PUMA Hoops and LaMelo Ball have just announced the latest colorway of the MB.04 line: 1Love. Inspired by LaMelo’s otherworldly style of play, the MB.04 1Love takes basketball shoes to new heights, blending performance with a unique, intergalactic aesthetic.
The bold, acidic color scheme of the MB.04 1Love reflects Melo’s personal style and his love for the game. Additional product details include:
A supportive double-layered mesh upper for added comfort and TPU support in the forefoot for stability
Compression-molded EVA foam for superior responsiveness and cushioning while maintaining a lightweight profile
An alien tentacle-inspired 5D printed upper, incorporating hidden Melo phrases like “1 OF ONE” and “RARE”
An outsole that showcases a hovering spaceship, “NOT FROM HERE” and “RARE” wording, and flames at the heel, further emphasizing the collection’s out-of-this-world theme
Accompanying the basketball shoe, the 1Love collection includes a range of apparel pieces that reflect LaMelo Ball’s unique personality and his commitment to pushing boundaries both on and off the court.
Retailing for $50-125, the MB.04 1Love will be available starting October 25th at Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports, PUMA.com, and the PUMA Flagship store.
This is big. Way big. LeBron James and his son Bronny James are on the verge of making history as the first father-son duo to play together in a regular-season NBA game. The Los Angeles Lakers’ season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena could mark this monumental occasion.
As you can imagine the stars will be out but among the attendees will be baseball royalty, as Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. and his father, Ken Griffey Sr., plan to be there to witness the Jameses follow in their footsteps.
Appearing on The Road to Cooperstown podcast, Griffey Jr. recalled the moment in 1990 when he and his father made history by becoming the first father-son duo to play in a Major League Baseball game together as members of the Seattle Mariners. Now, he’s excited to see history made in another sport.
“First father and son to play baseball, now first father and son to play basketball. So it’s a big deal for my dad and I to be there,” Griffey Jr. shared with host Jon Paul Morosi. “We made history, now we get to watch history. So that’s what’s going to be cool about it.”
As you may expect, Bronny James expressed his excitement upon learning that the Griffeys would be present at the game. Though he remains unsure if Lakers head coach JJ Redick will play him in his potential NBA debut, he reflected on what it means to be part of such a historic moment.
“That’s going to be insane,” Bronny said. “Only two families to do it, so I mean, it’s going to be a crazy experience—especially with what they’ve done.”
Get this, while Bronny may have overlooked hockey legend Gordie Howe, who played alongside his two sons, Mark and Marty, in NHL games, his anticipation remains high. The feat Bronny and his father are chasing has only been accomplished by a select few, making the moment even more significant.
Now this won’t be the very first time the father son NBA duo will play together. Earlier this October, LeBron and Bronny shared the court for the first time in a preseason game against the Phoenix Suns. During the second quarter, they took the floor together, a precursor to what could be a historic regular-season appearance. After the game, LeBron reflected on the profound impact of sharing the court with his son.
“For someone who didn’t have a dad growing up, to be able to have that influence on your kids, then ultimately, to be able to work with your son, I think it’s one of the greatest things that a father could ever hope for or wish for,” LeBron said.
This is the matchup the baseball loving world has been waiting for. This is story book but it almost did not go as planned for the LA Dodgers. After consecutive early exits from the National League Division Series, the Dodgers’ front office knew they had to change course. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, general manager Brandon Gomes, and the rest of the team’s leadership were determined to make aggressive moves in the offseason to avoid another disappointing October.
Obviously it was clear their top priority was signing two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, and once they secured him, the rest of the plan fell into place. The Dodgers spent over $1 billion on contracts, creating one of the strongest rosters in recent memory. The goal for the 2024 season was clear: World Series or bust.
And as the world watched on Sunday (October 20), the Dodgers took care of business and a major step toward their ultimate goal by defeating the New York Mets 10-5 in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) at Dodger Stadium. With the victory, they clinched their spot in the World Series for the 22nd time in franchise history.
The Dodges effectively denied New Yorkers another classic ‘Subway Series’ by denying Mets fans a chance to face-off against their Bronx counterparts in the NY Yankees.
Guess now it will be a coastal series.
Back to the Dodgers …
“Every single team, when they get to Spring Training, they say, ‘Hey, our goal is to win the World Series this year.’ We’re one of the few teams where that’s a realistic goal—every single year,” said Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy. “There’s a lot of pressure. There’s a lot of expectations. Especially this year when you talk about some of the names we added. We dealt with a lot of injuries. We dealt with some off-field stuff that was very unfortunate. And at the end of the day, we were able to come through.”
Against the New York Yankees in the World Series, this will set up a clash between two historic powerhouses. It will be the 12th time the Dodgers and Yankees have met in the Fall Classic, but the first since 1981.
“It sounds fun,” said Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts. “They’re obviously a good club; we obviously are, too. I think the world wanted to see this. It’s going to be fun. It’s good for baseball. It’s going to be fun.”
What’s more, despite a roster filled with star players, the Dodgers leaned on their bullpen to punch their ticket to the World Series. With no fourth starter available, the team employed a bullpen game for the third time this postseason. While their previous efforts had been mixed, this time the Dodgers’ relievers got the job done, using seven pitchers to secure the win. They allowed five runs but consistently delivered clutch pitches, stranding 13 Mets baserunners.
“Tonight is a bit of icing on the cake,” said Dodgers reliever Evan Phillips. “We still have more to do, but to know that we can come in here in a series-clinching game and have a bullpen game and have success just gives us even more confidence. We believe in each other wholeheartedly, and we just love watching each other succeed.”
Seems surreal but Dodgers and Yankees are each just four wins away from their ultimate goal, with the World Series set to begin on Friday at Dodger Stadium.
BODYARMOR Sports Drink today announced a multi-year partnership with one of New York’s most beloved superstar basketball players, Jalen Brunson. As part of the partnership, Brunson and BODYARMOR will embrace their shared values, grounded in the power of real, to bring a competitive edge against the competition.
Brunson, who prides himself on being real on and off the court, becomes an authentic addition to the BODYARMOR brand and its unique proposition of real hydration, real flavors and real ingredients.To celebrate the partnership, BODYARMOR unveiled a new social media spot featuring Jalen Brunson in the heart of New York City, where success is earned through relentless effort and unwavering dedication–a common ground for both. The spot is part of a 5-part video series that will live on social throughout the basketball season and will include a vintage aesthetic animation, providing a unique perspective on Jalen. Each of the videos within the series will incorporate a storybook-like aspect of his journey from early childhood training, high school thrilling endings, and big-league heroic moments.
“This partnership makes perfect sense because the brand values align with my personal beliefs and commitment to what’s real,” said star point guard and BODYARMOR partner, Jalen Brunson. “Just like my journey, where success is built on genuine effort and dedication, this collaboration is rooted in authenticity and real impact. I’m proud to be a new BODYARMOR partner and to stay hydrated with the best.”
The announcement comes to life just before a much-anticipated new basketball season. In addition to the video series, BODYARMOR will welcome Jalen Brunson to Team BODYARMOR via high-impact billboards and disruptive wild postings throughout midtown Manhattan.
“At BODYARMOR we champion real ingredients and authentic partnerships with athletes that believe in our products as much as we do,” saidTom Gargiulo, BODYARMOR CMO. “Jalen is stepping in to help elevate our brand to the next phase as BODYARMOR continues to evolve. This partnership holds great promise and is especially meaningful to our team because of our New York roots.”
Global sports brand PUMA has launched the latest chapter of its first worldwide brand campaign in 10 years “FOREVER. FASTER. – See The Game Like We Do.” The newest chapter is dedicated to establishing the brand’s position as a leader in basketball and igniting the future of its hoops division.
This 2024 Hoops campaign is all about seeing the game differently and invites all to see the game like we do: determined to win, ready to show out, and playing for the joy of the game. The campaign features PUMA Hoops athletes Breanna Stewart, Flau’jae Johnson, Scoot Henderson, LaMelo Ball, and the brand’s most recent signee Tyrese Haliburton, and draws upon each player’s unique perspective on the game. Each athlete brings their own individual story, their own crew, and a unique style of play, and together they embody the FOREVER. FASTER. mantra.
“Since the start we’ve always tried to tell the story of basketball through the lens of the player, seeing the game the way they do, both on the court and off the court. This approach has allowed us to connect those unique viewpoints with disruptive product and storytelling – impactful to anyone around the game,” says Global Head of PUMA Basketball, Max Staiger, “This Campaign, for the first time, brings together our complete narrative showcasing how Stewie, Melo, Flau’Jae, Scoot, and Tyrese embody the PUMA Hoops’ disruptive and inclusive spirit.”
The legacy of PUMA Basketball dates back to 1973, championing some of the greatest names in basketball history and developing cutting edge performance shoes, such as the iconic Clyde model, that provided sporting excellence and helped carry legendary victories. PUMA returned to basketball in 2018, merging sport with culture while introducing a new wave of PUMA basketball athletes who are known for their talent and style on and off the court. PUMA continues to push the sport forward through cutting edge technology and product innovations, boundary-pushing designs and cultivated circle of creative partners and its growing, talented athlete roster.
“This campaign is a message to the world that PUMA is doubling down on hoops,” shares Richard Teyssier, Vice President Brand and Marketing. “The campaign showcases the tenacious spirit we have for the game and the investment we are willing to make to show up as a powerhouse and continue carving our legacy. This dedicated campaign will continue to thread our message across the business and amplify our holistic vision for the brand.”
“FOREVER. FASTER – See The Game Like We Do.” debuts globally and will launch across the entire mixed media, including out of home campaigns in New York, Los Angeles, Charlotte, and Miami, as well as across social media, TV and more. The campaign will include a hero brand film and supporting creative assets with featured athletes. An official NBA media partnership will also amplify the campaign to hoops fans worldwide.
No one would’ve thought back on June 1st, the day that the New York Mets retired baseball legend Darryl Strawberry’s No. 18 jersey in Citi Field and subsequently fell to the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-5, that the team that was still six games behind the NL East division-leading Phillies would be battling for a spot in the 2024 World Series. Doubters thought that they wouldn’t get past the Braves and was absolutely sure that they couldn’t beat the Brewers, but the Kings from Queens have written nothing short of a fairy tale in the month of October. In an uphill battle set in Dodger Stadium today(October 20) with Los Angeles leading the NLCS 3-2, the stage is set for the Mets’ comeback ability, which has been nothing short of miraculous this postseason. Citi Field has become the epicenter of this beyond believable energy and The Source had a chance to capture this postseason excitement only available in Queens.
Before Game 4’s ceremonial first pitch throw by Mets pitching great Matt Harvey to former Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, The Temptations, yes, the Grammy Award winning singing group, opened up with their epic ballad “My Girl”, to which the capacity crowd of Mets fans sang along. This has become a ritual of sorts at home games as “My Girl” is also the walk up song for their star shortstop Francisco Lindor. Music is just as important as jaw dropping plays on the diamond in keeping the fans on their feet in Citi Field and having in-house DJs raised in the birthplace of Hip Hop keeps the stadium on tilt unlike any other ballpark in baseball.
Queens native DJ Lomo, dipped in exclusive Mets swag and flanked by his toddler son in the DJ booth situated on the Field Level mezzanine, dons his headphones before testing his Serato to warm up with House Of Pain’s hype-the-crowd classic “Jump Around”. When asked about his tenure with the Mets, Lomo replied, “It’s been amazing, man. From the beginning, its been a dream of mine to play in sports as a DJ. I did the first one two years ago and it’s been a wrap ever since.” Lomo, whose been on the wheels for almost two decades, has spun on the airwaves at NYC’s Hot97 and says he was influenced to become a DJ by the likes of Funkmaster Flex, DJ Camilo, DJ Enuff and the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff. Now, that’s Hip Hop.
Wherever there’s music, you’re bound to have people dancing and at Citi Field, you have everyone from the cool two-steppers to the all out movers and shakers, which brings up to The Queens Crew. Headed by the director and head coach Gina Capelli, TQC has already created a fanbase of their own in their inaugural season with their uptempo, synchronized dance moves, something that was virtually unheard of in Major League Baseball until now. “What an inaugural year it has been! We’re a team of 19, but there’s usually 10 to 15 dancers per game. We’re just here to bring the hype. When the music is on, we are up dancing and we want everybody up dancing with us!”, says Capelli. When asked about the Mets’ possibility of going to the World Series, Capelli replied, “Its an absolute dream. We did not expect this. We are here for the moment, but we’re ready to go to the end.” By the end, of course, Gina means the Mets’ chance to battle in a World Series/Subway Series against the 28-time World Series Champs, the New York Yankees.
Tucked away in a small broadcast room right below the stadium’s upper deck sits the audio engineers of Citi Field, which is where we found the one and only DJ Razor. Another one of QB’s finest, Razor gives props to none other that the “Propmaster” himself, DJ Red Alert, for inspiring him to get behind the turntables. He reminisced about being about to see Shea Stadium from his Jackson Heights home as a kid and after getting in the door for making a song about the Metropolitans, he feels almost obligated to move the crowd. Rocking an official black Mets jersey just like the players, Razor has his name as well as his own number(33 1/3) on the back. He is the Mets official DJ and the way he handles each hit, homer, strikeout and even errors with such audible precision you can tell that this guy isn’t new to revving up massive crowds. Behind Razor sits a guy on an electronic keyboard that played the traditional baseball sound effects, but Razor’s view as well as his 1s and 2s were front and center to every single pitch of the game.
Arguably, there hasn’t been another MLB team in history that has their own in-house, Hip Hop DJs, 20-person dance troupe, McDonald’s-inspired mascot with his own purple seat, but their own anthem? Only in New York. The Mets officially adopted “OMG” this June and was created by the Mets’ second baseman Jose Iglesias last year during the offseason. OMG, which has now earned over 2 million on-demand audio and video streams in the U.S. through Oct. 10, has spawned the OMG sign frenzy that can be seen throughout the park, in the stands and on the field. When I asked Razor how OMG initially became the anthem, he said, “That was actually the players because the players were like, ‘you know what? We’re gonna use that for home runs’ and I used it, but I still switched it up. They wanted to stick with that one song and now we’re rolling with it.”
With Game 6 in L.A. being a must win, the energy that helped them in their 12-6 win over the Dodgers on Friday at home will be necessary tonight to stay in the fight for the World Series. All of the energy from the DJs, the dance crew, “Just The Man”, the 7 Line gang, “The Rizzler” and even Glizzy Izzy needs to be activated for the magic to happen for the Amazins tonight.
Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today announced the three bout preliminary card of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Serrano vs. Taylor 2 mega-event on Friday, November 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Headlining the preliminary card will be MVP’s super middleweight powerhouse and the WBO’s #1 contender Shadasia “The Sweet Terminator” Green (14-1, 11 KOs) vs. the WBO’s #2 contender Melinda “The Whip” Watpool (7-0, 2 KO) in a 10 round women’s championship fight contested at 168 lbs for the vacant WBO super middleweight world title. Joining Green and Watpool on the preliminary card, top-ranked IBF and WBA contender Lucas “Prince” Bahdi (17-0, 15 KOs) will take on Orlando, Florida’s Corey “2Smoove” Marksman (10-0-1, 7 KOs) in a 10 round lightweight battle of two of boxing’s undefeated contenders as each puts their undefeated record on the line early in their career. Also on the preliminary card will be an 8 round featherweight fight between two standout prospects, Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington Jr. (13-0, 8 KOs) and Australian action fighter Dana “Deadly” Coolwell (13-2, 8 KOs). Paul vs. Tyson and Taylor vs. Serrano 2 will air live globally on Netflix on Friday, November 15 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT and is anticipated to be the biggest boxing event in modern history, and fans can purchase tickets now at seatgeek.com.
Making her second world title fight appearance in the headlining bout of the Paul vs. Tyson preliminary card will be MVP’s super middleweight powerhouse Shadasia “The Sweet Terminator” Green (14-1, 11 KOs). Green, the former standout college basketball star and Team USA boxing silver medalist, joined MVP in January 2023 after a trailblazing start to her professional career. Shortly after, Green defeated the former unified world champion Elin Cederroos with a vicious sixth-round TKO, marking the first and only time Cederroos was ever stopped in her career. Green’s bout against Olivia Curry in August 2023 led to a resounding unanimous decision victory as part of the Paul-Diaz undercard. Green rose to #1 ranking in the WBC, WBO, WBA, and IBF ahead of her women’s championship fight against former undisputed and now-WBC super middleweight champion Franchon-Crews Dezurn for the WBC world and WBA Interim titles. The bout resulted in a disappointing decision loss for Green, who returned to the ring in July 2024 to prove her status as a title contender, earning a unanimous decision win over Canada’s Natasha Spence. Following her win, the Patterson, NJ native Green is once again the WBO’s #1 contender at super middleweight.
Facing Green for the WBO super middleweight title will be Canada’s Melinda ‘The Whip’ Watpool (7-0, 2 KO). Ranked the WBO’s #2 super middleweight contender and WBA’s #1 middleweight contender, Watpool most recently had a decisive win over Natasha Spence to claim the WBA International Middleweight Championship in September 2024, and now will step up to face Green for the WBO super middleweight title. Watpool, the former five-time Canadian amateur champion from Pefferlaw, Ontario, has taken the professional ranks by storm since she turned professional in late 2022, racking up seven consecutive wins and now positioning herself for her WBO world title challenge against Shadasia Green.
Canadian boxer Lucas “Prince” Bahdi (17-0, 15 KOs) comes to the ring by way of Niagara Falls, Ontario. The 30-year-old top contender has gone undefeated since making his professional debut in mid-2019, winning his first 11 fights by knockout. Bahdi had unanimous decision wins against Diego Fabian Eligio and Diego Andrade Chavez in 2022 before resuming his knockout streak. In May 2023, Bahdi defeated Jesus Amparan to claim the IBF North American Lightweight title. Bahdi is a top-ranked lightweight by both the IBF and WBA and most recently, proved himself among the best title contenders in the lightweight division when he scored a knockout of the year contender win over H2O Sylve on the main card of Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry in July 2024.
Orlando, Florida’s Corey “2Smoove” Marksman (10-0-1, 7 KOs) will take the ring against Bahdi in a 10-round lightweight bout. The talented 24-year-old prospect made a name for himself in his first major PPV appearance on the Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry main card in July 2024, in a rematch against Tony Aguilar. The pair’s first meeting resulted in a well-fought split decision draw, contested during MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 5 in February 2024. In the rematch, Marksman impressed with grit, power, and endurance, taking home a majority decision win. He now enters the most difficult test yet of his young career, aiming to prove himself against one of the best lightweight contenders of the world in Bahdi.
The preliminary card will also feature a bout between two top-ranked featherweight talents, the undefeated Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington Jr. (13-0, 8 KOs) vs. Australia’s Dana Coolwell (13-2, 8 KOs). The 27-year-old standout prospect Carrington comes to the ring from Brownsville, NY, home of Mike Tyson. Carrington is a three-year pro who has emerged as the featherweight division’s fastest-rising contender, currently ranked No. 2 by the WBC and WBO. He entered the professional ranks following a storied amateur career that included a 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials gold medal. He began his 2024 campaign with February’s highlight-reel knockout of Bernard Torres, which was featured on SportsCenter’s Top 10. Four months later, he dominated Brayan De Gracia en route to an eighth-round stoppage. Carrington now comes into this high-profile fight coming off the stiffest test of his young career, his September 27 majority decision win over Sulaiman Segawa.
Dana “Deadly” Coolwell (13-2, 8 KOs) is a 25-year-old Australian Indigenous boxer, known for his resilience and remarkable journey from adversity to success. A proud Aboriginal man from the Mununjali tribe in Queensland, Coolwell overcame an early life marked by hardship, struggling with direction and purpose amidst family struggles. He discovered boxing at age 14 at Hinterland Boxing Club, where he met Steve Pitt, his coach, mentor, and father figure. Using his natural speed, athleticism, and hard work, Coolwell progressed throughout Australia’s boxing ranks under Pitt’s guidance, most recently securing the IBO Intercontinental featherweight title in a unanimous decision win over Fernando Tagpuno Jr. The talented young prospect is undefeated at featherweight and aims to become the next Indigenous Australian world champion and Australia’s next great boxing story, following names like Anothy Mundine, Daniel Geale, and Lionel Rose.
“From start to finish, Paul vs. Tyson will deliver an exciting night of boxing to fans at AT&T Stadium and across the globe on Friday, November 15, beginning with an action-packed preliminary card,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions. “Less than a year after her first title shot, MVP’s own Shadasia Green has fought her way back and is ready to claim the WBO world championship, but first she has to get through Melinda Watpool, who has her eyes on the prize. We are proud to continue our commitment to showcasing women’s boxing by featuring another title bout on this incredible card. Corey Marksman first caught our eye on Most Valuable Prospects, and after his standout performance on Paul vs. Perry, we’re thrilled to have him return to face Lucas Bahdi, who delivered a knockout-of-the-year contender on the same card. With the thrilling addition of Shu Shu Carrington and Dana Coolwell, a proud Aboriginal fighter from the Mununjali tribe, this card truly embodies the diversity and world-class talent that defines MVP.”
The Paul vs. Tyson main event will feature the 8-round heavyweight battle between international superstar Jake “El Gallo” Paul (10-1, 7 KOs) vs. The Baddest Man on the Planet Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs). In the co-main event, undisputed super lightweight champion Katie Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs) will put all her super lightweight belts on the line against boxing trailblazer and unified featherweight champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (47-2-1, 31 KOs) in a 10 round women’s championship fight, the most anticipated women’s boxing rematch in history. Also on the main card will be the 12-round men’s championship fight for the WBC welterweight title between reigning champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios (29-2, 18 KOs) vs. Abel Ramos (28-6-2, 22 KOs) and a 6-round super middleweight fight between India’s number one boxer and MVP’s first international signee Neeraj Goyat (18-4-2, 8 KOs) vs. Brazil’s multi-talented superstar Whindersson Nunes (2-2-1, 1 KO combined boxing record).
LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard will miss the start of the 2024-25 NBA season due to ongoing inflammation in his right knee, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Leonard, who has battled knee issues throughout his career, is expected to be sidelined indefinitely as he undergoes rehabilitation.
This latest setback comes after Leonard played only two games in last season’s playoffs due to the same knee, which has undergone two surgeries. His absence was a critical blow to the Clippers, who were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Dallas Mavericks in six games.
During the 2023-24 regular season, Leonard played 68 games—his most since joining the Clippers—before missing the final eight due to his knee problems. Despite signing a three-year, $52 million extension in January, his persistent injuries have significantly limited his postseason appearances for four consecutive years.
Leonard’s health concerns also kept him from representing Team USA in the Paris Olympics. Initially, Leonard had been practicing with the U.S. team in Las Vegas but was replaced by Boston Celtics guard Derrick White in mid-July. USA Basketball decided it was best for Leonard to focus on his NBA recovery, although the Clippers later stated they had no issue with him playing in Paris. The U.S. team went on to win the gold medal.
The Clippers are set to open their regular season on October 23 against the Phoenix Suns, but they will do so without their star forward, who remains in recovery.
When you thought Tom Brady could not possibly win anymore, guess again. The seven-time Super Bowl champion turned sportscaster, has officially become a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. Yes, he now has a stake in an NFL team, a storied franchise at that.
Brady is acquiring roughly a 10% stake in the team. That’s nothing to sneeze at. His investment is part of a partnership with Knighthead Capital founder Tom Wagner. According to sources familiar with the deal, Brady and Wagner bought into the franchise at a $3.5 billion valuation, with an equity investment of approximately $220 million.
Get these details, as part of the agreement, Brady and Wagner also paid a 10% “flip tax,” which will be distributed among the NFL’s 31 other owners. Additionally, former NFL player Richard Seymour acquired a stake of less than 1% in the Raiders at the same valuation.
Here’s how it went down. The NFL’s 32 team owners unanimously approved the deal at a league meeting in Atlanta, though neither Brady nor Wagner attended. According to CNBC’s Official 2024 NFL Team Valuations, the Raiders are the fifth-most valuable NFL franchise, worth $7.8 billion. This means Brady and Wagner secured their ownership stake at more than a 50% discount. Typically, limited partners with no control or operational say receive a discount of 20% to 25%.
As you can imagine, the Raiders’ value has surged since their 2020 relocation from Oakland to Las Vegas. The franchise generated $780 million in revenue in 2023, making it the third-highest in the league, with an EBITDA of $115 million. Despite Allegiant Stadium being one of the smallest in the NFL with just 65,000 seats, the Raiders have compensated by charging the highest average ticket price in the league, at $169.
Outside of the gridiron, Allegiant Stadium hosts a variety of non-NFL events, such as concerts and college football games, bringing in over $50 million in additional revenue for the team in 2023 alone.
ICYMI, Brady’s path to becoming a Raiders owner started in May 2023 but was delayed because some NFL owners felt his initial offer was too heavily discounted. His move into ownership follows his 2022 signing of a 10-year, $375 million broadcasting contract with Fox Sports after his first retirement from the NFL. As a Raiders owner, Brady will face certain restrictions in his broadcasting role, such as being barred from attending production meetings or accessing team facilities, players, or coaches. He will also need to follow NFL rules that prevent public criticism of officials or other teams.
This is not Brady’s first stint as a professional team owner. He is also a minority owner of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, another franchise owned by Raiders’ owner Mark Davis. With this move, Brady becomes just the third former NFL player to take ownership of an NFL team.
Everybody has an opinion, especially when it comes to all things Bronny James. This time, the takes are coming from four-time NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins.
While on the Fan Duel’s Run it Back TV, Boogie Cousins criticized the Los Angeles Lakers for their decision to draft Bronny James, questioning the team’s commitment to winning.
Cousins, notably is a former Golden State Warriors center, expressed his disappointment with the Lakers’ recent moves, suggesting that drafting Bronny signals a lack of seriousness in their pursuit of success.
“I don’t really think the Lakers are serious anymore,” Cousins remarked. “As far as the Lakers actually competing, I take that as a sign they aren’t really serious. With the way their season ended last year with the high expectations, I expected more from them as far as making moves.”
What’s wild is, Bronny James, who has struggled during preseason play—hitting just 1 of his 11 field goal attempts—is still expected to see minutes when the Lakers open their season against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 22.
Obviously it is anticipated that Bronny will spend real time in the G League, there is also a plan for him to share the court with his father, LeBron James, in what would be a historic moment in NBA regular-season play.
But it’s clear Cousins, however, feels the decision to focus on such moments rather than making key moves to improve the roster suggests a shift in the Lakers’ priorities. To put it plainly, he believes the organization is not as driven to win as they once were.
![JPEG image[19]](https://thesource.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/JPEG-image19.jpg)
