WNBA, 2024 Season, Basketball, DICK BARNETT, BIG3 — (Photo: Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 18, 2025

WNBA Players Turn Out In Record Numbers For Contract Discussions With League For Next Collective Bargaining Agreement

'I’m encouraged, you know, I’m just so inspired by the amount of players that showed up, the engagement that was there,” Women's National Basketball Association President, Nneka Ogwumike said

As players prepare to showcase their skills in the WNBA All-Star Game, set to take place on July 19 in Indianapolis, representatives from the players’ union have stated that the WNBA and the players are far apart in initial discussions about the upcoming collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

According to The Associated Press, there could be a pause in the upcoming season if both sides don’t come to a mutually beneficial agreement in the CBA. There could be a walkout by the players if they are not closer to signing something they can be happy with by October. Hopefully, this doesn’t happen, but if so, it would be the first time in WNBA history that players wouldn’t take the floor.

The players opted out of the current CBA in October and are looking to negotiate a better revenue-sharing model, as well as higher salaries, improved benefits, and a softer salary cap.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by WNBPA (@thewnbpa)

The meeting was well-attended by players from the league, as it was the first meeting between both parties since last year. There were about 40 players, including Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, and Caitlin Clark, who showed support for the union’s WNBPA (Women’s National Basketball Association) President, Nneka Ogwumike. It was the largest number of players to have ever attended discussions about the upcoming contract with the WNBA.

“I’m encouraged, you know, I’m just so inspired by the number of players that showed up, the engagement that was there,” Ogwumike said. “That’s really what it’s all about. Because the more that happens, the more that we’re going to be able to get things done. I think today we’re going to be able to use this conversation to start rolling the ball on things.”

Although the players would rather not walk out, they understand the power of unity, as many have already expressed the need for solidarity in hopes of securing a better agreement with the league.

“It was something that was very informative for me. First time being able to see and hear, the wording, from both sides,” Reese said. “I was really eager to know and understand what was going on. So I’m very aware of what’s going on right now. We won’t stop until we got what we want.”

There will be more meetings, but the initial one provided the groundwork for what the players and the league want.

“I don’t know that I’m going to say progress, but we had a spirited conversation,” said Terri Carmichael Jackson, the executive director of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association.

Salt n Pepa, Push It — Photo: Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images

by Jameelah Mullen

July 18, 2025

UMG Says Salt-N-Pepa Aren’t Entitled to Own Their Masters in New Court Motion

The music publishing company asks the judge to dismiss the lawsuit filed by the rap duo earlier this year.

Universal Music Group (UMG) responded to Salt-N-Pepa’s effort to regain control of their masters for their albums. In the July 17 motion, the music publishing company asked the judge to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton in May.

The rap duo’s lawsuit claims that UMG refused to honor their “termination rights,” a provision of copyright law that allows artists who sign over their masters to regain control of them 35 years after a song’s release.

Additionally, UMG removed the group’s first two albums, Hot, Cool & Vicious (1986) and A Salt With a Deadly Pepa (1988), from streaming services between May and July 2024. Denton and James allege that UMG removed their music as a “punitive measure,” claiming the company threatened to “hold plaintiffs’ rights hostage even if it means tanking the value of plaintiffs’ music catalogue and depriving their fans of access to their work,” the lawsuit obtained by the Associated Press reads. Denton and James claim that the removal caused them to lose out on “substantial royalties.”

UMG’s legal team claims that Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton don’t have termination rights because it was their former producer, Hurby ‘Luv Bug’ Azor, who signed away their masters, not Denton and James.

“There was never an intention to effectuate a copyright transfer from [the] plaintiffs. The only transfer is made by [the] producer as the copyright owner to Next Plateau,” the motion obtained by Billboard states.

“Because that is not a grant subject to termination by plaintiffs, plaintiff’s declaratory judgment claim as to the validity of their termination of purported grants concerning the sound recordings should be dismissed.”

UMG’s legal team also claims that termination rights don’t apply to derivative works, which include remixes of some of the songs listed in the lawsuit, such as “remixes of Push It” and “Expression.”

UMG’s motion also refers to a class action lawsuit brought against UMG over termination rights, where a federal judge determined that these rights only apply to record deals executed by artists.

“UMG’s response is just what we expected — an effort to avoid addressing the core issues facing Salt-N-Pepa and so many other artists in these circumstances,” a spokesperson for Salt-N-Pepa told Billboard.

money, Shedeur Sanders — Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 18, 2025

Shedeur Sanders Goes Into Cleveland Community After Hearing About Devastating Apartment Fire

'God told me to come out here, so I’m never going to question His word,' the quarterback said.

After a fire affected a Cleveland community, NFL rookie Shedeur Sanders took time to host an event to bring a little joy back to residents’ lives following the recent troubling incident.

According to Sports Illustrated, after hearing about a fire that took place at the Rainbow Terrace Apartments in Cleveland, Sanders didn’t hesitate to make plans to help the community in its time of need. The incident occurred on June 23 when a fire burned several units, causing injury to five people and one death. A man named Cordale Sheffield suffered severe burns after running back into the fiery building to save his stepchildren. He succumbed to his injuries on July 10.

Residents have been displaced due to the fire, and Sanders wanted to do something to help the people in the Garden Valley community.

The Cleveland Browns quarterback helped set up a fundraiser, named Garden Valley Fun Fest. The event featured several activities to bring some joy to the people affected. There were food trucks, bounce houses, and games for the residents to participate in.

“When everything transpired, I was out of town, so I was like, ‘Nah, the first thing I do when I get back, I’ll definitely come to the community,'” Sanders said.

Sanders wanted to do more than write a check. He wanted to be with them in their time of need, and he felt that, even though sending money was a good thing, being there with the people would have a greater impact. He even stated that he was advised not to go into the community, but he chose to head there anyway.

“There was a lot of people who didn’t want me to come down here and do it, but I don’t understand why,” Sanders stated. “God told me to come out here, so I’m never going to question His word. Sending money and stuff, that’s easy. But you have to actually go out there and be in the flesh. I feel like that’s more impactful.”

#Browns QB Shedeur Sanders found out about the Rainbow Terrace Apartment explosion/fire when he was out of town. He knew he didn’t just want to send help, he wanted to spend time.

“Sending money and stuff, that’s easy. But you have to actually go out there and be in the flesh.” pic.twitter.com/iX0p0UyEq9

— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) July 17, 2025

Instead of spending time at the recent ESPYS Awards, Sanders chose to be with the community. He is gearing up for his first NFL preseason, which begins with training camp on July 18.

DOJ, Breonna Taylor, charges, Louisville — Photo by Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Frontline Action Hub

by Sharelle B. McNair

July 18, 2025

They’re Kidding, Right? Trump’s DOJ Recommends 1-Day Prison Bid For Ex-Officer In Breonna Taylor Case

Hankinson was the only involved officer who fired shots to be charged and convicted of any crime, while the officers who fired shots striking Taylor were never charged.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) under the Trump administration attempts to make a mockery of the Breonna Taylor case by recommending former Louisville officer, Brett Hankison, who fired 10 shots through Taylor’s covered glass door and window, serve one day in prison, NBC News reports.

While none of Hankison’s botched shots hit Taylor, in November 2024, he was convicted of deprivation of rights under color of law after several bullets traveled through the wall and into an apartment next door. A sentencing memo filed by the DOJ read, “there is no need for a prison sentence to protect the public from the defendant,” after a February 2025 ruling, after the evidence found Taylor was still alive when Hankison fired the first five bullets.

Instead, the memo, signed by Robert J. Keenan, senior counsel for the Civil Rights Division, pushed for the former Louisville Metro Department officer to serve one day behind bars — the same length of time he spent in jail when he was first booked on charges.

According to USA Today, Hankison is scheduled to be sentenced July 21, facing a maximum sentence of life in prison. A pre-sentence report from the United States Probation Office recommended a prison sentence between 11.25 and 14 years. However, the DOJ labeled the recommendation as being incorrectly calculated and “excessive.”

Of course, the memo pointed the blame finger at former President Joe Biden, claiming the ex-officer should have never been prosecuted on civil rights charges at all, in which he was acquitted. “Indeed, reasonable minds might disagree as to whether Hankison’s conduct constituted a seizure under the Fourth Amendment in the first place,” the memo continues.

“… And reasonable minds certainly might disagree whether, even if Hankison’s conduct did constitute a seizure, a prosecution under this statute should have been brought under these circumstances at all.”

But advocates on social media say otherwise. News of the one-day recommendation sent waves through social apps, reminding people who remember the 2020 ordeal that the justice system turns a blind eye to Black victims of police brutality. “A slap on the wrist for the officer who killed Breonna Taylor. This nation hates Black people,” @queenie4rmnola wrote.

A slap on the wrist for the officer who killed Breonna Taylor. This nation hates Black people. pic.twitter.com/H6z3QRcJB9
— Dr. Allison Wiltz (@queenie4rmnola) July 17, 2025

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) spoke about the case update, and the DOJ is labeling it as “accountability.” “One day. That’s the slap in the face the DOJ is calling “accountability” in Breonna Taylor’s case. Now they want to act like civil rights charges were too much? Please be for real. If you’re wondering how little they value Black lives—look no further,” the congresswoman said.

One day. That’s the slap in the face the DOJ is calling “accountability” in Breonna Taylor’s case.
⁰Now they want to act like civil rights charges were too much? Please be for real.

If you’re wondering how little they value Black lives—look no further. https://t.co/vxlrIWppvf
— Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (@RepJasmine) July 17, 2025

Taylor’s death sparked additional protests throughout the U.S. in the Black Lives Matter movement while the country was battling the COVID-19 pandemic. Hankison was the only officer involved who fired shots to be charged and convicted of any crime, while the other officers who fired shots, striking Taylor, were never charged.

WILLIAM LACY CLAY, JR. — US House Office of Photography, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 18, 2025

William ‘Bill’ Clay Sr., Congressional Black Caucus Co-Founder, Dies at 94

Civil rights trailblazer and Congressional Black Caucus co-founder Bill Clay Sr. leaves behind a powerful legacy of advocacy.

William “Bill” Clay Sr., founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and Missouri’s first Black congressman, died on the morning of July 17 at the age of 94.

Clay Sr., who resided in Silver Spring, Maryland, passed away at his daughter’s home in Virginia, STL Today reports. He is survived by his son, William Lacy Clay Jr., who followed in his political footsteps; daughters Vicki and Michelle Clay; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a lasting legacy of groundbreaking civil rights advocacy.

As Missouri’s first Black congressman, Clay served over three decades in Congress and earned a reputation for his unapologetic fight for social justice. A vocal leader in St. Louis street demonstrations challenging the city’s power structure and a fierce opponent of employment segregation, he co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus and became a political powerhouse in Missouri, where his support could make or break a mayoral candidate.

“You cannot talk about the history of St. Louis politics without starting with Bill Clay Sr.,” U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell told KSDK. “When we talk about standing on the shoulders of giants, I realize that I am, he’s that giant.”

Clay’s civil rights activism began in 1953 when, at just 22, he was drafted into the Army. While stationed in Alabama, he organized demonstrations to protest the racial discrimination faced by him and other Black soldiers.

After returning to St. Louis, Clay continued his fight for justice alongside a rising political career, becoming an alderman in 1959. He went on to help lead the pivotal 1963 Jefferson Bank Protests, which demanded that the banks hire more Black employees. The demonstrations became one of the defining moments of the modern civil rights era. Clay was among more than 500 people arrested during the nonviolent protests, ultimately serving nearly four months in jail for his role.

A prominent figure in the labor movement, Clay championed the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act, which mandates that companies with 50 or more employees provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for new parents or family members in the event of a medical emergency. He was instrumental in raising the minimum wage, pushed for Congress to ban the permanent replacement of striking workers (though unsuccessfully), and secured increased funding for historically Black colleges and universities.

“I represent those who are in need of representation,” he once said. “I have no intention of representing those powerful interests who walk over the powerless people.”

After Clay’s retirement, his son William Lacy Clay Jr. was elected to succeed him, making them only the second Black father-son duo to ever serve in Congress. The Clay family held the seat until 2021, when activist Cori Bush defeated Lacy Clay Jr. in the Democratic primary and later won the general election, becoming Missouri’s first Black woman in Congress.

The district is now represented by Wesley Bell, who shared that he recently spoke with Lacy Jr., noting how deeply he’s grieving, especially as his father’s passing comes just months after his mother’s death.

“First and foremost, I wanna send my prayers out to his family, Lacy, and his entire family. Mr. Clay lost his wife, Lacy Clay’s mother, earlier this year. I did a floor speech honoring her just a few months ago, and so it’s always tough, and our prayers are with them,” Bell said. “We want to give them space and grace to mourn and grieve, and as I told him, anything that he needs or they need, don’t hesitate to ask. We are here for them, and I speak for the entire region in that regard.”

Cassandra Cummings, stock sistar summit — Courtesy of Cassandra Cummings

by Black Enterprise

July 18, 2025

Black Founder To Host 7th Annual Stock Sistar Summit To Empower Women To Invest In AI, Wealth, And Legacy

The Stock Sistar Summit delivers game-changing insights

The 7th Annual Stock Sistar Summit, presented by The Stocks & Stilettos Society and hosted by Cassandra Cummings, the founder, wealth mentor and author of the book, Fearless Finances: A Timeless Guide to Building Wealth, is returning to Las Vegas, Nevada, Oct. 2-5, 2025, with a bold mission: to empower women—especially women of color—to build wealth through strategic investments, with a sharp focus on AI (artificial intelligence).

This year’s theme, “Secure the Code, Scale the Wealth: Mastering Money Moves in the Age of AI,” centers around creating sustainable, passive income by leveraging cutting-edge opportunities in AI, stocks, and real estate. Held at the luxurious Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, the summit expects to draw over 300 powerhouse attendees from across the U.S. for three days of financial transformation, high-impact networking, and sisterhood.

Featured speakers include:

• Patricia Jordan, Founder of Her Secret Vault
• Davonne Reaves, CEO of The Vonne Group
• Alicia Lyttle and Cynthia Respert, both recognized AI experts
• Gail Perry Mason, legendary financial educator and keynote speaker
• Additional panelists and surprise guests will be announced in the coming weeks.

“This isn’t just a summit. It’s a movement,” says Cummings. “We are elevating women’s financial power by connecting them to innovative wealth-building tools and a community that believes in investing boldly and unapologetically.”

The Stock Sistar Summit has established a reputation as the premier event for Black women seeking advanced strategies to enhance their investment knowledge and portfolios. Whether you’re a starting investor or a seasoned one, the Stock Sistar Summit delivers game-changing insights and power-packed sessions that investors can apply immediately to enhance their portfolios.

A Star-Studded VIP Experience

For those seeking next-level access, the VIP experience includes:

• Exclusive Access and Preferential Seating

Skip the line and secure the best seats. VIP guests will gain access to the ballroom through our preferred entrance, offering prime seating and proximity to our powerhouse speakers. With the best seats in the house, VIPs will be at the heart of the action, soaking up the investment strategies from some of the most influential financial leaders.

• Exclusive VIP Welcome Reception

The perks continue beyond the main stage. VIP attendees will also gain access to the exclusive VIP Welcome Reception, a networking haven filled with like-minded women investors to engage in high-level conversations, while living in their soft-life era. Members of Cummings’s Stock Success Circle, Build-A-Bag, VIP Wealth Accelerator, and Queens of Capital programs will gather in person to connect and share the secrets to their success. “The VIP experience is where lifelong friendships are formed and where the connections can truly change the trajectory of your financial life,” said Cummings.

• Bonus Investment Elevation Sessions

An exclusive, bonus day featuring Dr. Lakisha Simmons, an early retiree and FIRE speaker, will unlock the secrets to early retirement with a “Rich & Ready” retirement strategy session to reveal the blueprint she used to retire at the age of 41. The bonus day includes a special gift bag, plated lunch, and more opportunities to network with serious-minded investors.

Cummings’ latest venture, Queens of Capital, is an exclusive investment collective and mastermind that provides women with access to investment opportunities utilizing time-tested strategies from some of the world’s most successful business minds. The mastermind fosters a community of like-minded women dedicated to breaking generational financial curses and building a wealth-focused legacy where they can share ideas, learn, and elevate together.

To secure your spot or reserve a VIP registration, visit https://bit.ly/winningwithwealth

About The Stocks & Stilettos Society
Founded by Cassandra Cummings, The Stocks & Stilettos Society is the largest community of Black women investors stepping up their financial game through the power of investing to achieve their economic and wealth-building goals. The Stocks & Stilettos Society is dedicated to helping more women achieve their financial goals and succeed in investing. To learn more about Cassandra, visit her official website at CassandraCummings.com.

RELATED CONTENT: XCEL Summit For Men 2025

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 18, 2025

Raekwon’s Newark Dispensary Hashstoria Evicted For Nonpayment Of Rent

The business, which was co-owned by Charlamagne Tha God, former South Carolina legislator Bakari Sellers, and entrepreneur Jedd Canty, was sued by the landlord for owing $540,501.84

Last November, Wu-Tang Clan group member Raekwon the Chef opened a cannabis dispensary, Hashtoria, in Newark, New Jersey, and less than a year later, the store was shut down for failure to pay rent.

According to HeadyNJ, the dispensary, which was co-owned by Charlamagne Tha God, former South Carolina legislator Bakari Sellers, and entrepreneur Jedd Canty, was evicted by the landlord for owing $540,501.84. Hashtoria was located in the historic Four Corners District at 799-805 Broad Street.

The landlord of the building, BMHC LLC, took the cannabis business to NJ Superior Court on May 2 for non-payment of rent. Judge Benjamin Avion ruled in favor of the landlord on June 25 and ordered Hashtoria to vacate the premises by July 1.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Dispensary Guy (@thedispensaryguy)

Jersey Digs reported that Hashtoria had not paid the rent for two years. Court documents revealed that the dispensary owed not only rent but also late fees and other contractual obligations, prompting the landlord to take legal action. When the business opened in November, they had already been behind for 19 months. They reportedly were paying $23,333 per month.

“I was stunned,” said Robert Mejia, professor of cannabis studies at Stockton University. “They also had a consumption lounge they were going to open up.”

HeadyNJ also stated that vendors were not being paid, as several have gone on record to confirm it.

Canna Boss Lady Jill Cohen launched a line of pre-rolls, and she stated that Hashteria still owes her 50% of the money for two cases of products. Meanwhile, Julian Langley, who sells Hamsa gummies, said that they haven’t been paid for their product.

“We don’t even know if we can get our product back,” he told the media outlet.

There have been many dispensaries closing since cannabis was legalized in the state. Royal M Dispensary closed in Plainfield, Bleachers in Franklin Township fell victim, and The Botanist had to relocate from its location in Atlantic City.

(Photo: Delmaine Donson/Getty Images)

by Mary Spiller

July 18, 2025

Senate Resolution Calls for National Action on Wage Gap Facing Black Women

Black women in America had to work more than six extra months into 2025 just to match what white, non-Hispanic men earned in 2024 alone — a gap symbolized by Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, recognized this year on July 10.

Despite working in one of the wealthiest nations in the world, Black women continue to be underpaid at an alarming rate, earning just 66 cents for every dollar paid to white men on average. At that pace, it would take more than 200 years for Black women to achieve pay equity. In response, Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware has introduced a resolution declaring Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, aiming to elevate the issue and bring it to the center of the national conversation.

“America is one of the wealthiest economies in the world, yet Black women still have to work seven months longer to earn what white men do,” Blunt Rochester said in a statement on Equal Pay Day.

Black Women’s Equal Pay Day marks how far into the year Black women must work to earn the same amount that white, non-Hispanic men made in the previous year. In 2025, that date fell on July 10.

The senator previously made history as Delaware’s first woman and first Black U.S. senator and and the fourth Black woman to serve in the Senate in its 236-year existence.

The resolution proposed by Blunt Rochester is co-sponsored by 32 Democratic senators and joined in the House by Rep. Alma Adams of North Carolina, who has long championed wage equity.

“Today, we recognize the staggering wage inequity Black women face and recommit ourselves to addressing this injustice,” Adams explained.

She continued, “For too long, Black women have been forced to work twice as hard to get half as far, facing steep barriers, discrimination, and a lack of opportunity to succeed. We cannot afford to wait 200 years to be paid what we’re owed. I’m proud to introduce this resolution and continue our fight for wage equity in America.”

According to experts, the pay gap is the result of long-standing structural racism and sexism, creating a double bind that has not been seriously addressed across generations.

The Institute for Women’s Policy Research argues that addressing the issue requires tailored policy solutions that reflect the intersectional challenges Black women face, such as Equal Pay Day, backed by Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester.

“Gender and racial injustices are compounding factors that exacerbate discrimination against Black women,” the institute’s report states, noting the continued legacy of slavery and lack of generational wealth.

The report highlights how their work is “devalued and exploited,” often relegating them to low-paying jobs with few benefits or opportunities for advancement.

To address the inequity, researchers urge more vigorous enforcement of anti-discrimination laws, salary transparency, access to paid leave, reproductive healthcare, education support, and broader workplace protections, highlighting the importance of Blunt Rochester’s mission.

Cyril White, TGBGT — Courtesy of Cyril White

by Black Enterprise

July 18, 2025

Meet the Black Entrepreneur Breaking Barriers in China With His Multimillion-Dollar Sports Empire

CEO and founder Cyril White has entered a new era

With a legacy of impact in China, Africa, the Caribbean, and U.S. sports innovation, Cyril White, Founder and CEO of TGBTG Sports, a Black-owned global sports branding, licensing, and professional development company, has entered a new era, poised for strategic alignment and exponential growth.

After 25 years of global innovation, youth sports development, and IP creation, his company is now being recognized as one of the most strategically positioned international sports ecosystems for potential corporate acquisition or global brand alignment.

Behind the headlines and tournaments lies a network that spans over 250 basketball academies in China, 60 American football programs, 100 athlete NIL and apparel relationships, and a track record of building retail infrastructure from zero to thousands of stores. With minimal overhead and maximum global leverage, TGBTG Sports has built a powerful and monetizable platform that is now attracting attention from private equity groups, sportswear manufacturers, and international investors.

“The sports and athlete branding landscape is evolving at a rapid rate,” says Cyril. “With AI, NIL, and digital commerce transforming global engagement, this is the time to leverage every existing asset—not just for the next 2–3 years, but to shape the sports business economy for the next 25.”

TGBTG’s professional basketball tours in China have become a key part of its active revenue engine. With two major international tours scheduled—July 25 through August 10, 2025, and October 15 through November 2, 2025—the company generates income from ticket sales, live streaming, sponsorships, and branded tour merchandise. These tours feature high-level American players and serve as a cornerstone of TGBTG’s visibility, commercial activity, and cultural exchange across China’s most influential sports cities.

From 2011 to 2018, TGBTG Sports was behind the ground-level expansion of the Starbury brand in China, taking retail distribution from zero to 4,800 storefronts across the mainland—an unprecedented achievement for a U.S.-based sports operator. That same distribution network has since grown to over 60,000 retail outlets throughout Asia.

In addition to building physical infrastructure, TGBTG quietly owns a portfolio of:

• 150+ sportswear SKUs
• 100+ proprietary slogans and IP assets
• Regional government relationships across the Caribbean and Africa
• Dozens of NIL athlete contracts in NCAA, NBA, and pro-am pipelines

Zhang Honghai, former executive at ICBC Bank and manager of TGBTG’s accounts in China from 2012 to 2018, shared:

“As a financial executive observing firsthand from Beijing, I witnessed TGBTG Sports generate real growth, real income, and execute every business plan it brought to China, especially in connection with Stephon Marbury’s legacy. Their impact on the ground was undeniable.”

Even with its footprint spanning four continents, TGBTG’s success has been built almost entirely through contract-based professionals: coaches, designers, marketers, and athletes who collaborated with founder Cyril White’s vision and leadership. No large full-time internal staff. No expensive office headquarters. Just a tightly run, asset-driven machine.

Clark Edlund, senior partner at CAZ Investments, a private equity firm with holdings across pro sports, commented after reviewing TGBTG’s operations:

“The fact that Cyril has been able to create so much global value using contracted resources—and without a full-time corporate team—is evidence of the massive upside available. With a formal corporate infrastructure and executive team, TGBTG could be scaled into a billion-dollar operation.”

With a current estimated enterprise value ranging between $21M and $36M, and strategic upside potential exceeding $100M+ over time, TGBTG Sports is not for sale—but is open to strategic conversations with aligned partners ready to build the future of global athlete development, sportswear distribution, NIL monetization, and youth market penetration.

“We’ve quietly built an international sports machine with a unique ecosystem that could only come together the way it has since 1999,” Cyril adds. “What’s next is finding the right strategic partner to elevate it, not from scratch, but from a powerful foundation that’s already generating results around the world.”

WAREHOUSE WORKER, SALARY, — (Photo: Mizuno K/Pexels)

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 18, 2025

American Workers Feel Increased Guilt When Using Paid Time Off, Study Finds

Study looks into the guilt American workers feel when using PTO.

A new study explores why so many American workers feel guilty about using their paid time off, and why some skip it altogether.

Karen Tan, a Singapore native and assistant professor of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Middle Tennessee State University, set out to study the “vacation guilt” she noticed after moving to the U.S. in 2016. Despite America’s focus on mental health and wellness, Tan was struck by how rarely that translated into actual workplace culture.

“Surprisingly, though, I noticed that many of my American friends felt guilty about taking time off that they’d earned,” Tan wrote in The Conversation. “So as a scholar of tourism and hospitality, I wanted to understand how and why this happened.”

For the study, Tan partnered with tourism scholar Robert Li to explore the emotional toll of taking paid time off. They interviewed 15 employees who had felt guilty about using their vacation days and surveyed 860 full-time workers who receive PTO through their jobs.

The research focused on whether employees felt judged or less respected about stepping away from work. They found that 1 in 5 respondents experienced “vacation guilt,” with many admitting that these feelings made them hesitate or shorten their time off. Some even apologized for using their PTO or avoided mentioning their vacation plans at all to coworkers.

Expanding on a 2024 Pew Research Center survey that revealed nearly half of U.S. workers don’t use all of their allotted vacation days, often feeling discouraged from doing so, Tan found that time off, meant to offer rest and relief, has instead become a source of stress. She also offers advice to employers on how to shift workplace culture and prevent the guilt and hesitation that often arise when vacation is brought up.

“For paid time off to serve its purpose, I think employers need to provide more than vacation days,” Tan wrote. “They also need to have a supportive culture that readily encourages employees to use this benefit without having to worry about repercussions.”