Hello everyone and Happy heat wave 🥵

This week we’re talking about: the shameful treatment of the NBA finals, the refreshing dedication to authenticity in Hollywood, and the Merchant of Venice.

Adam “Slippery Slope” Silver 🏀

Last week we discussed the Lakers sale and the risks associated with the larger trend of private equity/hedge fund types eroding the soul of sport in search of revenue.

This, of course, is not a blanket statement - and I know many Laker fans who are ecstatic with the new ownership’s deep pockets and Dodger success (as I heard after last week’s email)- but I couldn’t help but notice another shocking example at the league level during these past Finals.

Between the NBA and ESPN/ABC we had:

• No finals trophy logo painted on the court

• No televised player intros

• Universal dismay over the commentary and production

• This brutal side by side of the scenes between NBA and NHL championship celebrations

NBA commish Adam Silver argued that the trophy logo on the court was slippery 🤨 and they ended up adding smaller, pathetic digital trophies to the court.

They also started televising the player intros only after NBA twitter went berzerk.

This is what I’m talking about when I say these sporting events are more of a cultural event than a media product and, more & more, it seems like the “powers at be” forget that.

Congrats on the new TV rights deal.

Of course big tech co’s like Amazon will continue to bid up with their deep pockets.

That doesn’t mean you can allow things to devolve the way they have…and that’s BEFORE talking about the NBA All-Star Game.

Clean it up!

Speed, Sex & Studio Bucks 🏎️

Hollywood gets a bad rap these days, and rightfully so.

Self absorbed, out of touch, lazy sequels…the list goes on.

So it’s only fair to give credit where it’s due, and the upcoming F1 Movie deserves it.

Joe Pomp had a great breakdown this week explaining just how intricate, extensive, and involved the filming process was.

Some highlights:

• Mercedes F1 team built custom cars for the movie

• Footage was filmed during live racing weekends on real tracks and with real Formula 1 driver appearances

• Actual sponsors paid millions to have their logos on the cars built for the movie

• It took nearly 3 years to make

• Brad Pitt

It’s no secret that F1 has taken the world by storm ever since Drive to Survive hit Netflix. The series is raw and visceral + it oozes drama and authenticity. Not to mention the sex appeal and international jet-set vibes.

The sport continues to set the standard in global marketing and brand storytelling — and this film is just the latest proof.

You have to admire how intentional the whole project is.

No green screens. No lazy CGI. Nothing phoned in. Just a full-send cinematic endeavor that respects the viewer’s intelligence and honors the sport it portrays.

This isn’t just a movie…it’s a curated viewing experience. One that puts you trackside, inside the paddock, living the adrenaline.

We talk a lot about when spectacle meets soul.

This might just be the rare blockbuster that delivers both.

The Merchant of Venice 🎭

As someone who lived in Italy and has been to Venice close to 20 times, I’d like to think I know it better than most non-Venetians, at least.

Which is why I can’t help but chuckle at the hoopla and protests in Italy surrounding Jeff Bezos’ $20 million wedding there (happening right now).

Venice has become a zoo. An “adult” Disneyland with an ever dwindling population and no real industry outside of the aforementioned tourism. I get it - but the reality is that it’s not changing, and the city could *really* use that modern-day merchant’s money.

That way, the city can afford to focus on offering it’s most incredible, non-productive asset: vibes.

So in spirit of celebration, let’s thank Jeff for keeping the city “afloat” and enjoy my curated list of favs. These aren’t the gaudy Aman or cliche Harry’s Bar, but real Venetian gems.

Bookmark these for your next trip:

• Cantine del Vino Gia Schiavi

• Osteria Entoca Ai Artisti

• Trattoria all Rivetta

Wedding Songs 🪩

Speaking of weddings, I just attended a beautiful one in the Sierra Nevadas last weekend.

Of course, there was a live band, and of course, I dj’d and karaoke’d a little too.

Here are my 10 favorites from the weekend. Enjoy…

RP WEEKLY!!!!