Darth Vader's Lightsaber from "The Empire Strikes Back" Breaks "Star Wars" Auction Record with $3.6 Million Sale

Lucasfilm Darth Vader's Hero Lightsaber was among the items for auction on day one of Propstore's Los Angeles Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction on Sept. 4 The item marks the first time in the history ofStar Warsmemorabilia that a verifiably screen-used Vader Hero Lightsaber has ever been available for sale The record-breaking sale speaks to the continuing love for and legacy of the iconic film franchise The first day of an auction celebrating some of the most unforgettable props from television and film history resulted in a record-breaking buy for one luckyStar Warsfan. The first day ofPropstore's Los Angeles Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auctionwas held on Thursday, Sept. 4. The event featured 433 rare and remarkable film and television lots totalling in $14,302,417 of sales (including buyer's premium). Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The biggest sale of the day came with the much-anticipated sale of Darth Vader's Hero Lightsaber. The duelling lightsaber was used in climactic battles in bothThe Empire Strikes BackandReturn of the Jedi. The listing of the rare screen-used prop from theStar Warsuniverse marks the first time a verifiably screen-used Vader Hero Lightsaber has ever been available for sale. After a pre-sale estimate of $1 million to $3 million, the piece of cinema history sold for $3,654,000, making it the highest-pricedStar Warsitem ever sold at auction. No information has been made public about who purchased the one-of-a-kind prop. In 1995,James Earl Jones, who famously voiced Vader in countlessStar Warsprojects throughout his career, toldConan O'Brienit took him only two and a half hours to record Vader's dialogue for the firstStar Warsmovie,making just $7,000for his contribution at the time. When it came time to makeThe Empire Strikes Back, Jones considered doing something a little different with the villain, but Lucas reminded Jones that if something's not broken, you don't fix it. "He said, 'We don't know what we did right, so let's just try what we did.' Naturally, I wanted to make Darth Vader more interesting, more subtle, more psychologically oriented," Jones told theAFIof Lucas. "And he said, 'No, no. What we're finding out is you need to keep his voice on a very narrow band of inflection because he ain't human, really.' " "If he gets too expressive, he seems too human," Jones told O'Brien. That would explain why Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) believed Vader was "more machine now than man." Courtesy of Propstore Brandon Alinger, Propstore COO, commented on the first day of the auction, calling the sale a "landmark moment." "Today's result marks a landmark moment not just for Propstore, but for the entire world of film collecting. To see aStar Warslightsaber – the symbol of one of cinema's greatest sagas – become the highest-valued piece of the franchise ever sold at auction is incredibly special. It speaks to the enduring cultural power ofStar Warsand the passion of fans and collectors who see these artifacts as touchstones of modern mythology," he shared. The Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction continues with more than 600 additional lots available for bidding Sept. 5 and 6. Interested participants can place bidsonlineor by telephone. Read the original article onPeople

Darth Vader's Lightsaber from “The Empire Strikes Back” Breaks “Star Wars” Auction Record with $3.6 Million Sale

Darth Vader's Lightsaber from "The Empire Strikes Back" Breaks "Star Wars" Auction Record with $3.6 Million Sale Luc...
Kurt Russell Joins The 'Yellowstone' Spinoff 'The Madison'New Foto - Kurt Russell Joins The 'Yellowstone' Spinoff 'The Madison'

Yellowstoneaired its (apparently) final episode last year, and barring a surprise renewal forseason six, fans are looking to the next show to join Taylor Sheridan's ranching universe. In August 2024,TVLinerevealed that there was aYellowstonespinoff, tentatively titledThe Madison,in the works. Shortly thereafter, casting announcements helped to flesh out a clearer idea of whatYellowstone's successor will look like. Since then, the pace of news has slowed to a trickle, butYellowstoneexecutive producer Christina Voros, who directed four of the six episodes in the show's final season,did confirmthat much of the flagship series's team has moved on toThe Madison. Speaking toTHRabout rumors of Sheridan's ever-expanding catalogue of shows, Voros said, "The team that I've been working with has moved fromYellowstoneintoThe Madison, so I know that new show is happening and Taylor is excited about writing it." Here's all the latest information onThe Madison: The series announced its star, early on, as none other than Michelle Pfeiffer. "Michelle Pfeiffer is a remarkable talent who imbues every role with emotional depth, authenticity and grace," said Chris McCarthy, the Co-CEO and President of Paramount Global and CEO of Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios, which will co-produce the series. "She is the perfect anchor to the newest chapter of theYellowstoneuniverse,Madison, from the brilliant mind of Taylor Sheridan." Pfeiffer will also executive produce. In late August 2024, it was revealed that Matthew Fox, known for his work on series likeLostandParty of Five, will play opposite Pfeiffer as Paul, "a self-reliant bachelor who loves the outdoors." Over a year after Fox's involvement was announced, another long-rumored name was added to the cast: Kurt Russell. When news of the show first broke in 2024, Russell was said to be close to signing a deal for the show, though no confirmation of his casting was announced at the time. It's not currently clear what role he will play in the series. Additionally, formerSuitsstar Patrick J. Adams, Elle Chapman, Beau Garrett, Amiah Miller, Kevin Zegers, Rebecca Spence, Alaina Pollack, and Danielle Vasinova have all joined the cast. When asked byTVLinein October 2024 aboutThe Madison's impressive cast, Patrick J. Adams, merely responded, "Yes—and I haveno ideawhat I'm allowed to say about that show, so I'm going to say absolutely nothing except 'yes' to what you just said." Adams will play Russell McIntosh, "a young investment banker who has followed the life path set before him from the start," according to a release announcing the casting. Chapman will play his wife, Paige, "a somewhat self-centered woman who indulges in a luxurious New York lifestyle provided by her parents and investment banker husband," while Garrett will portray Abigail Reese, "a resilient and sardonic New Yorker, who is a recently divorced mother of two." Miller and Pollack will play Abigail's daughters. PerDeadline, Chapman and Garrett's characters will be the daughters of Pfeiffer's character. Outside ofThe Madison's main family, Zegers will play a neighbor named Cade, Spence will play Liliana Weeks, a family friend from New York, and Vasinova will play the Indigenous wife of a local rancher. Yellowstone's original cast membersKelly Reillyand Cole Hauser (who play the show's beloved couple, Beth and Rip) along with co-star Luke Grimes, were all rumored to be in talks to join the project that eventually becameThe Madisonin 2024, however we now know that Reilly and Hauserwill be helming their own spinoffon Paramount+, while Grimes will reprise his role on CBS'sY:Marshals. Despite the fact that the series has been billed as a spinoff, so far, very little information has been revealed as to its connection to the mainYellowstonestoryline. None of the characters (that we know of, at least) fromThe Madisonappeared on screen inYellowstone, nor was the spinoff ranch mentioned. The closest we seemed to get from the flagship's finale was the news that Rip and Beth would be moving to a new ranch outside of Dillon, Montana—near the area known as the Madison Valley, whereThe Madisonis set. In an interview withVarietyfollowingYellowstone's November 2024 season premiere, Voros said of the new show, "It's such a different story. The common ground is the landscape. We are in Montana, but it is seen through a completely different lens, so it feels like another facet of this cut stone that has been polished. There are parallels in the scope of landscape and a human being's place in that space, but it's coming at it from a completely different point of view." The logline for the show explains that the series will be "a heartfelt study of grief and human connection following a New York City family in the Madison River valley of central Montana." While the show has consistently been billed as having a connection toYellowstone, thus far it's not clear exactly how the two series will intersect. Initially it was reported thatThe Madison(which has also operated under the titleMadison) would "follow wealthy matriarch Stacy Clyburn and her family as they leave New York City and head to Montana in the wake of her husband and brother-in-law's tragic deaths in a plane crash." It's not currently clear whether those details remain accurate. Perhaps most notably for fans of creatorTaylor Sheridan's universe ofYellowstoneshows,Varietyhas reported thatThe Madisonis indeed the spinoff previously operating under the working title2024. Pfeiffer was previously expected to star in said seriesalongside Matthew McConaughey, who had been rumored to join the Dutton universefor years. 2024, which was announced along with an additional prequel series1944(following on the heels of Sheridan's Dutton-focused1883and1923) has been the source of speculation since McConaughey was originally rumored to be joining theYellowstoneas far back as February 2023. However, despite the persistent word that the star was in talks for the project, no casting confirmations for him ever materialized. News thatThe Madisonis indeed the renamed2024would seem to indicate that McConaughey (who was said to be growing impatient over protracted contract negotiations) is no longer involved. PerTVLine's previous reporting,TheMadisonwas slated to begin production in August 2024, with filming planned for Montana and New York, as well as Texas. Adams later confirmed in October of that year that the production was in the process of filming in Montana. Since then, there's been no word on the show's status, but the fact that casting was still being announced as of September 2025 suggests that the production schedule has bee protracted. When2024was announced, it was slated to debut following the final installment ofYellowstone's season 5. Given the lack of advance promotion or additional details, it now seems likely that we will not seeThe Madisonuntil 2026 at the earliest. According toDeadlinein September 2025, insiders indicate that the show will receive and early renewal for a second season. It's equally unclear at the moment whether the series will appear on cable via Paramount Network, asYellowstonedid, or if it will be be streaming-first on Paramount+, as with Sheridan's other Dutton spinoffs. We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available. You Might Also Like 12 Weekend Getaway Spas For Every Type of Occasion 13 Beauty Tools to Up Your At-Home Facial Game

Kurt Russell Joins The 'Yellowstone' Spinoff 'The Madison'

Kurt Russell Joins The 'Yellowstone' Spinoff 'The Madison' Yellowstoneaired its (apparently) final episode last year, and ba...
MLB's regular season enters its final 3 weeks. Here's a look at the playoff picture and awards racesNew Foto - MLB's regular season enters its final 3 weeks. Here's a look at the playoff picture and awards races

There's a wide divide in finances betweenMajor League Baseball'sbig-market and small-market teams. As for the win column? Not so much. The 2025 season has produced a surprising show of parity through the first five months of the regular season. While most of the league's big spenders — teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and New York Mets — are in good position to make the playoffs and do damage in October, they haven't been as dominant as many expected. In fact, there's a good chance that this will be the second season in a row no MLB franchise will top 100 wins. The only team with a realistic shotis the Milwaukee Brewers, who rank 23rd in the league with a $112 million payroll. They'll have to go 14-7 over their final 21 games to hit 100. The last time there were no 100-game winners in back-to-back seasons was a three-year stretch from 2012 to 2014. With three weeks and roughly 20 games remaining for most teams, here are some things to watch as the regular season winds down: Playoff races Their might be no truly dominant teams this season, but there's also a pretty clear picture of the 12 teams that could make the postseason bracket — six in the National League and six in the American League. In the AL, the Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros have a more than 95% chance to make the playoffs, according to ESPN's projections. A sixth team — the Seattle Mariners — sit at a roughly 75% chance. There are still several teams with hope, including the Texas Rangers (12.8%), Kansas City Royals (10.0%), Tampa Bay Rays (9.6%) and Cleveland Guardians (2.8%). The NL race has an even bigger gap between the top six teams and the rest of the league. The Brewers, Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres all have odds of at least 95% to play in October. Among the longshots: The San Francisco Giants (4.7%), Cincinnati Reds (2.4%), Arizona Diamondbacks (1.2%) and St. Louis Cardinals (0.8%). The top two teams in the NL and AL don't have to play in the best-of-three wild card round, instead advancing directly to the best-of-five division series. Right now, those teams would be Tigers and Blue Jays in the AL, and the Brewers and Phillies in the NL. The D-backs could be one of the league's more intriguing teams in September, even if they don't make the postseason. They were sellersat the July 30 trade deadlineafter a disappointing first four months, but are 19-12 since that point, staying on the fringe of contention. Arizona could end up affecting the playoff race even if it probably won't make it to October. The D-backs play games against the Red Sox, Phillies, Dodgers, Giants and Padres over the final three weeks. "We're in the hunt," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. "I keep saying that all I want to do is play meaningful games in September. That's our intent. We just have to keep our head down and believe we can still do this. "The guys are showing they feel the same exact way, so keep digging." Awards races Here's the status of some of the major MLB awards races. All odds according to BetMGM Sportsbook. AL MVP: This is an epic two-horse race between Yankees slugger Aaron Judge (-235)and Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh(+155). Judge has had an excellent all-around season while Raleigh's 51 homers are the most in MLB history for a player who is primarily a catcher. NL MVP: Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani (-1200) is a fairly big favorite at this point, but Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber (+600) and Mets outfielder Juan Soto (+5000) are still in the mix. AL Cy Young: Detroit lefty Tarik Skubal (-1600) is a big favorite to take home his second straight AL Cy Young award. Among the challengers: Boston lefty Garrett Crochet (+650). NL Cy Young: Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes (-10000) is the overwhelming favorite to win his first NL Cy Young. Manager shakeup? There have already been four managers fired this season, with the Washington Nationals, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles all making moves. The Angels have had an interim manager for much of the yearbecause of health issues for Ron Washington. Depending on what happens the next three weeks, there could be a lot more job openings. Skippers like Atlanta's Brian Snitker and Texas' Bruce Bochy, who is now 70, could retire after the season. Other like Arizona's Lovullo and Minnesota's Rocco Baldelli have had disappointing seasons. Even playoff qualifiers might not be immune. The Yankees' Aaron Boone is among a handful of managers not just expected to play in October, but to have a deep run. An early exit could spell trouble. ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

MLB's regular season enters its final 3 weeks. Here's a look at the playoff picture and awards races

MLB's regular season enters its final 3 weeks. Here's a look at the playoff picture and awards races There's a wide divide in fi...
Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever have hellish end to season that began with such hopeNew Foto - Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever have hellish end to season that began with such hope

No matter the sport, some luck is required to win a championship. The Indiana Fever had plenty of luck this season. It's just that all of it was bad. On Thursday night,Caitlin Clark confirmedwhat was already obvious: She will join Aari McDonald, Sydney Colson and Sophie Cunningham on the list of Fever players whose seasons were cut short by injuries this year. The idea that Clark and the Fever could contend for the WNBA title this year is gone, buried beneath a mountain of MRI results, bandages and ice packs. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Caitlin Clark (@caitlinclark22)

Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever have hellish end to season that began with such hope

Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever have hellish end to season that began with such hope No matter the sport, some luck is required to win a champi...
"South Park "tackles Labubu craze, has President Trump impregnate Satan

Comedy Central/South Park Studios In its 27th season,South Parkcontinues to take shots atDonald Trump— and this week, it tied the president's fictional relationship with Satan to the recent Labubu craze. The September 3 episode, "Wok is Dead," begins with two South Park Elementary students showing each other their new Labubu dolls. Seeing this, Cartman runs to alert his friends: "Guys! Girls with Labubus! It's about to happen again!" And by "it" he means a knock-down, drag-out brawl. While the girls' conversation starts off fine, with each one cooing over how the Labubus are "seriously SO cute," things quickly sour when one girl suggests that the other's "really rare" Labubu might be (gasp!) a knock-off. With that, the fists and the profanity start flying. The girls are sent to the office, where the counselor — Jesus Christ — makes the girls leave their dolls in his office until the end of the school day. Later, at a school administration meeting, Jesus and colleagues watch a Labubu unboxing video made by one of the students, which ends with her sacrificing a chicken in a Satanic ritual after learning her box contained a rare Labubu. The teachers are unfazed, but Jesus is horrified and determines to rid South Park of the cursed plushies. Meanwhile, the President returns from his international tariff summit with Satan in tow. On the tarmac, he takes questions from the press pool, including a Fox News reporter who wants to know if he's "f---ing Satan." Trump denies it, and the Prince of Darkness claims he and the President are "just sorta hanging out." Fox News refuses to drop the story, and continues reporting on Trump and Satan's relationship. Comedy Central/South Park Studios It all culminates at a birthday party for Red, who is thrilled when her boyfriend, Butters, brings her the exact Labubu she wanted as a gift. Immediately, she and the rest of the girls at the party run upstairs to perform a demonic Labubu ritual — which ends up summoning both Satan and President Trump himself. As black clouds and swarms of locusts descend upon the town of South Park, Jesus arrives at Red's house and orders Satan to leave. The Prince of Darkness announces that while he is desperate for a way out of his relationship with the President, he is inextricably "bound" to Trump for a very shocking reason: "I want to leave him, but I can't, because... I'm pregnant!" Comedy Central/South Park Studios Sign up forEntertainment Weekly's free daily newsletterto get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more. The episode ends with Fox News anchors celebrating on air, and Jesus announcing that he's banning Labubus, cell phones, and TikTok from school. After South Park's season 27 premiere, which depicted President Trump and his tiny penis in bed with Satan,White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers lashed outat the show, saying it "hasn't been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention." South Parkis now streaming on Paramount+. Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

“South Park ”tackles Labubu craze, has President Trump impregnate Satan

"South Park "tackles Labubu craze, has President Trump impregnate Satan Comedy Central/South Park Studios In its 27th season,South...
Charlie Sheen Opens Up About Sexual Encounters with Men for the First Time in New Memoir and Documentary: 'So What?'New Foto - Charlie Sheen Opens Up About Sexual Encounters with Men for the First Time in New Memoir and Documentary: 'So What?'

Charlie Sheen is opening up about his past, including sexual experiences with men He says he's not trying to hide anything and accepts full responsibility for all of his controversial behavior: "I'm not a victim" His memoirTheBook of Sheencomes out Sept. 9, and his Netflix documentaryaka Charlie Sheenpremieres Sept 10. Charlie Sheenis fully opening up about his past in two upcoming new projects — his memoirThe Book of Sheen(Sept. 9) and the Netflix documentaryaka Charlie Sheen(Sept. 10) — and in both, he gets candid about past sexual experiences with men. "I flipped the menu over," he says in the Netflix doc and the book, of trying something new after years of having sex with women. He says he's no longer hiding from his past, but owning it. "I'm not going to run from my past, or let it own me," he tells PEOPLE in this week's cover story. In the documentary when the interviewer asks Sheen how it feels to be talking publicly for the first time about having sex with men, he says, "Liberating. It's f---ing liberating... [to] just talk about stuff. It's like a train didn't come through the side of the restaurant. A f---ing piano didn't fall out of the sky. No one ran into the room and shot me." Dave Kotinsky/WireImage Sheen, who also spoke about the subject today onGood Morning America, says his sexual experiences with men began when he was using crack. "That's what started it," he says. "That's where it was born, or sparked. And in whatever chunks of time that I was off the pipe, trying to navigate that, trying to come to terms with it — 'Where did that come from?... Why did that happen? — and then just finally being like, 'So what?' So what? Some of it was weird. A lot of it was f---ing fun, and life goes on." During his drug-fueled exploits, Sheen contracted HIV, which he tried to keep private. However, some of his overnight guests would see his medication, take photos of it and then threaten to expose Sheen if he didn't pay them. He paid them in the beginning, but then came out with his HIV status in 2015 on theTodayshow. "I do know for a fact that I never passed it on," he says of the virus. Sheen says with the book and the documentary he just wanted to tell his full truth and own his stories, and he didn't want to censor anything. Gallery Books "The stories I can remember anyway," he jokes. While he says he spent the past eight years making amends to people he'd hurt while he was spiraling with his drug and alcohol addiction, he doesn't want to play the victim in the book or the doc. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "It takes two to tango," he says. However, he does have regrets about going on a 20-city speaking tour after his infamous20/20interview, where he claimed to have "tiger blood" running through him. Cliff Watts "That tour didn't have to happen," he says. "I'm not a victim, but somebody should have tapped out for me and said, 'This is a bad idea.' I've combed through all the mental health manuals, and I've never found 'exploitation' as a good treatment protocol." These days, Sheen lives a much quieter lifestyle out of the spotlight, and he says he's been single for years, after going through two very tumultuous divorces, with his exes Denise Richards and Brooke Mueller. Sami Sheen/instagram "My romantic life is as uneventful as it possibly could be, and it's been that way for a long time," he says. "It wasn't even by choice, but the girls [daughters Sami and Lola] moved in [their mom is Richards], and then when they moved out, the boys [twins Bob and Max, 16, whom he shares with Mueller] moved in, and there wasn't enough room in the car. Plus, I spent so much time and energy chasing that for so long. I had to get to a place where I could be alone, but not lonely." He adds, "But I am open to love again. Probably not marriage, though!" Read the original article onPeople

Charlie Sheen Opens Up About Sexual Encounters with Men for the First Time in New Memoir and Documentary: 'So What?'

Charlie Sheen Opens Up About Sexual Encounters with Men for the First Time in New Memoir and Documentary: 'So What?' Charlie Sheen i...
The Most Inspirational Second Careers of Professional AthletesNew Foto - The Most Inspirational Second Careers of Professional Athletes

A professional sports career can end suddenly and leave an athlete decades to fill with something else. Many choose entirely different fields, which often require new skills, education, or connections, and go on to do great things. Here are some examples that show how ambition, discipline, and opportunity can combine to create success beyond stadiums and arenas. Credit: Wikimedia Commons After retiring from Major League Baseball, Vaughn wanted to address housing problems in urban areas. He co-founded OMNI New York, a real estate company specializing in rehabilitating neglected apartment buildings. By 2007, the company had completed renovations on more than 1,200 units, including major projects in the Bronx and Brooklyn. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Winning an Academy Award was Bryant's first headline following his final season in 2016. He wrote and narrated Dear Basketball, which took Best Animated Short Film. Outside of filmmaking, he co-founded a foundation with his wife to aid homeless individuals and support youth programs, and granted hundreds of Make-A-Wish requests. Credit: Youtube A series of injuries cut Carillo's professional tennis career short in 1980. Rather than leave the sport entirely, she built a life in broadcasting that earned her national recognition. She has covered the Olympics, won Sports Emmy Awards, and received Peabody Awards for documentaries on women in sports and Billie Jean King. Credit: Instagram If you can recall the day Johnson announced he was HIV-positive in 1991, you also remember how it changed his public role. He proceeded to create the Magic Johnson Foundation to offer scholarships, community technology centers, and HIV/AIDS education. Those programs have reached thousands across the United States and are providing access to resources often unavailable in underserved areas. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Only one person has been elected to both the Baseball Hall of Fame and the U.S. Senate, and that was Bunning. He pitched a perfect game in 1964, then turned to politics after his playing days ended. His political career lasted over twenty years and reflected a steady commitment to public service that matched his competitive drive on the field. Credit: Wikimedia Commons You may remember Bol from his participation in unusual publicity events, such as riding a horse in a race and playing in a hockey game, to attract donations. His fundraising supported relief work and emergency aid. The athlete's post-basketball life focused on advocacy, where he used unconventional methods to keep attention on his cause. Credit: Wikimedia Commons We all watched Johnson dominate in the wrestling ring before he made the leap to Hollywood. His first role in The Mummy Returns opened the door to leading parts in blockbuster franchises and animated features. Credit: Youtube Bill Bradley had already built an impressive résumé with an Olympic gold medal in 1964 and ten seasons for the New York Knicks before entering politics. His work in office addressed tax reform, education, and urban policy, where he applied the same discipline and preparation that defined his playing tenure. Credit: Wikimedia Commons An injury in 2012 forced Hammon to consider what came next, and coaching became the path she chose. Two years later, the San Antonio Spurs hired her as the first full-time, paid female assistant coach in NBA history. She has taken on responsibilities in game planning, player development, and in-game adjustments. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Retirement from football in 1969 marked the start of Kemp's political career. He was a part of the U.S. House of Representatives for eighteen years before joining President George H.W. Bush's cabinet as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. He later became the Republican nominee for vice president in 1996. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Long after his final fight in 1997, selling more than 100 million grills worldwide made Foreman a household name. His business ventures have included automotive franchises and high-profile brand endorsements. At the same time, he has continued his ministerial work to offer guidance and mentorship in his community. Credit: Wikimedia Commons It's unusual for a Hall of Fame pitcher to trade the mound for a camera, but Johnson did exactly that in 2009. Before his baseball days, he studied photojournalism at the University of Southern California, a passion he returned to full-time. He also serves as a special assistant to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Credit: Instagram While his time at the NFL may have been short, Rolle's academic record set him apart. As a Rhodes Scholar, he studied at Oxford before completing his medical degree. He now works as a neurosurgery resident at Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital, where he specializes in pediatric cases. Credit: Youtube Fans of Good Morning America know Strahan as a lively and engaging co-host, but his media ventures began once his playing days ended. He now balances hosting $10,000 Pyramid with providing NFL analysis for Fox Sports. His broadcast work has earned multiple Emmy Awards and keeps him in front of national audiences daily. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Few boxers have matched Pacquiao's combination of longevity and titles, with twelve world championships across eight weight divisions. Before he fully retired, he turned to politics and was elected to the Philippine Senate in 2016. Pacquiao's second chance has moved his energy toward shaping national policy to address issues affecting millions of Filipinos.

The Most Inspirational Second Careers of Professional Athletes

The Most Inspirational Second Careers of Professional Athletes A professional sports career can end suddenly and leave an athlete decades to...
How Steve Ballmer defended Clippers, Kawhi Leonard in NBA scandalNew Foto - How Steve Ballmer defended Clippers, Kawhi Leonard in NBA scandal

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmersaid he's "mad" and "embarrassed" in the wake of a report this week that claimed he and the organization circumvented the NBA's salary cap rules when it signed star Kawhi Leonard to a new contract in 2021. Ballmer is adamant his organization went about its business according to league rules. "We did things by the book," Ballmer declared inan interview with ESPN that aired on Thursday, Sept. 5, which also served as his first public comments on the matter. The NBA is investigating allegationsmade by sports reporter Pablo Torre of "Pablo Torre Finds Out" thatthe Clippers facilitated a no-show endorsement deal for Leonardworth at least $28 million with Aspiration, a now-bankrupt "green" financial services company that was a prominent team sponsor at the time. Aspiration also received a $50 million investment from Ballmer. If the NBA finds the Clippers to have violated the salary cap circumvention provisions in the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement, the penalties could be significant based on current bylaws and previous incidents of salary cap circumvention. WHO MADE IT:What to know for 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony The Clippers called the allegations "provably false" and "absurd" in team-issued statements Wednesday after the initial report. Ballmer went into more detail Thursday about the circumstances behind Leonard's signing, and how the Clippers abided by NBA rules and protocols when dealing with Leonard and his representatives. The former Microsoft CEO noted, for instance, thatLeonard's four-year, $176.2-million contract with the Clipperswas finalized in August 2021 and the franchise's lucrative sponsorship deal with Aspiration came together in September. Aspiration then approached the Clippers for an introduction to Leonard in "early November," according to Ballmer. Among the documents uncovered by Torre was Leonard's contract with Aspiration, which included a clause that states KL2 Aspire LLC, a company run by Leonard, could "decline to proceed with any action desired by the Company," which set up a structure for Leonard to potentially receive payments without performing any work. Another clause states that Leonard would receive payments only if he continued to be a player on the Clippers. "They did request to be introduced to Kawhi," said Ballmer, who added neither he nor the Clippers had control over Aspiration's business dealings despite their investment. "Under the (NBA) rules, we can introduce our sponsors to our athletes. We just can't be involved. We made an introduction. That was in early November, well past when all of this happens." Ballmer said he was instead "conned" by Aspiration, and emphasized he did not know the financial terms agreed to between Leonard and Aspiration. The Justice Department announced in August that Aspiration co-founder Joe Sanberg plead guilty to two counts of wire fraud for defrauding investors and lenders of more than $248 million. The Clippers had gone through documents and emails related to Aspiration and Leonard in recent months as part of the the Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission investigations into the company, according to Ballmer. He said the Clippers "welcome the league investigation. We have nothing to hide." The Clippers have already been found to have engaged in impropriety with third-party endorsements under Ballmer. Back in August 2015 – a year afterBallmer's purchase of the team was finalized– theNBA fined the franchise $250,000for "violating NBA rules prohibiting teams from offering players unauthorized business or investment opportunities" in their pursuit of then-free agent center DeAndre Jordan. "It's really important to me to communicate to the NBA ecosystem, but particularly Clipper fans, that we've been on the up and up," Ballmer said. "Since the day I bought the team, and you know the circumstances were definitely tough, we've emphasized doing things the right way. … I want our fans to really understand that they've aligned themselves, they've supported an organization that does things the right way." USA TODAY Sports reporter Lorenzo Reyes contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:What Steve Ballmer said in defense of Clippers, Kawhi Leonard scandal

How Steve Ballmer defended Clippers, Kawhi Leonard in NBA scandal

How Steve Ballmer defended Clippers, Kawhi Leonard in NBA scandal Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmersaid he's "mad" and ...
Hoda Kotb Is Making Return to 'Today': Why & When She Is Coming BackNew Foto - Hoda Kotb Is Making Return to 'Today': Why & When She Is Coming Back

Hoda Kotbis returning toTodayfor another post-exit appearance. "We have some good news to share. Hoda will be joining us next week, and she's gonna share a really heartwarming story,"Savannah Guthrieannounced on the Friday, September 5, episode of the NBC morning show. Craig Melvinwent on to share details about Kotb's special project. "She's gonna introduce us to a remarkable phys ed teacher from right here in New York, going the extra mile for his elementary school," he told viewers. "In fact, Hoda is actually going to bring him with her, along with some of his students, for quite the unforgettable gym class just out on the Plaza." Guthrie went on to poke fun at how Kotb has made a handful of appearances onTodayin the months since her January 10 exit from the show. "Should we all just make the joke we always make? Longest vacation ever," she quipped. "It's coming to an end. We'll see Hoda next week. Looking forward [to it]." Kotb has appeared onTodayin video messages and packages, as well promoted her personal projects on the show. Her upcomingTodayappearance will mark the first time she has returned for an assignment. Back in January, Kotb toldPage Sixthat she would continue to contribute toTodaydespite stepping down as a host. "I think it'll be kind of a Snoop-ish role," she said, referring toSnoop Dogg's memorable role as correspondent for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The outlet also reported that Kotb would continue to serve as an Olympics correspondent for the 2026 Winter Games in Milan and the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. Nathan Congleton/NBC "I want to be a supporting character on a team that is already in place so that I'll come in and just have a role there. And then I'm going to do my 'Making Space' podcast, which I enjoy and love so much," Kotb shared at the time. "And for theTodayshow, I think we talked about doing something every four to six weeks, just a little something." Kotb made herfirst post-exitTodayreturnin March, appearing in a video message to announce her upcoming book,Jump and Find Joy, which hits bookstores on Tuesday, September 23. "Everybody in their life, at one point, stands on the edge of something and says, 'Should I jump? Should I try? Should I go for it?'" she said on the show's March 10 episode. "And I felt that way about theTodayshow, and I was terrified to even think about jumping." Kotb continued, "Here's my thing. You get one life. That's all. That's it. It's ready for the taking. It only takes a jump." In May, KotbreturnedtoToday's Studio 1A for the first time since her departure to celebrate the launch of her wellness company, Joy 101. "You hit a button, and automatically curated for you is a special program," shesaidof the brand's app. "If you want prayer, it's on the app. If you want meditation, it's on the app. If you want help going to sleep, it's all on there. And so, we're also gonna have courses. We're gonna do all kinds of cool things. We're gonna have retreats. It's the stuff that we love." Today, Weekdays, 7 a.m. ET, NBC Read the latest entertainment news onTV Insider.

Hoda Kotb Is Making Return to ‘Today’: Why & When She Is Coming Back

Hoda Kotb Is Making Return to 'Today': Why & When She Is Coming Back Hoda Kotbis returning toTodayfor another post-exit appearan...
David Byrne Reveals He and Olivia Rodrigo Worked on Choreography Ahead of His Surprise Festival Appearance (Exclusive)New Foto - David Byrne Reveals He and Olivia Rodrigo Worked on Choreography Ahead of His Surprise Festival Appearance (Exclusive)

Shervin Lainez; Nina Westervelt/Billboard via Getty David Byrne tells PEOPLE about teaming up with Olivia Rodrigo for a surprise appearance at Governor's Ball in June The former Talking Heads frontman and "Vampire" singer collaborated on choreography for performing "Burning Down the House" Who Is the Sky?is available to stream David Byrneenjoyed burning down the house withOlivia Rodrigo. Speaking to PEOPLE ahead of his album's release,Who Is the Sky?,the former Talking Heads frontman recalledteaming up with the "Vampire" singer at Governor's Ballto perform "Burning Down the House." "Well, yes, that was a little bit of a surprise," Byrne, 73, says, when asked about how that meetup came to be, speaking over Zoom from his apartment's music room. "I went to her show when she was in New York. I'm a fan, like her music and her performance was really good. And we said hello afterwards." View this post on Instagram A post shared by People Magazine (@people) Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "And then out of nowhere, I got a message or an email or whatever, it was saying, 'Would you like to join Olivia [at] Governor's Ball?' And I happened to be here, so it wasn't that hard. I'm preparing to go on tour again, but I'm not quite there yet." Byrne says he told Rodrigo, 22, he'd "love to." "This could be fun." He also asked if she had "time to figure out some choreography between the two of us?" — and the "Drivers License" singer happily obliged. Shervin Lainez "And it was very flattering. A lot of what she wanted to do was inspired by [the] unusual movement that I did inStop Making Sense." The singers both wore red and grooved onstage, paying homage to the 1984 concert film.Adds Byrne: "Anyway, that was a lot of fun." The performance happened towards the end of Rodrigo's headlining set in June. "I'm so honored to share the stage tonight with a special guest," Rodrigo told the Gov Ball crowd, introducing Byrne to perform the 1983 song, who came out with a guitar in hand. "Would you give it up for the legendary, David Byrne!" Byrne's latest album,Who Is the Sky?, comes seven years after he releasedAmerica Utopia. He tells PEOPLE that he's received positive feedback ahead of its release. "The reaction I've gotten from people is they said, 'Oh, we need this right now. This is what we need right now." Which I take it to mean that it's an album that's playful," says Byrne. "It's a lot of joy and all that in the record. And I think people see that as a resistance or a pushback to what they see and what I see is happening in the world. So a lot of things where we're all divisive and separated from one another, and the record is in some ways a counterforce to that." Who Is the Sky?contains more story songs than past albums, and Byrne gets inspiration from many places. "Sometimes the job. If I say something, I'll jot down just the line sometimes, that might be a title end up being the title of a song," he says. When writing, some ideas don't amount to much, but some become songs. "Sometimes little by little, sometimes I'd work on a stanza and it seemed to have the beginning and then come back to it, say, 'Okay, what's the next part?' " "And the nice thing was on some of those songs, there seemed to be a summation, a fable or parable that emerged at the end that it was actually, it wasn't just a imaginary amusing situation. It actually is saying something," Byrne says. Matador Records Following the release ofWho Is the Sky?Byrne kicks off a tour in support of the new albumthrough North America before heading to Europe and Australia in 2026. Who Is the Sky?is available to stream. Read the original article onPeople

David Byrne Reveals He and Olivia Rodrigo Worked on Choreography Ahead of His Surprise Festival Appearance (Exclusive)

David Byrne Reveals He and Olivia Rodrigo Worked on Choreography Ahead of His Surprise Festival Appearance (Exclusive) Shervin Lainez; Nina ...

 

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