Welcome back to the Spotlight! Somehow, we’re nearly in the month of August, which feels both like this year has been going by really quickly, despite it feeling at times like it has gone by really slowly. Time is truly a mystery. Take for instance the fact that Adam Sandler’s classic sports comedy film “Happy Gilmore” premiered nearly 30 years ago. Although it certainly feels like 30 years since I saw the movie for the first time, the fact that it has endured through pop culture references and quotable lines has always made it seem closer in time (that and the fact that I have probably seen the movie once for every year that’s passed by).
Well, today starts a new clock, as “Happy Gilmore 2” premieres with a star-studded cast of actors (including many reprising their roles from the first movie), entertainers and professional athletes—evidently not all mutually exclusive categories. So, I for one, am looking forward to a healthy dose of 90s nostalgia (in my biased opinion, the best decade to have been a kid)—unfortunately without the trip to Blockbuster—mixed with something entirely new for this era. I can only hope thirty years from now, my kids look back on this time the same way. I’ll probably wait a few more years to introduce them to Mr. Gilmore, though…
- In celebration of the premiere of the aforementioned “Happy Gilmore 2,” Spotify and Netflix partner up on an interactive video game replete with audio clips, film references and soundtrack playlists. A clever tie-up for two companies that know a thing or two about links.
- Seattle Mariners All-Star Catcher, Cal “Big Dumper” Raleigh enters an endorsement relationship with portable toilet company, Honey Bucket. Sometimes the jokes just write themselves.
- Snoop Dogg becomes the latest celebrity to invest in a soccer club, taking an ownership Saks in Welsh team Swansea A.F.C. It wouldn’t be surprising if he offers to help out the groundskeepers, too—given his penchant for grass.
Endorsement Deals, Sponsorships & Investments
FCC Approves Paramount-Skydance Deal After Skydance’s CBS Ombudsman, Anti-DEI Pledges
July 24, 2025 via Variety
Spotify and Netflix Link Up for ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Campaign
July 24, 2025 via Hollywood Reporter
Should college athletes be employees? House panels say no
July 23, 2025 via Roll Call
Halo Sports & Entertainment CEO Gillian Zucker spends her days figuring out how to ‘make people’s jaws drop’
July 23, 2025 via Fortune Magazine
NFL Star Odell Beckham Jr., Who Converted His Salary To Bitcoin In 2021, Says, 'Safe To Say We Still Happy With Our Decision'—Here's What It Is Worth Now
July 22, 2025 via Yahoo! News
Snoop Dogg the latest star to buy into the soccer club ownership game
July 21, 2025 via Las Vegas Sun
Outreach Talent Group Moves Into Gaming Space With Double Hire & New Signings
July 21, 2025 via Deadline
WNBA All-Star Player Pay Moves Began Well Before Shirts and Signs
July 21, 2025 via AdWeek
Polymarket’s $112M Acquisition Sets Up U.S. Return in ‘Near Future’
July 21, 2025 via Sportico
Noel Gallagher is definitely maybe a perfect fit for Levi’s
July 20, 2025 via The Times UK
Unrivaled announces NIL deals with 14 college players, including JuJu Watkins and Flau'Jae Johnson
July 19, 2025 via Lancaster Online
Terrelle Pryor, who left OSU after 'Tattoogate,' won't get backpay after NIL lawsuit dismissed
July 19, 2025 via Columbus Dispatch
Cal Raleigh lands best endorsement deal ever
July 18, 2025 via Larry Brown Sports
Here’s Every WNBA Player Who’s Ever Had — or Will Soon Have — a Signature Sneaker: Dawn Staley, Sabrina Ionescu, A’ja Wilson + More
July 18, 2025 via Footwear News
Streaming Strikes Again! With NBA Now in the Fold, Peacock Raises Prices
July 18, 2025 via Sports Illustrated
Emerging Sports and AI Offer New Opportunities for Sponsorship Industry
July 18, 2025 via AdWorld
With her app Smash, Kesha can be whoever she wants – even a tech CEO
July 18, 2025 via Tech Crunch
Kidz Bop Releases Brand New Album 'Kidz Bop 51' Featuring Hits "Apt" & "Pink Pony Club"
July 18, 2025 via GuruFocus
Restaurant brands leverage the growing popularity of the WNBA
July 18, 2025 via Nation's Restaurant News
Sports
Trump Executive Order on College Sports Unlikely to Move the Needle
July 22, 2025 via Sportico
Music Biz
UK major labels commit to 'landmark step' of per diem payments to songwriters for sessions
July 23, 2025 via Music Week
George Strait Brings Venerable Sounds to a Surprisingly Youthful Audience at Sold-Out SoFi Stadium: Concert Review
July 21, 2025 via Variety
Five Finger Death Punch takes a swing at reclaiming their metal hits, with some inspiration from Taylor Swift
July 19, 2025 via Los Angeles Times
Film & TV
Tony Robbins Sues Over Unauthorized AI Chatbots
July 23, 2025 via Variety
