Culture

Whatnot, Fanatics Live Face Legal Claims That Card Breaks Are Illegal Gambling

Two legal claims — a 70-customer arbitration demand and an unsealed California lawsuit — allege that live card 'breaking' on Whatnot and Fanatics Live is unregulated illegal gambling.

Sports

Stephen A. Smith Apologizes to the Knicks at Brunson and Hart's Podcast Taping

A day after the Knicks' title parade, Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart confronted Stephen A. Smith on their ESPN-simulcast podcast over a decade of bad Knicks takes — and the booed host apologized: 'I was beyond wrong.'

Daily Roundup

The Daily Roundup: A Ma Manière Pegasus Premium, USA vs. Australia at the World Cup, Toy Story 5, and the NVIDIA–SK hynix Memory Pact — June 19, 2026

The A Ma Manière x Nike Pegasus Premium hits SNKRS at $210, the USA opens World Cup Group D play against Australia, and Toy Story 5 tracks for a record $150M-plus opening weekend.

Culture

Penske Media Acquires Vox Media to Become the Largest Digital Publisher

Penske Media Corporation acquired Vox Media, owner of The Verge, Eater, and SB Nation, folding it with Variety, Rolling Stone, and Billboard into a new subsidiary, PMX Global — a 25-plus-title portfolio billed as the world's largest digital publisher.

Culture

Tay Keith, Grammy-Nominated Producer Behind 'Sicko Mode,' Dies at 29

Tay Keith, the Memphis producer behind Travis Scott's 'Sicko Mode' and Drake's 'Look Alive,' was found dead in his Nashville apartment on June 18 at age 29. Police say no foul play is suspected.

Culture

Education Department Lowers Federal Student Loan Rates for First Time Since 2020

Federal student loan interest rates fell for the 2025-26 year — 6.39% for undergraduates, down 0.14 points across all loan types — the Education Department's first rate cut since 2020.

Culture

Obama Presidential Center Opens to the Public June 19 in Chicago's Jackson Park

The Obama Presidential Center opens to the public June 19 in Chicago's Jackson Park — an $850 million, museum-anchored campus with a Chicago Public Library branch, public plazas, and an NBA-regulation court, dedicated June 18.

Culture

Alicia Keys Performs 'Empire State of Mind' at Knicks Championship Parade

The 17-time Grammy winner and Hell's Kitchen native closed the Knicks' championship celebration at City Hall with 'Empire State of Mind,' the unofficial New York anthem, on June 18.

Culture

Rolex Raises Prices Across Full Lineup by Up to 8 Percent

Rolex raised list prices on gold and two-tone watches for the second time in 2026, driven by gold's surge from $2,000 to nearly $5,600 per ounce in under three years. Steel references were left unchanged.

Culture

CAA and TPG-Backed Integrated Media Launch $250M Compound Creative Holdings

CAA and TPG-backed Integrated Media Company launched Compound Creative Holdings, a $250 million firm that will buy and grow creator-led media studios and brands, with CAA veteran Tucker Brown as managing director.

Daily Roundup

The Daily Roundup: Travis Barker's Vans Old Skool, the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, FIFA's World Cup Album, and Anthropic's IPO Filing — June 18, 2026

Travis Barker's white Vans Old Skool releases at $90, the U.S. Open tees off at Shinnecock Hills with Scottie Scheffler chasing the career Grand Slam, and Anthropic confidentially files for an IPO at a $965 billion valuation.

Daily Roundup

The Daily Roundup: England Opens Its World Cup vs. Croatia, the Air Jordan 5 "University Blue", Spielberg's Disclosure Day at $44M, and Meta Rents Google's AI Chips — June 17, 2026

England opens its 2026 World Cup against Croatia in Texas, the Air Jordan 5 'University Blue' returns June 20 at $220, Spielberg's Disclosure Day debuts to $44 million, and Meta agrees to rent Google's AI chips.