Welcome back to the Spotlight! Given the volume of rain across the country recently, I may have to temporarily change the title to “Floodlight.” Yikes. I’d say these late nights watching the NBA Playoffs have made me a little loopy, but then again, that joke is standard fare for this space that is often so corny that it would make a Nebraskan farmer blush. OK, enough of that – let’s get into some of this week’s stories.
- Actress Sydney Sweeney partners with soap brand Squatch on a limited edition bar of soap made with her used bath water. Glad to see someone is taking conservation efforts seriously!
- Just three years after launch, Hailey Bieber’s skincare brand Rhode is being acquired by e.l.f. Beauty for $1 billion – which sounds great at first blush, but I know from my research to be wary of an elf that spins things into gold.
- Coffee company Nespresso and recording artist The Weeknd link up for an iced coffee campaign, meaning a recording session with Sabrina Carpenter can’t be too far off.
- The WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces enter a sports betting partnership with BetMGM – a heart-warming reminder to always bet on yourself.
Endorsement Deals, Sponsorships & Investments
Want a Celeb-Endorsed Workout? New KC Gym Will be Backed by ‘Friends’ Star
May 29, 2025 via Kansas City Star
Garage Beer, Owned by Kelce Brothers, Now Part-Owner of Arena Football Team
May 29, 2025 via Fox Business
MLB Purchasing Stake in Fledgling AUSL
May 29, 2025 via ESPN
Which Celebrity Brands Are Next for a Major Deal? Lady Gaga, Beyonce and More Possible Contenders for the Next Corporate Prize
May 28, 2025 via Women's Wear Daily
Historic Deal: Aces Land Sports Betting Partnership with BetMGM
May 28, 2025 via Las Vegas Review Journal
Nespresso’s Cool Strategy to Captivate Gen Z
May 28, 2025 via The Drum
PepsiCo Joins Formula One as Official Sponsor in Multi-Year Global Sponsorship Deal
May 27, 2025 via Thorold News
Long One of MLB’s Most Popular Teams, Cardinals Now Grappling with Attendance Woes
May 26, 2025 via Sports Business Journal
Alexis Ohanian, Chelsea and How to Value Women’s Football Teams
May 26, 2025 via City AM
High School Football Will Never be the Same in Era of Transfers, NIL Money
May 25, 2025 via Coastline Pilot News
Caitlin Clark Could Have ‘Billion Dollars’ Worth to WNBA as Star Power Reaches Unforeseen Levels
May 25, 2025 via New York Post
NFL Academy Player Makes History with First-Ever International NIL Deal
May 24, 2025 via Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Here’s Why Trae Young, Steph Curry And Other Pros Are Going Back To School
May 23, 2025 via Forbes
Off-Field Earnings Push Patrick Mahomes into Top 20 of World’s Highest-Paid Athletes
May 23, 2025 via Kansas City Star
Sports
Hotline Mailbag: Big Ten Revenue Shares for Oregon and Washington, New Pac-12 Playoff Cash and More
May 26, 2025 via Spokesman The Review
WWE-UFC Merger: Right Combination for Global Knockout?
May 25, 2025 via GuruFocus
Music Biz
NYC Council Passes Resolution Endorsing Fair Pay in Streaming
May 29, 2025 via Digital Music News
Lil Wayne Producer Sues Universal Music Over Millions in Allegedly Owed Royalties: ‘UMG Has Simply Taken Advantage of Harrison’s Hard Work’
May 26, 2025 via Digital Music News
Film & TV
As Live Sports Surge, Scripted Series Fade From Broadcast TV
May 29, 2025 via Sportico
Netflix Behind Jimmy Carr Comedy Podcast; Champion’s League Soccer Breaks Records On Amazon; Prime Video ‘Stolen’ Trailer – Global Briefs
May 28, 2025 via Deadline
CBS Reaches Media Rights Deal for Rugby World Cup
May 24, 2025 via Awful Announcing
Charles Barkley ‘Shocked’ by Michael Jordan Joining NBA on NBC
May 23, 2025 via Awful Announcing
