The Sunday Scroll - 08/17/2025

Where sports, business, media, and culture collide.

Aug 18, 2025

Last night in Idaho with the rain coming down hard -- perfect writing weather. There are a record number of Spotlights this weekend because there’s just so much interesting stuff happening right now. I’m stepping a little outside the sports bubble for tonight’s rundown. Enjoy.

Kith Shuts Down Lafayette Street For First Runway Show In 6 Years

Twitter / X link ⬆️ to watch the live stream - it’s sick, I highly recommend.

Teams keep getting more and more creative with their schedule releases, love the Knicks going “off screen and into the streets.” Why do it digitally when you have New York City to do something super cool?

knicksfantv

A post shared by @knicksfantv

More Savannah Bananas content. I know I know, it’s definitely cringy, but you can’t deny the entertainment factor. Chance performing in his hometown Chicago makes Banana Ball a “must-see” event for Chicago natives, and they’re following this format in each city they go, bringing out that city’s biggest legends.

The White Sox pulled off something unforgettable: an in-game wedding that turned the ballpark into a one-of-a-kind, immersive celebration that day.

This Weekend’s 8 Spotlights

YouTube Is Making A Play To Host The Oscars

Summary & Key Takeaway: YouTube entering the Oscars rights talks is less about beating ABC (which holds the show through 2028) and more about staking its claim as a true live-event powerhouse. Going after Hollywood’s most prestigious awards show puts YouTube head-to-head with Netflix and other streamers in chasing marquee global events. Even if it doesn’t land the deal, the bid signals where media is headed: Big Tech platforms like YouTube aren’t just distribution channels anymore -- they’re challenging legacy broadcasters and streamers alike for the world’s most valuable cultural moments.

A24 'Marty Supreme' Trailer: Timothée Chalamet And Tyler, The Creator Link For New Josh Safdie Film

‘Weapons’ Producer BoulderLight Shopping First TV Series With Sketch Group Almost Friday & ‘American Vandal’ Creators

Summary & Key Takeaway: BoulderLight Pictures, fresh off the breakout success of Weapons ($81M worldwide), is teaming with Almost Friday on its first TV series, Last Night Was a Movie. The high-concept comedy, created by Tyler Falbo and backed by the American Vandal team, already has written offers from HBO and Peacock, with Netflix and FX circling. For Almost Friday, this marks a major leap from viral sketches and social-first comedy into the premium TV ecosystem, while BoulderLight continues to expand beyond horror into comedy, solidifying its position as one of Hollywood’s fastest-rising independent studios. Together, the pairing underscores how digital-native brands like Almost Friday are now crossing into mainstream entertainment with serious buyers at the table.

Corona Teams up With Mookie Betts To Bring The Beach To The Ballpark Through A First-Of-Its-Kind Soundtrack For The MLB Postseason

Summary & Key Takeaway: Corona is activating around the MLB Postseason with “Playa Sounds” -- a curated audio experience blending ballpark sounds with beach vibes. Partnering with Mookie Betts, who helped curate the soundtrack from his own Postseason highlights, Corona is reinforcing its Official Cerveza of MLB positioning by tying baseball’s biggest stage to a laid-back lifestyle. The campaign includes a sweepstakes for fans to win a World Series trip and exclusive “Playa Sounds” cassette kits, merging nostalgia with modern fan engagement. This activation shows how Corona is leaning into culture, music, and star power to deepen brand relevance in October baseball.

KAROL G To Headline Halftime Performance In Brazil During YouTube's First Exclusive Live NFL Broadcast On Sept. 5

Summary & Key Takeaway: YouTube is putting major star power behind its first exclusive NFL broadcast by booking Karol G for the halftime show of the Sept. 5 Chiefs-Chargers game in São Paulo. The matchup will stream free worldwide, positioning YouTube not only as a sports distributor but also as an entertainment stage on par with broadcast TV.

This is a statement move: pairing the NFL’s global expansion with one of the biggest Latin music stars underscores YouTube’s ability to deliver marquee cultural moments. This event is huge for YouTube. This NFL game along with the news above about YouTube bidding for The Oscars is proof that they are challenging Netflix, Amazon, and traditional broadcasters -- not just in live sports, but in owning global tentpole events that blend sports, music, and streaming.

From Kanye To YE - IN WHOSE NAME (Teaser Trailer)

Alan Chikin Chow And Laneige Launch ‘Beauty And the Beat,’ A Short-Form Scripted Digital Series

Summary & Key Takeaway: The line that caught me here was “where products unlock narrative”. Creators are no longer just influencers; they’re legit world-builders. Here, a content creator is working hand-in-hand with a brand on an actual series, rather than paying for a sponsorship or a brand cameo in an individual episode. We keep seeing signs that tell us that the next wave of entertainment is where story and strategy converge, unlocking new revenue streams for creators while letting brands integrate authentically into content that fans already love.

Pharrell Launches New Creative Platform, VIRGINIA

Summary & Key Takeaway: Pharrell launched VIRGINIA, a new creative alias and platform blending music, fashion, design, and community. It will host live events, merch, music, and exclusive collabs, starting with limited-edition gear, a site takeover by artist Sam Clayman, and a virtual karaoke game. His adidas Adistar Jellyfish sneaker and BLACK YACHT ROCK VOL 1 album also fall under the brand.

VIRGINIA shows Pharrell’s push to build a cultural ecosystem, where fans engage with his art, products, and collaborations in one community-driven space.

🏟️ Sports Business

📺 Sports, Media, Content & Streaming

Penske Media (Variety + Hollywood Reporter)

Sportico

Women’s Sports Brand “The IX” Buys ‘The Ice Garden Hockey Site’

SBJ

Awful Announcing

🎽 Sports & Culture: Athletes, Brands, Partnerships, Style

Town & Country Magazine

A Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace Has Become MLB’s Latest Lucky Charm
- Shoutout Sabrina for the assist here - if you guys start paying me to write these Substacks I’ll go straight to the Van Cleef store, no 🧢