Entertainment
AXS Unstoppable Drive: 5 Key Insights from Sports Leaders

Table of Contents – AXS
Sports Executives Reveal Blueprint for Future Growth at AXS DRIVE Conference
(Los Angeles, CA) – Team presidents from Major League Baseball (MLB), Major League Soccer (MLS), and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) converged for a pivotal discussion on the future of sports business. The wide-ranging conversation, a highlight of Sports Business Journal’s AXS DRIVE event in Los Angeles, was moderated by SBJ Publisher Abe Madkour and delved into revenue growth, fan engagement, and the massive investments shaping modern franchises.
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The panel featured an all-star lineup of industry titans:
- Larry Baer, President & CEO of the San Francisco Giants
- Derrick Hall, President, CEO & General Partner of the Arizona Diamondbacks
- Tom Braun, President of Business Operations & COO of the LA Galaxy
- Karen Leetzow, President of the NWSL’s Chicago Stars FC
The Hunt for New Revenue Streams
When asked about the next major revenue stream, the answers varied but centered on innovation beyond the game itself.

Larry Baer pointed to the “social aspect,” emphasizing the need to expand the fan experience beyond the 81 home games at Oracle Park. Derrick Hall highlighted international opportunities and the critical need to rethink outdated ticketing models. “The old days of just season tickets are over with,” Hall stated. “Now we have to come up with summer passes or season passes and convert them hopefully into season ticket or advantage members.” He also stressed the importance of activating facilities year-round, noting, “It’s about retail, it’s about office space, restaurants, bars, activation, year-round — that’s revenue.”
For the NWSL’s Chicago Stars, President Karen Leetzow explained that their strategy is fundamentally different. “It’s just about building community… making people feel connected to what we’re doing … not just to our players but to women’s sports.” Tom Braun of the LA Galaxy focused on the digital frontier, touching on the importance of monetizing short-form content to engage a global audience.

Tackling Fan Affordability and Accessibility
The conversation then shifted to one of the industry’s most persistent challenges: keeping games affordable and accessible.
“We always want to keep an eye on affordability,” said Baer, citing dynamic pricing strategies that vary with demand. Hall noted that the most constructive fan feedback often involves concession pricing and efficiency, an area all teams are working to improve. He also admitted that older venues like Chase Field, built in 1998, require significant upgrades to include more premium spaces that fans now expect.
Leetzow pointed out that her team’s location, 20 miles outside Chicago, creates an accessibility hurdle. However, she sees affordability as a key point of differentiation for women’s soccer, offering families a high-quality sports experience without the premium price tag. Braun echoed that parking and concessions are perennial top complaints in fan surveys, emphasizing the need to continuously communicate improvements to the fanbase.
Embracing Private Equity and Future Investments
On the topic of private equity investment, which is becoming increasingly common in sports, the leaders were optimistic but measured. Baer called it “value add,” citing the Giants’ partnership with global investment firm Sixth Street. Leetzow welcomed the influx of capital into women’s sports but noted that long-term, sustainable growth for her franchise depends on gaining control of its infrastructure. She confirmed the Stars will play temporarily at Northwestern’s lakefront stadium next year while continuing their pursuit of a permanent, ownable home.
When asked where they would invest a windfall of cash into their franchises, the answers highlighted their unique priorities:
- Baer (Giants): Prioritizing reaching younger audiences, calling his team in the “memory making business.”
- Hall (Diamondbacks): Technological upgrades, citing the forthcoming Intuit Dome as a model for ROI. He also highlighted outreach to Arizona’s large Latino fan base.
- Leetzow (Stars): Marketing the event experience to close the knowledge gap in women’s soccer and getting new fans to “sample the product.”
- Braun (Galaxy): Data capture. His mission is converting single-game buyers into package holders. “It’s always about getting them to come back,” Braun said. “Every single year it’s our focus and our priority that we have to do more.”
The AXS DRIVE panel provided a powerful, behind-the-scenes look at the strategic minds guiding professional sports into a new era, proving that the business of sports is as competitive and dynamic as the games themselves.
Entertainment
Marvel Rivals Patch Notes Reveal Powerful Halloween Covers

Table of Contents:
Marvel Rivals Patch Notes Reveal Powerful Halloween Covers
A Spooky Surprise for Fans: Marvel Rivals Patch Notes

The gaming and comic communities are buzzing after Marvel Rivals revealed new Halloween-themed costumes and tie-in comic book covers set to hit shelves on October 29, 2025. According to the Marvel Rivals patch notes, this latest update brings both excitement and mixed reactions, as iconic heroes don spooky transformations while fans debate the balance changes in the game.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In a move that combines gaming, comics, and cultural celebration, Marvel Comics will showcase four special variant covers inspired by these costumes. These covers will appear on:
This crossover between the game’s Halloween patch notes and Marvel’s comic shelves is a clever, powerful move to merge digital gameplay with print storytelling.
🎃 Halloween Costumes Take Over Marvel Rivals
The newly revealed Halloween skins transform beloved characters into festive versions of themselves. From frightfully fun outfits to culturally inspired designs, fans can expect variety and creativity.
Characters featured include:
- Jeff the Land Shark in a quirky seasonal costume.
- Peni Parker and SP//dr rocking a high-tech, eerie upgrade.
- Namor, whose Halloween look draws inspiration from myth and ocean folklore.
These designs bring freshness and excitement for players and readers alike, showing that Marvel Rivals patch notes aren’t just about bug fixes—they’re about expanding the creative universe.
✅ Positive Reactions: Why Fans Love This Update
- Visual Creativity at Its Best – The Halloween skins are stylish and full of personality, making characters even more fun to play and read about.
- Cross-Media Magic – By connecting the game update to variant comic covers, Marvel has delivered a powerful synergy that both gamers and comic readers can appreciate.
- Global Appeal – Costumes inspired by cultural traditions highlight diversity, something Marvel has been praised for in recent years.
- Collector’s Dream – The variant covers dropping on October 29 give fans a new reason to head to their local comic book shop or redeem on Marvel Unlimited.
❌ Negative Reactions: The Criticism So Far
- Gameplay Balance Concerns – According to early Marvel Rivals patch notes, some players argue that costume updates are prioritized over needed gameplay fixes.
- Price & Accessibility – Not all players are thrilled; premium skins often come with high costs or time-consuming unlocks.
- Limited Scope – Only four characters received Halloween designs, leaving fans of other heroes disappointed.
- Fear of Gimmicks – A section of the community worries that constant cosmetic updates could overshadow real content improvements.
While the event is fun, these drawbacks highlight the ongoing debate between cosmetic appeal vs. gameplay depth.
📰 Marvel Comics Variant Covers: A Closer Look

Marvel’s variant covers are stunning reinterpretations of the Halloween looks. Each offers fans a tangible collectible that celebrates the Marvel Rivals Halloween event.
- ALL-NEW SPIDER-GWEN: THE GHOST-SPIDER #3 – Features Gwen in a haunting yet stylish Spider-inspired look.
- BLACK CAT #3 – Embraces mystery and elegance, with Black Cat in a mischievous costume.
- IMPERIAL #4 – Highlights an otherworldly presence tied to the darker side of Marvel lore.
- THOR #3 – Displays Namor’s Halloween transformation alongside thunderous power.
These designs prove that Marvel continues to blur the line between gaming updates and comic artistry.
🌍 Where to Buy & How to Read
Fans can grab these covers on October 29, 2025 at their local comic book shops or use ComicShopLocator.com to find a nearby store.
Digital readers can unlock them using codes included in print comics through the Marvel Unlimited app, available on iOS and Android.
With access to over 30,000 Marvel Comics, the Marvel Unlimited service ensures fans can dive deep into Marvel’s vast universe, whether they’re collectors or casual readers.
🎯 Final Thoughts: A Trick and a Treat

The latest Marvel Rivals patch notes deliver both delight and debate. On one hand, the Halloween costumes and variant covers are a bold, fun, and creative addition that celebrate the season. On the other, the criticisms around balance and accessibility remain valid concerns.
Still, the powerful crossover between digital updates and physical comics ensures Marvel is keeping fans engaged on multiple fronts. Whether you’re a gamer excited for festive skins or a comic collector chasing variant covers, this event has something for everyone.
Mark your calendars: October 29, 2025 will be a big day for Marvel fans everywhere.
Sports
Europa League Unmissable Clash: Celtic Host Struggling Braga in Pivotal Group Stage Battle

Table of Contents – Europa League
Unmissable Europa League Clash: 3 Crushing Problems for Braga
The hallowed turf of Celtic Park is set for a dramatic Europa League encounter this Thursday, but the visitors from Portugal arrive in Glasgow bearing the weight of a significant crisis.
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Sporting Braga, despite a positive start to their European campaign with a matchday one victory over Feyenoord, land in Scotland under intense pressure. Their domestic form has collapsed, culminating in a shocking 1-0 home loss to lowly Nacional this past weekend. This result extended their winless run in Liga Portugal to five games, plunging them to seventh in the table and sparking fury among their fanbase.
The discontent was palpable, with supporters directing the dreaded waving of white handkerchiefs—a classic Iberian symbol of protest—towards the dugout. The target of their frustration is head coach Carlos Vicens, Pep Guardiola’s former assistant at Manchester City, who is finding life as the main man to be brutally unforgiving.

Vicens publicly criticized his squad’s attitude after the latest defeat, stating the performance was “unacceptable.” His rise from a work-experience role at City to a trusted member of Guardiola’s first-team staff was meteoric. However, his bold move to strike out on his own at Braga is now facing its first major test. What began promisingly with a 4-1 aggregate win over Cluj and two emphatic league victories has quickly soured.
The context makes this trip to Glasgow a daunting prospect. Braga’s recent away form in Europe is a major concern. Last season, they managed just a single point on their travels, losing to clubs like Roma and Union St Gilloise. This historical weakness, combined with their current domestic slump, provides a significant advantage to a Celtic side known for its formidable home atmosphere.

Further compounding Braga’s problems are their big-money signings failing to deliver immediate returns. Spanish striker Pau Victor, a £10.5m signing from Barcelona, has yet to find his scoring touch. To make matters worse, key midfielder Mario Dorgeles (£9.6m from Nordsjaelland) is a major doubt for the match, having been absent for their last five fixtures.
The match also marks an emotional return for Gustaf Lagerbielke. The Swedish centre-half, who left Celtic for Braga in the summer after making just 10 appearances under Brendan Rodgers, has become a virtual ever-present for his new club. He will be desperate to prove a point against his former teammates and help shore up a beleaguered Braga defense.
For Celtic, this presents a golden opportunity to secure a vital three points at home. By exploiting Braga’s fragile confidence and poor away record, Brendan Rodgers’ men can take a massive step toward the knockout stages. All eyes will be on Celtic Park to see if the Scottish champions can capitalize on a team in turmoil, or if Carlos Vicens can summon a resilient response and save his job with a stunning European result.
Coverage: You can listen to live commentary on BBC Radio Scotland Extra & Sounds and follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app. Kick-off is at 17:45 BST.
News
Henry Winkler’s 40th Book: A Triumphant Return to His Roots

Table of Contents – Henry Winkler
Henry Winkler’s 5 Powerful Lessons on Dreams & Dyslexia
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Upper West Side, Manhattan – In a heartwarming full-circle moment, beloved actor and author Henry Winkler returned to the hallways of his childhood, PS 87, not as “The Fonz,” but as a best-selling author inspiring a new generation to dream big.

The visit was more than a nostalgia trip; it was a powerful lesson in perseverance. Winkler, who has been open about his lifelong struggles with dyslexia, spoke to students about the challenges he faced and the importance of never giving up on your dreams.

From Learning Challenges to Literary Champion
Winkler’s journey as a reader was difficult. He famously didn’t read his first novel until he was 31 years old. “I was afraid to read,” Winkler has said. He described the words as “dancing all over the page,” making the process arduous. His breakthrough came with Jean M. Auel’s “The Clan of the Cave Bear,” a book he credits with showing him that with a little more time, he could indeed become a reader.

This personal triumph over fear is a central theme in his work. He co-wrote the “Hank Zipzer” series, inspired by his own experiences, to help children who learn differently see themselves in stories.
Celebrating a New Milestone: “Detective Duck”
The timing of his school visit coincided with the release of his latest children’s book, “Detective Duck: The Mystery at Emerald Pond.” This marks a significant milestone—it’s his 40th published book. Co-written with Lin Oliver and illustrated by Dan Santat, the story follows a duckling named Willow Feather McBeavers.
Winkler describes the book as a tale about “friendship, jealousy, friendly competition, and the dangers of plastic.” He adds, “[It’s] about realizing that your life is big enough to have a lot of friends and you don’t have to worry because you are enough.”

A Message of Resilience and Self-Belief
Speaking to the students at PS 87, Winkler and his co-author Lin Oliver discussed their writing process and the power of big dreams. His message was clear: a learning challenge does not define your intelligence or your potential. His own career—from an iconic television star to a prolific author—is a living testament to that belief.
By sharing his story in the very school he once attended, Henry Winkler provided an unforgettable, real-life example of how resilience, patience, and self-belief can turn struggles into extraordinary success.
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