The groundbreaking women’s professional basketball league Unrivaled has partnered with Wilson Sporting Goods Co. to introduce its official game ball for its inaugural season, which will tip off in January 2025.
The chosen ball, Wilson’s EVO NXT basketball, boasts cutting-edge features, including Extended Range Technology, enhanced grip, moisture-wicking properties, and a micro-touch cover for a premium feel. Adorned with Unrivaled’s signature blue and official logo, the ball embodies a modern yet authentic design, setting a new standard for professional game balls.
This collaboration underscores Wilson’s dedication to women’s basketball at all levels, from youth to professional play. Already a key partner for Women’s March Madness and the WNBA, Wilson’s partnership with Unrivaled further cements its leadership and commitment to advancing the game.
On Thursday, December 12, 2024, 4th Rope Wrestling will host Heels Have Eyes IV at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia, marking its fourth consecutive sold-out event. Tickets are now available on Ticketmaster for the groundbreaking promotion that fuses hip-hop culture with professional wrestling.
The star-studded lineup pays tribute to Westside Gunn and Smoke DZA’s passion for wrestling with electrifying matches, surprise appearances, custom merchandise, and live performances.
“Heels Have Eyes IV is the perfect ending to a groundbreaking year for 4th Rope, “says company founder and CEO Westside Gunn. “If you thought Chicago was a movie, Atlanta will take us to another level. We will continue to have our passion for this business unfold and give our fans quality matches from some of the best wrestlers in the game.”
Highlights include a triple threat ladder match for the inaugural 4th Rope Tag Team Championship, featuring TNA legends The Hardy Boys, GCW’s Violence is Forever, and AEW’s The Infantry. Other bouts include TNA Knockout Champion Masha Slamovich vs. “Top Tier” Tiara James, and TNA’s Joe Hendry taking on Joe Alonzo.
Tickets start at $60, with an exclusive capsule collection available to commemorate the event.
The Detroit Lions (11-1) host the Green Bay Packers (9-3) Thursday at 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video in what promises to be an exciting matchup. The Lions are on a 10-game winning streak, the longest in the NFL and tied for their franchise’s longest ever.
With the NFC’s top-ranked offense, Detroit will face Green Bay, who ranks second in offensive yards per game. This is the first game in over two years featuring two teams, each averaging 380-plus yards of offense since Week 15 of 2021.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur continues to impress, with 65 regular-season wins in his first six seasons, ranking second in NFL history. Green Bay running back Josh Jacobs has a chance to make history, aiming for a record sixth consecutive game with at least 100 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown on Thursday.
Detroit quarterback Jared Goff enters the game with 100 career regular-season touchdown passes for two franchises, joining an elite group of quarterbacks. Meanwhile, Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is closing in on a remarkable 400 receptions in his first four seasons, a milestone only achieved by a few others in NFL history.
The NFL once again dominated Thanksgiving Day, with its trio of games drawing a record-setting audience of 141 million viewers combined. Averaging 34.2 million viewers per game, each broadcast set new benchmarks for the league on the holiday.
The early game on CBS, featuring the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions, attracted 37.5 million viewers, marking the most-watched early Thanksgiving game in NFL history. This viewership represents an 11% increase from last year’s Packers-Lions matchup.
These numbers underscore the NFL’s firm grip on Thanksgiving as a marquee sports tradition, consistently delivering must-watch moments for fans across the nation.
Fanatics has announced the highly anticipated return of Fanatics Fest NYC, the immersive and interactive festival that thrilled fans and collectors during its debut this past summer. The 2025 event will take place from June 20 to 22 at the Javits Center in New York City, promising an even grander celebration of fandom, culture, and collecting.
The inaugural Fanatics Fest NYC attracted over 70,000 fans in August, and its success has set the stage for a larger event next year. With expanded space and an enhanced lineup, the festival will feature live programming, star-studded panels, autograph sessions, exclusive collaborations, larger superstores, and more activations from leagues and brands. The event’s trading card and collectibles exhibit will also grow to accommodate hundreds of hobby shops and dealers.
Building on last year’s star power, the 2025 roster will include more than 500 athletes, artists, and entertainers, with many fan favorites set to return. This year’s event saw appearances from over 300 celebrities, and organizers are aiming to surpass that benchmark.
To kick off the excitement, Fanatics released a trailer for the event, created by Bolded, the branded division of OBB Media and the festival’s official content partner. Bolded will capture and showcase the most memorable moments throughout the weekend, amplifying the experience for fans on-site and at home.
Fans who attended the 2024 Fanatics Fest will have early access to tickets during an exclusive presale from December 5–8, while general public sales begin on December 13. For details, visit FanaticsFest.com.
Fanatics Fest offers something for everyone, from interactive experiences with leagues and teams to exclusive apparel and collectibles only available on-site. Whether engaging in panels, meeting favorite athletes, or trading cards with fellow collectors, attendees can expect a weekend filled with unforgettable moments celebrating the vibrant world of sports and collecting.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has taken the lead in Pro Bowl voting, garnering 44,681 votes after the first week. Trailing closely behind are Baltimore running back Derrick Henry (40,729 votes) and Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (40,602). Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (36,574) and Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (35,637) round out the top five vote-getters.
The Detroit Lions currently lead all teams in total votes, followed by the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
The 2025 Pro Bowl Games, presented by Verizon, will return to Orlando, Florida, celebrating the NFL’s top players in a multi-day competition culminating in an action-packed flag football game. Head coaches Peyton and Eli Manning will lead the AFC and NFC squads. Fans can enjoy the event on Sunday, Feb. 2, which will include thrilling matchups, skills competitions, and family-friendly activities at the Rose Bowl Stadium.
Voting remains open until Dec. 23 across various platforms, including ProBowl.com/Vote, NFL club websites, and social media.
The leading vote-getters so far for the 2025 #ProBowlGames
The NFL has announced a powerhouse lineup for the pregame entertainment at Super Bowl LIX, set for Sunday, February 9, 2025, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Celebrating the rich musical heritage of Louisiana, performances will feature New Orleans natives Jon Batiste, Trombone Shorty, Lauren Daigle, and Ledisi.
Jon Batiste, a five-time Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist, will perform the national anthem. Known for his dynamic work as a composer and performer, Batiste’s roots in New Orleans and his genre-blending artistry make him a fitting choice to kick off the game.
Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle will collaborate on “America the Beautiful,” blending their distinct styles in a powerful performance that embodies the spirit of Louisiana. Ledisi will deliver an inspiring rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” showcasing her soulful command and deep ties to New Orleans’ vibrant culture.
In addition, Super Bowl LIX will include American Sign Language (ASL) performances by Stephanie Nogueras, Otis Jones IV, and Matt Maxey, ensuring inclusivity across all festivities.
This year’s celebration precedes a halftime performance by Kendrick Lamar, promising a dynamic blend of music and culture for fans worldwide. For more details, visit SuperBowl.com.
Green Bay (8-3) hosts Miami (5-6) on Thanksgiving night at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC. The Packers will appear in their 38th Thanksgiving game (15-20-2), while Miami plays on the holiday for the eighth time (5-2) and the first since 2011. The Dolphins defeated the New York Jets, 34-13, in the inaugural Black Friday game last season.
Miami enters the matchup on a three-game win streak, led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who has accumulated 812 passing yards in the last three weeks, the most in the AFC. Tagovailoa has thrown eight touchdowns and one interception, posting a 117.9 passer rating.
On the Packers’ side, quarterback Jordan Love aims to continue his strong play after throwing for three touchdowns with a 125.5 rating in last year’s 29-22 Thanksgiving win over Detroit. Love has the chance to become the sixth quarterback in NFL history to throw three touchdown passes in consecutive Thanksgiving appearances and the first since Tom Brady (2010 and 2012).
Green Bay running back Josh Jacobs, with 944 rushing yards and seven touchdowns this season, is looking to join an exclusive group of players with 800 rushing yards and six touchdowns in each of their first six seasons, alongside the likes of Ezekiel Elliott, Adrian Peterson, and LaDainian Tomlinson. Both teams are hungry for a Thanksgiving victory to bolster their playoff hopes.
The Dallas Cowboys (4-7) host the New York Giants (2-9) in their 57th Thanksgiving game at 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX. Dallas boasts a 33-22-1 record on holiday since 1966 and aims to repeat last year’s Thanksgiving victory over New York, a 28-20 win highlighted by Ezekiel Elliott’s 92 rushing yards, CeeDee Lamb’s 106 receiving yards, and Micah Parsons’ two sacks.
Lamb continues to set records, with his 12th career game of at least ten receptions last week, tying Brandon Marshall for the second-most such games in a player’s first five seasons. Only Michael Thomas (18) has more.
Parsons, a dominant force on defense, tied for the fifth-most multi-sack games (13) in a player’s first four seasons in NFL history during Week 12. With a sack in his first three Thanksgiving games, Parsons can join the elite company by recording a sack in four consecutive holiday appearances. Additionally, he could match Hall of Famer Randy White as the only player with at least 1.5 sacks in three Thanksgiving contests since 1982.
The Giants, appearing in their 17th Thanksgiving game (7-6-3), face a tough challenge against a Cowboys team eager to reclaim their footing in the NFC East.
The Detroit Lions (10-1) host the Chicago Bears (4-7) on Thanksgiving Day at 12:30 p.m. ET on CBS, marking the Lions’ 85th Thanksgiving game since 1934. Playing their 38th Thanksgiving game, the Bears have a strong holiday history against Detroit, winning three straight matchups in 2018, 2019, and 2021. Detroit, meanwhile, seeks its first Thanksgiving win since 2016.
The Lions enter the game as the fourth team since 2000 to play on Thanksgiving with at least 10 wins, joining the 2015 Panthers and 2011 Packers. For the first time in franchise history, Detroit has firmly positioned itself as an NFC powerhouse, with back-to-back 10-win seasons.
Quarterback Jared Goff has been stellar on Thanksgiving, throwing six touchdowns without an interception across three games. He aims to join Hall of Famer Brett Favre as the only player to throw multiple touchdown passes in their first four Thanksgiving appearances.
Detroit’s ground game is also rewriting history. Running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are the first pair of teammates with at least ten rushing touchdowns each in consecutive seasons. Additionally, the Lions have scored a rushing touchdown in 25 consecutive games, an NFL record.
With their eyes on extending their dominance this season, the Lions are poised to make Thanksgiving memorable for their fans.
