Shorts: Nike, F1, World Series of Poker
Nike has launched its “Rip the Script” football campaign ahead of this summer’s international tournament, promoting creative and instinctive play among footballers and fans.
The campaign is fronted by footballers Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Vinícius Júnior, alongside former players Eric Cantona, Ronaldinho, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Didier Drogba and Jorge Campos. The film also features appearances from figures in entertainment and sport including LeBron James, Kim Kardashian, Travis Scott, Channing Tatum and the fictional character Ted Lasso.
According to Nike, the campaign is designed to encourage young players to embrace creative and instinctive play.
“We know the magical moments in football happen when players trust their instincts,” said Helena Thornton, Vice President of Nike Brand Management. “That’s the kind of football we love.”
Football remains the UK’s most participated team sport and continues to attract significant commercial investment from sportswear brands ahead of major international tournaments. Nike is one of the largest suppliers of football boots, apparel and national team kits globally.
As part of the campaign, Nike is introducing its 2026 federation kit collections, which incorporate the company’s Aero-FIT cooling technology and federation-specific design elements. The brand is also highlighting its latest football boot range, including updates to the Mercurial, Phantom and Tiempo lines.
Beyond product launches, the campaign supports football participation initiatives. Nike said its Toma el Juego street football programme has staged more than 100 tournaments across six continents and over 20 cities. The company is also continuing its partnership with LEGO Group through football-related activations focused on creativity and play.
The campaign extends into fashion and lifestyle through a series of football inspired collections, including country specific X2 ranges and retro inspired sportswear influenced by football culture from the 1990s and early 2000s.
Nike plans to support the campaign through retail activations worldwide, with football-focused displays and experiences rolling out across more than 5,000 Nike and partner retail locations during the tournament period.
Formula 1 has secured a 10 year extension for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, keeping the race on the championship calendar until 2037.
The agreement between Formula 1, Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc., Clark County and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority extends the event’s future in Nevada and strengthens the series’ long-term presence in the United States, one of the sport’s fastest-growing markets.
Since joining the Formula 1 calendar in 2023, the Las Vegas Grand Prix has become one of three races held in the US alongside events in Miami and Austin. The race takes place on the 6.2km Las Vegas Strip Circuit, with drivers passing landmarks including Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Wynn Las Vegas and The Venetian Resort Las Vegas.
The event has generated a cumulative economic impact of $3.2 billion for Southern Nevada since its debut, with all three editions between 2023 and 2025 selling out. In 2025 alone, the race generated $43 million in state and local tax revenue, including $15 million allocated to K-12 education.
On track, Max Verstappen has won the race twice, in 2023 and 2025, while British driver George Russell claimed victory in 2024. The 2024 race featured 113 overtakes, the highest total recorded at the event to date.
Grand Prix Plaza, a 39-acre Formula 1 attraction in Las Vegas, has also been used to support STEM education initiatives and community programmes throughout the year.
“We are thrilled that Formula 1 will continue racing in Las Vegas for many years to come,” said Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.
“We always believed that Las Vegas would become a cornerstone of our presence in the United States, and this extension, together with the success of recent years, reinforces our long-term commitment to this important market.”
Emily Prazer, President and CEO of Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc., added: “Securing a 10-year extension through 2037 is a defining moment for the Las Vegas Grand Prix and a reflection of the strength of our local partnerships.”
World Series of Poker (WSOP) has agreed a three year broadcast partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) to air the tournament across Europe, Latin America and Asia.
Under the terms of the agreement, Eurosport will broadcast six 45-minute highlights programmes of the Main Event and the Final Table across Europe and Asia. TNT Sports has secured the rights to air these highlights in the UK and Ireland, with on-demand coverage accessible on HBO Max across Europe. Eurosport and TNT Sports will also broadcast the Final Table live, with all programming produced by Omaha Productions. TNT Sports was nominated for ‘Media Organisation of the Year’ at the 2025 Sport Industry Awards.
For audiences in Latin America, daily 15-minute highlights programmes will air on the Space channel.
Ty Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of WSOP, said, “To truly grow the game, you need a broadcast stage that matches the stakes. We are incredibly proud to partner with Warner Bros. Discovery to showcase the world’s biggest prize-money competition to mainstream audiences worldwide. Together, we are firmly putting the ‘World’ back in the World Series of Poker.”
Trojan Paillot, Senior Vice President of Sports Rights Acquisitions and Syndication at WBD, said, “For the first time, WBD will bring the WSOP – the premier event in poker – to viewers across Europe, Asia and Latin America, expanding its global footprint and bringing the excitement, drama and prestige of poker’s biggest stage to audiences everywhere.”
