour Tour. Fans are eagerly anticipating her energetic stage presence and dynamic performances, which have made her a standout act on the tour.
Coi Leray continues to dominate the music scene with recent milestones and thrilling performances. Following the release of her highly anticipated EP “Lemon Cars” on May 24, along with the debut of the electrifying music video for the titular single, she has solidified her presence as a rising star. She also made waves as the face of Footlocker for Adidas’s “It Starts with Sneakers” campaign, showcasing her influence beyond music.
In April, she captivated audiences with an iconic debut at Coachella 2024, surprising fans with two unreleased songs and offering an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse with Teen Vogue. Adding to her impressive list of achievements, Coi Leray graced the stage of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” joining G-Eazy and Kalii for a memorable performance of their track “Femme Fatale.”
Closing out the month, The Dominick, the luxury 5-star Diamond hotel in SoHo, hosted its first-ever poolside Pride Week celebration on their rooftop “Terrace on 7”. The event was a vibrant and lively affair, with proceeds from ticket sales supporting the Ali Forney Center for LGBT homeless youth.
Hosted by Megami of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16, the celebration was nothing short of spectacular. Megami’s energy and charisma had the crowd turned up and special guest pop-artist Ashley Longshore added a splash of star power to the event. The evening featured a naming contest and ceremony for the rooftop Queen honeybees, adding a unique and memorable touch to the festivities.
Guests enjoyed the luxurious cabana seating, which set a sexy and relaxed mood as they feasted on delicious bites from the Asian-Hawaiian outpost, El Ta’koy. The culinary delights were complemented by refreshing drinks, including a frose that was a crowd favorite and knocked everyone’s socks off.
Resident DJ Roman Chappelle kept the energy high throughout the evening, spinning all the hottest tracks and ensuring that the dance floor was packed. The stunning rooftop view, coupled with great music and an enthusiastic crowd, made for an unforgettable night.
Photo opportunities abounded, allowing guests to capture the joyous moments of the evening. The Dominick also passed out impressive gift bags filled with swag, including colorful flask bangles and large decorated fans to help fight the heat. Adding to the excitement, guests had the chance to win an overnight stay at one of New York City’s most luxurious boutique hotels.
The Dominick’s first-ever poolside Pride Week celebration was definitely one for the books. The combination of stunning views, great music, delicious food, and a vibrant atmosphere created a new staple for Pride Week in New York City. With its successful debut, this event promises to become a beloved annual tradition, celebrating love, diversity, and community in the heart of SoHo.
This weekend in Las Vegas, Draft Kings pulled out all the stops to celebrate hospitality mogul David Grutman’s 50th birthday at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. The festivities began on Friday, June 28, with an extravagant dinner at Komodo Las Vegas, attended by a star-studded entourage of celebrity friends and top athletes.
Among the guests were model Winnie Harlow with boyfriend Kyle Kuzma, rapper and DJ Metro Boomin, UFC president Dana White, Jonathan “FoodGod” Cheban, Shark Tank star Daymond John, influencer Harry Jowsey, and more. The celebration continued at LIV Las Vegas with a lively performance by Metro Boomin, where Brazilian soccer star Neymar joined in following Brazil’s Copa America win at Allegiant Stadium.
On Saturday, June 29, the party moved to LIV Beach for a sold-out afternoon featuring Dom Dolla’s performance and appearances by Mark Wahlberg enjoying Flecha Azul Tequila, and Star Wars star John Boyega. David “Papi” Einhorn even manned the grill, serving up signature steaks for the birthday crew, while actress Shailene Woodley and NBA star Chris Paul added to the festive atmosphere.
Kodak Black manifested the lyrics of his hit song “No Flockin” during a performance in Los Angeles, when a fan got down on her knees and proposed to him.
On July 3, the City of New Orleans will honor Cash Money Records Co-Founders Bryan “Baby” Williams, a.k.a. “Birdman,” and Ronald “Slim” Williams by naming a street after them. The intersection of Saratoga St. and Erato St., where the Williams Brothers once lived, will be christened “Honorary Williams Brothers Way.” This street naming celebrates the Williams brothers’ enduring impact on New Orleans, recognizing their worldwide fame and decades of contributions to their community. The official ceremony will take place onsite at the intersection from 1:30 to 2:30 PM.
National Urban League President & CEO Marc H. Morial commented, “As former mayor of New Orleans, I’m extremely proud of the street being named in honor of ‘Baby’ and ‘Slim’, CEOs of Cash Money Records. Their contributions to the music industry and their impact on our community have been immense, shaping the cultural landscape and providing opportunities for countless artists from the Crescent City.”
The street naming ceremony will precede Birdman’s performance at the ESSENCE Festival. On Friday, Birdman will headline at Caesars Superdome with the show “Birdman and Friends,” featuring Cash Money Records hits and guest appearances. Marc Morial will also grace the stage to present a proclamation recognizing the Williams brothers’ outstanding contributions to culture and hip-hop.
These new developments come as Cash Money grows its roster, including R&B star Jacquees and rising talents such as TBOSS, Onisght Deeda, Rublow, and Saxboy KD.
Last week, Cash Money founders Bryan “Birdman” Williams and Ronald “Slim” Williams received YouTube’s prestigious Leaders and Legends Award. The two brothers, who established the iconic record label in 1991, have been instrumental in shaping the music industry by signing major artists like Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Juvenile, and Tyga.
“The story of Cash Money Records is one for the history books,” said Lyor Cohen, YouTube’s global head of music. “Leaders and Legends recognizes entrepreneurship and leadership in Black music and culture, attributes Birdman and Slim embody to their core. They defied the odds, raising up some of rap and hip-hop’s most iconic figures to superstardom and shattering sales records while doing it. We are humbled to honor their success and look forward to celebrating the music that continues to shape the label’s incredible legacy.”
Baby replied in a statement to Billboard, “I appreciate Lyor and YouTube for respecting what we’ve accomplished, and what we continue to do. This honor shines a light on all the artists who have been on Cash Money Records or have been affiliated with the label. They share in this honor, too.”
Under their leadership, Cash Money Records has achieved remarkable success, boasting over 300 Hot 100 hits, 41 top 10 singles, and seven No. 1 singles. The label has also produced 80 Billboard 200 albums, including 15 that reached the top spot. This accolade from YouTube recognizes the Williams brothers’ significant contributions to the music industry and their enduring impact on popular culture.
