NBA

Josh Kushner and Bob Iger announced a stunning agreement to buy the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers from Mark Walter at $12.5 billion, which is stated as the highest valuation for a team sports sale. This deal marked a high-profile entry into the sports market for the tech investor Josh Kushner. Historically, he has also utilized his venture capital firm, Thrive Capital, to invest in companies like OpenAI and SpaceX.

Sports teams are transitioning from being seen as trophy assets to serious investment targets, with private equity deals in the sector growing significantly from 13 deals worth $1.9 billion in 2014 to 71 deals valued at $18.45 billion by 2025. Major leagues like MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL have relaxed institutional ownership rules, enabling valuations such as the Miami Dolphins at $8 billion and the Los Angeles Lakers at $10 billion.

Amazon is investing $1 billion in AWS Forward Deployed Engineering to accelerate AI deployment by embedding engineers directly with clients. The role, which tailors AI systems to client workflows, has seen surging demand since 2025, with companies like the Allen Institute, Cox Automotive, and Southwest Airlines already adopting it.

The Minnesota Timberwolves will exclusively stream games on DAZN starting the 2026-27 season, offering 15 free games and subscription options. DAZN will provide local broadcasts, highlights, and interactive features across multiple platforms, with full details on pricing and content to be announced later.

Hochul’s team mocked LeBron James over a potential New York City tax, celebrating the possibility of taxing the NBA star. The press office highlighted James' potential move to New York but may have acted prematurely.

WXYZ-TV and The Spot Detroit 20 have appointed Tina Nguyen as their new Sports Anchor, effective July 27. Nguyen previously worked at FOX 32 Chicago and KTNV ABC13, covering major sports events and teams.

Trump made a comment suggesting LeBron James might be a racist, referencing an NBA playoff game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in May.

President Trump referred to LeBron James as a possible racist during a discussion in the Oval Office on Friday, stating he prefers Michael Jordan over James.

The Duke-Michigan basketball rematch was canceled due to broadcast rights issues and has been replaced by a Duke-Texas Tech game at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 21. The original Dec. 21 matchup was initially scheduled for Madison Square Garden and later moved to Miami before cancellation. Duke and Michigan previously met in February, with Duke winning 68-63.

LeBron James is joining the Philadelphia 76ers on a 2-year deal. The Sixers made the move as part of their active offseason.

LeBron James is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers. The move marks a new chapter in his career as he joins the NBA team.

The New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies are discussing a trade centered around shooting guard Jordan Hawkins, a 2023 first-round pick from UConn. The Pelicans, currently under the luxury tax apron, may trade Hawkins to free a roster spot, as he is a restricted free agent next summer. The Pelicans have been largely quiet this offseason, only signing veteran center DeAndre Jordan on a two-year deal.

The Cadillac Club at Citi Field offers an exclusive, members-only experience with field-level seating, complimentary food and drinks, and a rotating chef-designed menu. Initially requiring $24,999-per-seat memberships, it now occasionally offers single-game tickets, with third-row seats listed at $688 for a key game. The club is part of a broader trend in sports venues creating high-end, revenue-generating spaces.

Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson was caught in a nightclub bottle fight involving rapper Travis Scott during a private party at Zero Bond in Manhattan. Clarkson attempted to mediate the altercation but was escorted out by police alongside Scott, with no arrests or injuries reported.

Stephen A. Smith warned that political influence is causing division within sports, specifically addressing the WNBA and Caitlin Clark's treatment. He urged fans, players, and politicians to avoid politicizing sports and maintain unity. Smith criticized NBA Commissioner Adam Silver for labeling the debate 'political ping pong,' which he argued could exacerbate divisions.

The LA28 Olympics organizing committee confirmed a legitimate refund for ticket purchasers at Intuit Dome and Columbus football matches due to erroneously charged local taxes. Refunds are under $11 for Intuit Dome tickets and under $40 for Columbus events, with options to accept online or receive a mailed check.

American workers are increasingly avoiding colleagues with differing political views, with 42% preferring department changes over working under a boss with opposing beliefs. Richard Edelman highlights the need for CEOs to foster trust through common ground, transparency, and community-building in an insular environment.

El Heat de Miami presentará oficialmente a Giannis Antetokounmpo y Bobby Portis, adquiridos en un intercambio con los Bucks de Milwaukee. Antetokounmpo, dos veces MVP de la NBA y campeón de la liga, y Portis, que jugó siete temporadas con los Bucks, tendrán conferencias de prensa el jueves en el Kaseya Center. La incorporación de Antetokounmpo eleva las expectativas del Heat para la temporada 2026-27.

The Timberwolves introduced LaMelo Ball and Josh Green following a trade that sent Julius Randle and Naz Reid to other teams. Ball averaged 20.1 points and 7.1 assists last season for Charlotte, while Green brings defensive versatility and experience to Minnesota's roster.

Victor Wembanyama signed a five-year contract extension with the San Antonio Spurs that could exceed $250 million, with the final season including a player option. The deal prioritizes team flexibility over maximizing Wembanyama's earnings, as he could have secured a contract worth over $300 million.

America faces an overwhelming surge in sports events, with simultaneous major tournaments like the World Cup, Wimbledon, and expanded MLB/NBA/NHL schedules. Leagues have added games and rescheduled matches to maximize revenue, while streaming access has intensified the volume of available content. Experts note this expansion is unprecedented and driven by financial incentives.

Nikola Jokic reaffirmed his commitment to stay with the Denver Nuggets for his entire career but plans to delay signing a contract extension until next summer. He aims to secure a five-year, $350 million supermax deal and recently led Serbia to a FIBA World Cup qualifying victory with 20 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. The Nuggets were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs again.

LeBron James will not play for the Los Angeles Lakers next season and is considering multiple teams including Philadelphia, Cleveland, Miami, Minnesota, Denver, Golden State, San Antonio, Dallas, Boston, and New York. His agent, Rich Paul, indicated James is evaluating options based on factors like golf facilities and team competitiveness.

Maria Sharapova prepared for life after tennis by taking business courses, internships, and building her brand during breaks from the sport. She emphasized planning for a second act, using her platform to invest in ventures like Sugarpova and gaining experience at the NBA.

The New Orleans Pelicans rejected multiple trade attempts by the New York Knicks to acquire center Yves Missi after the Knicks lost Mitchell Robinson to the Boston Celtics. The Pelicans view Missi as a key core player and have declared him unavailable for trade. Missi, a 22-year-old rookie, was drafted by New Orleans in 2024 and is entering his third NBA season.

The Boston Celtics traded 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George and multiple draft picks. The deal includes two first-round and two second-round picks for Boston, marking another major trade in the NBA's summer moves.

LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons to play his 24th season with another team. Mike Vorkunov, an NBA and basketball business reporter for The Athletic, discusses the move.

LeBron James will continue his NBA career during the 2026-27 season but has informed the Lakers that they can move on without him. Sources indicate the Golden State Warriors are planning to pursue him.

Ed Davis, a former NBA player who won a national championship at UNC, was arrested in a federal investigation into illegal sports betting. Davis allegedly acted as a gatekeeper for NBA player Malik Beasley, who provided information about his intended game performance to facilitate bets. The scheme involved manipulating outcomes in three 2024 games, including a Hornets-Bucks matchup where Beasley underperformed in scoring as planned.

The New Orleans Pelicans have exercised a third-year option on forward/center Karlo Matković, keeping him with the team for another season. Matković, drafted 52nd overall in 2022, averages 6.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game over 104 games, contributing to the team's frontcourt depth.

Rwanda's RSSB Tigers won the 2026 Basketball Africa League, defeating Angola's Petro de Luanda 90-88 in Kigali. The NBA-backed league attracted record crowds during the event.

The Portland Trail Blazers hired Micah Nori as their new head coach, taking him from the Minnesota Timberwolves where he served as an assistant under Chris Finch. Nori, who has been with the Timberwolves since 2021, previously worked with multiple NBA teams and will now lead the Trail Blazers, a division rival. The Timberwolves are also making roster changes, including trading Julius Randle and re-signing Ayo Dosunmu.

A deer crashed into a Burke County restaurant and was safely guided out. A college basketball coach in North Carolina reportedly declined an NBA job. A man was arrested nine years after a business manager was killed outside a Charlotte shop. Morning showers brought lower humidity ahead of returning high temperatures.

The Boston Celtics are positioned to have an advantage in a potential trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to oddsmakers. This trade is described as the most significant development in the NBA offseason.

The Knicks' victory highlights the value of scarcity, as the NBA team's worth increases due to investors pursuing limited assets.

Gunfire in New York’s Times Square caused bystanders to flee, with police chasing a suspect. One person was hospitalized, and a webcam captured two individuals in black clothing firing handguns in a crowded intersection. A 17-year-old was previously shot in Times Square during Knicks championship celebrations.

The New York Knicks' playoff run culminating in a championship generated an estimated $380 million in economic activity for New York City, including $90 million per home game during the Finals. The team's first ticker-tape parade followed, with over 10,000 NYPD officers deployed for security. This economic impact far exceeded the $57.6 million generated by the 2021 Milwaukee Bucks' championship.

The View co-host Whoopi Goldberg expressed support for the New York Knicks' planned visit to President Trump, stating, 'I want all those black men to stand in our house.' The Knicks are set to be the first NBA team to meet with Trump.

Conor McGregor defends a treatment that included banned drugs. He attended an NBA game in Salt Lake City last year.

Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr underwent surgery for a broken right foot sustained during an offseason workout. The team states he is expected to fully recover before next season. Sarr, the second pick in the 2024 draft, averaged 16.3 points and 7.4 rebounds last season.