We here at the Spotlight are a family-oriented program committed to giving you sports and entertainment industry business and legal news and insights interspersed with dad jokes (though sometimes I wonder whether it is the other way around…). In any event, I feel it is important to address a story that blends familial (or maybe pseudo-familial) elements with the subject matter of the Spotlight. Nowhere is that more apparent than with that of news of the legal dispute between former NFL Offensive Tackle, Michael Oher and his (supposed/alleged) adoptive parents, Leigh Ann and Sean Tuohy. Oher has filed an action to dissolve his conservatorship with the Tuohys, alleging that they had tricked Oher into signing conservatorship documents allowing the Tuohys to represent Oher’s business interests was the same as being adopted and concocted the (once) heart-warming story of a white Tennessee family adopting a black football player out of abject poverty that served the basis for the film, “The Blind Side” (for which Sandra Bullock won the Oscar for Best Actress in 2009), allegedly to enrich themselves at his expense. On the other hand, the Tuohys’ lawyer fired back with allegations that Oher had sought to extort $15 million from the family to prevent him from going public with his side of the story. The whole saga is troubling, because you tend to hope that neither side is true, though that would mean that the only ones being bamboozled are you and I. if there is a winner to emerge from the fray, it might well be Sandra Bullock, who might yet break her streak of awful sequels (i.e., Speed 2 and Miss Congeniality 2) with her being positioned to reprise her role of Leigh Ann Tuohy in the yet-to-be-created, The Blind Side 2: Blind Justice. That is, if Hollywood movies are ever made again. Before we jump into the rest of this week’s Spotlight, a brief programming note that I will be on vacation with my family next week, so the Spotlight will be recharging in my absence.
- Fantasy Football guru, Matthew Berry raises $2 million for his startup fantasy sports media company, Fantasy Life. My fantasy football team can only hope to bring in a fraction of that amount this year.
- McDonald’s launches a collectible, but non-transferable Grimace NFT. Just another way for McDonald’s (and a grimace) to stay with you long after your meal.
- Just as Netflix renews its series, “The King of Collectibles” a Michael Jordan rookie card goes up for auction with a starting bid of $500,000. On that note, I am going to head out to go through my wife’s grandfather’s sports card collection gathering dust in my basement.
Endorsement Deals, Sponsorships & Investments
McDonald's Offers Exclusive Grimace NFTs: Collectible, But No Trading Option
August 17, 2023 via Cryptonews
Investor Caution Urged Over Celebrity-Endorsed Investments and AI-Generated Endorsements
August 16, 2023 via News Break
Seattle Sounders Add Three Investors to Ownership Group
August 16, 2023 via Sportico
NFTs: Disrupting the Entertainment Industry’s Traditional Models
August 15, 2023 via Rolling Stone Magazine
Matthew Berry Raises $2M in Seed Round for Fantasy Media Company
August 15, 2023 via Sportico
Comcast signs sponsorship deal with USA Gymnastics
August 14, 2023 via Biz Journal
State Farm goes retro for "Winning Time" sponsorship
August 14, 2023 via SmartBrief
How Much Top Celebrities Can Earn Per Sponsored Post on Instagram [Infographic]
August 13, 2023 via Social Media Today
One NFL Coach Has Inked an Endorsement Deal With Jordan Brand
August 13, 2023 via SI.com
Business Beyond the Game: Randy Moss on Athlete Investment, Franchises
August 11, 2023 via Sportico
Sports
£2m plans for Padel Club at TraffordCity complex
August 17, 2023 via The Business Desk
Laura Ricketts Group to Buy NWSL’s Chicago Red Stars for $36M
August 15, 2023 via Sportico
Autographed Michael Jordan Rookie Card Aims for $500,000 at Auction
August 12, 2023 via Sportico
Pac-12 reportedly passed on huge TV rights offer from ESPN that likely could have saved conference
August 12, 2023 via News Break
Music
SiriusXM Disputes SoundExchange Claim That It’s ‘Gaming’ The Royalty System.
August 16, 2023 via Inside Radio
Report: French Montana Inks Deal With Larry Jackson's gamma.
August 14, 2023 via AllAccess.com
Film & TV
Goldin Netflix Renewal Shows Collectibles’ Entertainment Potential
August 16, 2023 via Sportico
Netflix Adds to Sports Slate With New Docuseries Tracking Sprinters
August 16, 2023 via Sportico
UOB, The EM District and AEG announce historic naming rights partnership
August 16, 2023 via Business Wire
Disney's Future, a Hot Topic Among Hollywood Elite
August 14, 2023 via U.S. News & World Report
Michael Oher Sues Family in ‘Blind Side’ Profits Dispute
August 14, 2023 via Sportico
ESPN’s $2 Billion Deal With PENN Entertainment Creates New Challenges For College Athletics
August 11, 2023 via Forbes
