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Steve Madden shoes have been confidently carrying women for decades, with an estimated 120 locations in America, plus 250 more across 65 other countries. The man behind the brand was born in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York in 1958. Interestingly, Madden’s interest in footwear began as a teenager when he started working at a local shoe store. After high school, the creative went off to the University of Miami, but wound but back in Long Island after his sophomore year. At the time, Madden felt called to spent more time selling footwear and learning about the female consumer’s preferences to perfect his own designs. People associate Steve Madden with the company itself more than the visionary behind the products, but the fashion icon actually has a very interesting story. Outside of starting a family with his former director of operations (and eventual wife from 2005 to 2015), Wendy Ballew, the East Coast native managed to secure a $700K salary during his 31 months in prison, even...
The NFL is putting on for the ladies as — for the first time — a women’s bracket will be available in an EA or Madden tournament. According to a press release sent to AfroTech, The National Football League’s annual EA Sports Madden NFL 23 + HBCU Tournament has returned for its third year to inspire the minds of students who have a knack for gaming and football.
The National Football League (NFL) is continuing its 2016 promise to strengthen its ties with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The league will be hosting its second annual Madden NFL 22 x HBCU Tournament with EA alongside career development opportunities that will extend beyond the field, according to an official update from the league’s Football Operations. The tournament will feature 48 HBCUs in the SWAC, MEAC, SIAC and CIAA conferences in hopes of inspiring students to represent their school’s pride through competition and networking opportunities. “We are so thrilled to bring back this tournament for HBCU students and offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience to come to Los Angeles during Super Bowl LVI Week,” said Natara Holloway, vice president, football strategy at the NFL in an update. “We want to expand the league’s efforts to create inclusive opportunities for the next generation of talent with partners like EA providing not only a chance for students to...
It looks like gaming giant EA SPORTS is welcoming former San Francisco 49ers quarterback and activist Colin Kaepernick back to the field. Kap has returned to the game after four years of riding the sidelines both virtually and IRL. Though he hasn’t made his comeback to the real-life NFL field, he is now the top free-agent quarterback in Madden 21, with an 81 overall rating, The Undefeated reports . “Knowing that our EA SPORTS experiences are platforms for players to create, we want to make Madden NFL a place that reflects Colin’s position and talent, rates him as a starting QB, and empowers our fans to express their hopes for the future of football,” EA said in a statement Tuesday (Sept. 8). “We’ve worked with Colin to make this possible, and we’re excited to bring it to all of you today.” Kap became an NFL free agent after the 2016 season. As a result, EA no longer had licensing rights to use the player’s likeness. However, recently, EA and Kap hashed out the particulars, including...
Snoop Dogg just added esports to his resume. The hip hop legend has created his own league called the “Gangsta Gaming League,” for Madden NFL 2019 in partnership with Merry Jane, a cannabis-focused news platform. Snoop and eight of his closest gaming friends participated in a Madden tournament that was streamed on Twitch, Mixer, YouTube and Facebook for a $10,000 jackpot. This latest move by the rapper could prove beneficial for him in the long run. According to a report by the Entertainment Software Association and NDP Group, the video gaming industry reached a record $43.4 billion in revenue in 2018, up 18 percent from 2017. For esports alone, the market is set to hit $1.79 billion by 2022, according to estimates from Newzoo. Football has had a special place in Snoop’s heart for quite some time. He served as a youth football league coach for more than a decade and now he’s taking his talents online. Snoop Dogg, along with other rappers like T.I. and Soulja boy are seeing gaming as...
Annuities are often marketed as safe, reliable financial products that provide guaranteed income during retirement . While they may sound appealing on the surface, annuities can come with hidden pitfalls that make them less than ideal for many investors. Here’s a closer look at why annuities might be a poor investment choice for you. High Fees And Expenses One of the biggest drawbacks of annuities is their high cost. Many annuities come with layers of fees, including administrative charges, mortality and expense risk fees, and investment management fees. Variable annuities, in particular, can include additional costs like fund management fees and rider charges. These fees can eat into your returns over time, significantly reducing the overall growth of your investment. For instance, fees for variable annuities often average around 2% to 3% annually. Over decades, these fees compound and can cost you tens of thousands of dollars compared to lower-cost investment options like index...
Russell Okung has no regrets about deciding to be paid in bitcoin. The two-time Pro Bowler previously played for the Carolina Panthers when he made history as the first NFL player to receive part of his salary in bitcoin, according to Sports Illustrated. In 2020, he decided to accept half of his $13 million salary in bitcoin, converting the $6.5 million at market rates and receiving 240 bitcoins. no more broke athletes. no more lost generational wealth. pay me in bitcoin pic.twitter.com/ZqTM0Y1fsC — OKUNG 🐆 (@RussellOkung) November 13, 2024 “I’m looking at Bitcoin. I’m talking to this young kid, young Silicon Valley type. We’re talking about me being paid in Bitcoin. I’m giving ’em the vision, but how will we do it,” Okung recalled in a video clip shared on X. “They’re not willing to adjust the collective bargaining agreement between the players and the owners. So what can I do to get the Carolina Panthers to play ball? Here’s the power of Bitcoin with U.S. dollars. You have to rely...
Becoming an investment banker is a sought-after career goal for those interested in finance, mergers, acquisitions, and high-stakes deal-making. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the financial sectors that include investment banking are going to grow by about 7% from 2022 to 2032, meaning it’s a field that will continue to hire on new talent as the 2020s roll onward. Investment bankers help companies, governments, and other entities raise capital, manage financial assets, and advise on major financial transactions. This field is known for offering lucrative pay and high levels of responsibility, making it competitive to enter. Here’s what investment bankers do, the steps to become one, the expected salary and a breakdown of the pros and cons. What Does An Investment Banker Do? Investment bankers are financial advisors who help their clients raise money through public or private markets, advise on mergers and acquisitions, and develop strategies to grow their...
The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, has become something of a household name thanks to his 2019 season with the team when he led them to their first Super Bowl appearance in 50 years. Even though he has only been at the pro level for a short time, other opportunities like endorsements with Subway and Adidas, as well as other high profile investments in the sports industry , have helped to propel his visibility beyond the sports world. With a career that seems to only be getting brighter with time, a common question many people ask is exactly how much is Patrick Mahomes worth these days? Patrick Mahomes Early Life Patrick Mahomes is a native Texan from the town of Tyler where he was born in 1995. He is the son of Pat Mahomes, who is a former MLB pitcher for several teams in the U.S. and who also played a few seasons in the Nippon Professional League in Japan. From a young age, Patrick always showed an interest in sports, having played basketball, baseball and...
The kids are alright thanks to this initiative geared toward students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to pursue careers in science, tech, engineering, or math (STEM). According to a press release, the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) was launched in 2020 and has raised more than $17 million to fund scholarships for more than 350 students attending HBCUs. The program was created to support students from underrepresented communities who are taking up space in industries that don’t always have people or leaders that represent and reflect them. During its first year, FOSSI provided 151 scholarships and in the forthcoming fall, the program will add 144 more scholarships making strides toward its goal of providing 1,000 scholarships by 2025. “With an ambitious goal of funding 1000 HBCU students, FOSSI aims to have a significant and meaningful impact on the future workforce,” said Mark Vergnano, FOSSI Chairman. “These talented scholarship recipients...
Snoop Dogg’s ventures are still expanding! As AfroTech previously reported, the famed rapper celebrated a full circle moment after the acquisition of Death Row Records. Now, Snoop Dogg continues to prove he can do it all as he will join esports and entertainment company FaZe Clan as a member of its talent network and board of directors, The Hollywood Reporter revealed exclusively. “As the original internet kid and first generation gamer, Snoop more than anyone has always understood the cultural connection between music, lifestyle and gaming,” FaZe Clan’s Chief Strategy Officer Kai Henry said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “Today, Snoop is a leading voice in the emerging Web3 community and we have tremendous plans to create together in the metaverse, driving new engagement opportunities for both of our fanbases.” It appears Snoop Dogg’s new role is long overdue. While Snoop Dogg has cultivated a relationship with the organization throughout the years, he has been into gaming...
Nike continues to bridge the gap between sports and technology and this time they’re providing a unique way to get involved ahead of Sunday’s big game! Ahead of the Super Bowl, the leading sports apparel brand is teaming up with EA Sports Madden NFL 22 to offer consumers exclusive challenges with rewards for physical movement along with a few fun, in-game performance benefits. The latest initiative allows users to run five miles through the Nike Run Club application for the opportunity to unlock an exclusive Aaron Donald Madden Ultimate Team Player Item within the game of Madden. Users will also get a chance to receive an achievement badge upon completion of the NRC Super Bowl Challenge and they’ll receive a +7 speed enhanced Aaron Donald player item, which just so happens to be the most valuable defensive player within the Madden NFL 22 game. “I enjoy seeing kids get out and live active and healthy lifestyles. As a professional athlete, I think it’s important to reinforce healthy...
Sports Illustrated is about to drop some NFTs, with their first set focusing on football legends. Naturally, the first collection will be dropped after the “Big Game” — the Super Bowl — on Feb. 13. In a press release announcement, it was revealed that the popular sports magazine had teamed up with OneOf, the largest NFT platform for music, who are now expanding their efforts into the field of sports. “Thinking about the time I was on the cover of Sports Illustrated brings back many great memories for me,” said Jerry Rice in the press release announcement. “This NFT collection will allow me to connect with my fans in a unique way and it’s really exciting to watch how technology and innovation keep evolving. I’m glad to be a part of the Sports Illustrated and OneOf collaboration.” Each of the initial athletes’ drops will feature their career-defining Sports Illustrated cover as interpreted by Jonathan Winbush, an award-winning 3D animation artist and virtual reality pioneer that has...
The holiday season is among us, officially kicking off with Thanksgiving festivities later this month. It’s a great time for giving thanks, enjoying good food, and having fun with those closest to you. Plus, two giants in their respective industries, McDonald’s and Esports organization, FaZe Clan , have partnered to host a “Friendsgaming” event to spread the holiday cheer, according to a press release. A step beyond Friendsgiving, Friendsgaming will be a streaming event held on Nov. 20, 2021, starting at 8:00 p.m. EST. During the event, Kris “Swagg” Lamberson (member of FaZe Clan since April 2020) will be live streaming from his Twitch account. The crew plans to play Madden NFL 22, so you can expect to see some high-quality football games! During the stream, they’ll have plenty of giveaways including merch, free food and other dope prizes as well. Although fun and holiday cheer are at the center, with Nuke Squad members and friends like Swagg and Jordan “JSmooth” Cox (member of FaZe...