Forbes 26 days ago

Funko Is Making An ‘Obsession’ Pop! Figure Of Nikki (And It’s Freaky)

Funko is set to launch a new Pop! figure based on Nikki, a character from Curry Barker’s 2026 horror hit "Obsession." The figure captures Nikki as portrayed by Inde Navarrette in a bloody, intense party scene from the film. Distinctively, the collectible includes Nikki holding a “One Wish Willow” package, symbolizing the novel item that triggers the film's deadly obsession plot, replacing the broken bottle that injured her in the movie. This 4-inch vinyl figure retails at $14.99 and is currently available for pre-order, with shipping expected on December 15. "Obsession," written and directed by Curry Barker, tells the story of Bear, a music store employee played by Michael Johnston, who uses a magical item to make his crush Nikki obsessively love him. This wish, however, spirals into fatal consequences as Nikki exhibits violent and obsessive behavior. The film debuted on May 15 after being picked up by Focus Features at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. It gained traction quickly, earning $17 million in its opening weekend and dominating summer box office receipts. The horror thriller’s financial success has been remarkable, with a reported production budget of just $750,000 and acquisition by Focus Features for approximately $15 million. By early July 2026, "Obsession" had crossed worldwide box office earnings of $400 million, underlining its massive popularity. The film also stars Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter and is available in theaters and through digital streaming platforms, maintaining strong audience interest. Funko’s decision to create a Nikki Pop! figure aligns with the company’s history of producing thousands of pop culture collectibles since 2010, spanning movies, television, sports, and celebrity figures. This new release caters to fans of the R-rated movie’s cult following, blending horror fandom and collectible culture. The release further cements "Obsession" as a significant film property in 2026, with its merchandising adding to its commercial footprint.

1
11 comments Source
Forbes 19 days ago

WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event Results As Karl-Anthony Towns Helps Danhausen

At WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event 2026, Danhausen made a major impact with a memorable victory in Madison Square Garden, solidifying his growing legend in New York City. Earlier this year, the cult favorite gained widespread attention by “uncursing” the New York Knicks, who then went on to win their first NBA Championship in over five decades. This connection catapulted Danhausen’s popularity, making his NYC return highly anticipated for fans and cementing his status as a beloved figure in both the wrestling and sports communities. In his marquee match, Danhausen faced off against JD McDonagh of The Judgment Day, with interference from Dominik Mysterio who showed disrespect by wiping his shoes on Danhausen’s custom Knicks jersey. The matchup featured several dramatic moments including McDonagh’s aggressive offense and Danhausen wearing the jersey to rally back. The turning point came when several “Mini-hausens” appeared to counteract the interference, and Danhausen used a cloning machine gimmick to summon Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns, the reigning 2026 NBA Champion. Karl-Anthony Towns’ surprise entrance electrified the crowd as he delivered powerful chokeslams on both McDonagh and Mysterio, allowing Danhausen to capitalize and secure the win with his finishing move. Towns then joined Danhausen in the ring to perform their signature “You are cursed” taunt, further strengthening the wrestler’s connection to the Knicks’ championship story and enhancing his unique character appeal. This moment underscored Danhausen’s ability to turn even conventional wrestling segments into entertaining experiences through his comedic and crowd-friendly persona. Despite this high-profile victory and partnership with a major sports figure, Danhausen’s role in WWE will likely stay focused on his comedic, marketable character rather than a serious push as a top wrestling talent. WWE recognizes his value primarily in terms of merchandise sales and audience connection, similar to stars like R-Truth. With regular backstage vignettes and selectively booked matches, this formula has proven successful, so fans can expect Danhausen to remain a beloved midcard figure with continuing fan enthusiasm rather than a main-event contender.

2
6 comments Source
Forbes 19 days ago

The FIFA World Cup Halftime Show Breaks A Longstanding Tradition

The FIFA World Cup final on July 19, 2026, will mark a historic change by featuring the tournament’s first-ever full halftime show, ending a 96-year tradition that only allowed for tactical analysis and players’ regrouping during the break. This 11-minute performance, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin and produced by Global Citizen, will showcase global superstars Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and BTS, joined by Burna Boy and conductor Gustavo Dudamel, leading a blended orchestra from Los Angeles and Venezuela. The show will be broadcast to what is expected to be the largest television audience in sports, coinciding with record-breaking viewership anticipated at the New Jersey-based final. Until now, World Cup finals had never included a musical halftime event, though FIFA experimented with a halftime show during the 2025 Club World Cup final featuring artists like J Balvin and Doja Cat. The decision to introduce a halftime show at the main World Cup final coincides with the tournament’s expanding global viewership and growing commercial opportunities, including streaming platforms. The 2026 final’s halftime show reflects football’s worldwide appeal by integrating performers from the United States, Latin America, and South Korea, embodying the sport’s cultural diversity. Each headliner adds particular significance to the event: Madonna is a seven-time Grammy winner, BTS are notable as the first K-pop group nominated for a Grammy, and Shakira carries a deep connection to the World Cup, internationally recognized for her 2010 anthem “Waka Waka,” which holds a Guinness World Record for the most-streamed FIFA World Cup song on Spotify. Shakira and Burna Boy will also perform “Dai Dai,” the official song for the 2026 tournament, making them the only artists to perform at both the opening ceremony and closing halftime show, amplifying the event’s full-circle narrative. The halftime performance also supports a charitable mission, aiming to raise $100 million for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund to improve access to education and football opportunities for children worldwide. Fans in the United States can watch the show live on Fox Sports with the match airing on FOX, while Spanish-language coverage will be available via NBCUniversal's Peacock and Telemundo. The inclusion of characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets during the show further highlights the event’s emphasis on children’s education and global unity.

2
5 comments Source
Forbes 26 days ago

‘Supergirl’ Tumbles Out Of Top 5 With Projected $3.8 Million Weekend 3 Box Office

The DC superhero film *Supergirl*, directed by Craig Gillespie and starring Milly Alcock, has suffered a sharp decline at the domestic box office. After opening with a disappointing $37.1 million in North American ticket sales from 3,602 theaters—well below its early June projection of $55 million—the movie plummeted 77% in its second weekend, earning just $8.6 million. Once at No. 2 in the domestic charts its opening weekend and No. 4 in the following week, *Supergirl* has now dropped out of the top 5 and is expected to place eighth in its third weekend with an estimated $3.8 million across just 2,000 theaters, reflecting a 55% drop from the previous weekend. Warner Bros. appears to be scaling back on *Supergirl*, removing over 1,600 venues since week two, which is contributing to the film’s steep box office decline. Industry projections by Deadline estimate the film’s three-week domestic total will reach about $66.2 million by the end of this weekend. Internationally, the film has grossed $46.4 million, making the worldwide total approximately $112.6 million to date. These figures are far short of *Supergirl*’s hefty $170 million production budget, combined with around $120 million spent on marketing, highlighting a major financial setback for Warner Bros. Compounding its financial woes, *Supergirl* faced reported creative clashes during production, including competing cuts between director Craig Gillespie and the studio, as well as poor test audience scores. Warner Bros. is now likely to shift the film’s revenue strategy, planning to release it on premium video on demand by late July, following their usual approach to capitalize on home viewing after theatrical runs. This digital release may offer the film’s best opportunity to recoup some of its extensive costs after this troubled theatrical performance. *Supergirl* is the second film under the current leadership of DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran following the 2025 release of *Superman*. Looking ahead, DC fans can expect the horror film *Clayface*, based on a Batman villain, to open on October 23, 2026, while the *Superman* sequel *Man of Tomorrow*, starring David Corenswet and co-starring Milly Alcock, is scheduled for July 9, 2027. Despite the disappointing run for *Supergirl*, the DC Universe continues to build momentum with these upcoming releases.

1
3 comments Source
Forbes 19 days ago

How The 2026 World Cup Forever Changed Soccer In The U.S.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across North America including the U.S., has set a new benchmark for soccer's presence in America, capturing massive crowds and delivering NFL-level TV ratings on both English and Spanish networks. Despite high ticket prices, all 16 venues saw sellout crowds during the 104-game tournament, exposing millions of American viewers to soccer’s intense atmosphere for the first time. This remarkable surge in attention has sparked a national conversation around the sport, firmly placing soccer into the mainstream U.S. sports landscape. Major League Soccer (MLS) stands to gain significantly from this heightened interest. Prior to the tournament, MLS was already growing steadily, but the World Cup created a unique moment for new fans to fall in love with the sport and then follow professional teams throughout the year. MLS has responded by launching its largest-ever coordinated marketing campaign titled “Thanks World, We’ll Take It From Here,” featuring big names like Lionel Messi and David Beckham to retain and expand its newly energized fan base. MLS Commissioner Don Garber described the U.S. as “the golden market for soccer globally,” emphasizing the unprecedented revenue and attendance generated. Beyond MLS, the entire American soccer ecosystem is poised to benefit. The National Women’s Soccer League and lower-division leagues are likely to see increased support as more communities embrace local clubs and youth programs. The World Cup also accelerated urban and stadium infrastructure improvements, including enhanced transportation and fan experiences, which will continue to serve communities long after the tournament finishes. These investments underscore the event’s lasting impact on the sport’s growth infrastructure in the country. Culturally, the 2026 World Cup fostered a powerful sense of unity and celebration among diverse American communities. Fans wearing jerseys from the event's 48 nations gathered across the country, highlighting soccer's role in connecting people from different backgrounds. The event not only showcased America's multicultural identity but also inspired many children to take up the game. The lasting legacy will depend on sustained investments in youth soccer and accessible programs to cultivate the next generation of players, ensuring that the World Cup’s influence extends far beyond its historic matches.

2
2 comments Source
Forbes 21 days ago

Netflix Explores Free Tier Due To Viewing Growth And The $3 Billion Bet

Netflix's second-quarter update revealed modest viewing growth of just 2% in the first half of 2026, while content spending is projected to increase by about 10%. Co-CEO Greg Peters emphasized that raw viewing hours do not fully capture audience value, highlighting live events that, despite low total viewing time, significantly boost sign-ups, engagement, and advertising revenue. This perspective marks a shift from merely defending engagement metrics to reimagining how viewer engagement translates into financial returns. The discussions also ventured into Netflix’s advertising strategy, particularly the potential introduction of a free, ad-supported tier. Peters noted that such a service might make sense in select markets once the advertising revenue reaches a scale large enough to support it. Netflix is actively expanding inventory to enable this, including daytime video podcasts, lifestyle programming from partners like Condé Nast, Hearst, and People Inc., and AI-assisted content production that lowers costs while increasing output. These developments aim to produce more advertiser-friendly viewing hours. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos addressed concerns about audience declines in second seasons of shows, asserting that there is no significant change and even slight improvement compared to last year. He cautioned against drawing conclusions from limited data samples and underscored the company’s commitment to broad content variety. Notably, Netflix has integrated AI tools in about 300 titles, accelerating production and cutting costs, with savings planned to be reinvested into further content creation. Partnerships are also key to Netflix’s growth strategy, with early results from the integration with French broadcaster TF1 described as promising. Peters indicated Netflix would consider similar collaborations based on mutual benefit. Altogether, Netflix’s earnings call framed viewing growth as a complex equation involving quality, variety, and quantity of content, alongside evolving monetization avenues like advertising and new distribution models, setting the stage for future revenue streams beyond subscriber fees.

1
2 comments Source
Forbes 28 days ago

Bottoms Up: World Cup Visitors Boost Boston Tourism Revenues

Boston’s tourism sector benefited from a notable financial boost during the initial two weeks of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Between June 12 and June 27, while hotel occupancy rates remained steady at around 87%—similar to the previous summer—spending on hotel rooms and related tourism activities surged by 20%. This increase was largely driven by international visitors, particularly fans from Scotland, Norway, Morocco, and France, who showed higher spending patterns than the city’s typical summer tourists. The influx of World Cup attendees had a distinct effect on the hospitality industry, with Boston standing out among other host cities for its elevated bar and restaurant spending. Scottish fans, for instance, contributed significantly to local nightlife, resulting in bars and restaurants experiencing some of the strongest sales boosts during the event. Boston Beer Co. reported that the consumption of beer by Scots was four times greater than their usual stock for comparable holiday periods, showcasing the substantial impact on the city’s beverage and dining sectors. Although the number of visitors to Boston did not increase dramatically, the heightened spending per visitor created fresh economic activity that supplemented the usual summer tourism income. Experts suggest that while international visitors may have partly replaced regular tourists, the higher per-room expenditure still provided a welcome revenue lift, especially for food and nightlife businesses. Other sectors, such as museums and boutique retail, saw fewer benefits compared to the hospitality scene. Meet Boston, the city’s tourism marketing organization, expressed optimism about these early returns, noting that the World Cup’s effect brings additional consumer spending and tax generation without relying on taxpayer dollars to stimulate the economy. As the tournament, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, continues through July 19, Boston’s experience offers encouraging insights into the potential economic advantages that major international sporting events can deliver to host cities.

1
2 comments Source
Front Office Sports 10 days ago

LeBron James Turns 76ers Into National TV Fixture

LeBron James’ recent signing with the Philadelphia 76ers has significantly boosted the team’s national television exposure for the upcoming NBA season. With James on the roster, the Sixers are slated to feature in 34 nationally televised games, the maximum allowed under the NBA’s current media rights agreement. This represents a substantial increase from the previous season’s 14 national appearances featuring Joel Embiid’s team and positions Philadelphia as a major focal point across platforms including ABC/ESPN, NBC Sports/Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video. The NBA’s media landscape under the current 11-year, $76 billion rights deal guarantees a minimum of two national telecasts per team per season. However, the presence of marquee players in large markets typically drives select teams to receive the maximum 34 national games. Last season, this distinction was held by teams like the Knicks, Lakers, Warriors, and Thunder, each fueled by star players and championship pedigree. The Sixers joining this elite group underscores the immense draw LeBron brings, especially as he pursues his fifth NBA title in what could be his final season. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver highlighted that the league delayed finalizing its schedule until James decided his next team, emphasizing LeBron’s impact on key TV events such as opening week and the Christmas Day five-game slate. The delay in the schedule—caused by LeBron’s free agency period after leaving the Lakers on June 30 and signing with Philadelphia almost a month later—reflects the priority given to maximizing viewership and media exposure around his moves. Silver acknowledged the influence James has over national broadcast strategy and the overall NBA calendar. Despite a modest 45–37 record and a seventh-place finish in the Eastern Conference last season, the addition of LeBron James paired with stars like Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, and Tyrese Maxey makes the 76ers an attractive media asset. With the potential to be one of the most captivating storylines of the season, the Sixers will be heavily featured on national television, promising increased fan engagement and commercial opportunities for the franchise and its media partners throughout the 2026–27 campaign.

1
1 comment Source
Forbes 12 days ago

How The Rose Bowl Is Reinventing Itself Without Losing Its Soul

The Rose Bowl, under the leadership of CEO Jens Weiden, is redefining what it means to be a historic sports venue by capitalizing on its expansive 300-acre setting in Pasadena, California. Rather than focusing solely on the football field and game days, the stadium has been transformed into a vibrant, year-round entertainment campus and community hub. Weiden’s vision treats the property as a “town square,” where residents and visitors partake in a variety of activities including concerts, festivals, charity runs, and a popular monthly flea market, embedding the Rose Bowl deeply into daily life. This placemaking philosophy shifts the traditional stadium business model, which heavily leans on marquee football events, to a more diversified calendar featuring around 25 major events annually and over 200 additional gatherings ranging from corporate events to film shoots. By turning spaces like the golf course into multi-use festival grounds and developing the campus for broad community use, the Rose Bowl has moved beyond a game-day focus to become a bustling economic engine. This approach not only fills the calendar but also drives sustainable revenue to support ongoing capital improvements. Unlike newer billion-dollar stadiums with modern technology and luxury amenities, the Rose Bowl's competitive edge rests on authenticity and its unmatched natural setting framed by the San Gabriel Mountains and mature parkland. Weiden’s strategy intentionally leverages these unique qualities rather than competing head-to-head with contemporary venues like SoFi Stadium. The emphasis is on outdoor experiences and community-centered events that honor the stadium’s history and environment, creating a distinct identity and financial independence. The Rose Bowl’s reinvention offers a promising blueprint for other historic sports venues seeking to remain relevant and financially viable amidst rapidly evolving entertainment landscapes. Its success demonstrates that leveraging cultural heritage and place-based experiences can create a sustainable business model. With a balanced budget and a growing mix of events that serve both local communities and large audiences, the Rose Bowl stands as a testament to blending tradition with innovation while preparing for future milestones like hosting the Olympics again.

1
1 comment Source
Front Office Sports 14 days ago

WNBA All-Star Game Ticket Prices Exceed $200, Sellout Expected

The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game is shaping up to be the league’s most successful event yet, with ticket prices surpassing $200 and a sellout expected. The game, scheduled for Saturday at Chicago’s United Center with over 20,000 seats, has a current "get-in" price of $233 on the secondary market, more than double last week's price. The Friday night 3-Point Contest and Shooting Stars event, held at the smaller Wintrust Arena, also sees ticket increases, with prices around $115, nearly four times last year’s prices. Demand for these events has driven secondary market prices significantly higher as Saturday’s main game is already sold out through primary channels, and only limited seats remain for Friday’s contests. Ticketing platforms such as SeatGeek report order volumes triple those from 2025, averaging $431 in sales price and surpassing last year’s total sales by 15%. StubHub shows the sales volume is eight times higher than in 2022, a year when Friday’s events were invite-only due to security concerns. Despite the soaring prices and excitement, there are notable absences, especially in the 3-Point Contest. Top players like Caitlin Clark and defending champion Sabrina Ionescu are not participating, with reports indicating some players declined invitations or faced communication issues around official invites. The contest will feature rising stars like Azzi Fudd and All-Stars Rhyne Howard and Marina Mabrey, filling the slots left by those who opted out. The heightened interest and price inflation come despite the Chicago Sky’s struggles this season, including a poor record and trading away a key All-Star, Angel Reese. Saturday’s All-Star Game is expected to showcase league stars such as Paige Bueckers, A’ja Wilson, and Breanna Stewart, maintaining the WNBA’s growing popularity and marketability even amid team performance challenges and player availability questions.

1
1 comment Source