Media Man Wrestling Blog
Wrestling and MMA News
NXT The Great American Bash solid thumbs up says Media Man; Dallas Texas.
UFC Q&A/Media/Fans/Foxtel Group event in Sydney gets strong thumbs up
UFC 291, Salt Lake City, Utah, thumbs up
NXT The Great American Bash solid thumbs up says Media Man; Dallas Texas
Another NXT brand pro wrestling premium live event over-delivers
Media Man Wrestling Blog
Boxing/Combat Sports/Wrestling PPV (Pay-Per-View)
Logan Paul @LoganPaul and KSI @KSI will fight on the same card together. The rivals-turned-Prime business partners will headline a DAZN pay-per-view card on October 14 in Manchester. KSI via Instagram: The PRIME card is here! "We will both fight on the same night for the first time since our rematch in 2019, live on DAZN @DAZNBoxing PPV. Opponents will be announced soon."
Mams Taylor, KSI's manager, commented: "The most epic card in history incoming. Guaranteed!" KSI, 30, drew with Paul, 28, in 2018 before winning the rematch a year later by split-decision when they turned pro.
Paul is also signed to the world's largest/leading pro wrestling promotion, the WWE @WWE and has been able to showcase his energy drink Prime @PrimeHydrate a number of times as part of his pro wrestling/sports entertainment deal.
The WWE used to have PPV (Pay-Per-View) events but over the past few years migrated over to a PLE (Premium Live Event) and streaming service model, originally the WWE Network @WWENetwork , before many countries got the service and the former PPV's via a local media company. In Australia for example what was previously WWE Network content moved over to Binge @binge . Are you following us still?!
Streaming service lingo also included OTT (Over the top), the service - not the movies and docos of the same name. Media Man wishes Paul, KSI and their boxing squad well in their upcoming bouts.
The Media Man Group is currently increasing its streaming, PPV and combat sports coverage as the industry continues to be disrupted, with modest zine media firms such as MMA also doing some of the disrupting! As Aussie MMA (UFC @ufc ) living legend Volk told us during the week via a live mic, "what an exciting time"..(to be in the UFC), but the statement also holds much truth for the overall state of fighting sports as each fight promotion continues to carve our their own niche. The gloves are just about off in the world of fight promotions, but rivals still show respect for competing outfits, as well they might, as fighters are known to change "mobs" and promoters from time to time. Logan Paul (and his brother Jake Paul), as well as KSI, remain well placed to cash in on the ongoing battles in and out of the ring.
Paul has also had a recent back and forward with Aussie grappler Grayson Waller @GraysonWWE ..but now it appears they are more mates than rivals. 'The Rock's @TheRock name also gets dropped on the Paul podcasts from time to time. These Paul's are heat and headline generators. Part of the name of the game, and they know it! It's a Win-Win-Win as society shows little in the way of loosing their primal instinct for a good old fashioned fight (with a dash of social media on top to boot).
#combatsports #boxingnews #wrestling #LoganPaul #KSI #JakePaul #Misfits #Misfitsboxing #DAZN #WWE #UFC #PPV #ppvs #payperview #payperviews #streaming #sportsbiz #popculture #entertainmentnews #trends #buzz #media
Media Man Wrestling Blog
News Media and Pop Culture update
July 2023
McGregor "will not be intimidated' over sexual assault allegation from Miami Heat NBA finals game - June 2023
Thee NBA and the Miami Heat are investigating an allegation former UFC champion Conor McGregor sexually assaulted a woman inside an arena bathroom after Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
The woman’s attorney, Ariel Mitchell, said her client has provided Miami police with the clothing she was wearing on the night and a report had been filed.
McGregor’s attorney said the fighter denied any wrongdoing. “McGregor will not be intimidated,” said lawyer Barbara Llanes.
In letters sent to the NBA, the Heat and McGregor’s representatives, Mitchell detailed her client’s allegations and said the client would discuss “reasonable settlement offers” before June 12 or else proceed with litigation.
“We are aware of the allegations and are conducting a full investigation,” read a statement from the Heat. “Pending the outcome of the investigation, we will withhold further comment.”
The NBA had a similar statement, saying it was working with the Heat to gather information.
The alleged incident happened on the same night McGregor knocked out the Heat mascot in a midgame bit that went wrong.
Burnie, more specifically the man who occupies Burnie’s costume, briefly sought medical attention Friday night after taking two punches from McGregor during a third-quarter stoppage of Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Heat and the Denver Nuggets.
The employee, who was not identified, received pain medication and was recovering, the team said.
McGregor was there as a promotional gimmick for a pain-relief spray and was booed by many in the Miami crowd even before the bit started.
The flame mascot was wearing oversized boxing gloves and a robe akin to what a fighter would wear entering the ring for a bout.
McGregor hit Burnie with a left hook, knocking him down, then punched the mascot again after he hit the floor.
McGregor then tried to “spray” the mascot with the pain-relief product, while several members of the Heat’s in-game promotional team dragged Burnie off the court.
McGregor hasn’t fought since injuring his left leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. His last win came in January 2020.
Roman Reigns agrees to put his Tribal Chiefdom on the line against Jey Uso! - July 21, 2023
On a frenetic Friday Night SmackDown, the stakes between Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Jey Uso got magnified as Reigns agreed to put his Tribal Chiefdom on the line as well as his title against Jey at SummerSlam! Plus, “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio won his first NXT North American Title defense against Butch, Rey Mysterio advanced in the U.S. Title Invitational Tournament, Charlotte Flair overcame IYO SKY so much more!
Combat Sports News - Nate Diaz explains how Jake Paul trash talking Conor McGregor and Dee Devlin helped influence him into accepting the fight - 21st July 2023
Diaz (21-13 MMA) will be making his boxing debut against ‘The Problem Child‘ who has a 6-1 record in the ring, 4 of those wins via knockout.
Nate Diaz opened up about why he agreed to take the fight with Paul when speaking on the ‘Raw Talk’ podcast:
“This guy (Paul) actually thinks he’ll beat up everyone’s ass and he’s louder than all you fools who are really beating people’s ass. So, now I have to step the f**k out the box real quick and whup this motherf**ker’s ass so everyone knows who’s the real ass-whupper. You understand what I’m saying?”
Continuing the 38 year old shared:
“This fool was poppin’ off on everybody. Like, ‘Oh, we’re real fighters.’ Well prove it, motherf**ker. Go beat his ass for talking sh*t. He was going after everybody. On that big of a stage where he’s making everybody believe that, like you’re letting this guy talk sh*t to the whole roster? And ain’t no one saying sh*t? Louder than the roster? The UFC’s big, but the roster?”
Addressing what Jake Paul was saying about Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz continued:
“And then he was talking sh*t to Conor, talking sh*t to Conor and dissing his wife and sh*t? Some real disrespectful stuff that he shouldn’t have been saying. And nobody’s saying sh*t. I’m the one who said ‘Shut the f*ck up, b**ch. I’ll whup your ass. Have some respect.’ You’re gonna disrespect somebody’s wife and stuff like that who would actually whup your ass? To get a fight like that, that suppresses the fight fight game.”
Concluding, Nate Diaz said (h/t MMAMania):
“Like, that’s a real fight and you should shut the f*ck up, and no one’s saying anything because everyone’s acting like the whole roster, the UFC, everyone’s acting like ‘He can’t really.’ But he should shut the f*ck up. And no one’s speaking up, saying ‘Shut the f*ck up.’ So … shut the f*ck up.”
With the fight just 2 weeks away, it’s anyone’s guess as to who will be the victor after 10 rounds in the boxing ring.
UFC RAISES MORE THAN $130,500 FOR THE UFC FOUNDATION DURING INTERNATIONAL FIGHT WEEK
July 22, 2023
During the 11th Annual International Fight Week, UFC raised a total of $130,790 with net proceeds benefitting the UFC Foundation.
To commemorate International Fight Week, UFC raised funds across three charitable campaigns surrounding the week-long celebration, including VIP sweepstakes with digital charity platform 15 Seconds of Fame, the 2023 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and a week-long 50/50 raffle.
To coincide with IFW, UFC launched a statewide online and in-venue 50/50 raffle. Fans were able to participate in the raffle by purchasing tickets during the UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at T-Mobile Arena, at the Las Vegas Convention Center during UFC X, at ceremonial weigh-ins, and during UFC 290: VOLKANOVSKI vs. RODRIGUEZ at T-Mobile Arena. The raffle generated a total jackpot of $78,240, with 50% ($39,120) benefitting the UFC Foundation.
The winner of the remaining 50% of the jackpot, Jonathan Weber of Poinsettia, Ariz., who was making his second consecutive International Fight Week trip, will receive $39,120 after purchasing his 50/50 raffle ticket during UFC 290.
“We always contribute to the 50/50 raffle at every UFC event we attend,” said Weber. “We love watching the jackpot grow and build for the foundation. We have attended many UFC events and every time we go we buy raffle tickets! We’re going to take our winnings and pay some bills and create funds for our nine and four-year old daughters' savings accounts!”
Other funds raised during the week included $17,000 from a VIP sweepstakes for two tickets to sit in Dana White’s section during UFC 290 and $35,550 in ticket sales proceeds from the UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
UFC’s CSR activations during International Fight Week also included athletes visiting patients currently undergoing treatment at the Cure 4 The Kids Foundation and hosting a two-day youth freestyle wrestling clinic in partnership with Wrestle Like a Girl at UFC X.
The UFC Foundation works in tandem with UFC’s corporate social responsibility program, #UFCInTheCommunity, to strategically collaborate with partners, sponsors, and athletes to develop additional charitable programs and funding sources to help bolster and inspire the local community.
Since 2017, UFC has organized 29 50/50 raffles throughout North America that have grossed more than $1.55 million, with net proceeds benefitting local charitable organizations in the communities that have hosted UFC events throughout the United States and Canada.
UFC’s next 50/50 raffle will take place from Friday, September 15 – Saturday, September 16 at T-Mobile Arena as part of NOCHE UFC: GRASSO vs. SHEVCHENKO 2. For more information, please visit UFCFOUNDATION.
(UFC)
WWE® ANNOUNCES 27 ADDITIONAL DATES TO 2023 FALL LIVE EVENT TOURING SCHEDULE
STAMFORD, Conn., July 7, 2023 – WWE® (NYSE: WWE) today announced 27 additional live events as part of the company’s 2023 touring schedule. Tickets go on sale next Friday, July 14.
The schedule includes:
- Saturday, Sept. 9: WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event – Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y.
- Sunday, Sept. 10: WWE Sunday Stunner – John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Va.
Friday, Sept. 15: SmackDown® – Ball Arena in Denver, Colo.
Saturday, Sept. 16: WWE Supershow – Toyota Center in Kennewick, Wash.
Sunday, Sept. 17: WWE Supershow – Extra Mile Arena in Boise, Idaho
Monday, Sept. 18: Raw® – Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah
Friday, Sept. 22: SmackDown® – Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Ariz.
Saturday, Sept. 23: WWE Supershow – Acrisure Arena in Greater Palm Springs, Calif.
Sunday, Sept. 24: WWE Supershow – Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif.
Monday, Sept. 25: Raw® – Toyota Arena in Ontario, Calif.
Friday, Sept. 29: SmackDown® – Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif.
Saturday, Sept. 30: WWE Supershow – Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif.
Sunday, Oct. 1: WWE Supershow – Tahoe Blue Event Center in Lake Tahoe, Nev.
Monday, Oct. 2: Raw® – SAP Center in San Jose, Calif.
Friday, Oct. 6: SmackDown® – Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Mo.
Saturday, Oct. 7: WWE Fastlane – Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind.
Monday, Oct. 9: Raw® – CHI Health Center in Omaha, Neb.
Friday, Oct 13: SmackDown® – BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla.
Saturday, Oct. 14: WWE Supershow – T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo.
Sunday, Oct. 15: WWE Supershow – Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield, Mo.
Monday, Oct. 16: Raw® – Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Friday, Oct. 20: SmackDown® – AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas
Saturday, Oct. 21: WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event – Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg, Texas
Sunday, Oct. 22: WWE Sunday Stunner – Sames Auto Arena in Laredo, Texas
Monday, Oct. 23: Raw® – American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas
Friday, Oct. 27: SmackDown® – Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis.
Monday, Oct. 30: Raw® – Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C.
About WWE
WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The Company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly entertainment on its television programming, premium live events, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE’s TV-PG programming can be seen in more than 1 billion homes worldwide in 25 languages through world-class distribution partners including NBCUniversal, FOX, BT Sport, Sony India and Rogers. The award-winning WWE Network includes all premium live events, scheduled programming and a massive video-on-demand library and is currently available in more than 180 countries. In the United States, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, Peacock, is the exclusive home to WWE Network.
Additional information on WWE can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.
Aussie Open win Tag Team titles at ROH Death Before Dishonor
The duo won the titles in a four-way match.
Aussie Open are the new ROH Tag Team Champions.
Mark Davis and Kyle Fletcher won the titles at Friday’s Death Before Dishonor event, defeating former champions Penta El 0 M and Rey Fenix, Best Friends, and The Kingdom in a four-way match. The finish had Davis and Fletcher hitting Coriolis on Trent Beretta to win the titles for the first time.
Lucha Bros. had held the titles for 113 days, winning them back at Supercard of Honor on March 31 in a Reach for the Sky ladder match. The titles had been vacated due to the death of Jay Briscoe back in January.
Aussie Open had to vacate the IWGP and NJPW Strong Tag Team titles after Davis suffered a knee injury that required surgery. This was the first time since May that Aussie Open had teamed up, and the first time since they had signed with AEW.
The rest of the card saw champions retain their titles. The double main event had Claudio Castagnoli successfully retain the ROH World title against PAC, and Athena retain the ROH Women's title against Willow Nightingale.
Wrestling and sports announcing legend Jim Ross on AEW - July 2023
"Ian (Riccaboni) really distinguished himself in Calgary, I thought. I thought he and Nigel McGuinness had a hell of a night. I don't trust anybody any more than Ian Riccaboni to get the stuff in. We've got a great anchor with Excalibur and another great anchor with Ian Riccaboni and you just got to try it and see what kind of chemistry there is between teams. The team of Taz and Tony Schiavone and Excalibur is excellent. They really are excellent and they're getting their timing together. They're not talking over each other. They're trying, I think, not to use so many fu**ing pronouns. Then Nigel and Ian had a hell of a night, and that's leaving out Kevin Kelly in this debate. He'll be back as I understand it to do Collision, but I don't know how all that's gonna work out. I don't have any idea. But anyway, you just got to see if they got chemistry. The skill set it takes to have the patience to talk in sound bites and not make your dialogue about you. That's what we're waiting to see how that was all going to transfer.” - Jim Ross
AEW's Matt Hardy On The Pros & Cons Of Social Media - July 2023
Matt Hardy has remained a top star for several decades. However, his career was rejuvenated in a big way with the emergence of his break-out "Broken" character in TNA. The new persona wound up going viral on social media, thanks to wrestling fans. As a result of leveraging social media to his benefit, Hardy has a pretty solid grasp on the pros and cons of its usage, which he shared during a recent appearance on "Busted Open Radio."
AEW's Matt Hardy On The Pros & Cons Of Social Media
Matt Hardy has remained a top star for several decades. However, his career was rejuvenated in a big way with the emergence of his break-out "Broken" character in TNA. The new persona wound up going viral on social media, thanks to wrestling fans. As a result of leveraging social media to his benefit, Hardy has a pretty solid grasp on the pros and cons of its usage, which he shared during a recent appearance on "Busted Open Radio."
"I have said this for a long time. Social media is the best thing ever to happen and social media is the worst thing to ever happen," Hardy explained. "When you are on social media, it gives guys that are hungry and driven a great platform to promote themselves, to promote their business, to promote their projects — whatever it may be. But it also allows people to come on social media without accountability and without responsibility. And they can insult people and troll people."
Hardy recently encountered some toxicity at the hands of Jim Cornette and his fans on social media, but Hardy does his best to not let it affect him.. "Just because there are a group of people that may follow someone who is an antiquated relic in terms of his opinions — if they came at me and insult me that doesn't bother me at all," said Hardy. "Matter of fact, it is kind of like a badge of honor because I am picking up attention in some capacity". Hardy has realized the best response is not to waste energy arguing or trying to change opinions.
Hardy also recognizes social media isn't going anywhere, and he pushed that to thrive in society you needed to embrace technology and adapt to societal changes. "Social media is a magical thing. It is a monster. It is so powerful," said Hardy. "I just hope people try hard to be very responsible and use it for good."
ONE Championship To Host Four U.S. Events In 2024
ONE Championship, the world’s largest martial arts organization, today announced that the promotion will host four events in the United States in 2024.
Coming off a successful U.S. debut in May at 1stBank Center in Colorado with ONE Fight Night 10, ONE will look to carry its momentum into 2024 with a recurring cadence of ONE Fight Night events in America, which will air live on Prime Video in the U.S. and Canada. Cities, venues, and ticketing information will be announced at a later date.
Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “I am thrilled to announce that ONE Championship is coming back to the U.S. with four massive events in 2024. When we made our historic U.S. debut with ONE Fight Night 10 on Prime Video, I was blown away by the support we received from our fans in the U.S. ONE is home to the greatest martial artists in the world, and I’m excited to once again showcase our World Champions on American soil. To our fans that haven’t seen a live ONE event, I promise you an experience unlike anything you’ve ever seen.”
ONE Fight Night 10 featured Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson defending the ONE Flyweight World Title, the return of “Super” Sage Northcutt, the U.S. debuts of Thai superstars Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Stamp Fairtex, and more. Milestones for the event included:
Tickets: Sold out 1stBank Center in Colorado
Viewership: Most watched event to date for ONE on Prime Video
Search: A new peak on Google Trends for “ONE Championship” in the U.S.
Social: #ONEFightNight10 trended #1 on Twitter in the U.S. and Canada for Sports
Prime Video Partnership: Merch on Demand QR codes for ONE apparel, in-stadium Twitch Watch Parties featuring ONE athletes, live coverage throughout fight week
Stage Front VIP, the exclusive U.S. VIP experience partner of ONE, will continue to provide fans with unrivaled access through immersive VIP experiences that include premier seating, premium hospitality offerings, athlete meet-and-greets, event collectibles, after-party access, and more.
Streaming quotas decision would ease Hollywood strike headache: studio boss - July 16, 2023
Australia’s film and television sector will avoid major disruption as a result of union strikes in Hollywood, although the Albanese government is being urged to finalise its decision over proposed local content quotas to ease uncertainty in the industry.
Former chief executive of Nine Entertainment Hugh Marks – who last year founded Australian studio Dreamchaser alongside former Endemol Shine boss Carl Fennessy – said the writer and actor strike had added a layer of complexity to the Australian industry.
After announcing in January it would implement local content requirements for international streaming services, the government is yet to set a number for the quota. A spokesperson for Tony Burke, minister for the arts and for workplace and employment relations, reaffirmed a decision would be made this side of the new year, ahead of its implementation in July 2024.
Marks said the local offices of the likes of Netflix, Disney and Apple will be affected by the strikes, with Australian content pitches increasingly being angled towards a global audience.
The strikes have coincided with a period where streamers have shifted gears from “a gold rush of global domination”, Marks says, to being forced to figure out how to monetise their vast audiences.
Several, including Netflix, Disney+ and Binge locally, have turned to advertising as a contributing solution. A clear direction from the government, he says, would ease the headache over decision-making on domestic content.
“The one thing that would really be beneficial now would be the release of the new proposed laws about quotas in this market because that would certainly give everyone some focus as to at least what’s got to be done domestically,” Marks says.
“I’m certainly encouraging the government to act sooner rather than later to remove that unnecessary lack of certainty from the local market.”
In a positive for the local industry, a statement on Friday from Screen Producers Australia (SPA) noted the strike does not apply to non-scripted productions, including documentaries, light entertainment and reality shows – the latter of which is widely noted to be a beneficiary of the writers’ strike in 2007.
SPA said it anticipated a limited number of non-Australian productions will be affected by the strikes locally. The body said all scripted local productions produced and controlled by Australian production companies that have engaged Australian and Imported SAG members will continue unaffected, provided they engage all cast under Australian Industry Contracts in accordance with the Global Rule One Agreement between SAG-AFTRA and the Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA).
While it has been suggested prolonged strikes in the US could see an additional influx of Australian-produced content, Marks believes it is too early in the process to think that might be the outcome.
The country’s biggest streaming services are required under legislation introduced by the Morrison government to report their spending on Australian content to the authority. The big five – Netflix, Stan, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and Paramount+ – reported that in 2021-22 they collectively spent $668.5 million on “Australian” and “Australian-related” content.
Last month, NBC Universal walked away from its $180 million sci-fi series, Metropolis, which had pre-production under way at Docklands Studios in Melbourne. After the actors union voted to strike last week, the Sam Neill/Annette Bening drama Apples Never Fall, halted on Friday. Production was already under way in Queensland, budgeted at an estimated $79 million.
NBC Universal signed a content deal with Foxtel in November, with an extended deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, owner of the highly regarded network HBO, in February.
Foxtel’s streaming service Binge has relied heavily on content from HBO for its sustained growth since launching in 2020, with popular shows such as White Lotus, Succession, and The Last of Us. Binge was responsible for 11.9 per cent of all new Streaming Video on Demand subscriptions in the first quarter of this year, according to data from Kantar, with 18 per cent of all of its new user acquisitions driven by The Last of Us, its blockbuster nine-part series that debuted in January.
Local players including Foxtel and Stan (owned by Nine) were approached for comment on the impact of their programming schedules.
One of the streamer’s largest subscription drivers in 2022, House of the Dragon, will continue filming in the UK, due to the show being largely comprised of British actors with contracts governed by the local union, Equity.
Paramount, which owns Network Ten and streaming service Paramount+, is understood to not be affected by the strikes. While it benefits from a constant stream of content from Paramount Studios, the local arm of the company has focused its efforts on Australian-produced content, which includes shows such as The Last King of the Cross, Five Bedrooms, and the recently green-lit series NCIS: Sydney, being produced locally by Endemol Shine.
Screen Producers Australia wants a 20 per cent levy on the streamers’ Australian revenue, while the streamers insist they are spending plenty already, with local TV networks in agreement.
In May, a submission by industry body Free TV, which represents Nine, Seven West Media and Network Ten, said it opposed the introduction of quotas for local productions, arguing the screen production industry in Australia is already booming.
Free TV doubled down this week, calling for a balanced approach to the introduction of streaming quotas. In response to comments by Bryan Brown AM in an address to the National Press Club, Bridget Fair, CEO of Free TV Australia said the group invests $1.5 billion every year in Australian content.
“But if the Government is going to impose content quotas on streaming services, it needs to carefully consider the impact this will have on the Australian public who rely on free services from our local broadcasters,” she said.
Australian tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes splits from wife - 22nd July 2023
An Australian tech billionaire worth $19 billion has reportedly split from his wife after 13 years of marriage.
Australian tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes has reportedly split from his wife after 13 years of marriage.
Sources close to the family of Mr Cannon-Brookes, who is Australia’s sixth-richest person and the co-founder of Atlassian, have confirmed he is separating from his wife, Annie, according to Nine newspapers.
The couple married in 2010.
Their separation comes just a week after the high-profile split of Australia’s richest couple, Twiggy and Nicola Forrest.
The Forrests, who had been married for 31 years, said they were living apart but insisted the separation will not impact their mining and philanthropy empire.
Mr Cannon-Brookes made his estimated $19 billion fortune alongside fellow Aussie billionaire Scott Farquhar, with whom he co-founded software firm Atlassian in 2002.
The company is widely considered a great Australian success story, its share price having quintupled since it was listed on the US stock exchange in 2015.
Atlassian has, however, suffered a tough 12 months amid broader turmoil in the tech sector. In March, the company laid off 500 workers just a few months after a dramatic hiring blitz.
In a self-described “no bulls**t” note to staff, Mr Cannon-Brookes and Mr Farquhar said it was a “very hard day in our 20 year history” and they were “deeply sorry” to make the job cuts.
“To be clear, this decision is not a reflection of Atlassian’s own financial performance, as we will be reinvesting in roles that better support our priorities,” they wrote.
The Cannon-Brookes family owns an impressive property portfolio, including the 1.1-hectare Fairwater estate, previously the home of the late Lady Mary Fairfax, which they acquired in 2018 for a reported $100 million. It was believed to be the priciest property sale in Australian history.
In June, the couple forked out $14.25 million to buy a home in Newport, on Sydney’s northern beaches, neighbouring the $24.5 million estate they purchased in 2020.
The five-bedroom home is set on a 3000-square-metre block of land and features a 1000-square-metre netted bathing area.
Cannon-Brookes, who was previously a fashion designer, was born in the US.
It’s believed he and Annie met at a Qantas lounge during a trip between Sydney and San Francisco.
Endeavour calls on states to work together on gambling reform
Endeavour Group boss Steve Donohue has urged state and territory governments to work more closely together when considering policies to fight problem gambling, as the hotels’ operator promises to get a jump on implementing gaming reforms unveiled in Victoria this week.
Donohue said on Thursday that Endeavour, one of the largest operators of poker machines in the country, has written to state governments calling for a “more co-ordinated and collaborative approach” and to make sure that knowledge is shared across all states on proposals such as cashless gaming and facial recognition technology.
He said there was room for the states to share more insights with each other about the impact and efficacy of different policy measures.
“What we are saying is we think there is an opportunity for deeper collaboration and more co-ordination in relation to various approaches, suggestions and ideas,” he said.
“We can learn from the experiences that each state and territory is having.”
A spokesperson for New South Wales Gaming and Racing Minister David Harris said the state was committed to working with all stakeholders to deliver evidence-based gambling reform.
“We will be paying very close attention to the activities of other jurisdictions, such as the Victorian government and the evidence they unearth through the work of their implementation working group,” they said.
“Just this week the minister met with the ACT minister for gaming to continue collaboration and discussion on gambling reform across jurisdictions.”
Endeavour told shareholders on Thursday that the company would move swiftly to implement changes after the Victorian government unveiled proposed reforms to gaming machine regulations on Sunday.
The state’s plan for reducing gambling harm includes slower spin times for games, mandatory closing periods for gaming room floors, mandatory pre-commitment limits and a load-up limit of $100, which will cap how much an individual can put in a machine at a time.
Endeavour confirmed it would adjust the hours of gaming machine areas at its ALH Hotels in Victoria, so they close between 4am and 10am by August 31; 10 months ahead of the government’s proposed timeline.
This would bring Victoria’s rules in line with operating-hours regulations in NSW and South Australia.
The company also confirmed it supported the $100 load-up limit and would bring this into operation for Victorian machines “as soon as is practicable”.
Shares in the business closed 9.9 per cent weaker on Monday as investors and analysts considered what impact the reforms would have on the group’s earnings.
Goldman Sachs analysts said on Monday that the exact impact would be difficult to estimate, but said it could lower earnings by 0.5 per cent to 1.8 per cent during the 2024 financial year.
E&P Financial analyst Philip Kimber said policies such as the $100 load-up limit were likely to have a smaller impact on Endeavour’s financials than the Victorian government’s policy on pre-commitment limits.
“There is no change to our view that the Victorian government proposal with the potential to have the most material impact on electronic gaming machine spend in Endeavour’s Victorian pubs is mandatory pre-commitment limits [via carded play],” he said in a note to clients on Thursday.
Endeavour shares opened stronger but did not maintain momentum during Thursday’s session as the broader market stayed flat. The stock was up 0.3 per cent to $5.91 in late afternoon trade, but still down by 5.6 per cent over the past five days.
Media Man commentary for David Rowe Illustrations as per The Australian Financial Review
Pen Dan Thon Games For Four. Great art.
No Pentathlon. No nothing. Gang of four. Gonzo and satire +. Commentary open to interpretation, as per pro wrestling legend John Cena's Instagram. Beauty of otherwise in the eye of the beholder. Alternative commentary: Sports biz blessing in disuise and doddged a bullet from the range.
Media Man commentary for Mike Mooneyham feature on 'The Bloodline' and wrestling factions news in the WWE
Exactly. But, hopefully it becomes the "new normal" for the WWE version of pro wrestling. The Judgement Day faction also looks very promising to me with Dirty Dom as a heat seeking "killer heel" element, while going after all of the belts. Tony D gets seen on today's WWE SmackDown backstage and he's got "mob" and family business history with Escobar, so LWO also gets a shot in the arm. So much better than 3 to 5 years ago. The Triple H era with apparent assistance by Shawn Michaels and a few others who listened to fans of pro wrestling. Paul Heyman fingerprints over the "crime scenes" for the past 56 months or so. And WWE business is at historic levels. Feel welcome to quote me.
Media Man commentary for recent scribes in Search Engine Journal - 2023
SEJ's Kristi on the latest on the Hollywood writers strike connection with AI, human writers and the like..To paraphrase the world's leading tech entrepreneur/innovator, Elon Musk, "Once you summon the beast (of AI) there's no turning back". For me, founding and overseeing a modest size independent media and online publishing firm.Insew both opportunity and threats with AI. More threats at this stage of the game.. Circa 1980 pro wrestling legend, "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes cut a promo which was decades ahead of its time and included the verse, "A computer took my job Daddy"..and "that's hard times". Well, we may not be quiet at that point but social is inching closer. We are somewhat reluctantly starting to embrace some A.I elements. Twitter Spaces broadcast raised interesting points on AI in business and life over the past week. The part about "summoning the demon" is still giving me mild nightmares. AI can certainly save publishers and the like a considerable amount of money? How? By reducing if not elimination of human writers, web-coders and so on. Ying and yang. AI wins and a human loses. But, humans are still in control right?! This is getting me even more fired up for the potential match: Musk vs Zuck! Man vs Machine!
Media Man commentary for Search Engine Journal: Supercharge your Alt text SEO strategy
SEJ - Alt Text AI.. motivated to work on an AI project to help get the best parts of the subject and have AI write one of these AI articles for us. Open AI, xAI, Bard and/or other! AI tender wars could be a potential growing trend. Save time and save money by not having to pay a human to do a job an AI robot machine can do! "Never pay a human to do a machines job". (Agent Smith -;The Matrix). In AI and SEJ we trust. Man over machine or Machine vs Human? Can they both co-exist in the AI SEO space or will a battle be looming or more a Darwinism for the AI writer and scribe. An AI writer will work for nothing and around the clock 365 right? Little wonder the article was done or largely done by AI. A growing trend, or a one-off? All the news that's fit to print on SEO. AI SEO all the way to the bank.
Netflix reveals jaw-dropping result after password sharing crackdown
The streaming giant has unveiled the results of its controversial password-sharing crackdown – and they’re quite staggering.
Netflix has revealed that subscriptions to their streaming service climbed by nearly six million in the wake of its crackdown on password sharing.
The streaming giant finished the recently ended quarter with a total of 238 million subscribers and a profit of $US1.5 billion ($1.77 billion), according to an earnings release.
The pick-up in subscribers came as a potentially crippling writers and actors strike hits the US entertainment industry, but with analysts saying Netflix is better positioned than its rivals to weather the storm.
“We are constantly at the table negotiating with everyone across the industry,” Netflix co-chief executive Ted Sarandos said during an earnings presentation.
“We need to get to this strike to a conclusion so that we can all move forward.”
Revenue came in lower than expectations with Netflix posting $US8.2 billion ($12 billion) in sales over the April to June period, pushing the company’s shares down more than eight per cent in after hours trading on Wall Street.
Netflix in May expanded its crackdown on users sharing passwords with people beyond their immediate family as it seeks to shore up revenue after a rough patch last year.
Earlier this year the company complained that more than 100 million households were sharing accounts at the service.
“Let’s face it, the crackdown on passwords is working,” Navellier and Associates chief investment officer Louis Navellier said of Netflix.
“I was ecstatic with the results; I think they hit the ball out of the park with subscriber growth.” In its earning statement, the company said that the policy would expand to all its markets worldwide.
To convert non-paying users, Netflix has introduced “borrower” or “shared” accounts, in which subscribers can add extra viewers for a higher price or transfer viewing profiles to new accounts.
Netflix launched an ad-subsidised offering around the same time as the crackdown, and on Wednesday eliminated its lowest priced ad-free plan that cost $10 a month in the US.
“The decision to cut its basic tier is an effort to bolster advertising by elevating the price difference between its advertising and non-advertising tiers,” said Insider Intelligence principal analyst Ross Benes.
“Building an ads business from scratch isn’t easy and we have lots of hard work ahead, but we’re confident that over time we can develop advertising into a multi-billion dollar incremental revenue stream,” Netflix said in the letter to shareholders.
Benes estimates that Netflix will generate $US770 million ($1.13 billion) in advertising revenue in the US this year, and more than US$1 billion by 2024.
“Netflix’s increased focus on password sharing will occur alongside heightened pressure to expand ad revenue,” Benes said.
“As the service’s subscriber base plateaus in more countries, Netflix will focus on moving price-sensitive freeloaders to its cheaper ad-supported plan.”
Actors on strike
The earnings report came as Netflix and other film and television makers see productions halted by an actors and writers strike in the United States.
“The share price is down a bit after market; there is worry they will run out of content because of the Hollywood strike,” Navellier told AFP.
Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) members joined writers who have been on strike for weeks, triggering the first industry-wide walkout for 63 years and effectively shutting down Hollywood.
“Our experts say that Netflix is best positioned to weather the strike compared to competitors, but it could start to feel pressure if its content pipeline gets increasingly strained,” said Third Bridge analyst Jamie Lumley.
Sarandos said on an earnings call in April that the company has a “pretty robust slate of releases” and a large base of upcoming films and shows from around the world to help it endure a strike.
The company touted the success of fresh Murder Mystery and Extraction films, as well as series such as Bridgerton, The Witcher and Never Have I Ever.
“This year we’ll have more returning seasons than any other streamer,” Netflix told shareholders, sharing a list that included The Crown and Virgin River.
Netflix scraps huge comeback movie for beloved 80s franchise - July 2023
Netflix has scrapped a huge comeback movie for a beloved 80s series, despite already spending more than $44m developing it.
Netflix has scrapped a huge comeback movie for a beloved 80s series.
Despite spending more than $44m on the project, it seems the upcoming film has officially been given the axe by the streaming giant.
The Masters of the Universe – based on the He-Man and other Mattel toys – has been in the works at Netflix since 2019.
The streaming giant already released an animated series, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe in 2021, and two other shows were also in development.
However according to Variety, despite the extortionate amount of money spent on development costs, the project has been axed.
The news reportedly comes after “budget concerns” were raised.
The project previously had a tough time trying to find its way to the big screen as it went through both Warner Bros. and Sony Pictures.
Many writers have been involved in the project since 2007, as well as acclaimed directors Jon M. Chu and McG.
Huge names were attached to the film including The Lost City directors Adam and Aaron Nee and lead actor Kyle Allen, 28, who is best known for roles in West Side Story and American Horror Story.
Significant pre-production procedures took place even though producers worked to get the budget down.
Netflix reportedly rejected a $180 million budget as it never officially gave the project the green light.
Although the film is no longer at Netflix, Mattel is reportedly looking for a new home for the film.
CEO of the company Ynon Kreiz recently told The New Yorker: “It’s hundreds of pages of characters and sorcerers and vehicles and weaponry – you name it.
“And then you flip through the pages, and here’s a movie, and here’s a movie, and here’s a TV show. . . . it’s endless!”
The film is based off a toy line franchise of the same name, which was also a hit cartoon series that aired from 1983 to 1985 and consisted of 65 episodes.
The series was so successful that it spawned a spin-off series, She-Ra: Princess of Power, following the adventures of He-Man’s sister, Princess Adora.
A live action movie version was released in 1987 which starred the likes of Dolph Lundgren, Courteney Cox and Frank Langella.
‘They Live’, starring Roddy Piper, returning To U.S theaters For 35th Anniversary
John Carpenter’s classic They Live, starring WWE star Roddy Piper, Keith David, and Meg Foster, came out in 1988. The film is based on “Eight O’Clock in the Morning” by Ray Nelson. As AMC Theatres summarized, They Live centers around “aliens who are gaining control of the earth by masquerading as humans and the one man determined to stop them.” This special anniversary event will feature an exclusive intro from director John Carpenter.” To commemorate the movie’s thirty-fifth anniversary, it is returning to theaters on September 3 and 6 through Fathom Events. The special edition will include an exclusive intro from Carpenter.
Meta and other social media giants blocking news in Canada - July 2023
Some Instagram users in Canada are finding their access to news accounts restricted as Meta and other social media companies prepare for the country’s Online News Act to come into effect. Meta, the company that owns Instagram and Facebook, says it underwent testing in June to limit some users and publishers from viewing or sharing news content in Canada. It says tests impact up to five per cent of Canadian users. Many have questions about the federal government’s Online News Act, why it’s being opposed by social media companies and how the friction between the two will impact Canadian users. Here are some of your questions, answered.
What is the Online News Act?
The Online News Act, or Bill C-18, is a piece of Canadian legislation that requires tech companies like Google and Meta to compensate news outlets for sharing links to their pages. The law received royal assent on June 22 and is slated to take effect “no later than 180 days” after that date.
What are the concerns for social media companies?
Critics, including Meta and Google, say Bill C-18 is unfair, unworkable and amounts to a tax on links, with no recognition of the traffic or “free marketing” the tech companies provide to news publishers. Along with blocking access to some users, Meta has begun an ad campaign on its Facebook and Instagram platforms, criticizing the law and explaining its decision to remove news links.
“The Online News Act is based on the incorrect premise that social media companies benefit unfairly from news content shared on our platforms, but the reverse is true,” said Lisa Laventure, spokesperson for Meta, in a statement Monday. “News outlets voluntarily share content on social media to expand their audiences and help their bottom line. Unfortunately, the only way we can reasonably comply with this legislation is to end news availability for people in Canada in the coming weeks.”
Is this what the bill’s proponents wanted?
No. Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez called Meta’s move “disappointing” and said Canadians will not be intimidated by these tactics. Meanwhile, Paul Deegan, the head of News Media Canada, called Meta’s move a “kick in the shins” to Canadians at a time when the value and need for credible information has never been greater.
“Meta’s decision to ‘unfriend’ Canada by denying access to trusted sources of news for some of their users, as wildfires burn and when public safety is at stake, is irresponsible and tone deaf,” Deegan told CBC News in an email. “This hard-nose lobbying tactic is more evidence of the power imbalance that exists between dominant platforms and publishers.”
Will this happen to all of us soon?
In order to comply with the law, both Google and Meta have stated they would remove news links in Canada before the law comes into effect by the end of the year. Rodriguez has said Google and Meta do not have obligations under the law because the regulatory process is just beginning.
“We’re deeply convinced that Google’s and Facebook’s concerns can be resolved through the regulatory process. If Facebook truly believes that news has no value, they can say so at the negotiating table,” Rodriguez said in a statement on Monday. “Threats to pull news instead of complying with the laws in our country only highlight the power that platforms hold over news organizations, both big and small.” Google has said it will work with the government throughout the regulatory process, while Meta believes the process isn’t equipped to make changes to parts of the legislation with which it disagrees.
What is CBC doing about this?
Legacy media and broadcasters have praised the bill, which promises to “enhance fairness” in the digital news marketplace and help bring in more money for shrinking newsrooms. Tech giants including Meta and Google have been blamed in the past for disrupting and dominating the advertising industry, eclipsing smaller, traditional players. CBC/Radio-Canada’s corporate position is that the Online News Act will help level the playing field and contribute to a healthy news ecosystem in Canada “at a time when 80 per cent of digital ad revenue goes to Facebook and Google,” said spokesperson Leon Mar. In an editor’s blog, CBC News editor-in-chief Brodie Fenlon has suggested audiences follow the broadcaster on TikTok and other apps, such as Gem and CBC Listen.
Has there been pushback?
Meta, which is based in Menlo Park, Calif., has taken similar steps in the past. In 2021, it briefly blocked news from its platform in Australia after the country passed legislation that would compel tech companies to pay publishers for using their news stories. It later struck deals with Australian publishers. Gregory Taylor, a communications, media and film professor at the University of Calgary, pointed to Australia as an example for why Canadian news publishers should hold strong on their position.
“Facebook is really trying to assert itself, but in the end they can’t afford to lose a lot of these markets,” Taylor previously told CBC North. “I believe that we are at the leading edge of getting these companies to contribute to our democracy by bringing in this kind of funding model.”
What is the answer to combat this?
Alfred Hermida, a journalism professor at the University of British Columbia, believes C-18 is a “flawed piece of legislation” that doesn’t address greater issues in the news industry, such as the concentration of private media ownership.
“It doesn’t take into account the record profits of media conglomerates like Bell and Rogers,” he previously told CBC News. “And it doesn’t really do anything to support for more than 140 journalism startups that have been created in Canada since the year 2000.” In the near term, private messaging and chat groups may also be alternatives as Meta’s Facebook Messenger does not appear to be affected by the company’s plans to block news links.
In conclusion, the implementation of Canada’s Online News Act has led to restrictions on news accounts for some Instagram users in the country. Meta and other social media companies have undergone testing to limit the viewing and sharing of news content in Canada. The Online News Act requires tech companies to compensate news outlets for sharing links to their pages. Social media companies like Meta and Google oppose the law, stating that it is unfair and amounts to a tax on links. Meta’s decision to block news links has been criticized by proponents of the bill, who argue that it is irresponsible and highlights the power imbalance between platforms and publishers. Both Google and Meta have announced plans to remove news links in Canada before the law comes into effect. CBC/Radio-Canada supports the Online News Act, believing it will enhance fairness in the digital news marketplace. There has been pushback from social media companies, with Meta previously blocking news in Australia but later striking deals with publishers. The answer to combat this issue is still being debated, with some arguing that the legislation does not address larger issues in the news industry. In the meantime, private messaging and chat groups may serve as alternatives for accessing news content.
Top 5 Movies about writers on Netflix
Movies are a great part of our lives. They make us happy and sad, inspire us to embark on journeys to unknown lands, and become our escape when everything seems to go down. You can find a movie about literally anything and use it as a tool to get out of a crisis.
This is especially relevant for academic writers and their blocks. The writing industry knows no boundaries, starting with novel writers who spend years on their books and finishing with professional essay writers who can finish a difficult assignment in 8 hours. SmartWritingService is a great sample of such websites.
Both get writer’s blocks from time to time. Just like batteries, they need to be recharged to continue their work. Sometimes it’s the feeling of the worthlessness of what they do, while other times, it’s just general exhaustion.
If you’re in a similar situation, let us help you recharge with the 5 best movies about writers!
TOP 5 MOVIES ABOUT WRITERS
These will enchant you with interesting stories and help get your mind off the struggle. Get some popcorn, a blanket for extra coziness, and let’s begin.
STRANGER THAN FICTION
This is an extraordinary story that comes alive thanks to an amazing cast. Here you can see legends such as Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson. Another treat is Will Ferrel in an unusual role for him. We all know the actor for his humor and sarcasm, but in this movie, he’s a completely different, serious, character.
With this movie, you will experience all the stages of the writing process, a unique interpretation of it, and the way to make your characters open from new sides on screen. It’s unique, creative, and very engaging. The movie will leave an impression you won’t be able to shake off for several days. And you won’t have to!
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
If you’re more into romantic stories, this movie is a great choice for your rewind time. This is Woody Allen at his best! The movie shows a story, filled with romance and comedy, about a promising writer on a journey to the most loving and loved city of the world, Paris, with his fiancee.
The author, played by the talented Owen Wilson, is filled with fears, a lot of writers have, no matter the genre, experience, or era. The movie takes a fantastic twist when the writer meets a lot of authors he was inspired by before their famous breakthroughs. Their stories help him overcome every doubt and fear, coming out a completely new person and giving himself a chance.
The story is enhanced by the beauty of the French capital, which is just magical.
SWIMMING POOL
This movie is more of a thriller, for those who like to be on the edge of their seats, thinking of nothing more but the plot. It’s about deadlines (the most powerful thriller for a writer anyway) and inspiration in unexpected places. The main character, played by Charlotte Rampling, is nearing her deadline that comes as quickly as an express train. She has a new novel to present to her publisher, and it should become as good as her previous successful book, maybe even better.
She goes to the countryside in France and meets a teen played by Ludivine Sagnier. As teenagers can be, she’s quite rebellious, but the writer, unexpectedly, finds inspiration and motivation in their interaction that drives her to make the book much better. The story is filled with mystery, as well.
WILDE
The name of the movie says everything. Oscar Wilde is one of the most unique and famous writers in the world. This story highlights certain parts of his personal life, where a lot of writers can find similarities or explanations to some of their questions.
The author appreciated beauty in everything, was quite witty and painfully honest in his works. This movie can help you gain a new understanding of the world of writing, personal crisis, and more. Besides, you’ll find out a lot of new information about the writer, which is always interesting.
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
For everyone who loves pretty things, this is an incredibly beautiful movie. It stars Gwyneth Paltrow and is a special film in her life. The actress won an Academy Award for it! This is a drama-comedy about a writer that everyone around the world knows.
We learn about Shakespeare in school, and some continue to do it due to their major or sheer interest in this extraordinary person and a talented writer. The movie is highly entertaining and beautiful, shot in a traditional British manner. If you’re struggling with writer’s block, this film is a must-watch!
Pop Culture Podcast Wars; Media Man Monthly awards
4 Way Tie: Logan Paul's Impaulsive, WWE's Out Of Character, Joe Rogan and Russell Brand
TMZ wins Media Man 'Pop Culture News Outlet Of The Month'
WWE wins Media Man 'Wrestling Promotion Of The Month' Runner-ups: All Elite Wrestling, Game Changer Wrestling and National Wrestling Alliance
Search Engine Journal wins Media Man 'Search News Outlet Of The Month'; Runner-up: Search Engine Land
Media Man Wrestling Blog
Mike Tyson, Ric Flair, and Hulk Hogan Will Appear at CHAMPS Trade Show on July 20 for Carma HoldCo
The three icons will be at the booths of their distinguished partners, Futurola, LGNDS, Grenco Sciences, Toobs Distribution, and HSWSupply.
LAS VEGAS, July 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mike Tyson, Ric Flair, and Hulk Hogan will appear at the CHAMPS Trade Show on July 20 at the Las Vegas Convention Center starting at 2 pm on behalf of Carma HoldCo, the global leader in licensing for legends.
The three icons will appear on behalf of their Carma HoldCo brands, Tyson 2.0, Ric Flair Drip, Wooooo! Energy, and Immortal by Hulk Hogan, at the booths of their respective partners, Futurola, LGNDS, Grenco Sciences, Toobs Distribution, and HSWSupply.
"We cannot wait to have three of the biggest names in pop culture for an unforgettable experience at CHAMPS on July 20th," said Chad Bronstein, Chairman and President of Carma HoldCo. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for buyers, distributors, and fans to see these legends together alongside our distinguished partners."
Those partners include:
Futurola (Booth #2006) is a leading producer of world-class rolling and smoking accessories like the Futurola x TYSON 2.0 Blunt Cones, a masterful blend of tobacco-free, cruelty-free, blunt paper and terpenes from Tyson's favorite strain, the Toad.
LGNDS (Booth #5153) is a leading manufacturer and distributor of unique consumer products in hemp, tobacco, and over-the-counter goods, like Wooooo! Energy, with a portfolio of legendary licenses, including Mike Tyson, Ric Flair, and Future.
Grenco Science (Booth #13023) pioneered advanced cannabis vaporizers and has developed and engineered cutting-edge hardware since 2017, like the new Tyson 2.0 x G Pen Hyer. This intuitive, dual-use vaporizer delivers best-in-class flavor and vapor production.
Toobs Distribution (Booth #3099) is the leading distributor of premium smoking accessories on the West Coast, servicing over 450 retailers, and is the exclusive glass manufacturer for Tyson 2.0 in partnership with Empire Glassworks.
HSW Supply (Booth #13007) is the go-to source for vape and smoke shops nationwide seeking a one-stop-shop wholesaler. HSW Supply will unveil a selection of Immortal by Hulk Hogan products at Champs
See the three icons at the premiere counterculture trade show on July 20 in Las Vegas.
About Carma HoldCo
Carma HoldCo creates iconic global brands through licensing and is the brand house behind Mike Tyson's Tyson 2.0, Ric Flair's Ric Flair Drip, and Wooooo! Energy, two-time GRAMMY winner Future's EVOL by Future, and Hulk Hogan's Immortal by Hulk Hogan.
Media Man Wrestling Blog
Murdoch’s betting play is about to fall apart - July 2023
As Lachlan Murdoch would know, his family’s fondness for gambling is popularly attributed to his great-grandfather Rupert Greene, who was so unsuccessful at it that his friends secured him a job as race starter at Flemington racecourse for 31 years, a job which barred him from betting on horses.
Lachlan’s own form as a punter is still undetermined.
Next month he and his father Rupert face a make-or-break decision on Fox Bet, Lachlan’s attempt to break into the lucrative online betting industry.
A year ago, News Corp was pouring money into Betr, its joint start-up with gaming entrepreneur Matthew Tripp. The key to this transaction was the plan heavily pushed by Lachlan to merge News Corp and Fox Corp, with Betr becoming the Australian version of Fox Bet. Betr would be the first example of Fox/News synergy.
Nationwide News began with a modest $2.9 million outlay, but a flurry of capital raisings up to late December pushed its total investment to $65 million.
In January, however, Lachlan had to throw in the towel on the Fox-News merger idea, which meant the whole international Fox Bet plan was toast, and overnight News Corp’s risk appetite for Betr disappeared.
As this paper reported in February, News reported a $US33 million equity loss from affiliates in the December half year, most of it from the investment in Betr. That $US33 million figure is after tax, of course. That makes the pre-tax loss in Aussie dollars around $70 million, with a further $US10 million loss from equity affiliates in the March quarter. News Corp has well and truly lost its shirt on the gee-gees.
Of course losing money doesn’t mean that betting platforms aren’t worth anything. Fox emerged from last November’s mediation tussle with UK giant Flutter Entertainment with confirmation that it has a valid 10-year option to buy 18.6 per cent of Flutter’s FanDuel, which claims to have half the US online betting market. FanDuel is yet to break even, but the sliding option deal currently values it at $US22 billion.
But it was Fox Bet that was to be Lachlan’s big play. While he was keen to use Fox Sports coverage as a springboard to build a sports betting platform, he didn’t want Fox to run it. Instead, in 2018 he did a deal with The Stars Group (TSG) to run Fox Bet as a joint venture.
Months later Flutter bought TSG and inherited control of Fox Bet. Fox claims Flutter starved Fox Bet of funds, favouring FanDuel instead – a claim which the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services decision in November rejected.
Critics say Fox Bet’s technology is clunky. It is rolled out in just four states and has less than 1 per cent of the US market.
So, it’s decision time. In August, Flutter can walk away from the Fox Bet joint venture, which means either Fox steps up with its own funding and organisation to run it, or Fox Bet gets canned.
It’s a tough decision, given all the personal capital the Murdoch scion has invested in the idea of building a betting empire. That’s all about to fall apart, unless he doubles down. Suppose he has to ask himself: Do I feel lucky?
(AFR)
Sportsbet splashed more than $64m on gambling ads in 18 months - July 2023
Sportsbet, the country’s largest online bookmaker, has spent $64 million on television ads during live sport and racing events in the past 18 months, more than triple the amount spent by rivals Tabcorp and Ladbrokes.
Confidential spending data, compiled by researchers at Nielsen and obtained by The Australian Financial Review, shows the extent of spending by bookmakers at a time when the federal government is considering whether to place a ban on gambling advertising on television
The proposal from a parliamentary inquiry has worried the major broadcasters, with bookmakers already scaling back their spending. There are fears a complete ban will choke off tens of millions of dollars that flow into the coffers of broadcasters and sporting organisations.
The data shows Tabcorp has spent only $5 million since the government’s online gambling inquiry commenced in mid-October. Other major competitors also reduced the amount they spent on the Nine Network, Seven Network and Network Ten as the inquiry dragged into the new year.
The inquiry, chaired by Labor MP Peta Murphy, recommended two weeks ago that the government completely ban gambling advertising on television, radio and social media platforms.
Wagering companies that would be worrying about the impact of that change are Sportsbet, which has spent $64.4 million, and the Entain-owned Ladbrokes and Neds brands, which spent a combined $37.6 million on advertising on television networks between January last year and May.
Outside of social media platforms, television is the most commonly used platform to advertise or promote a brand. The impact of the ban would not only affect the market share of the biggest spenders, but the amount of advertising revenue television networks receive.
Gambling ads are typically used by a wagering company for two reasons: to raise brand awareness or to promote inducements around a particular sporting event or racing carnival.
Up in lights
Nielsen’s data does not account for in-house stadium advertisements or sponsorship on jerseys, which would also be banned under a government recommendation. It also does not count advertising on subscription television provider Foxtel and its streaming service Kayo Sports.
But it paints a picture for just how intertwined sports betting and key racing and sports events are. Most of Sportsbet’s ads run in the AFL and NRL seasons as the wagering company is the official partner for both codes. Data from March to September – when both competitions run – show more than $32 million was spent in that six-month period alone.
Ladbrokes, which has spent $20.2 million in 17 months, skews its spend to the AFL and NRL finals. From September to November 2022, during the spring racing carnival, Sportsbet spent $16.8 million – more than the total amount spent by Tabcorp over an 18-month period.
That is largely due to Tabcorp dramatically scaling back the amount it spends with broadcasters. Tabcorp has spent just $5.5 million on television advertising since October, despite the Melbourne Cup Carnival running in November. That means it spent $10.8 million from January to September.
It was not the only one to reduce spend in that time – all other wagering companies spent millions less during the inquiry period than in the months before.
Tabcorp’s dramatic drop in spend coincides with comments made by the company’s chief executive, Adam Rytenskild, at the inquiry. At the time, Mr Rytenskild said the company would voluntarily stop all advertising on free-to-air television during the day by 2024.
BetR, the News Corp-backed wagering group that began advertising when it launched in October, has so far spent almost $15 million.
The smallest spender is BlueBet, which contributed just $3.3 million to the $155.4 million spent in the period. PointsBet, which recently sold its operations in the United States to Jay Z-backed Fanatics, spent $12.6 million in the same period.
The government is meeting with broadcaster and wagering companies to expedite a process that will crack down on issues associated with the wagering sector.
The sweeping gambling ad ban – worth more than $300 million last year – was one of 31 recommendations made by Ms Murphy’s parliamentary inquiry. Other recommendations include the appointment of a minister dedicated to reducing online gambling harm, the creation of a national regulator and changes to behavioural algorithms in gambling apps.
For their part, television executives and most wagering companies are opposed to a blanket ban, though some concede a reduction is feasible. Tabcorp is unconcerned, but the ban would not include ads for physical shop premises or ads that appear during horse or greyhound racing (Tabcorp currently holds exclusive wagering licences in NSW and Victoria).
Sportsbet chief executive Barni Evans said last month that while his company supported several recommendations made by the inquiry, prohibition on advertising was a step too far.
“We believe an approach that significantly reduces the number of ads rather than complete bans would respond to community concerns, while still supporting sport and media,” Mr Evans said.
(AFR)
Gambling ad ban would hurt footy and media: Sportsbet - May 2023
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s budget reply assault on gambling advertising during sports broadcasts has sparked anger among TV executives, who say they could lose hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.
Mr Dutton has proposed banning gambling advertising for an hour before and after sporting matches because “footy time is family time”.
“The bombardment of betting ads takes the joy out of televised sports,” he said. “Worse, they are changing the culture of our country in a bad way and normalising gambling at a young age.”
The proposal would potentially have the most severe repercussions for the broadcasters of the AFL and NRL, including Seven Network, Nine Entertainment and pay-TV operator Foxtel. The media companies declined to comment publicly. Nine is the publisher of this masthead.
London-listed Sportsbet, part of London-listed Flutter Entertainment, has about half of Australia’s online bookmaker market and its advertising is omnipresent during sports broadcasts.
A Sportsbet spokesman supported “balanced” reform, warning against moves that would restrict the amount of money going into media companies and sporting bodies.
“Thursday’s announcement, which focuses solely on sport broadcasts, risks leading to significant impacts on sport and media funding,” the spokesman said.
“We encourage all political parties to work constructively in consultation with affected sectors on proportionate solutions that achieve this balance while reducing harm.”
Little warning
The surprise announcement comes at a tricky time for the online gambling industry, sports bodies and big media organisations. There has been growing support among MPs and voters for a crackdown on online bookmakers, particularly curbing the sheer volume of advertising that is plastered across TV, radio and social media.
Some executives at the companies were given a heads-up by the Coalition’s communications spokesman, David Coleman, before the announcement, according to a person familiar with the matter. “There was no notice, just a heads-up,” the source said.
Privately, TV executives say changes would put at risk up to $200 million of revenue from the gambling companies. Figures from Standard Media Index, which measures advertising agency spend, show TV networks made $180 million from the $300 million spent on gambling ads last year.
The figures are material for companies such as Seven, Nine and Foxtel, which have signed long-term broadcast contracts with the AFL and NRL worth billions. Those companies sign annual packages with the likes of Sportsbet, Ladbrokes and ASX-listed Tabcorp to place marketing around the games.
Under existing laws, gambling ads are banned from five minutes before a live sport starts until 8.30pm. After 8.30pm, the ads can also appear during breaks.
One gambling industry veteran said the amount of money flowing into media and the football codes would be “substantially less” if Mr Dutton’s idea were to become reality.
Other executives were more sanguine about the announcement, describing Mr Dutton’s speech as headline-grabbing rather than a serious policy proposal, coming weeks before the government’s inquiry into online gambling is due to report.
“It’s a simple way to get ahead of Labor on the topic,” one TV executive said, adding that blocking TV ads would shift promotion onto YouTube and social media apps.
The federal government’s parliamentary inquiry into online gambling has become the main venue for the likes of Sportsbet, media and sporting bodies to be consulted on the coming crackdown.
Last month, AFL chief executive Gil McLachlan appeared at the inquiry along with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo. They suggested the inquiry should look at banning so-called inducement ads, such as cash-back and free-cash offers, particularly on social media.
The inquiry has already led to the government committing to new laws that will ban people from using credit cards through online bookmakers.
(AFR)
Wallabies turn in shocker to open Eddie Jones era - 9th July 2023
The Wallabies have turned in a horror first Test under coach Eddie Jones, falling 43-12 to South Africa to continue their 60-year drought in Pretoria.
The Australians arrived at Loftus Versfeld, where they have never tasted victory, looking to usher in a winning era under Jones in his second stint as Wallabies coach.
But their plans of opening the Rugby Championship with a victory on Saturday were left in tatters with few Wallabies boosting their World Cup stocks.
“We were outplayed everywhere, beaten in every department,” Jones conceded.
“Really disappointing but no excuses. We got a realistic appraisal of where we are as a team.”
Co-captain James Slipper described it as a “tough start”, the veteran prop lamenting his team’s discipline, incurring 11 penalties and two penalty tries, which resulted in hooker Dave Porecki and winger Suliasi Vunivalu being handed yellow cards.
“Discipline, playing at the right end of the field ... it’s a tough start, but we’ve got a long year ahead of us so we’ll keep working hard,” Slipper said.
They started with a bang, as star winger Marika Koroibete barrelled across the line in the seventh minute before the home side piled on 41 unanswered points.
Debutant five-eighth Carter Gordon scored in the final minute, putting his hand up to replace Quade Cooper in the No.10 jersey next week against Argentina.
But the Australians’ defence was in disarray throughout, making more than double the number of tackles compared to the Boks, who won the collisions to control possession and territory.
The Wallabies also looked clueless in attack, with Cooper failing to put his stamp on the game and their opponents under any pressure.
They repeatedly played into South Africa’s hands by kicking away possession while handling errors cruelled many an attacking raid.
They only managed to spend 0.47 seconds in the opposition 22 in three visits compared to the home side’s 15.
Lightning winger Kurt-Lee Arendse bagged a hat-trick for South Africa, exposing Vunivalu who had a shocker in his first Test start.
Arendse scored twice in the opening 40 minutes as his team surged to a 17-5 halftime lead and added a third in the 50th minute.
Reece Hodge’s radar was off target, with the inside centre missing all three first-half attempts including a late 66m effort which fell short and he was replaced by Samu Kerevi early in the second stanza.
A number of Springboks stars missed the match to head to New Zealand to prepare for the All Blacks, but they showed their depth across the park.
Jones rang the changes but his replacements were unable to make an impact on the world champions, who were cheered on by more than 50,000 in the stands.
“There is a game next week (against Argentina in Sydney) and we will be better. It is a bad day at the office and we have to front up and play better than that,” said Jones.
(AAP)
Volkanovski trumps Rodriguez to retain UFC featherweight crown - 9th July 2023
Las Vegas: Alexander Volkanovski reasserted himself as the featherweight champion with a technical knockout over Yair Rodriguez four minutes into the third round at UFC 290.
Rodriguez was the interim champion after Volkanovski temporarily moved up to lightweight, but the Australian left little doubt who the better fighter in running his record to 26-2 in what was scheduled as a five-round bout.
Former US President Donald Trump, who is running for the Republican nomination in 2024, was among those in attendance. He entered the venue shortly before the main card began, walking next to UFC president Dana White and drawing roars from the T-Mobile Arena crowd. Trump shook hands with Las Vegas Raiders NFL star Maxx Crosby, a major UFC fan who sat behind him. Jamal Murray of the NBA champion Denver Nuggets also had a floor seat.
Volkanovski, a heavy favourite, took Rodriguez (16-4) to the mat near the two-minute mark of the first round and kept him there to dictate the pace. That became a theme as the second round played out much the same way, with Volkanovski, 34, also delivering several shots to Rodriguez’s face.
Rodriguez, who is from Mexico, then took the fight to Volkanovski in the third round, preventing the ground and pound with a series of kicks to put him on the defensive. But with a minute left, Volkanovski slammed Rodriguez, 30, to the mat and pounded him with rights and lefts before referee Herb Dean stepped in.
This was Volkanovski’s first fight since a loss by unanimous decision to lightweight champion lightweight Islam Makhachev on February 11.
That ended Volkanovski’s 22-fight winning streak, and after the brief elevation to lightweight, he dropped back down to featherweight for this fight.
Before moving up, Volkanovski had won five titles fights to make a strong argument as the best featherweight of all time. He also has been in the conversation for top current pound-for-pound fighter, and Volkanovski is second in the UFC’s official rankings to Jon Jones.
The Volkanovski-Rodriguez match highlighted the International Fight Week card that included a second championship bout.
Brazil’s Alexandre Pantoja captured the flyweight belt by beating champion Brandon Moreno of Mexico, winning by split decision.
Judges Derek Cleary and Junichiro Kamijo gave the Pantoja the victory at 48-47 in the five-round fight, but Ben Cartlidge saw the bout quite differently with a 49-46 score in favour of Moreno.
Pantoja (26-5) collapsed to the mat after the decision was announced. He has beaten Moreno (21-7-2) in all three meetings.
“I worked so hard,” Pantoja said. “I left everything I had.”
(AP)
‘Green light’: UFC boss grants Aussie ‘freak’ special privilege - 10th July 2023
Alexander Volkanovski has been given a rare “green light” by UFC boss Dana White in a gesture that befits his greatness.
LAS VEGAS — UFC president Dana White says Australia’s Alexander Volkanovski will be given a ‘green light’ to pick whichever fight he wants after beating Yair Rodriguez with an elbow injury so bad it requires immediate surgery.
If defeating one of the UFC’s most dangerous strikers within three rounds at UFC 290 wasn’t impressive enough – or dumping and finishing him on the ground — Volkanovski revealed afterwards it had all been done with a serious arm injury that had seen him “struggle” throughout camp.
His team revealed to Fox Sports Australia that the fighter has a chipped bone in his left elbow so bad he cannot fully straighten the arm.
It also caused nerve complications during the build up.
Yet while the UFC featherweight champ will now undergo surgery, he suggested he would not rule out still chasing that hyped rematch against lightweight king Islam Makhachev in October.
So dominant was Volkanovski in his fifth UFC featherweight title defence, White indicated afterwards ‘The Great’ could now decide himself what comes next.
“Volk looked incredible,” the UFC boss said. “He’s an absolute freak.
“He’s at one of those places in his career now where whatever he wants to do, what are we gunna say?
“He’s proven himself a million times. So whatever he wants to do we go with it, yeah.”
Asked about how quickly he would recover from the injury, the Aussie reminded that he broke his hand when beating Max Holloway on the same International Fight Week show a year ago.
Despite the setback, Volkanovski was still back and ready to go on standby for the annual Abu Dhabi card that October.
“I didn’t mean to scare everyone,” the champ grinned when asked about his surgery revelation.
“It’s not a big deal.
“I’ll be back ASAP.
“It will be a quick and I’ll be back training.
“I broke my hand at International Fight Week last year and you saw me in Abu Dhabi ready to fight (on standby) Islam Makhachev or Charles Oliveira.
“That was a broken bone.
“So I’ll be right.
“You don’t need to stress about that. I’ll be active again, don’t worry about. I have a couple of little things to fix up then I will be kicking ass again.”
Asked later in his press conference again about October Volk said “I’m not ruling it out”.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia in fight week, Volk suggested a win over Rodriguez would see him chase a rematch with Makhachev.
If that wasn’t possible, he then wanted to challenge for the ‘BMF’ title – which is set to be contested by lightweight stars Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje at UFC 291.
But now that White says he can pick?
“We all know I want that lightweight belt,” he said. “I want that Islam fight, want that rematch.
“Not only for me to get that belt, get that win back, but it’s a massive fight for the UFC as well.
“It’s a fight everyone wants to see. It was a close fight, a cracking fight. We showed out. He lived up to the hype, I lived up to the hype and the fight lived up to the hype.”
White agreed, praising not only Volkanovski but an entire team that includes UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya and fellow Kiwi Dan Hooker, who upset Jalin Turner this same night with broken wrist.
“Look at Israel Adesanya, he’s ready to fight anybody, anywhere, anytime,” White said.
“Volkanovski is willing to fight anybody, too.
“When you look at Volk, the size, the reach, he doesn’t care. He gets in there and handles his business.
“Hooker also breaks his wrist in the second round (tonight). I didn’t even know. That whole team is bad ass.”
(FOX Sports)
