Latest news with #Starting5
USA Today
01-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
The Timberwolves social team cooked LeBron James using his own words against him
The Timberwolves social team cooked LeBron James using his own words against him The most LeBron James has ever hinted about when he might retire came during the first episode of Netflix's Starting 5 series when James said he could "possibly sit down for a little longer" if he thought there was another player on the floor better fit for the moment than himself. "I have not seen that yet," James said. The Minnesota Timberwolves social team made him eat those words early Thursday morning after the Wolves bounced James and the Los Angeles Lakers from the first-round of the NBA playoffs. That clip was posted to the team's X account, and the Wolves made sure to include the part that followed -- a transition to Anthony Edwards expressing his desire to "cook LeBron one-on-one." PASSING THE TORCH: LeBron gave Edwards advice after elimination What a pull. That clip is the definition of foreshadowing.
Forbes
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Wine Pouring Freely As Sports Embraces New Drink Partnerships
Cameron Brink took part in a Kendall-Jackson blind tasting during NBA All-Star weekend. Beer comes as ubiquitous to American sports culture as the hot dog. But now it's wine's time to shine. The rise of wine in sports spans the gamut, from an official wine for the Kentucky Derby to the 2024 addition of an official wine partner for the NBA and WNBA to full-on wine programs at venues across multiple sports. 'The rise of wine in sports partnerships with platforms like the NBA and Kentucky Derby originates from the need for wine brands to reach new consumers in non-traditional spaces,' Maggie Curry, vice president of marketing partnerships for Jackson Family Wines, tells me. 'Both the NBA and Kentucky Derby—Kendall-Jackson's partners—are high-energy platforms, where sports, fashion and culture come together.' For Kendall-Jackson, the entry started with the Kentucky Derby and the winery has now released two exclusive, limited-edition wines served at the Churchill Downs and available for online purchase for those hosting watch parties. Focusing on the large one-off event expanded in 2024, when Kendall-Jackson added the NBA as an official partner, including in-venue partnerships with the Nuggets, Magic, Suns, Pacers, Kings and Warriors that featured the buildout of themed bars and Cellar 82 by Kendall-Jackson at Golden 1 Center. The 2025 NBA All-Star weekend included the league's official wine, Kendall-Jackson, having a major ... More presence. The wines are now leveraged across multiple concessions, branded bars and high-end menus across the venues. Curry says the NBA has created its own player-led reputation as the wine league, which helps bring the worlds of fine wine and sports together. 'The wine and basketball zeitgeist is real, and it starts with the stars of basketball,' she says, noting LeBron James talking about wine on the Netflix show 'Starting 5' and former players Carmelo Anthony and Dwayne Wade starting their own wine brands. 'This, in combination with stadiums and arenas wanting to elevate their own fan experience, is a perfect moment for wine entering the space.' Partnering with the NBA, then, allowed Kendall-Jackson to capitalize on the wine momentum in and around the league while gaining a new opportunity to focus messaging to a digitally savvy, younger consumer, 'which is white space and opportunity for growth in the wine category.' Then by adding team-specific partnerships to the league deal, Curry says they can bring localized messaging capability. The San Francisco Giants added Far Niente as an official partners this season and the winery has a ... More place inside Oracle Park. The NBA isn't the only place where wine is growing in sports. Far Niente partnered this April with the San Francisco Giants, bringing the Napa Valley wine to Oracle Park through the House of Far Niente Vintage '58, a Promenade Level bar, as well as in concessions throughout Oracle Park. 'Today's wine enthusiasts seek quality and genuine narratives wherever they gather and cheer for their team at the ballpark is no exception,' says Kate McManus, vice president of marketing at Far Niente Wine Estate. 'This collaboration enables us to bring exceptional wines to fans at precisely the right time and place.' The Giants were the first MLB team to serve wine and became, in 2023, the first MLB team to employ a master sommelier to curate a wine program. 'The Bay Area is a world-renowned culinary destination, and that's reflected in Oracle Park's hospitality offerings,' says Evan Goldstein, master sommelier for the Giants. 'Visitors expect access to innovative flavors and creative menus, and with the ballpark's proximity to wine country, it just makes sense to build a robust wine program that highlights the very best of the region.' The Appellation 49 wine program at Levi's Stadium led by the San Francisco 49ers brings unique wines ... More to NFL fans. Nearby, the Appellation 49 Wine Program founded by 49ers co-chairman John York offers a collection of over 100 high-end California wines hand selected by York for Bay Area-NFL fans. Stemming from his own love and passion for wine, the program gives Levi's Stadium guests access to wines that are normally unavailable to the general public, as many participating wineries sell exclusively to members and others only produce small amounts exclusively for restaurants or high-end retailers. In other cases, participating wineries offer older vintages or library releases, making Appellation 49 the only place these wines are available. Inside Sacramento's Golden 1 Center, Kendall-Jackson opened Cellar 82, inviting fans to sample an extensive wine selection from the Californian label. Curry says fans can order collectable wines by the glass, an opportunity to taste wines typically reserved for full-bottle purchase, 'so the innovative wine system allows for both intrigue and trial.' MORE: How Celebrity Chefs Create Dishes With Levy For The U.S. Open Across the NBA, Curry says chardonnay continues to lead the way, but fans are showing more interest in cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc and pinot noir. During the 2025 NBA playoffs, Kendall-Jackson's new Vintner's Reserve Chenin Blanc will make a push, all part of 'bringing access to unique wine offerings, allowing that discoverability' as arenas push higher on Kendall-Jackson's list of top-performing accounts. As wine continues to play a role in premiumization and experience in sports, Curry says to expect additional wine brands entering the sports world' 'The partnership gives you access to coveted new consumers,' she says. 'From reaching consumers at the live events at concessions or suites, or through building awareness with digital ads on their phones or through streaming TV ads, sports partnerships are a powerful and impactful tool.' Wine brands are ready to drink it up.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Anthony Edwards' LeBron James Message Resurfaces Before Lakers Playoff Series
The Golden State Warriors' overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers has paved the way for one of the most compelling matchups in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs: the No. 3 seed Los Angeles Lakers vs. the No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves. Tied 2-2 in their regular season series, the two teams are set to square off in a best-of-seven showdown beginning April 19 at Arena. The series will feature a marquee duel between Timberwolves rising star Anthony Edwards and Lakers superstars LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Advertisement Adding fuel to the fire, a resurfaced clip from Netflix's Starting 5 series has gone viral ahead of Game 1. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (1) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6)Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports In it, Edwards delivers a bold message regarding his competitive mindset—and his desire to go head-to-head with James. 'I do not look up to anybody in the league right now currently. Not at all. Yeah, not the slightest,' Edwards says in the clip. 'Yeah, I wanna cook LeBron one-on-one. Like, who don't? If you say you don't… then you don't wanna compete.' Edwards has drawn widespread praise for his intensity and unshakable self-belief, traits that have prompted frequent comparisons to NBA legend Michael Jordan. Last postseason, Edwards helped the Timberwolves sweep Kevin Durant's Phoenix Suns in the first round en route to a Conference Finals appearance. He'll now aim to do the same against James and a surging Lakers squad. Advertisement With both teams boasting star power and playoff aspirations, the stage is set for a high-stakes battle that could deliver some of the postseason's most electrifying moments. Related: JJ Redick's Clear Message Before NBA Playoffs Turns Heads Related: Unexpected Bronny James, Michael Jordan News Turns Heads
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA Star Jimmy Butler Offsets Ex's Attorney Fees As Child Support Battle Rages On
MEGA/Backgrid / MEGA Jimmy Butler is coughing up some serious dough in his ongoing case! The NBA star has reportedly agreed to sort his ex Kaitlin Nowak's legal expenses as they continue their child support battle in court. Advertisement Jimmy Butler has three children: a daughter, born in 2019, and two sons, born in 2022 and 2023. The athlete reportedly pays $55,000 in child support each month. Jimmy Butler And His Ex Have Been Ordered To Attend A 24-Hour Mediation Session Thanos / MEGA The NBA player has reached an agreement to assist his ex-girlfriend in her ongoing legal battle over child support. Court documents show that Jimmy will wire $30,000 to Kaitlin's legal team to help cover her court expenses. This amount could be deducted from any future payments he is obligated to make to her. The exes have also decided to engage in mediation, working with a mutually agreeable mediator. Advertisement According to In Touch, the former couple will have a full day of mediation before the end of the month, with Jimmy indicating he will cover the fees associated with this process. The Pro Basketballer Claimed His Ex Refused To Get A Job In October 2023, Kaitlin filed a paternity lawsuit against Jimmy, which resulted in a ruling in February 2024 that established the basketballer as the father. The details of the case remained confidential until a December 2024 article brought it to public attention. During this time, the athlete publicly criticized his ex for allegedly not seeking employment. He had initially agreed to pay her an extra $10,000 per month in addition to the $55,000 support for a nanny following the birth of their youngest child. Advertisement However, Jimmy's lawyer sought to terminate this additional payment, arguing that the circumstances had changed substantially since the agreement was made. The youngest child was now one year old, and the initial arrangements were made when the child was just five weeks old. The athlete stated that he shared custody of their two older children for significant periods, including during the summer of 2024. He emphasized that with the oldest child set to start school in the 2025-2026 academic year and the middle child likely entering preschool, there would be little to no need for Kaitlin to continue employing a nanny. The Former Miami Heats Star Talks Being A Dad PEOPLE shared that the NBA star has been in a relationship with Kaitlin since 2019, the same year they welcomed their daughter, Rylee Butler. Their family grew up with their son, Brayan Butler, born in 2022. Advertisement Rylee's arrival marked a pivotal moment in Jimmy's career, coinciding with his debut season for the Miami Heat after a short stint with the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite the challenges of his professional life, the basketballer prioritizes his children above all else. Both Rylee and Brayan make appearances in the Netflix documentary "Starting 5", which follows five basketball stars during the 2023-2024 season. In the first episode, Jimmy shares a glimpse of his morning routine with his toddlers, highlighting Rylee's playful knowledge of his favorite coffee, cappuccino. He emphasizes the importance of family, stating, "When I come home, they don't care if I had a triple-double or if I fouled out in the first three minutes of the game; I'm just their dad." This sentiment underlines his commitment to being a dedicated father. In February 2025, the athlete experienced a significant transition when he was traded to the Golden State Warriors, concluding a challenging six-year tenure with the Miami Heat. The 35-Year-Old Revealed His Choice For Daughter's Godfather In an episode of "The Artist and The Athlete" podcast from April 2021, Jimmy shared that former Miami Heat player and his close friend is the godfather of his daughter, Rylee. Advertisement When asked which NBA player he would most like to compete against, Jimmy named Kyle Lowry, emphasizing their close friendship and the lighthearted nature of their relationship despite the competitive atmosphere of the NBA. He humorously mentioned concerns about being perceived as "tampering" by the league if he said too much. Although Jimmy generally keeps his children out of the public eye, he has given fans glimpses of their time together. Notably, on Rylee's fourth birthday in October 2023, he participated wholeheartedly in her party, even getting his face painted in a TikTok video shared by ESPN. Inside Jimmy Butler's 2023 Trademark Move / MEGA As the Miami Heat prepared to face the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 NBA Finals, The Blast shared that the star player seized a valuable business opportunity by applying for the trademark "Himmy Buckets." Advertisement As the founder of Big Face Coffee, Jimmy aimed to expand his brand with a variety of products. On May 24, 2023, he filed a trademark application for "Himmy Buckets," including bottled water, soda, coffee, beer, mugs, cups, and apparel. This new venture reflected the athlete's ambition to diversify his entrepreneurial pursuits alongside his basketball career. His Big Face Coffee brand also teamed up with Lids HD for an exclusive project in April 2023. Their merchandise included hats, hoodies, shorts, and more. Are Jimmy Butler and Kaitlin Nowak moving close to resolving their legal issues?
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
WKBN Starting 5! 2025 boys basketball award winners announced
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Over the last 17 years, WKBN has honored some of the best high school basketball players in the Valley with our Starting 5 award. Watch the video above to see which players made the WKBN Boys Starting 5 this season. These high school basketball players have won championships, shattered school records and dominated our coverage all season. Here is our 2025 WKBN Boys Starting 5: Chaz Coleman – Warren Harding The All-American Conference Player of the Year posted 15 double-doubles this season, averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. Coleman helped lead the state-ranked Raiders to 19 wins, a conference title and the Division Two District Championship. Nathan Greer – Grove City The Eagles senior has not missed a single game in four years. Greer averaged over 20 points per game this season and helped lead Grove City to 19 wins and their third consecutive appearance in the State Tournament. He will graduate with 1,462 career points, making him the highest-scoring player in school history. Jaylen Gunther – Ursuline The sophomore sensation was named Steel Valley Conference Player of the Year after averaging over 21 points, 4.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game this season. Gunther helped lead Ursuline to 16 wins this year, along with back-to-back conference titles. Josue Rodriguez – Campbell Memorial The MVAC Player of the Year shattered a school record with 83 three-pointers this season and recorded the highest scoring game in school history when he poured in 45 points against Badger. Rodriguez averaged over 23 points per game, led the team in assists and steals, and helped lead Campbell to a conference title and the Division VI District Championship. Nick Ryan – Warren JFK The Eagles senior averaged over 26 points and 11 rebounds per game this season. He also led the team in both assists and steals. The reigning Trumbull County Player of the Year helped lead Kennedy to 72 career wins and two District titles. He will graduate as the school's all-time leading scorer and rebounder with a staggering 1,928 career points and 890 rebounds. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
