Welcome back to the Spotlight! The long wait is over… As unbearable as waiting a week for the next installment of the Spotlight, I am referring to the four year long wait since the last Summer Olympic Games. At the moment, the World’s elite athletes from all walks of life, each with their own stories and paths leading them to this point are descending upon Paris, France in search of Olympic glory under their respective flags. Many of the Olympians who are competing already enjoy their fair share of fame, while others – relative unknowns – will undoubtedly rise like a great soufflé (it’s all about the stuff peaks, folks) reach new heights far above the Eiffel Tower and open avenues more grand than the Champs-Élysées (or Marnier). Others will sink like a bad soufflé (again, stiff peaks are key) and flake apart like a perfect croissant.
And if for some reason, my romanticism isn’t enough to get you interested in the Games for which advertisers are shelling out an estimated $1.2 billion, then there is always the star power that NBC Universal is integrating into its Olympic programming. For the final leg of the torch-lighting ceremony (which does not, to my chagrin, have anything to do with crème brulée), Snoop Dogg—never too far from flammable objects--will be a torch-bearer. Although the Summer Olympics do not have motorsports, there will be plenty of horsepower, with former Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts great Peyton Manning, and rapper Megan Thee Stallion playing sizable roles in the promotion of the Games. Additionally, comedians Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson will be hosting a highlight show throughout the Olympics (with Thompson hopefully reprising his role of “Pierre Escargots” from his All That! days). A little something for everyone it seems, and a whole lot of money—enough to fill the Seine (infinitely better than the…uhhh… crêpe that the Seine is actually filled with)—is riding on it.
How was that for an Opening Ceremony?
- Drawings by the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, will soon be going up for auction, or as I like to call them, “Don’t stop ‘til you bid enough.”
- Hydration beverage company Prime is hit with a lawsuit by the US Olympic Committee for use of the Olympics trademark and USA Basketball inspired branding for its limited edition flavor on which it partnered with NBA All-Star Kevin Durant. Not all that surprising Prime would be hauled into court given how notoriously hawkish the Olympic Committee is in protecting its IP — not to mention Prime being an especially attractive defendant due to its liquid assets.
- The horsedrawn wagon is pulling out of Philadelphia as Wells Fargo opts out of its naming rights deal for the 76ers’ and Flyers’ home arena. Meanwhile, the bandwagon at Madison Square Garden has plenty of room for newcomers.
- The WNBA and dating-app Bumble enter into a new sponsorship focused on forging connections through sports. You might say that they’re more than just friends
Endorsement Deals, Sponsorships & Investments
Wells Fargo Center will need a new name after banking giant decides against renewing rights deal in 2025
July 25, 2024 via LancasterOnline
How much have Ohio State football players earned in NIL? AD Ross Bjork sheds light
July 24, 2024 via Columbus Dispatch
Lincoln Financial Group Teams Up With Star Quarterback Jalen Hurts on a Dynamic Brand and Community Engagement Partnership, With a Focus on Financial Wellness
July 24, 2024 via Yahoo Finance
Adidas apologizes to Bella Hadid over 1972 Munich Olympics-linked ad
July 23, 2024 via Moneywatch CBS
Team USA Taps Google as Paris Olympics AI Search Partner
July 18, 2024 via Sportico
Bumble and the WNBA Partner to Champion Connection Through Shared Interests in Women's Sports
July 17, 2024 via Our Sports Central
New Balance and the WNBA Announce Multiyear Partnership
July 16, 2024 via wnba.com
Why is Logan Paul's Prime drink facing lawsuit over Kevin Durant edition bottle? $20 million YouTuber's legal trouble explored
July 23, 2024 via sportskeeda.com
Sports
NIL deals approved for high school athletes
July 25, 2024 via Jacksonville Today
Troy Aikman Has Edge in Battle With Lamar Jackson Over No. 8
July 22, 2024 via Sportico
Rife with arenas and stadiums, Vegas has room for more, sports executive says
July 19, 2024 via Las Vegas Review Journal
Music Biz
Michael Jackson’s Drawings to appear at Auction after Court Ruling
July 25, 2024 via ArtDependence
Small events platform Posh raises $22M in Series A round
July 25, 2024 via Music Business Worldwide
Spotify estimates that it would have to pay out $50m if the MLC wins its bundling lawsuit
July 25, 2024 via Music Business Worldwide
Film & TV
NBA rejects Warner Bros. Discovery offer, completing media rights deal with Amazon
July 24, 2024 via Los Angeles Times
The 2024 Paris Olympics: How Networks, Agents & Content Makers Want To Supercharge The Biggest Show On TV For A New Generation
July 22, 2024 via Deadline
NBA reportedly won’t include matching rights in new TV contracts
July 19, 2024 via Awful Announcing
Zeam Media elevates John Stamos as chief innovation officer
July 18, 2024 via WAFB
How the World's Biggest Stars Are Bringing the 2024 Paris Olympics to New Audiences
April 23, 2024 via NBCUniversal
