Monday Notes for July 21st, 2025

A shift is happening in the mortgage industry that could open doors for millions of prospective homebuyers who’ve been shut out of the traditional lending system. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can now accept loans evaluated using VantageScore 4.0, ending

Tyler, The Creator released his ninth studio album, Don’t Tap The Glass, on July 21, 2025, through Columbia Records. The Grammy-winning artist’s latest project follows his critically acclaimed album Chromakopia and marks his second release in under a year. Album Announcement and Release The album was officially announced during Tyler’s

Nike brings us the Astrograbber in Green Sail—a 1980s American football staple that’s finally getting its moment in the spotlight. The Astrograbber isn’t new to sneaker enthusiasts who dig deep into Nike’s archives. This low-profile silhouette originally served American football players in the 1980s, and while it never achieved

Nike and Ronaldinho have teamed up once again to create something truly special for football enthusiasts and sneaker collectors alike. The Ronaldinho X Nike Tiempo Legend Touch Of Gold celebrates the Brazilian maestro’s legendary career with a premium take on one of football’s most beloved silhouettes. Colorway: Metallic Summit White/

Former Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter has announced his departure from the NFL Players Association, stepping down from his role as chief strategy officer and removing himself from consideration as interim executive director following the surprise resignation of Lloyd Howell late Thursday night. A Sudden and Personal Decision In an

The Philadelphia Eagles received their Super Bowl LIX Championship Rings at a special ceremony attended by players, coaches, and staff on Friday. The rings were created in collaboration with Jason of Beverly Hills and feature several remarkable design elements that tell the story of their championship season following their dominant

Lloyd Howell Jr. has resigned as executive director of the NFL Players Association, citing distractions his leadership has caused in recent weeks. The announcement came late Thursday night, ending his two-year tenure as head of the union representing NFL players. “It’s clear that my leadership has become a distraction to

The exclusive world of sports investing is about to get a lot more accessible. Ares Management Corp. is debuting a new media and entertainment fund targeting individual investors, bringing the typically exclusive world of sports investing to the retail segment. This marks a significant shift in an asset class that

The Reality Check: Representation is Declining BLCK VC’s State of Black Venture report is out, and it delivers sobering news for those looking to break into venture capital or raise funding. Only 17% of Black VC professionals received a promotion in the past year, down from 28% in previous years.

By “companion,” the study is focused on AI chatbots that are designed for users to have more personal conversations with, not AI assistants that work as homework helpers, image generators, or voice assistants that just answer questions.