Welcome back to the Spotlight! I am just a few days removed from hand surgery, so on the one hand, I’d ask you to excuse my brevity. But on the other hand I’d sheepishly ask, hat in hand, for you to clap your hands for my shorthanded effort. Your handsome award for handling my handwringing puns?: this week’s installment will ensure your finger is on the pulse for the latest in Sports and Entertainment.

• On the heels of a statement upset by the Deion Sanders-coached University of Colorado football team over Texas Christian University, Colorado’s star players Shedeur Sanders (Deion’s son) and Travis Hunter saw their name, image and likeness valuations soar by a combined $5.3 million. Talk about a Rocky Mountain high!
• Just as Universal Music Group and Deezer forge a pact on a royalty model that incentivizes popular human recording artists over those of artificial intelligence, AI music creator, Ghostwriter releases a fake Travis Scott track and Warner Music Group signs digital influencer Noonoouri to a record deal. To Noonoouri’s credit, “she” was gracious in thanking her ardent supporter, 001101011100.
• Hedge fund billionaire and New York Mets owner Steve Cohen purchased a New York based team in Tiger Woods and Rory Mcilroy’s TGL Golf League. Because if there’s one thing the Mets know better than the baseball diamond, it’s the golf course.

Endorsement Deals, Sponsorships & Investments

Steve Cohen Buys New York Team in Tiger-Rory Golf League
September 7, 2023 via Sportico

Colorado's Travis Hunter, Deion Sanders' Son Shedeur Worth $5.3M in Total NIL Value
September 7, 2023 via Bleacher Report

Why Do Many People Buy Instagram Followers?
September 6, 2023 via News Anyway

The million-dollar hustle changing US sport - how college football athletes are cashing in
September 5, 2023 via BBC Sport

Notre Dame signs first spirits sponsorship
September 5, 2023 via Sports Business Journal

Sports

College Athletes May Feel Impact of Feds’ Overtime Pay Reforms
September 7, 2023 via Sportico

The ESPN-Charter dispute could shake the foundation of modern sports
September 6, 2023 via Awful Announcing

NFL games are shifting away from traditional TV. Are you ready to stream some football?
September 6, 2023 via CNBC

Under Armour Names John Varvatos Chief Design Officer
September 5, 2023 via Sportico - Business

Value of Jacksonville Jaguars jumps 15% to $4 billion
September 5, 2023 via Biz Journal

Music Biz

Universal Music Group lands new royalty model that boosts popular artists
September 6, 2023 via News Break

Apple Acquires Major Classical Music Label BIS Records
September 6, 2023 via Digital Music News

Ghostwriter Returns With an A.I. Travis Scott Song
September 5, 2023 via New York Times

Virtual Influencer Noonoouri Lands Record Deal: Is She The Future Of Music?
September 5, 2023 via Forbes

Film & TV

Samuel Goldwyn Films Acquires U.S. Rights To Kim Jee-Woon's Cannes Title ‘Cobweb'
September 7, 2023 via News Break

Greenwich Entertainment Acquires U.S. Rights To ‘Robert Irwin: A Desert Of Pure Feeling’ About Leading American Artist; Sets October Release Date
September 6, 2023 via Deadline

Max will reportedly start offering free sports later this year
September 6, 2023 via The Verge

Brands pouring money into film and TV content are the latest to demand more data sharing from streamers
September 5, 2023 via Markets Insider