Latest news with #Lamar
American Press
a day ago
- Sport
- American Press
Cowboys picked for sixth
(Matthew Bonnotte / McNeese Athletics) SAN ANTONIO — Southland Conference coaches and Sports Information Directors don't think much about the return of Matt Viator to McNeese State. After the Cowboys improved six wins last season, the second most in Division I football, they made a change and brought back Viator after a nine-year absence. Yet the three-time SLC Coach of the Year and all-time winningest skipper in McNeese history sees his team picked for sixth in the league's preseason poll released Monday morning. McNeese managed to collect just 85 points, despite Viator's resume, which includes four championships and five playoff appearances in 10 years. That may just be the kick in the pants the Cowboys need as they look to get back in the race for a title after last year's 6-6 finish. Defending champion Incarnate Word was tagged as the favorite once again, picking up 15 of the possible 20 first-place votes. The Cardinals, who return preseason All-American wide receiver Jalen Walthall, finished with 158 points after going 11-3 last season. In just its second season back in the league, Stephen F. Austin was next with 137 points and three first-place votes. The Lumberjacks were one of three teams to finish last year with a 7-5 record. SFA finished just one point ahead of Southeastern, which was third at 136 and picked up one of the remaining two first-place votes. The other went to Lamar, which placed fourth with 112 total points. Both Southeastern and Lamar also finished 7-5 last season, but none of the three earned a second postseason spot for the Southland Conference in the FCS playoffs. Nicholls was picked fifth with 91 points despite the retirement of long-time head coach Tim Rebowe. Defensive Coordinator Tommy Rybacki will take over the program. Following McNeese, East Texas A&M, and Houston Christian came in tied for seventh with points. Northwestern State (39) placed ninth, with football newcomer Texas-Rio Grande Valley coming in last with just 24 points. SLC PRESEASON POLL 1. UIW 15/158 2. SFA 3/137 3. SELA 1/136 4. Lamar 1/112 5. Nicholls 91 6. McNeese 85 7t HCU/ETAM 59 9. NW State 39 10. UTRGV 24
Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
What the Super Bowl halftime show and success of F1: The Movie prove about the amalgamation of sport, fashion, music and entertainment
In early May, Spanish football giants Barcelona unveiled a striking collaboration with Travis Scott, releasing limited-edition jerseys featuring the American rapper's Cactus Jack logo for the El Clásico clash. Only 1,899 units priced at €399.99 and 22 signed jerseys at €2,999.99 were released. The kits were sold out within half an hour, earning Barcelona over €1.5 million. Resale prices surged, with home jerseys traded at $2,000–3,000, while away versions ranged between $1,600 and 2,000. This was in comparison to a standard FC Barcelona Dri-FIT match jersey, which retails at around €195 or even less on Indian platforms. The collaboration allowed Barcelona to tap into Scott's global fanbase and build a narrative that went beyond football. It also introduced the artist to a new segment of fans and generated substantial media coverage for both parties. Such partnerships are not only about merchandise, they are about integrating entertainment and fashion into sports ecosystems. In recent years, the Super Bowl halftime show has increasingly become the centre of attention, often overshadowing the game itself. This year, on February 9, Super Bowl LIX featured Kendrick Lamar as its halftime headliner, drawing 133.5 million viewers — surpassing the game's average viewership of 127.7 million, itself a record for a Super Bowl. The halftime viewership peaked at 137.7 million and surpassed Michael Jackson's 1993 record of 129.3 million. Lamar's performance led to an immediate 175 percent spike in Spotify streams, with the 'Not Like Us' song alone resulting in an increase of 430 percent. Within 24 hours, Lamar became the most-streamed global artist, while singer-songwriter SZA reached No. 2 in the US charts. The amalgamation of sports, fashion and music is no longer a trend, but a calculated use of power in today's cultural landscape. What was once a clear distinction between athletes, musicians, and designers has now transformed into a permeable space where collaborations are not just common, but expected. From stadiums to streaming platforms, from limited-edition sneakers to halftime performances, the convergence of these industries is reshaping how audiences engage with sport, not merely as spectators, but as consumers of a broader cultural experience. This shift is especially evident at major global events and high-profile collaborations, where music, artists and fashion labels now play a central role in the branding and marketing of sports. While the Super Bowl highlights this connection in American football, a similar relationship has long existed between basketball and fashion, particularly through the sneaker culture. The Air Jordan brand, introduced by Nike in 1985, revolutionised the way basketball merchandise was perceived. No longer just sportswear, Air Jordans became desirable fashion items. Since its creation, the brand has sold over 130 million pairs of shoes and has generated over $3.1 billion in revenue. Beyond initial sales, the resale market for Jordans has created a parallel economy, valued in billions of dollars. Certain models, such as the Jordan 1, 4, and 11, continue to be popular across generations. This evolution has expanded the sport's appeal to audiences who may not be traditional basketball fans, with sneakers acting as a way to get interested in the sport itself. Scott's entry into sneaker culture is another example of this cultural synergy. His 2017 Air Jordan 4 'Cactus Jack', released before his Astroworld breakout, and subsequent Air Jordan 1 and 6 models, became market sensations. Scott's AJ1 Retro High is now StockX's eighth best-selling AJ1, trading at an average $1,093, representing a 524 percent premium over retail, and totalling over 21,000 trades. The AJ1 Low averaged $776 resale (499 percent premium), while the AJ6 Retro averaged $1,279 with a 412 percent premium. These figures far exceed typical sneaker collaborations, confirming Scott's pull in merging music, fashion and the sport culture. Another representation of this convergence is the Apple-produced film F1: The Movie, which released on June 27. With a production and distribution budget exceeding $250 million, it has grossed $397.6 million globally, making it Apple's first major theatrical success. Its marketing featured brand tie-ins with companies like IWC Schaffhausen, Tommy Hilfiger, GEICO, and EA Sports, together contributing at least $40 million in sponsorship value. Apple's renewed interest prompted it to bid over $150 million annually for US Formula 1 streaming rights starting 2026, outbidding ESPN. F1's US television audience has more than doubled since 2018, now averaging 1.3 million viewers per race, a growth accelerated by the documentary 'Drive to Survive' and the new film. These examples point to a broader shift in how sport is consumed and marketed. Increasingly, sporting events serve as launchpads for artists, designers and brands. The appeal of sport is no longer limited to the game itself; it extends to what surrounds it such as music performances, clothing releases, and digital engagement. Artists gain exposure to large audiences, brands benefit from association with cultural icons, and sports organisations attract viewers who may not have previously followed the game. This model benefits all stakeholders and reflects the growing convergence of entertainment sectors. The idea of a sports fan is also evolving. Today's fans are more likely to engage with sport through fashion, music, and digital platforms than through traditional forms of viewership. Owning a jersey or a pair of limited-edition sneakers is now a way of signalling interest and allegiance, even among those who may not watch matches regularly. This shift is particularly evident among younger audiences, who often consume sports content through short clips, social media posts, and merchandise drops, rather than live broadcasts. As the landscape continues to evolve, such cross-industry partnerships will likely become more common, reinforcing the idea that sport today is not just about competition; it is also about culture, community, and commerce. (The writer is an intern with The Indian Express)
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 North Texas football tickets, game schedule, viewing options
The North Texas Mean Green will open their 2025 college football schedule on Aug. 30, against Lamar of the FCS. See below for more. Want to go to a game this season? Keep scrolling for information on how to buy tickets for every North Texas matchup. Check out: US LBM Coaches Poll powered by USA Today sports Buy North Texas tickets on StubHub How to buy tickets for North Texas' next game North Texas tickets & 2025 schedule Buy North Texas vs. Lamar tickets on StubHub Buy North Texas vs. Western Michigan tickets on StubHub Buy North Texas vs. Washington State tickets on StubHub Buy North Texas vs. Army tickets on StubHub Buy North Texas vs. South Alabama tickets on StubHub Buy North Texas vs. South Florida tickets on StubHub Buy North Texas vs. UTSA tickets on StubHub Buy North Texas vs. Charlotte tickets on StubHub Buy North Texas vs. Navy tickets on StubHub Buy North Texas vs. UAB tickets on StubHub Buy North Texas vs. Rice tickets on StubHub Buy North Texas vs. Temple tickets on StubHub
American Press
4 days ago
- Sport
- American Press
Media Day Questions
The Southland Conference will hold its football preseason media event Monday in San Antonio. With the addition of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, the league will be back up to 10 football-playing schools for the first time since the 2019 season. Here is a look at the most significant question facing each of the clubs heading into their camps. McNeese State Biggest Question: Can Matt Viator go back home? The Cowboys aim to return to their glory days by bringing back the winningest coach in program history. The move back to Viator after nine playoff-less seasons has generated fan interest and sold some tickets, but it's wins that matter most. The 14-time Southland champions aim to get back into the race, but will need one of their quarterbacks, likely either Jake Strong or Alex Flores, to step up and become a leader in the huddle that the program has been lacking over the last few years. East Texas A&M Biggest Question: Can the Lions build on winning two of their last three last fall? East Texas is in its first year as a playoff-eligible team after moving up from the Division II level. The Lions return eight starters on offense and hope to get off to a much better start than last year, when they went 1-8 to open. Senior linebacker Kyree Anderson must play big, especially early as he is just one of two starters returning on defense. He racked up 96 tackles last season with an interception and forced two fumbles. Houston Christian Biggest Question: Can the Huskies take the next step? With 24 transfers from the FBS level, HCU has a chance to be a big surprise after going 5-7 last year. Three quarterbacks from the FBS level, including Jake Weir from Mississippi State, will battle for the starting role. Running back Champ Dozier is expected to have a bigger role in the offense after 788 all-purpose yards last season. He began his career at TCU, but the Huskies return just five starters, so it may take some time for this club to click. Incarnate Word Biggest Question: Can the Cardinals stay atop the conference? Incarnate Word has become the Southland's top team, spending 50 straight weeks in the FCS Top 25. Six Cardinals have been named to the Stats Perform Preseason All-American team. Receiver Jalen Walthall is back after finishing third in both receiving yards and touchdowns in the nation last season. Can he work with the new quarterback and keep the Cardinal offense clicking will be the biggest key to the UIW season. Lamar Biggest Question: Are these Cardinals ready for a title run? Two seasons under head coach Pete Rossomando have resulted in 13 victories and Lamar's first back-to-back winning campaigns since the 1971-72 season. With 14 starters back, I hope in Beaumont, Texas, that the winning streak will continue. Lamar returns its top two QBs but will need to find help on defense to keep things going. Eight new starters will be on the defensive side for the Cards, who, for the first time in program history, made the Top 25 in 2024. Nicholls Biggest Question: Will the Colonels stay the course? Tommy Rybacki takes over for Tim Rebowe as head coach at Nicholls after serving as an assistant since 2015. Rybacki promises to have the same team toughness that Rebowe's clubs have had over the years. The drop-off won't be too significant, as the program consistently finds a way to have tough running backs and play solid defense, a task Rybacki has overseen. The transition should be fairly smooth. Northwestern State Biggest Question: When will the Demons get a win? Having gone the last two seasons winless, Northwestern State is hoping for brighter days as Blaine McCorkle enters his second season as the Demons' head coach. This is still a program trying to recover from the tragic events of two years ago when one of its players was shot and killed during the season. Southeastern Louisiana Biggest Question: Can Lions survive a demanding early schedule? With games at Louisiana Tech and LSU in the first four weeks, Southeastern will be hard pressed physically to stay healthy heading into Southland play. But a 2-2 start could spell a big fall in Hammond, America. Head coach Frank Scelfo consistently finds a way to keep his team in the mix down the stretch, going 7-1 in the SLC last season. However, the Lions did not receive a playoff invitation, which could be something they rally around. Stephen F. Austin Biggest Question: Can the Lumberjacks win the league? With the return of quarterback Sam Vidlak to direct an offense that scored just over 36 points a game last season, SFA has the look of a title contender. Back in the Southland for a second season, this team has more than enough talent to make the postseason. SFA has a very favorable schedule this fall, with only one trip out of state, to Nicholls. Things are set up nicely for the Lumberjacks, who, but for a few tough breaks, may have made the playoffs last season. Texas Rio-Grande Valley Biggest Question: What will the Vaqueros look like? For the first time in school history, UTRGV will field a football team. Head coach Travis Bush will be the one guiding the Vaqueros through their first fall as a program in just their second season as members of the Southland. One thing is clear: fans down on the border seem ready. All 6,000 of their season tickets have been sold for the 12,500-seat stadium UTRGV will call home. That easily puts the team in the top half of the conference in attendance before every game. How we pick the SLC Stephen F. Austin Incarnate Word McNeese State Lamar Southeastern LA Houston Christian Nicholls East Texas A&M Texas Rio-Grande Valley Northwestern State
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Beyoncé and Jay-Z to Compete Against Each Other for an Emmy This Year
Beyoncé is facing some particularly familiar competition for an Emmy this year: her own husband. As the 2025 Emmy nominations were announced on Tuesday, both Queen Bey and Jay-Z (real name Shawn Carter) were listed as nominees in the outstanding variety special (live) category; Beyoncé for her Beyoncé Bowl halftime show for the NFL's Christmas Day game on Netflix, and Jay as one of the executive producers for Kendrick Lamar's Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show. More from The Hollywood Reporter Emmy Noms Analysis: Reading Between the Lines of Tuesday's Announcement 'Severance' Dominated in Emmys Nominations - But for the Wrong Season Emmys Nominations Snubs: 'Squid Game' Shut Out, 'Handmaid's Tale' Only Lands One Nod - Uzo Aduba Surprises It's hard to track how many times a husband and wife have ever competed against one another in the same Emmy category in the past, though it's certainly not a common occurrence. Both Beyoncé and Lamar's halftime shows were critically lauded and groundbreaking. Beyoncé performed the first-ever Christmas Day NFL halftime show, while Lamar broke records for the most-viewed Super Bowl halftime show of all time with over 133 million viewers. SNL50: The Homecoming Concert rounds out the music-related programming nominated in this year's variety special (live) category, and the three will be up against the Oscars as well as fellow Saturday Night Live special SNL50: The Anniversary Special. Aside from the variety special itself, Beyoncé was also nominated for outstanding directing for a variety special for the concert alongside co-director Alex Rudzinski. It's the third time she's been nominated in that category, having previously gotten nods for Lemonade back in 2016, and for Homecoming: A Film by Beyonce in 2019. Both Beyoncé and Lamar's halftime shows were also recognized in outstanding the choreography for variety or reality programming category, with Charm La'Donna getting nominated for both shows. Tyrik Patterson, Christopher Grant and Parris Goebel were nominated for the Beyonce Bowl's choreography as well. Lamar himself was also nominated for outstanding music direction for the halftime show, alongside fellow music director Tony Russell, and Questlove was tapped for musical direction for the SNL anniversary concert alongside James Poyser. Questlove was also nominated for outstanding directing for a documentary/nonfiction program with Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years Of SNL Music, as well as for outstanding documentary or nonfiction special for Sly Lives! (Aka The Burden of Black Genius). Within the Emmy's seven music-specific categories themselves, other big-name nominees included Hans Zimmer for his score on The Americas, Adam Sandler with Dan Bulla for the music and lyrics to 'Adam Sandler's Song: 50 Years' on SNL50: The Anniversary Special, and Kristen Wiig, Sean Douglas and Josh Greenbaum for the music and lyrics on 'Harper and Will Go West' from Will & Harper. The full list of nominees for this year's Emmy music categories is below. Outstanding Music Composition For A Series (Original Dramatic Score) Andor, 'Who Are You' Brandon Roberts, Composer Based On A True Story, 'Relapse' Sherri Chung, Composer Cobra Kai, 'Blood In Blood Out' Leo Birenberg, ComposerZach Robinson, Composer Severance 'Cold Harbor' Theodore Shapiro, Composer The Studio, 'The Missing Reel'Antonio Sánchez, Composer The White Lotus, 'Amor Fati'Cristobal Tapia de Veer, ComposerOutstanding Music Composition For A Limited Or Anthology Series, Movie Or Special Black Mirror, 'Hotel Reverie'Ariel Marx, Composer Black Mirror, 'USS Callister: Into Infinity'Daniel Pemberton, Composer Dying For Sex, 'It's Not That Serious'Ariel Marx, ComposerMonsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story, 'Spree'Thomas Newman, Composer Julia Newman, Composer The Penguin, 'After Hours'Mick Giacchino, Composer The Supremes At Earl's All-You-Can-Eat Kathryn Bostic, ComposerOutstanding Music Composition For A Documentary Series Or Special The Americas, 'Andes'Hans Zimmer, Composer Anže Rozman, Composer Kara Talve, Composer Chef's Table 'José Andrés' Duncan Thum, Composer David Bertok, Composer Leonardo Da VinciCaroline Shaw, Composer Planet Earth: Asia, 'Beneath The Waves' Jacob Shea, ComposerLaurentia Editha, Composer Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story Ilan Eshkeri, ComposerOutstanding Music Direction The Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show Starring Kendrick Lamar Kendrick Lamar, Music DirectorTony Russell, Music Director The Kennedy Center HonorsRickey Minor, Music Director The Oscars Michael Bearden, Music Director SNL50: The Anniversary Special Lenny Pickett, Music Director Leon Pendarvis, Music Director Eli Brueggemann, Music Director SNL50: The Homecoming ConcertJames Poyser, Music DirectorAhmir 'Questlove' Thompson, Music Director Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics Agatha All Along, 'Circle Sewn With Fate / Unlock Thy Hidden Gate.' Song Title: 'The Ballad of the Witches' Road'Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Music & LyricsRobert Lopez, Music & Lyrics Andor, 'Who Are You?' Song Title: 'We are the Ghor (Planetary Anthem)' Nicholas Britell, Music & Lyrics Tony Gilroy, Music & Lyrics The Boys, 'We'll Keep The Red Flag Flying Here' Song Title: 'Let's Put the Christ Back in Christmas'Christopher Lennertz, Music & Lyrics SNL50: The Anniversary Special, Song Title: 'Adam Sandler's Song: 50 Years'Adam Sandler, Music & LyricsDan Bulla, Music & Lyrics Song Title: 'Harper and Will Go West' Sean Douglas, Music & LyricsKristen Wiig, Music & LyricsJosh Greenbaum, Lyrics Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music Dept. QCarlos Rafael Rivera, Composer Scott Frank, Composer Dune: Prophecy Volker Bertelmann, Composer LazarusKamasi Washington The ResidenceMark Mothersbaugh, Composer The White LotusCristobal Tapia de Veer, Composer Your Friends & NeighborsDominic Lewis, Composer Hamilton Leithauser, Composer Outstanding Music Supervision Hacks, 'I Love LA'Matt Biffa, Music Supervisor The Last Of Us, 'The Price' Evyen Klean, Music SupervisorIan Broucek, Music SupervisorScott Hanau, Music Supervisor The Righteous Gemstones, 'You Hurled Me Into The Depths, Into The Very Heart Of The Seas' DeVoe Yates, Music SupervisorGabe Hilfer, Music Supervisor Severance, 'Cold Harbor'George Drakoulias, Music Supervisor The Studio, 'The Promotion'Gabe Hilfer, Music Supervisor The White Lotus, 'Same Spirits, New Forms'Gabe Hilfer, Music Supervisor Best of The Hollywood Reporter From 'Party in the U.S.A.' to 'Born in the U.S.A.': 20 of America's Most Patriotic (and Un-Patriotic) Musical Offerings Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Most Notable Deaths of 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
