1 month ago
Over the past few years, Hollywood icon Pamela Anderson has revealed that her garden is her haven, one which mirrors her natural, make-up-free ethos.
Her beautiful garden sits within the Canadian childhood home that she took over to renovate in 2020.
In a post on her beauty brand's Instagram account, the mother of two is wearing a plethora of fabulous outfits to tend to her plants, and one of them is a rather bold ensemble. The 59-year-old wore a nude-coloured tutu skirt.
The eye-catching design is the kind of separate you wear for a special occasion, but Pamela made the look a little more casual by adding a copper-toned sweatshirt. With her tumbling blonde hair looking thicker than ever, Pamela looked at ease, sans makeup, within the enchanting backdrop.
Last month, the actress attended an event for Milan Fashion Week and shocked fans with her dramatic black eyeliner transformation.
#within #hollywood #last
Her beautiful garden sits within the Canadian childhood home that she took over to renovate in 2020.
In a post on her beauty brand's Instagram account, the mother of two is wearing a plethora of fabulous outfits to tend to her plants, and one of them is a rather bold ensemble. The 59-year-old wore a nude-coloured tutu skirt.
The eye-catching design is the kind of separate you wear for a special occasion, but Pamela made the look a little more casual by adding a copper-toned sweatshirt. With her tumbling blonde hair looking thicker than ever, Pamela looked at ease, sans makeup, within the enchanting backdrop.
Last month, the actress attended an event for Milan Fashion Week and shocked fans with her dramatic black eyeliner transformation.
#within #hollywood #last
2 months ago
Our ******* ysts just identified a stock with the potential to be the next Nvidia. Tell us how you invest and we'll show you why it's our #1 pick. Tap here.
The oil crisis is leaking into other parts of the car. Costco, the land of big and cheap, flipped the script and doubled the price of its full-synthetic motor oil and started rationing purchases. As crude pushes toward $100 a barrel, a 10-quart case that cost roughly $30 now runs $57.99, with purchases capped at two units per member per week.
U.S. diesel crossed $6 a gallon for the first time this week, and global oil inventories have drawn down more than 500 million barrels since the U.S.-Iran conflict began. This is affecting the entire crude industrial complex.
Base oil, which is the feedstock for motor oil, comes from the same barrel as gasoline and diesel so when refiners can earn more finishing crude into fuel than into lubricants, lubricant stock gets squeezed first.
The pressure for Costco, however, is more intense: Its signature Kirkland oil carries GM's Dexos1 Gen 3 certification, which requires manufacturers to pay GM separately per product and per unit sold. As a result, and much against its brand ethos, changing your own oil with Kirkland product now costs roughly what an independent shop would charge, thus eroding the DIY savings case entirely.
#crude #motor #case #week
The oil crisis is leaking into other parts of the car. Costco, the land of big and cheap, flipped the script and doubled the price of its full-synthetic motor oil and started rationing purchases. As crude pushes toward $100 a barrel, a 10-quart case that cost roughly $30 now runs $57.99, with purchases capped at two units per member per week.
U.S. diesel crossed $6 a gallon for the first time this week, and global oil inventories have drawn down more than 500 million barrels since the U.S.-Iran conflict began. This is affecting the entire crude industrial complex.
Base oil, which is the feedstock for motor oil, comes from the same barrel as gasoline and diesel so when refiners can earn more finishing crude into fuel than into lubricants, lubricant stock gets squeezed first.
The pressure for Costco, however, is more intense: Its signature Kirkland oil carries GM's Dexos1 Gen 3 certification, which requires manufacturers to pay GM separately per product and per unit sold. As a result, and much against its brand ethos, changing your own oil with Kirkland product now costs roughly what an independent shop would charge, thus eroding the DIY savings case entirely.
#crude #motor #case #week
2 months ago
Our ****** ysts just identified a stock with the potential to be the next Nvidia. Tell us how you invest and we'll show you why it's our #1 pick. Tap here.
The oil crisis is leaking into other parts of the car. Costco, the land of big and cheap, flipped the script and doubled the price of its full-synthetic motor oil and started rationing purchases. As crude pushes toward $100 a barrel, a 10-quart case that cost roughly $30 now runs $57.99, with purchases capped at two units per member per week.
U.S. diesel crossed $6 a gallon for the first time this week, and global oil inventories have drawn down more than 500 million barrels since the U.S.-Iran conflict began. This is affecting the entire crude industrial complex.
Base oil, which is the feedstock for motor oil, comes from the same barrel as gasoline and diesel so when refiners can earn more finishing crude into fuel than into lubricants, lubricant stock gets squeezed first.
The pressure for Costco, however, is more intense: Its signature Kirkland oil carries GM's Dexos1 Gen 3 certification, which requires manufacturers to pay GM separately per product and per unit sold. As a result, and much against its brand ethos, changing your own oil with Kirkland product now costs roughly what an independent shop would charge, thus eroding the DIY savings case entirely.
#costco #Stock #roughly
The oil crisis is leaking into other parts of the car. Costco, the land of big and cheap, flipped the script and doubled the price of its full-synthetic motor oil and started rationing purchases. As crude pushes toward $100 a barrel, a 10-quart case that cost roughly $30 now runs $57.99, with purchases capped at two units per member per week.
U.S. diesel crossed $6 a gallon for the first time this week, and global oil inventories have drawn down more than 500 million barrels since the U.S.-Iran conflict began. This is affecting the entire crude industrial complex.
Base oil, which is the feedstock for motor oil, comes from the same barrel as gasoline and diesel so when refiners can earn more finishing crude into fuel than into lubricants, lubricant stock gets squeezed first.
The pressure for Costco, however, is more intense: Its signature Kirkland oil carries GM's Dexos1 Gen 3 certification, which requires manufacturers to pay GM separately per product and per unit sold. As a result, and much against its brand ethos, changing your own oil with Kirkland product now costs roughly what an independent shop would charge, thus eroding the DIY savings case entirely.
#costco #Stock #roughly
2 months ago
The Boston Celtics have a long tradition of giving back to the city they play their NBA basketball in, and reserve forward Jordan Walsh helped keep that tradition going with a back-to-school event held this past Thursday (Sep. 3) that saw 15 youths from the area treated to a shopping spree at a local sporting goods store, as well as free haircuts from ****** le City Barbers and free sneakers from New Balance.
Walsh has been leading this event annually since he was picked up by Boston in the 2023 NBA Draft. "I think that if you have the opportunity to give back, then you should," offered the DeSoto, Texas native via team reporter Taylor Snow. "I think there needs to be a lot more people who are going out of their comfort zone, who are in places of power or in places where they can motivate other people, and use their platform for good."
"It should always be something that you keep in the back of your mind because you weren't born at the top, you weren't born at the level you're at," he added. "So if you had to grind to get there, there's people who are trying to grind get there as well. So you should show your support and love, and try to support them doing the same thing."
Walsh isn't just appreciative of that ethos from afar; he has been applying it to his own journey as a player as well. "It means that instead of just being a guy who comes into the league and is gone after three years, that I have some security to stick around," he said.
"There are bigger things that I want to achieve, but it's huge keeping that door open to be able to achieve the things that I want to get to," he added. "I want to be able to contribute, and I want to be able to create my own shots (and) ... to be able to be called on when we need to get a bucket, and also still do the same things on defense that I've been doing, because that's what got me here."
#people
Walsh has been leading this event annually since he was picked up by Boston in the 2023 NBA Draft. "I think that if you have the opportunity to give back, then you should," offered the DeSoto, Texas native via team reporter Taylor Snow. "I think there needs to be a lot more people who are going out of their comfort zone, who are in places of power or in places where they can motivate other people, and use their platform for good."
"It should always be something that you keep in the back of your mind because you weren't born at the top, you weren't born at the level you're at," he added. "So if you had to grind to get there, there's people who are trying to grind get there as well. So you should show your support and love, and try to support them doing the same thing."
Walsh isn't just appreciative of that ethos from afar; he has been applying it to his own journey as a player as well. "It means that instead of just being a guy who comes into the league and is gone after three years, that I have some security to stick around," he said.
"There are bigger things that I want to achieve, but it's huge keeping that door open to be able to achieve the things that I want to get to," he added. "I want to be able to contribute, and I want to be able to create my own shots (and) ... to be able to be called on when we need to get a bucket, and also still do the same things on defense that I've been doing, because that's what got me here."
#people
2 months ago
Seattle, Washington-based Starbucks Corporation (SBUX) roasts, sells and distributes high-quality coffee globally. Valued at $121 billion by market cap, the company offers packaged and single-serve coffees and teas, beverage-related ingredients, and ready-to-drink beverages, as well as produces and sells bottled coffee drinks and a line of ice creams through over 40,000 stores worldwide under the brands Starbucks Coffee, Teavana, Seattle's Best Coffee, Ethos, and Starbucks Reserve.
Companies worth $10 billion or more are generally described as "large-cap stocks," and SBUX definitely fits that description, with its market cap exceeding this threshold, reflecting its substantial size, influence, and dominance in the restaurants industry. With over 41,000 stores globally, SBUX's strong brand drives growth and its diverse footprint and international presence fuel market dominance.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Says His $3.5 Billion MediaTek Deal Is 'Not Circular' Because 'They Do Their Own Business'
Strategy's Strategy Appears to Have Failed, and the Outlook of MSTR Stock Is Unfavorable
A Potential ****** eX Deal Could Meaningfully Accelerate Growth for Technip Stock
#billion #market #Stock #globally
Companies worth $10 billion or more are generally described as "large-cap stocks," and SBUX definitely fits that description, with its market cap exceeding this threshold, reflecting its substantial size, influence, and dominance in the restaurants industry. With over 41,000 stores globally, SBUX's strong brand drives growth and its diverse footprint and international presence fuel market dominance.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Says His $3.5 Billion MediaTek Deal Is 'Not Circular' Because 'They Do Their Own Business'
Strategy's Strategy Appears to Have Failed, and the Outlook of MSTR Stock Is Unfavorable
A Potential ****** eX Deal Could Meaningfully Accelerate Growth for Technip Stock
#billion #market #Stock #globally
2 months ago
On August 3, Ethos Technologies (NASDAQ:LIFE) reported second-quarter results for the period ended June 30, showing revenue climbing 113% year over year to $189.6 million, the company's second straight quarter above triple-digit growth. Alongside the print, Ethos said its board had authorized a new $100 million buyback of its Class A common stock. For a life insurance technology company that only recently went public, doubling revenue while also committing fresh capital to share repurchases is the kind of combination that invites a closer look at what is actually driving the numbers underneath.
The top line breaks down into two channels moving at different speeds. Direct channel revenue grew 131% year over year to $116.5 million, which Ethos said came with similar unit economics to prior periods, while third-party revenue grew 90% to $73.1 million. Behind those dollars sits actual policy volume. Ethos activated 107,847 new policies in the quarter, up 133% year over year, extending past 100,000 added families in a single three-month stretch. Gross profit came in at $185.5 million, a 98% gross margin, showing that the underlying cost of writing each policy remains small relative to what it generates in revenue.
Cash generation kept pace too. The company produced $35.7 million in net cash from operations during the quarter and $66.9 million over the first six months of 2026, helping push its cash and cash equivalents balance to $112.2 million from $91.1 million at the end of 2025. Ethos also widened its product shelf, launching a Juvenile IUL policy in partnership with North American. Management's outlook points to more of the same: third-quarter revenue guidance of $160 million to $164 million implies 73% year-over-year growth at the midpoint, and full-year 2026 guidance calls for revenue between $727 million and $731 million, an 88% increase, alongside adjusted EBITDA of $119 million to $123 million for the year.
The strain shows up once the growth is measured against what actually reaches the bottom line. GAAP net income was $19.5 million, a 10% margin, barely above the $18.5 million Ethos earned in the same quarter a year ago despite revenue more than doubling in between. Contribution margin, which strips out sales and marketing costs, fell to 33% from 42% a year earlier. Adjusted EBITDA margin slipped to 19% from 23%, even though the EBITDA dollar figure itself grew to $35.2 million from $20.8 million. Revenue per activated policy fell 8% year over year to $1,758, which Ethos attributed to a shift in channel and product mix, meaning each new policy is worth less on average than it used to be.
#policy #Margin
The top line breaks down into two channels moving at different speeds. Direct channel revenue grew 131% year over year to $116.5 million, which Ethos said came with similar unit economics to prior periods, while third-party revenue grew 90% to $73.1 million. Behind those dollars sits actual policy volume. Ethos activated 107,847 new policies in the quarter, up 133% year over year, extending past 100,000 added families in a single three-month stretch. Gross profit came in at $185.5 million, a 98% gross margin, showing that the underlying cost of writing each policy remains small relative to what it generates in revenue.
Cash generation kept pace too. The company produced $35.7 million in net cash from operations during the quarter and $66.9 million over the first six months of 2026, helping push its cash and cash equivalents balance to $112.2 million from $91.1 million at the end of 2025. Ethos also widened its product shelf, launching a Juvenile IUL policy in partnership with North American. Management's outlook points to more of the same: third-quarter revenue guidance of $160 million to $164 million implies 73% year-over-year growth at the midpoint, and full-year 2026 guidance calls for revenue between $727 million and $731 million, an 88% increase, alongside adjusted EBITDA of $119 million to $123 million for the year.
The strain shows up once the growth is measured against what actually reaches the bottom line. GAAP net income was $19.5 million, a 10% margin, barely above the $18.5 million Ethos earned in the same quarter a year ago despite revenue more than doubling in between. Contribution margin, which strips out sales and marketing costs, fell to 33% from 42% a year earlier. Adjusted EBITDA margin slipped to 19% from 23%, even though the EBITDA dollar figure itself grew to $35.2 million from $20.8 million. Revenue per activated policy fell 8% year over year to $1,758, which Ethos attributed to a shift in channel and product mix, meaning each new policy is worth less on average than it used to be.
#policy #Margin
2 months ago
Bill Ackman has built a portfolio of stocks that he believes currently trade at very compelling valuations. The head of Pershing Square (NYSE: PS) has built a strong track record as a long-term buy-and-hold value investor. But some of his top holdings today wouldn't be considered value stocks by most.
For the most part, the stocks in the portfolio have valuations around the S&P 500 average, or in some cases, much higher. That's because valuation isn't the most important factor for generating long-term returns, Ackman explained in his recent letter to shareholders. While valuation should always be a consideration, strong and sustainable earnings-per-share growth is even more important, Ackman says.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
He explains his thesis with simple math, and while it opens the universe of so-called "value stocks," it follows the same ethos as the father of value investing, Ben Graham, and Graham's most well-know pupil, Warren Buffett.
Ben Graham is quoted as saying that in the short-run the stock market is a voting machine; in the long run, it's a weighing machine.
#value #NVIDIA #signal #long
For the most part, the stocks in the portfolio have valuations around the S&P 500 average, or in some cases, much higher. That's because valuation isn't the most important factor for generating long-term returns, Ackman explained in his recent letter to shareholders. While valuation should always be a consideration, strong and sustainable earnings-per-share growth is even more important, Ackman says.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
He explains his thesis with simple math, and while it opens the universe of so-called "value stocks," it follows the same ethos as the father of value investing, Ben Graham, and Graham's most well-know pupil, Warren Buffett.
Ben Graham is quoted as saying that in the short-run the stock market is a voting machine; in the long run, it's a weighing machine.
#value #NVIDIA #signal #long
2 months ago
Aug 27, 2026, 10:57 am EDT
Federal Reserve legend William McChesney Martin Jr., who served as chairman for nearly two decades starting in the 1950s, pithily described the central banking ethos early in his tenure.
Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
#william #mcchesney #legend
Federal Reserve legend William McChesney Martin Jr., who served as chairman for nearly two decades starting in the 1950s, pithily described the central banking ethos early in his tenure.
Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
#william #mcchesney #legend
2 months ago
Not to everyone's delight, Elversberg are active in the transfer market ahead of their first-ever top-flight season. The smallest town to be represented in Bundesliga is backed by investor Frank Holzer, who is the head of pharmaceutical company Ursapharm, which didn't go well with the traditional ethos of German football.
After missing out on a promotion the previous season with a narrow defeat to Heidenheim in the playoff, Elversberg faced a similar scare in the final month of the 2. Bundesliga campaign. A defeat to eventually relegated Fortuna Düsseldorf made them wait until the final matchday of the season to write history.
The club from a town of 13,000 inhabitants has only made the jump to the second division in 2023. Despite the promising 2024/25 campaign, few predicted them to be around the top once again since their long-serving coach Horst Steffen was poached by Werder Bremen, while top scorers Fisnik Asllani and Muhammed Damar returned to their parent club Hoffenheim.
And, in the middle of the season, 12-goal hero Younes Ebnoutalib joined Eintracht Frankfurt. To their credit, Vincent Wagner's side maintained their momentum after the departure of the Moroccan attacker with David Mokwa proving to be the perfect replacement.
Their form at the Ursapharm-Arena an der Kaiserlinde was a big factor as Hertha and Schalke were the only teams to return home with three points. In the end, Elversberg followed the latter to win automatic promotion to Bundesliga.
#elversberg #PROMOTION #final #campaign
After missing out on a promotion the previous season with a narrow defeat to Heidenheim in the playoff, Elversberg faced a similar scare in the final month of the 2. Bundesliga campaign. A defeat to eventually relegated Fortuna Düsseldorf made them wait until the final matchday of the season to write history.
The club from a town of 13,000 inhabitants has only made the jump to the second division in 2023. Despite the promising 2024/25 campaign, few predicted them to be around the top once again since their long-serving coach Horst Steffen was poached by Werder Bremen, while top scorers Fisnik Asllani and Muhammed Damar returned to their parent club Hoffenheim.
And, in the middle of the season, 12-goal hero Younes Ebnoutalib joined Eintracht Frankfurt. To their credit, Vincent Wagner's side maintained their momentum after the departure of the Moroccan attacker with David Mokwa proving to be the perfect replacement.
Their form at the Ursapharm-Arena an der Kaiserlinde was a big factor as Hertha and Schalke were the only teams to return home with three points. In the end, Elversberg followed the latter to win automatic promotion to Bundesliga.
#elversberg #PROMOTION #final #campaign
3 months ago
Jenna O'Malley/PitchBook News
Talk of AI adoption is pervasive in PE, but would you trust the technology enough to let it manage your own firm? Ethos Capital is testing these limits.
The Boston-based PE firm spent around five years building Private Equity Transformation Research Agent—or Petra—an AI ******* istant trained on more than 50,000 data sources, including decks outlining every deal the firm has taken or passed on, as well as public information ranging from regulatory filings to news and video.
Today, Petra is woven into nearly every aspect of Ethos' business, from filtering pitch decks, running initial diligence, monitoring portfolio companies to managing investor relationships. Ethos even uses AI to track its own employees' work, according to Fadi Chehadé, co-founder and managing partner at the $7 billion investment firm.
Launched by Chehadé and Erik Brooks, two Abry Partners alumni, in 2019, Ethos targets middle-market companies with an enterprise value of $200 million to $2 billion, focusing on supply chain and logistics, insurance and financial services and digital platforms.
#ethos #decks #every #Managing
Talk of AI adoption is pervasive in PE, but would you trust the technology enough to let it manage your own firm? Ethos Capital is testing these limits.
The Boston-based PE firm spent around five years building Private Equity Transformation Research Agent—or Petra—an AI ******* istant trained on more than 50,000 data sources, including decks outlining every deal the firm has taken or passed on, as well as public information ranging from regulatory filings to news and video.
Today, Petra is woven into nearly every aspect of Ethos' business, from filtering pitch decks, running initial diligence, monitoring portfolio companies to managing investor relationships. Ethos even uses AI to track its own employees' work, according to Fadi Chehadé, co-founder and managing partner at the $7 billion investment firm.
Launched by Chehadé and Erik Brooks, two Abry Partners alumni, in 2019, Ethos targets middle-market companies with an enterprise value of $200 million to $2 billion, focusing on supply chain and logistics, insurance and financial services and digital platforms.
#ethos #decks #every #Managing
3 months ago
The Princess of Wales, 44, is known to wear hemlines that are categorised as 'midi' in length. This is not only due to her classic personal preference, but also her adherence to the unofficial royal style rule that prefers royal women to opt for hemlines no higher than four inches above the knee.
Although this hasn't been confirmed, due to the fact there is no official royal style etiquette book for the public to see, we take our information from style experts and from studying the formal dressing ethos the royal family follows.
Kate arrived at Calgary Airport in 2011 (Getty Images)
However, back in 2011, Kate, then known as the ******* ss of Cambridge, donned an eye-catching, ******* er-yellow dress by Jenny Packham, as she arrived at Calgary Airport in Canada. The newly married royal couple were on the eighth day of their first joint overseas tour, which included a 12-day visit to North America.
The newly-married ******* ss wore a ******* er yellow Jenny Packham dress on the eighth day of the tour (Getty Images)
#images
Although this hasn't been confirmed, due to the fact there is no official royal style etiquette book for the public to see, we take our information from style experts and from studying the formal dressing ethos the royal family follows.
Kate arrived at Calgary Airport in 2011 (Getty Images)
However, back in 2011, Kate, then known as the ******* ss of Cambridge, donned an eye-catching, ******* er-yellow dress by Jenny Packham, as she arrived at Calgary Airport in Canada. The newly married royal couple were on the eighth day of their first joint overseas tour, which included a 12-day visit to North America.
The newly-married ******* ss wore a ******* er yellow Jenny Packham dress on the eighth day of the tour (Getty Images)
#images
3 months ago
Tobacco Road, built by the late Mike Strantz and one of the most dramatically shaped golf courses found anywhere, has a new sibling. The Matchbox – a 12-hole, par-3 course that embraces the ethos established by Strantz on the property near Pinehurst – opens August 1 in Sanford, North Carolina.
The new short course is the result of a partnership between Carlton/Marshall Golf Design and Mike White, one of the shapers who worked for Strantz on the full-size Tobacco Road layout that opened in 1998 in the Sandhills.
"There's a direct line from our past to the present – and we believe The Matchbox will become a must-play experience in its own right," Mark Stewart, whose family opened Tobacco Road, said in a media release announcing the opening of The Matchbox.
The Matchbox was constructed in just six months near Nos. 12 and 13 of the big course. Holes range from 40 to 105 yards and feature synthetic turf blended into the natural landscape, a choice that allowed the builders to preserve more trees instead of clearing room for grass to grow. The choice of synthetic turf also avoided the installation of irrigation.
Guests can book tee times from the opening date through December.
#matchbox #course #golf #opening
The new short course is the result of a partnership between Carlton/Marshall Golf Design and Mike White, one of the shapers who worked for Strantz on the full-size Tobacco Road layout that opened in 1998 in the Sandhills.
"There's a direct line from our past to the present – and we believe The Matchbox will become a must-play experience in its own right," Mark Stewart, whose family opened Tobacco Road, said in a media release announcing the opening of The Matchbox.
The Matchbox was constructed in just six months near Nos. 12 and 13 of the big course. Holes range from 40 to 105 yards and feature synthetic turf blended into the natural landscape, a choice that allowed the builders to preserve more trees instead of clearing room for grass to grow. The choice of synthetic turf also avoided the installation of irrigation.
Guests can book tee times from the opening date through December.
#matchbox #course #golf #opening
4 months ago
As the beginnings of a Mexico City thunderstorm swirl high above, dark clouds circling like a slow-motion whirlpool, a pair of English fans do not give a jot.
It is three hours before Mexico face England in the most anticipated match at the Estadio Azteca in 40 years. Attendees are being warned to take cover as the police implement their electrical storm protocol. But these adults, merry on pure vibes, are engrossed in the most childlike of games: a chalk-drawn hopscotch on the gravel, outside the stadium's Cabecera Norte end, with 'Viva Mexico' at the top. And the locals, kids and adults alike, are loving it.
And when embarking on a lap of the outer perimeter of the World Cup's most iconic venue before the blockbuster last-16 occasion, similar feel-good scenes are at every corner. Event volunteers dressed in blue and green form a 'Limbo' dance opportunity for passers-by; half a dozen Mexican dance groups greet ticket holders to the south of the main entrance; Mexicans joust with English in gentle ribbing as they queue for entry into the arena.
It is an intoxicating, smile-inducing, dopamine-hitting environment. This is the essence of the biggest event in world sport: the amalgamation of different nationalities and cultures, old and young, male and female. All coalescing, with passion and fervour, in a setting completely irrational and illogical, if it were not for two national football teams going head-to-head.
This is the premise of founder Jules Rimet's vision when he formed the very first World Cup in 1930. In his words: "It's about bringing together countries from around the world, people who might otherwise have nothing in common… at least for a little while." And, mercifully, 96 years on in its 23rd edition, the tournament still fulfils this overarching ethos, despite all the factors working against those in the stands.
It is three hours before Mexico face England in the most anticipated match at the Estadio Azteca in 40 years. Attendees are being warned to take cover as the police implement their electrical storm protocol. But these adults, merry on pure vibes, are engrossed in the most childlike of games: a chalk-drawn hopscotch on the gravel, outside the stadium's Cabecera Norte end, with 'Viva Mexico' at the top. And the locals, kids and adults alike, are loving it.
And when embarking on a lap of the outer perimeter of the World Cup's most iconic venue before the blockbuster last-16 occasion, similar feel-good scenes are at every corner. Event volunteers dressed in blue and green form a 'Limbo' dance opportunity for passers-by; half a dozen Mexican dance groups greet ticket holders to the south of the main entrance; Mexicans joust with English in gentle ribbing as they queue for entry into the arena.
It is an intoxicating, smile-inducing, dopamine-hitting environment. This is the essence of the biggest event in world sport: the amalgamation of different nationalities and cultures, old and young, male and female. All coalescing, with passion and fervour, in a setting completely irrational and illogical, if it were not for two national football teams going head-to-head.
This is the premise of founder Jules Rimet's vision when he formed the very first World Cup in 1930. In his words: "It's about bringing together countries from around the world, people who might otherwise have nothing in common… at least for a little while." And, mercifully, 96 years on in its 23rd edition, the tournament still fulfils this overarching ethos, despite all the factors working against those in the stands.
5 months ago
"Bob-by, Bob-by, Bob-by."
Any Milwaukee sports fan has heard the chants over the past five years, an homage to Bobby Portis Jr., the self-identifying underdog who provided the backbone – and the electricity – to a championship run in 2021.
It seems almost cruel that Portis would become a footnote on one of the biggest transactions in Wisconsin sports history, merely the undercard in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to Miami. Their joint departure means no other players from the ***** le-winning team in 2021 still play for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Portis hoisted a custom-made WWE-style ***** le belt at the championship parade celebration that summer, perfectly embodying the "people's champ" ethos. In his hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas, he was handed a key to the city a month later, with Aug. 15 declared "Bobby Portis Day." At some point, he also became the unofficial Mayor of Milwaukee.
"When you're an underdog, you need one little thing to light a fire under you," Portis once told the Journal Sentinel. "Somebody could tell me that 'oh yeah, he's not going to do that' so I'm fired up for the season to try to prove to you I can do that. It takes one little thing for me to hear or read. If a player said that he's not reading what people say to him or this and that, he's probably lying. I do. I read all those for motivation to keep me going."
Any Milwaukee sports fan has heard the chants over the past five years, an homage to Bobby Portis Jr., the self-identifying underdog who provided the backbone – and the electricity – to a championship run in 2021.
It seems almost cruel that Portis would become a footnote on one of the biggest transactions in Wisconsin sports history, merely the undercard in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to Miami. Their joint departure means no other players from the ***** le-winning team in 2021 still play for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Portis hoisted a custom-made WWE-style ***** le belt at the championship parade celebration that summer, perfectly embodying the "people's champ" ethos. In his hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas, he was handed a key to the city a month later, with Aug. 15 declared "Bobby Portis Day." At some point, he also became the unofficial Mayor of Milwaukee.
"When you're an underdog, you need one little thing to light a fire under you," Portis once told the Journal Sentinel. "Somebody could tell me that 'oh yeah, he's not going to do that' so I'm fired up for the season to try to prove to you I can do that. It takes one little thing for me to hear or read. If a player said that he's not reading what people say to him or this and that, he's probably lying. I do. I read all those for motivation to keep me going."
5 months ago
Endorsement deals are common for NFL players, but they're rare for coaches on the sidelines. Sean McVay isn't your ordinary coach, though.
Pat Benson of Sports Illustrated reported Thursday that McVay has signed a sneaker deal with Jordan Brand. He's the third coach to sign a deal with the iconic brand, joining Sean Payton and Ron Rivera. Puka Nacua is one of the many NFL players endorsed by Jordan Brand, so McVay now has something in common with his superstar wide receiver. Davante Adams is also a Jordan Brand athlete.
Here's what Jordan Brand said in a statement to Sports Illustrated, recognizing McVay's innovation as a coach and his championship pedigree.
Recognized as one of the most innovative minds in football, McVay leads with clarity, connection, and an unwavering standard that aligns naturally with the Jumpman ethos. He made history as the youngest head coach ever hired in the NFL and later became the youngest to reach and win a Super Bowl. As only the third coach to join Jordan Brand, McVay brings a powerful new dimension to the family, one rooted in vision, culture building, and championship level excellence. Across the league, he is known for inspiring people, elevating those around him, and setting a tone that others rise to. That spirit, raising the bar, staying consistent, and leading with purpose, reflects the very foundation of Jordan Brand.
McVay has always worn Nikes on the sideline, whether it's Air Huaraches or Air Maxes. Now he'll have a deal with Jordan Brand, which could come with some custom blue and yellow J's to go with his royal blue outfit each week.
Pat Benson of Sports Illustrated reported Thursday that McVay has signed a sneaker deal with Jordan Brand. He's the third coach to sign a deal with the iconic brand, joining Sean Payton and Ron Rivera. Puka Nacua is one of the many NFL players endorsed by Jordan Brand, so McVay now has something in common with his superstar wide receiver. Davante Adams is also a Jordan Brand athlete.
Here's what Jordan Brand said in a statement to Sports Illustrated, recognizing McVay's innovation as a coach and his championship pedigree.
Recognized as one of the most innovative minds in football, McVay leads with clarity, connection, and an unwavering standard that aligns naturally with the Jumpman ethos. He made history as the youngest head coach ever hired in the NFL and later became the youngest to reach and win a Super Bowl. As only the third coach to join Jordan Brand, McVay brings a powerful new dimension to the family, one rooted in vision, culture building, and championship level excellence. Across the league, he is known for inspiring people, elevating those around him, and setting a tone that others rise to. That spirit, raising the bar, staying consistent, and leading with purpose, reflects the very foundation of Jordan Brand.
McVay has always worn Nikes on the sideline, whether it's Air Huaraches or Air Maxes. Now he'll have a deal with Jordan Brand, which could come with some custom blue and yellow J's to go with his royal blue outfit each week.
5 months ago
SEATTLE – Seattle, Washington, is steeped in soccer culture. From the formative days of the original Seattle Sounders clashing with Cascadia Cup rivals Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps in the NASL heyday of yesteryear, to the modern rise of the top-flight Seattle Sounders FC and Seattle Reign FC, the sport has long been woven into the community’s ethos. Toss in just a few of the other organizations scattered throughout the city—the defending NCAA champion University of Washington men’s soccer team, recent USL League Two champions Ballard FC and the indoor Tacoma Stars, just to name a few—and it’s clear that soccer dominates the city’s identity.
No one knows that better than Seattle Sounders legend Cristian Roldan, who returns to the Emerald City donning the Stars and Stripes of the U.S. Men’s National Team in preparation for a massive test against Australia. The USMNT will face Australia in its second FIFA World Cup 2026 contest at Seattle Stadium on Friday.
“The soccer culture goes back a long time here in Seattle,” USMNT midfielder Cristian Roldan explained. “We had Pelé in the Tacoma Dome, Messi in the Leagues Cup Final. There's a long history here, as well as with Vancouver and Portland. The soccer landscape is amazing.
“I haven't seen a city where kids play so much soccer. It's incredible how many kids are playing soccer here. When you look at our roster here at [Seattle Sounders], it's all homegrown kids who grew up here and watched Seattle throughout its history. It is ingrained in our culture, and it's a beautiful thing to see.”
Raised in Pico Rivera, Calif., Roldan traded the sun-drenched scenes of Southern California for the rain-soaked backdrop of Seattle at the start of his playing career.
No one knows that better than Seattle Sounders legend Cristian Roldan, who returns to the Emerald City donning the Stars and Stripes of the U.S. Men’s National Team in preparation for a massive test against Australia. The USMNT will face Australia in its second FIFA World Cup 2026 contest at Seattle Stadium on Friday.
“The soccer culture goes back a long time here in Seattle,” USMNT midfielder Cristian Roldan explained. “We had Pelé in the Tacoma Dome, Messi in the Leagues Cup Final. There's a long history here, as well as with Vancouver and Portland. The soccer landscape is amazing.
“I haven't seen a city where kids play so much soccer. It's incredible how many kids are playing soccer here. When you look at our roster here at [Seattle Sounders], it's all homegrown kids who grew up here and watched Seattle throughout its history. It is ingrained in our culture, and it's a beautiful thing to see.”
Raised in Pico Rivera, Calif., Roldan traded the sun-drenched scenes of Southern California for the rain-soaked backdrop of Seattle at the start of his playing career.
5 months ago
It wasn’t just the performance that England had waited years for, it was an attitude.
“Even if we lose,” Thomas Tuchel told his players at half-time in Dallas, “we do it our way.”
There is so much in those few words that could yet have resulted in so much more than the four brilliant goals they got against Croatia.
There was a new ethos, and the fulfilment of a promise. Tuchel had long said he wanted to restore a proper Premier League intensity to the national side, and here it was, offering one of the best performances in the World Cup so far.
Maybe the best?
“Even if we lose,” Thomas Tuchel told his players at half-time in Dallas, “we do it our way.”
There is so much in those few words that could yet have resulted in so much more than the four brilliant goals they got against Croatia.
There was a new ethos, and the fulfilment of a promise. Tuchel had long said he wanted to restore a proper Premier League intensity to the national side, and here it was, offering one of the best performances in the World Cup so far.
Maybe the best?
