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For Los Angeles Lakers fans, one of this season’s highlights has been reveling in the groundbreaking father-son duo of LeBron and Bronny James this past season, as the pair have made history playing beside one another. Now, LeBron’s youngest son Bryce may be on pace to join them, as he has officially announced his intention to play for the University of Arizona ‘s Wildcats this coming fall. Bryce James was voraciously pursued by several appealing Pac-12 schools over the last few weeks, with the Tucson-based school apparently offering the most compelling welcome package. The rising star’s choice was commended with comments from numerous NBA legends, including Kevin Durant, Jamal Crawford, Rachel Nichols and of course, LeBron himself. Bryce’s older brother famously played just one season with his college of choice before declaring for the NBA draft , meaning we could potentially see a triumvirate of players from the prolific James family as early as 2027. So, let’s take a moment to...
Marquise Brown doesn’t want to have any regrets when his NFL career comes to an end. The Kansas City Chiefs’ wide receiver has met with various retired NFL players, and it has served as a reminder of what he can do now to maximize his time in the league. Brown was drafted in 2019 by the Baltimore Ravens as a 25th pick in the first round, the NFL mentioned. He then played for the Arizona Cardinals and now is on the Kansas City Chiefs’ roster, signed to a one-year, $7 million contract, which includes a $3 million signing bonus and $6.5 million guaranteed, per Spotrac. He intends on leveraging his contracts to create a better life for himself, family, and other players in the league considering life beyond the field. “I got pulled aside by so many retired NFL legends talking to me about what they should have done differently, what they wish they did. With me being in the league, I don’t want to be a guy to do this when I’m done. I want to be a guy to do this now. Not just for my...
Shaquille O’Neal says he took a pay cut while playing for the Miami Heat. The NBA Hall of Famer played for the team for four seasons, between 2004 and 2008, according to Sports Illustrated. Previously, he was a three-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played alongside his teammate Kobe Bryant. O’Neal’s tenure with the Heat was accompanied by a decision that cost him $20 million, he explained on “The OGs” podcast. He recalls a conversation with former Lakers head coach Pat Riley, that presented him an ultimatum surrounding his salary. “Pat came in and he said, ‘Shaq I love you. I can give you the whole 120 [million] and we can have nobody, or I can give you 100 [million],'” O’Neal said. “‘Give UD some more money. I can bring in Posey. I can bring in GP. I can bring in all them guys.'” O’Neal decided to take the pay cut because he was purely motivated by his desire to win. He added, “And I was like, ‘You know what. I need to win. Cause I gotta win one before Ol’...
Dame Dash claims Drake may have interests in buying his stake in Roc-A-Fella Records. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Dame Dash is in the midst of having his shares sold after an $800,000 judgement was placed on him in regard to a copyright infringement and defamation of character lawsuit. With a chance to invest in Roc-A-Fella Records, the interest is high as it brings partial ownership of the copyright to Jay-Z’s debut album, “Reasonable Doubt.” “Based on feedback I have received from interested parties (and I can’t mention names), this auction will likely bring out many household names in the sports and entertainment industries as well as those interested in a piece of a historically significant company, which holds an interest in a timeless debut album,” Dame Dash’s attorney Natraj Bhushan explained to Billboard. Bhushan’s prediction may be ringing true as Dame Dash recently shared on the “America Nu Network” show, he received a direct message from Drake, who was looking to...
Andre Iguodala once rejected a $60 million offer to accept a lower deal with the Golden State Warriors. Final Year With The Denver Nuggets In 2013, Iguodala was a member of the Denver Nuggets, posting averages of 13.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in his last season with the team, spanning 80 games, ESPN reports. The Denver Nuggets were interested in keeping Iguodala on the team. However, he was looking to exit his final year of the contract to become a free agent. The Denver Nuggets offered him a $60 million five-year deal, with $52 million guaranteed, to try to keep him on the team, per ESPN. ESPN reports that other teams were vetting for his talents, including the Sacramento Kings, which reportedly offered him a $52 million four-year deal, and the Golden States Warriors, which were looking to put up $48 million for the same timeframe. Rejecting The $60M Offer From The Denver Nuggets Iguodala did not respond promptly enough to the Sacramento Kings, so the team rescinded...
Shaquille O’Neal once invested in Ray J’s music career. During an interview on Shannon Sharpe’s podcast “Club Shay Shay,” the R&B singer-turned-entrepreneur reveals he received $1.5 million from the former Los Angeles Lakers basketball player to support “Sexy Can I,” the first single from his 2008 studio album “All I Feel.” The single featuring Yung Berg would go on to become a top 10 hit on Billboard. O’Neal saw a big return on that investment , Ray J says on the podcast. “He gave us $1.5 [million] for the ‘Sexy Can I’ project, which was the ‘All I Feel’ project, and ‘Sexy Can I’ was the record to lead off. It sold 8 million copies,” Ray J told Sharpe. “We recouped the number back for Shaq, and I don’t know five months, six months, and everything else has been profitable ever since, so shout out to Shaq.” He added, “If you look at the ‘Sexy Can I’ video, you see Shaq in the video. He’s the one with the camera.” Photo Credit: YouTube/ MNRK Music Group O’Neal has distinguished...
NBA legend Michael Jordan is enlisting a team of athletic superstars as co-owners of his award-winning tequila company. In a press release shared with AFROTECH™, the NBA Hall of Famer has tapped Serena Williams, Derek Jeter, and a host of other athletes and sports enthusiasts as investors in his award-winning portfolio of luxury tequilas, Cincoro Tequila. “Cincoro has always been special to me because of the authentic friendships we’ve established around enjoying Cincoro and spending time together, designing it, experiencing it, and tasting it. We are constantly striving for greatness,” Jordan, co-founder of Cincoro Tequila, said. “And now that we’re welcoming in some of my closest friends to the business, I’m looking forward to this next era of Cincoro alongside this all-star team.” The company’s new ownership group, Team Cincoro, also includes RedBird Capital Partners Founder and Managing Partner Gerry Cardinale; The Lerner Family, owners of the Washington Nationals; former NFL...
The passing along of wisdom, particularly in the Black community, is a rite of passage. Learning from an Elder or an “OG” is a core part of Black culture and can even find roots in the historic nature of storytelling and oral history exchanges. NBA veteran Andre Drummond has found himself in the proverbial seat of an uncle and was recorded dropping some knowledge on a group of young athletes while coaching. But what makes Drummond’s words of wisdom worth digesting for future and practical use? Drummond is a Mount Vernon, NY, native. The center entered the league in 2012 as the ninth pick of the Detroit Pistons. As a current player for the Chicago Bulls, Drummond has experienced a range of career highlights, including making the NBA All-Rookie Team 2nd Team in 2013. While he’s spent time with other NBA teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Brooklyn Nets during his ten-season career, his current placement with the Bulls is proving beneficial....
When basketball players make it to the NBA, it opens a door to new opportunities such as the ability to purchase the finer things in life. After Tyronn Lue made it to the league and was drafted and traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1998, he made a financial commitment that he still adheres to today.
If you find yourself in a Black-owned barber shop, there is a high chance that sports talk is always on the agenda. And when it comes to basketball, in particular, people can’t get enough of deciding who the GOAT is — Lebron James or Michael Jordan? However, what about the game legends like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar? Players like Abdul-Jabbar laid the foundation for the more recent past and present players the world knows and loves. With a 20-year career average of 24.6 points, 3.6 assists, and 11.2 rebounds per game, many find it difficult to dispute the impact Abdul-Jabbar had on the game. In 1969, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was chosen as the No. 1 draft pick from UCLA to the Milwaukee Bucks. He stayed with that team for six seasons and led the franchise to its first NBA championship in 1971. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kareemabduljabbar_33) After his time in Milwaukee, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1975...
Black professionals will be taking root in the entertainment sector. According to a press release sent to AfroTech, Diverse Representation will host its second annual Black Entertainment Executives Pipeline program set to run from July 11-August 16, 2022. Twelve participants will have access to leading industry executives including Ty Cameron (President, Ebony Studios), Jelani Johnson (EVP, Content Strategy, MACRO), and Joe Aiken (Executive, Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in addition to hands-on experience. The six-week program will be offered in-person for those living in Los Angeles, CA, and virtually to reach potential participants across the nation. “This first-of-its-kind program is an invaluable resource for any Black professional or creative interested in pursuing a career as an executive in the television or film industry,” said Jaia Thomas, Esq., founder and president of Diverse Representation, according to a press release. “This is the only program of its kind in the...
Being a risk-taker paid off for entrepreneur Shontay Lundy, the founder of Black Girl Sunscreen. The New York native began cultivating the brand after nudges from friends suggesting Lundy should consider wearing sunscreen, as she became an avid hiker after moving to Los Angeles. While diving into research for products catering to Black skin, Lundy was not convinced by her findings. To her disappointment, the sunscreen sector underserved Black people and she recalled zero options that resonated with her. Recognizing an issue, Lundy decided to be the change and disrupt the $8.5 billion sunscreen industry. Although Lundy never manifested she would become the head of a million-dollar sunscreen brand, she was determined to follow what made her happy.
Xbox and the Los Angeles Lakers are expanding their partnership to inspire the next generation of athletes. In its latest efforts, it was announced that Xbox and NBA athlete Dwight Howard renovated the Boys & Girls Club of San Fernando Valley, which will house the program’s Dream Space. Kids are welcomed to enjoy the multi-purpose gaming lab featuring new artwork, custom purple and gold Xbox Series S consoles, gaming PCs, and screens.