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Joe Budden might have gone from chart-topping rapper to podcast host, but today, heâs building a business on his own terms. The 44-year-old podcaster recently gave The New York Times a rare look into the numbers behind his booming podcast network. According to Ian Schwartzman, CEO of the Joe Budden Network, the company is projected to generate more than $20 million in 2025, the outlet reports. When A Flex Turns Into A Teachable Moment In June, Budden posted a screenshot on Instagram showing his Patreon traffic â Patreon being the fan-funded platform where his most loyal supporters subscribe for exclusive content. As AFROTECH⢠previously reported, the image accidentally revealed he made just over $900,000 in earnings that month, sparking headlines and internet buzz. The image showed more than 30 million visits in 30 days, per The New York Times. Budden confirmed to The New York Times that his podcast network brings in an average of $1.04 million per month through Patreon alone, based...
Don Lemonâs lawsuit against Elon Musk and his platform, X, is officially heading to trial. According to CNBC, a San Francisco judge ruled that the case accusing Musk and X of breach of contract and fraud can move forward. As AFROTECH⢠previously reported, Lemon filed the suit in 2024, claiming X pulled out of a $1.5 million content deal just hours after he recorded a tense, on-camera interview with Musk. That interview was meant to launch âThe Don Lemon Showâ exclusively on the platform. Lemonâs team had already started production, and both parties had publicly announced the show. The journalist had also reportedly âincurred hundreds of thousands of dollars in expensesâ in preparation. But before the first episode could air, X canceled the deal, sparking allegations of retaliation and broken promises. Judge Backs Don Lemon Lawsuit In Court The courtroom developments mark a major step forward for Lemonâs legal claims. Judge Harold Kahn rejected Muskâs motion to dismiss the case or...
Taylor Rooks is launching a foundation that will assist Black and brown families. Taylor Rooks Foundation According to a press release shared with AFROTECHâ˘, the two-time Emmy Award-nominated journalist and producer was inspired by the stories she has told and people she has encountered throughout the course of her life to launch the Taylor Rooks Foundation. This has led to what will be a long-term effort to support storytellers and uplift Black and Brown individuals and families through education, health, and opportunity regardless of their âzip code, background, or bank account.â The nonprofit is guided by the following pillars: REACH (educational resources, community wellness initiatives, small business support, and direct giving) RELIEVE (support for health and recovery, crisis assistance, and essential living needs) REPRESENT (mentorship for journalists, storytelling workshops, and launch of Rising Rooks Award) âI believe that equity starts with access â access to care, to...
Amaya Espinal, also known as âAmaya Papaya,â may have a new career once she exits the villa. From A Nurse To A Reality TV Star The 25-year-old from New York is a first-generation American with roots in the Dominican Republic and is among the cast members on Season 7 of Peacockâs âLove Island USAâ. Her search for love could lead to a $100,000 prize, one she may split with her partner if they make it to the finale â unless one of them decides to take it all. Espinal, who is currently coupled up with fellow cast member Bryan Arenales, has quickly become a fan favorite among viewers for wearing her heart on her sleeve. She already has a viral sound on platforms such as TikTok, where she currently has 2.3 million followers (at the time of this writing). @printedofperfection Song of the summer ⨠#fyp #loveislandusa #casaamor #amayapapaya ⏠original sound â Love love love A personal moment was captured of her singing in front of a mirror on the show. The sound bite of the original song has...
Westbrook Inc., the entertainment studio founded by Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Miguel Melendez, and Ko Yada, is entering the anime world â and not quietly. According to a report from Variety, the company has announced a partnership with the newly formed Studio Azuki, signaling a global push that connects Hollywood storytelling with next-generation anime development. The collaboration pairs Westbrook with a new kind of anime studio, one rooted in Japanese tradition, driven by fan participation, and powered by digital culture. ââŚOur mission has always been to tell stories that connect, inspire, and transcend borders,â Yada, CEO of Westbrook, said via Variety. ââŚ[Studio Azukiâs] creative vision and cultural insight align seamlessly with our global strategy.â Studio Azuki is a joint venture formed by digital-native brand Azuki, manga publisher Comisma Inc., and animation house Xenotoon Inc. Each brings something different to the table. Azuki, born from an NFT project, has already...
Grammy Award-winning singer Kirk Franklin has deepened his partnership with a media and entertainment company, which will increase funding for his creative endeavors. Franklinâs Fo Yo Soul Recordings and CLTRE Lab merged with Insignia Assets, established by Norman Gyamfi and Jonathan Jay, according to Billboard . The companies will be able to benefit from Insignia Assetsâ portfolio, which encompasses recorded music and publishing, television, film, touring and events. The gospel artist will assume a new title, serving as Insignia Assetsâ chief of creative services. âWeâve worked with Kirk for some time nowâfrom the 2022 release of the multi-GRAMMYÂŽ-winning collaborative album, Kingdom, to producing sold-out arena tours with him consecutively over the past few years,â Gyamfi, Insignia Assetsâ co-founder and CEO, told the music publication. âToday, weâre thrilled to fortify and deepen our partnership by welcoming Kirk to our executive team and by charting a course for the future with...
Byron Allen is selling local television stations owned by his Allen Media Group (AMG), with investment bank Moelis & Co. handling the deal. The portfolio consists of 28 stations affiliated with ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox, operating in 21 U.S. markets, including Tupelo, MS ; Honolulu, HI; Flint, MI; and Tucson, AZ, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Allen said AMG began investing over $1 billion six years ago to build a portfolio of âbig fourâ network-affiliated television stations. âWe have received numerous inquiries and written offers for most of our television stations and now is the time to explore getting a return on this phenomenal investment,â Allen said, per THR. âWe are going to use this opportunity to take a serious look at the offers, and the sale proceeds will be used to significantly reduce our debt.â As the media landscape continues to evolve, AMG has been navigating industry challenges and, over the past year, has implemented a series of measures to streamline...
Athletes are leaning further into content creation to build a sturdy brand. While sports is a bridge between athletes and fans, content creation is another avenue that can further enhance the relationship. Now, more and more players are leaning into this in various ways to give fans a closer look into their lifestyles and interest. At the 2025 NAB Show (National Association of Broadcasters) held in Vegas, NV, PlayersTV Co-Founder Collin Castellaw was among the leaders gathered for a panel titled âEmpowering Athletes: The Rise of Player-Owned Media in the NIL Era,â moderated by journalist Chris Smith on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. PlayersTV As AFROTECH⢠previously told you, PlayersTV, established in 2020, is the first athlete-owned media network and content provider. It is currently backed by players that include Chris Paul, Kyrie Irving, Travis Kelce, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and Damian Lillard. The media network currently has nearly 70 professional athletes as owners, investors ,...
The Global Gaming League (GGL), a professional gaming entertainment organization featuring celebrity team owners, has successfully raised $10 million in its SAFE round, led by the private equity group Solyco Capital, according to a news release. Founded by multi-platinum music producer and entrepreneur Clinton Sparks, in collaboration with Grammy Award-winning artist T-Pain and tech visionary Jeff Hoffman, GGL is building the first entertainment system that monetizes the worldâs largest and most engaged audience: the more than 3 billion people who play video games. âThere are over 3 billion gamers around the world,â Sparks said. âBut thereâs still no centralized platform that gives everyday players the spotlightâwhile authentically connecting brands, celebrities, and competition in a way thatâs truly entertaining. Thatâs where GGL comes in.â Each GGL team has four players â including high-profile influencers , actors, athletes, artists, and casual and professional gamers â competing...
Researchers have developed algorithms that accurately depict coily Black hair in computer graphics â a historic advancement for Black characters in media. According to The Guardian, AM Darke, an associate professor in the department of performance, play, and design at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and Theodore Kim, a professor of computer science at the Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science, co-authored the study. Despite increased representation and numerous papers published on computer graphics algorithms over the past 50 years â particularly regarding hair â Kim noted that representations of Black hair have remained relatively unchanged. Due to a lack of appropriate formulas, animators have struggled to accurately depict textures like type 4C hair , characterized by tightly coiled curls. âThereâs only one or two hairstyles that people gravitate towards because they find that itâs culturally approved,â Kim said. âThe vast diversity of type four hair is then...
Global Day of Unplugging was March 7-8, 2025, and Verizon has been doing its part to address the growing challenge of managing screen time and its effects on overall well-being. According to Verizon, the average Verizon home internet household connects 18 devices and the number is rising. On March 6, 2025, at the inaugural Digital Wellness Summit hosted by actress and TV host Drew Barrymore, the company introduced several initiatives to promote healthy digital habits for families. Sowmyanarayan Sampath, CEO of Verizon Consumer, oversees the companyâs vast network, which serves millions of consumers across America with wireless devices and home internet. In a recent discussion with AFROTECH⢠about digital wellness , Sampath highlighted the challenges of underserved communities, particularly regarding access to technology and knowledge, as well as the need to advocate for increased awareness and greater accessibility. âWhich is why Verizon is getting involved in this,â he said. âYou...
Cam Newton is taking his production company to new heights. Founded in 2012, Iconic Saga is a dynamic production company that collaborates with a wide range of clients and brands, delivering non-scripted digital content, scripted series, childrenâs programming, and animation, according to its LinkedIn profile. The company has worked with prominent names like Nickelodeon, Facebook, and ESPN. Per Boardroom, Newton is strategically aligning all of his creative ventures under the Saga umbrella, including his web series âFunky Fridayâ and â4th & 1.â âMedia is at a very interesting space right now because you have people who are gaining more validation by being able to speak on certain topics, as opposed to the days where somebody can just voice their opinion and say, âOkay, boom. Thatâs the show.â Well, in this day and age, it is being able to be authentic to what youâre talking about and how youâre talking about it. And weâre seeing more and more creatives or creators create stories,...
Despite President Donald Trumpâs orders, Comcast is one of several media companies the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is investigating for allegedly promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. According to Reuters, FCC Chair Brendan Carr announced the opening of the investigation into NBC News and its parent company, Comcast, on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2025, citing âsubstantial evidenceâ that the companies continue to promote DEI. Carr noted that Comcast operates across multiple FCC-regulated sectors, including cable, high-speed internet, broadcast television stations, and wireless services. âThe FCC will be taking fresh action to ensure that every entity the FCC regulates complies with the civil rights protections enshrined in the Communications Act⌠including by shutting down any programs that promote invidious forms of DEI discrimination,â the letter to Comcast CEO Brian Roberts read, per Reuters. The FCC is also reviewing whether a â60 Minutesâ interview with...
Over 123 million people worldwide tuned into Super Bowl LIX this year to see the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Philadelphia Eagles . Whether you watched from a sports bar, from your couch or from the seats at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, you likely encountered a number of highlights from the game itself, the electrifying halftime performance and the hilarious array of eye-popping ads. Itâs long been known that the big game is the premiere advertising event of the year, as brands across the nation have a chance to place their product or service in front of millions of viewers from all over the globe. Many major companies utilize their Super Bowl ad space to launch brand new products, high-ticket expansions or comedic pop culture zingers designed to be dissected by the water cooler the following week. But how much are these companies really paying out to get their ads out there? It seems as though each Super Bowl carries an exponential price tag for air time, even...
In a move that has sparked considerable debate, PBS announced the closure of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office, citing compliance with executive orders issued by President Donald Trump. According to Deadline, the decision was confirmed through a memo from PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger, marking a significant rollback of the organizationâs DEI efforts â a trend increasingly observed across public and private sectors as political pressures increase. A Sudden Shift In Strategy As reported by The New York Times reporter Ben Mullin via X (formerly Twitter), the memo revealed that PBSâs DEI office would be shuttered and that key leaders Cecilia Loving, senior vice president of DEI, and Gina Leow, director of DEI, would be departing the organization. Kerger noted, âTo ensure that we are complying with the presidentâs executive order, we have closed our DEI office, and Cecilia Loving and Gina Leow are leaving PBS.â Adding to the dissonance is the fact that this...