With the NBA celebrating its 75th anniversary this season, Bleacher Report wants to take a look ahead to see what the next 25 years hold for the league. In Next 25, NBA legend Dwyane Wade launches a six-part digital series to tackle that question. Coinbase is the sponsor.
The series features 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes, Knicks forward Obi Toppin, Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, and WNBA star Napheesa Collier, among other special guests.
The limited series will explore how will players interact with fans through the media? How will players spend their money? How will the WNBA grow and how will the game change? What are the up-and-coming fashion trends?
On May 17, episodes will be available in the B/R app and on Bleacher Report’s YouTube channel.
How do you stay up-to-date with sports news? There are various ways to keep track of the latest in the sporting industry, including signing up for newsletters, social media accounts, and listening to podcasts.
Sports podcasts have become increasingly popular in recent months as more sports fans turn to them to get the latest information. This is partly because, as compared to reading through newsletters or watching the news, podcasts provide an entertaining and engaging alternative to visual media, cutting on the amount of time spent on screen time. The current trend has also led to more podcasts opening up, with Worldstar Hip Hop being the latest. Worldstar Hip Hop has recently announced the opening of their new sports podcast Kiss & The Myst.
According to Worldstar Hip Hop, the main reason they started the podcast was to create a community of sports fans where everyone will feel at home. There are various types of sports, and sometimes it can be really hard to find all the latest information in one place. With Kiss & The Myst podcast, which will air on Worldstar Hip Hop, their focus is shining light on all types of sports and discussing what’s trending in the sports world.
The show is hosted by sports analyst and handicapper Mystic Zach Hirsch alongside celebrated rapper and sports enthusiast Jadakiss. Having been in the industry for years, their diversity and experience make them a perfect team.
Mystic Zach is one of the most trusted voices in sports, with a following of more than 1 million on Instagram. He has a decade of professional and proven experience under his belt working with some of the top sporting brands, including BetMGM and BetOnline.ag. Zach has had the opportunity of interviewing top athletes and even produced and directed two successful digital short films- Don’t Sleep on Jake with Jake Paul and Beyond The Ring: Bounty for WorldStar HipHop.
Jadakiss is a renowned rapper and avid sports fan. Jada has been in the music industry for more than three decades and has risen to become one of the biggest forces in the NY Hip Hop scene, with his songs attracting a lot of attention. He is a two-time Verzuz winner, and he recently had a chance to perform at Madison Square Garden in December, 2021 on behalf of the NY Knicks and debuted the Kith x Nike x NY Knicks Collection.
Mystic Zach and Jada say they have always had a deep passion for sports and music, and through their new podcast, their mission is to keep their listeners informed on all the happenings in the sports world. The two will be highlighting a number of sports, including football, basketball, and even horse racing, among others.
To give the audience a much broader view, Kiss & The Myst will also be having guest hosts. Jada and Zach say they have already spoken with their first guest and are finalizing all the necessary arrangements. The first guests to make an appearance on their podcast show will be rapper Dave East and NBA player Chris Brickley.
Reggie Bullock of the Dallas Mavericks, Jrue Holiday of the Milwaukee Bucks, Jarvis Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies, Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Fred VanVleet of the Toronto Raptors have been named as the five finalists for the 2022 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award. The five candidates represent the year’s most influential social justice campaigners, carrying on a decades-long legacy of action among NBA players. The yearly award honors a current NBA player for promoting Abdul-life Jabbar’s objective of engaging, empowering, and driving equality for persons and organizations who have been historically disenfranchised or systemically disadvantaged.
The Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion selection committee, which included social justice leaders and NBA family members, chose the finalists from a pool of team nominees. In addition to Abdul-Jabbar, Director of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport Dr. Richard Lapchick, National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial, UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murgua, Rise Founder and CEO Amanda Nguyen, and NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum, the committee also includes Kendall Dudley, a member of the Jr. NBA Court of Leaders and the 2021-22 youth representative.
The winner will be announced on TNT during the Western Conference Finals and will receive a $100,000 NBA donation to a social justice organization of his choice. Each of the remaining four finalists will choose a social justice group to receive a $25,000 donation on their behalf. Carmelo Anthony of the Los Angeles Lakers was crowned the first Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion at the end of the 2020-21 season.
You can learn more about each finalist and the causes they champion here.
Nike releases “Seen It All,” its latest global brand anthem, to coincide with its 50th anniversary, commemorating the strength of Nike’s past and the promise of its future.
Spike Lee, reprising his renowned role as Mars Blackmon, directs the picture. The film opens with Mars excitedly remarking on the epic sporting moments and iconic athletes of the previous 50 years, before moving on to Zimmie, a young, confident protagonist who embodies the raw optimism, pure energy, and limitless promise that can be found in the next 50 years of sport. More than 40 renowned athletes are featured in the commercial.
“At Nike, we have an innate desire to be better. Innovation is in our DNA. What sets us apart is how we express that culture of innovation – not just through the products we create, but also through our storytelling,” said DJ van Hameren, EVP and Chief Marketing Office at NIKE. “Our brand voice sparks global conversation and inspires us all to be champions for progress. During our first 50 years, Nike has been the champion of sport and athletes* everywhere, because we believe in the power of sport to move the world forward. As we look to our next 50 years, we will continue to innovate to serve the future of athletes* and sport.”
Giannis Antentokounmpo adds, “Together with Nike, we are collectively creating the future of sport for athletes everywhere. Sport is inspiring because it shows us that we’re all works in progress – whether you’re trying to be a better athlete or a better human.”
“Nike continues to expand sport for a new generation,” said WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu. “Programs like Nike’s Athlete Think Tank are why I’m proud to wear the Swoosh and why so many incredible athletes do, too. I’m excited by the promise of what’s ahead and the impact sport can have for future generations.”
Nike will make special content from the Department of Nike Archives (DNA), which houses some of the most famous objects from Nike’s first 50 years, available throughout May. Athletes from all over the world will receive an inside peek at DNA-curated content through a combination of digital storytelling and physical retail experiences.
Athletes in the spot include LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Andre Agassi, Giannis Antenokounmpo, Michael Jordan, Naomi Osaka, Tiger Woods, Bo Jackson, Sue Bird, Mia Hamm, Colin Kaepernick, and Ja Morant.
“The Nature Boy” Ric Flair is ready to lace up his boots and put on his majestic robe one last time. One of the greatest wrestlers in history will have one last match, set for July 31 according to ESPN.
The 73-year-old legend is set to wrestle at Nashville Fairgrounds for an independent show that will stream on FITE TV. Flair‘s last match was in Sept 2011 for Impact Wrestling against Sting. His last match for wrestling flagship company WWE was in 2008 against Shawn Michaels.
“I’m going to walk that aisle one last time to prove once and for all that to be the Man, you’ve got to beat the Man,” Flair said in a statement to ESPN.
Recently, Flair has released videos of running ropes and practicing with current All Elite Wrestling star Jay Lethal. In Summer 2017, Flair had kidney failure and dialysis after complications from bowel surgery.
The Rumors Are True! I’m Going To Walk That Aisle, Style And Profile, One Last Time! July 31st! Nashville, Tennessee! Jim Crockett Promotions!
I Will Prove Once Again, That To Be The Man, You’ve Got To Beat The Man!
Antonio Brown wants to make a return to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but not to play, simply to retire as a member of the black and yellow.
AB hit Twitter and revealed he wants to retire with the team he started his career with. In a couple of tweets, AB revealed his stance. “Just wanna retire a Steeler,” AB wrote. “Not play, just retire so we clear.”
Antonio Brown is currently focused on his music career. Earlier this year, he released his highly anticipated album Paradigm via Vydia & CAB Records. The new album features French Montana, DaBaby, Fivio Foreign, Young Thug, and Keyshia Cole, among others.
“Paradigm, to me means, your total perspective,” AB says of the album. “How you view the world, the lens through which you see everything. So a paradigm shift means a massive shift in how one sees everything. That’s what this album is about.”
Then there is also his rumored romance with Keyshia Cole keeping him busy. Do you think he gets his retirement wish? You can hear the new album below.
Rajon Rondo is accused of pulling a gun on the mother of his children. Ashley Bachelor, Rondo’s longtime partner and the mother of his two children, has filed for an emergency protective order from the Cleveland Cavaliers point guard.
According to TMZ Sports, the protective order was filed in Louisville, asking for protection for herself and her son and daughter.
Bachelor states Rondo played video games with his son, Pierre before Bachelor asked the boy to separate laundry. Rondo then ripped the game console out the wall in a fit of rage, smashing outdoor lights, a coffee cup, and trash cans.
Rondo upset the kids, who saw all of the rage. Bachelor attempted to calm the situation, but Rondo threatened her with, “You’re dead.” Rondo left home but would return 15 minutes later, banging on the back door window with a gun. She asked Rondo to stop, but he would yell, “Go get my fucking son.” Bachelor did in fear of what Rondo would do next. Rondo would eventually “yank” the boy outside and ask why he was scared while he was still holding the gun. He would demand his daughter to come out, and he verbally reprimanded both children for being scared of him.
Rondo’s parents would come to the home. They were unable to calm him but did get him to leave.
The new protection order reads: “I am extremely fearful for my safety and for the safety of my children. Rajon has a history of volatile, erratic, explosive behavior. He is verbally, emotionally, and financially abusive. He physically hits our son and calls him names like ‘p***y’ and accuses him of acting like a ‘bitch.’”
The report also states Rondo calls his daughter “thot, bitch, and dickhead.”
Rondo has not been charged or arrested for a crime.
Logan Paul and Floyd Mayweather may be set up for a new kind of fight, but this time it might be in a courtroom rather than a ring.
Speaking to reporters at the opening of New York’s Hard Rock Hotel, Paul told reporters that Mayweather has not paid him what he is fully owed from last year’s fight. Paul said, “He [Mayweather] has not paid me in full. That is a fact…short a few mil.”
Paul did not say specifically how much money he’s still owed, but it was reported last May that he would earn 10 percent of the fight’s PPV shares, which was estimated to be about $5 million.
When asked if Paul had been in contact with Mayweather regarding the money, Paul said “nah…we’re taking this one to court.” He then addresses the reporter’s camera directly and said “See you in the courtroom. Congrats you’re going to prison, Floyd.”
The full video, courtesy of TMZ Sports, can be seen here.
He then continued to speak about the hotel’s culinary offerings, including bull’s testicles.
The fight between Mayweather and Paul took place in June of 2021. While no official winner was declared, ESPN unofficially scored the bout 78-74 for Mayweather.
Snoop Dogg continues to update his business portfolio. The west coast icon, along with PayPal co-founder Ken Howery, spent over $600,000 to purchase an ownership stake in Ice Cube’s BIG3 league. The pair now have a 40-percent ownership stake in the Bivouac team in the league.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have Snoop, Ken, and their communities on board with the BIG3,” said BIG3 co-founder, Ice Cube. “Having someone with Ken’s knowledge and experience wanting to be a part of our league demonstrates that we are moving in the right direction. Snoop is an undisputed legend who has jumped headfirst into the Web3 space and clearly understands the importance and the value of what we are trying to create. Together, I know they will take Bivouac to new heights and we can’t wait to get started.”
Snoop and Howery purchased 25 Fire-Tier editions of Bivouac priced at $25,000 each. Meaning, the team’s stock was divided into blockchains for sale.
“The BIG3 is on the leading edge of enabling blockchain technology as utility,” said PayPal co-founder Ken Howery. “The league’s embrace of NFTs as ownership rights is both visionary and practical; key features of every smart investment.”
Howery and Snoop have some work to put in on The BIG3 as the Bivouac squad went winless last season due to injuries.
BIG3 is the official creator of the new global sport, FIREBALL3, the league is returning for its fifth season on June 18 with coverage live across CBS and Paramount+.
Snoop is buying 2 teams in the BIG3. Better get in where you fit in and join the BIG3 Ownership Discord. pic.twitter.com/RvXABl3XXh
Jarvis Landry has announced that he will play for the New Orleans Saints next season, but he plans on making this year an example of why he deserves a bigger contract in the future.
Based on his stats, Landry’s 2021 represented a down year for the five-time Pro Bowler. He only played in 12 games and totaled 52 catches for 570 yards and two touchdowns, all career lows. In 2022, Landry will be out to prove those stats were a fluke. When healthy, Landry believes he is a top 10 wideout in the league.
The Saints will be looking to return to the playoffs in a wide-open NFC South division this season. Landry’s talents and leadership presence will be a welcomed addition to the Saints’ locker room. Landry should see a ton of balls thrown in his way now that he will be paired alongside Michael Thomas, a two-time All-Pro who missed all of 2021 due to injuries.
