Top 15 Entertainment and Sports Stories of 2024: Usher, Kendrick Lamar, Athlete Podcasts, and More

Top 15 Entertainment and Sports Stories of 2024

As the year ends, we look back at the defining entertainment and sports moments that captivated audiences in 2024. From Katt Williams opening the portal in January on Club Shay Shay to cultural breakthroughs in the WNBA  and Usher’s reign as an entertainment icon, in no particular order, here are the stories that made waves.

Diddy’s Mounting Legal Troubles and Industry Fallout

Sean “Diddy” Combs faced a storm of lawsuits for sexual misconduct and workplace harassment, leading to the collapse of partnerships with CÎROC and Revolt TV. Cassie’s bombshell lawsuit amplified the fallout, forcing a cultural reckoning on power dynamics in the entertainment industry. With his upcoming trial scheduled to begin in May 2025, will hip-hop face the same scrutiny the TV and film industry underwent a few years back?

 Shannon Sharpe’s Record-Breaking Year

Shannon Sharpe cemented his status as a cultural icon outside of sports with Club Shay Shay. His interview with comedian Katt Williams shattered records, becoming the most-viewed YouTube video in history with over 200 million views. The wide-ranging conversation elevated Club Shay Shay as a must-watch platform.

 The Rise of Cross on Prime Video

Prime Video’s Cross, starring Aldis Hodge, captivated audiences with its suspenseful storytelling. Based on James Patterson’s novels, the series averaged 12 million weekly streams and earned a season two renewal before an episode even aired for its gripping take on the beloved detective.

 The Year of Usher

Usher dominated 2024, cementing his legacy as one of the most celebrated performers of his generation:

• Super Bowl Halftime Show: Usher headlined the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show, delivering an electrifying performance that included hits like “Yeah!” and “Confessions.” His streams surged by 300% following the performance.
• Tour and Residency Success: Usher’s Past, Present, Future Tour kicked off in August 2024, already grossing over $90 million as it continues into 2025. Meanwhile, his Las Vegas Residency pulled in $130 million across its 36-week run, with every show sold out.
• Viral Moments: Usher’s Vegas residency performances created countless viral moments, including his serenade of Keke Palmer that sparked cultural debates. During his tour, the “Cherries Moment” became a TikTok sensation, solidifying his place in pop culture.
• Concert Film: His concert film, “Rendevouz in Paris” further proves his ability to dominate across platforms.

Kendrick Lamar’s Monumental Year

• Drake Feud: Kendrick ignited a lyrical battle with his uncredited verse on “Like That” from Metro Boomin and Future’s March 2024 album We Don’t Trust You. Kendrick called out Drake and J. Cole, dismissing the “big three” concept and labeling Drake’s best verses as “a light pack.” Drake responded on April 13 with “Push Ups (Drop and Give Me 50)”, mocking Kendrick’s height and claiming he’s a label puppet. Kendrick countered with “Euphoria” and later delivered the knockout blow with “Not Like Us”. Drake’s follow-ups, “Taylor made” “Family Matters” and “The Heart Part VI,” capped off the feud, dominating headlines.
• Juneteenth Concert: Kendrick’s surprise LA concert drew massive crowds, with LeBron James, DeMar DeRozan, and Russell Westbrook in attendance. The event underscored Kendrick’s role as both a musical and cultural icon. It joined together LA gang factions and featured a national platform for emerging West Coast talent via a live stream on Prime Video.
• Surprise Album: GNX, Kendrick’s sixth studio album, was surprise-released on November 22, 2024. GNX debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 319,000 album-equivalent units, including 379.72 million official on-demand streams and 32,000 pure sales, despite only being available via streaming and standard digital downloads. It crossed 500,000 album-equivalent units by the second week.
• Upcoming Tour: Kendrick and SZA’s highly anticipated joint tour is set to kick off in early 2025. Pre-sale tickets have already sold out in major cities, including a stop in Drake’s hometown of Toronto, signaling another blockbuster year ahead for both artists.
• Upcoming Super Bowl Performance: Kendrick’s announcement as the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show headliner in New Orleans capped off a year of dominance.

WNBA’s Breakthrough Year with Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark

The WNBA saw Finals viewership rise 30% in 2024, partly thanks to rookies Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. Almost like the Bird-Magic rivalry that helped solidify the NBA’s place as a dominant sports’ league in the 80s. This rivalry has captured the attention of the viewing audience. Reese dominated with double-doubles, while Clark shattered three-point records. Their NCAA rivalry transitioned into a professional showdown, expanding the league’s audience.

LeBron James Nearing the Finish Line

LeBron James became the first NBA player to surpass 40,000 career points. Fans saw him take the court with his oldest son, Bronny James, whose jersey initially outsold the top draft pick. With King James celebrating his 40th birthday, retirement speculation is looming, But Lakers games saw a 15% rise in ticket sales as fans are still lining up to celebrate his historic career. Now, the NBA ratings are a conversation for another day. However, the NBA must be on high alert as we look at the twilight of careers like Bron, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry.

Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes Phenomenon

Coach Prime transformed Colorado football, leading the team to an 8-4 season. Shedeur Sanders emerged as a Heisman finalist, with teammate Travis Hunter taking home the prize. The program’s social media dominance secured $20 million in sponsorship deals, redefining the college sports landscape.

NIL Revolutionizes College Athletics

NIL deals hit $1 billion in 2024, with athletes like Angel Reese and gymnast Livvy Dunne earning millions in endorsements. This new era blurred the lines between amateur and professional sports, redefining athlete branding.

Streaming Giants Enter Live Sports

• Netflix staged its first live events, including Nadal vs. Alcaraz and the Tyson/Paul boxing match. The “Beyoncé Bowl” NFL broadcast drew 27 million viewers. Plus more athlete-centered content like the series “Quarterback” and “Starting 5” which gave viewers unprecedented access to athletes. Expect to see more from Netflix in the live event space.
• NBCUniversal broke records with Paris Olympics coverage, attracting 30.4 million viewers and recording 23.5 billion streamed minutes. Collaborations with Snoop Dogg and “Call Her Daddy” host Alexandra Cooper helped boost engagement by 80% from the Tokyo Games.

Athlete Podcasts Take Center Stage

Athlete-led podcasts dominated in 2024, reshaping the media landscape with record-breaking audience engagement. Gilbert Arenas’ Gil’s Arena generated over 10 million monthly views on YouTube alone. We already mentioned Shannon and his Club Shay Shay – he’s expanded that world with “NightCap,” – a show he hosts with Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson, which gets into sports and stories, Angel Reese, “Podcast P” Paul George, Draymond Green and more are ushering in a new era for sports media. The OG’s of athlete pods – “All The Smoke” and “The Knuckle Heads” are still hanging on a breathing life. Even shows like  Cam’ron and Mase’s It Is What It Is became a cultural staple with their viral clips and 4 million weekly listeners across platforms. These podcasts provided unfiltered takes on sports, culture, and life, setting new standards for athlete-driven content and generating over $25 million in ad revenue and sponsorships.

Boxing’s Comeback Year

High-profile matches like Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua and Netflix’s Tyson/Paul bout brought boxing back into the spotlight. The sport’s resurgence introduced a new generation to its spectacle.

Female Rap Takes the Spotlight

2024 was a monumental year for female rappers, with multiple artists dominating the charts and cultural conversations:

• GloRilla’s Debut Album: GloRilla released her highly anticipated debut album, Glorious, in October 2024. The album topped the Billboard 200, solidifying her status as a rising star in hip-hop.
• Doechii’s Tiny Desk and New Album: Doechii captivated audiences with her NPR Tiny Desk Concert, showcasing her range and lyricism. Her album Alligator Bites Don’t Heal has started a buzz and conversation that seems to be setting up a masses 2025 for Doechii.
• Megan Thee Stallion’s Documentary: Megan released In Her Words, an Amazon Prime documentary chronicling her journey from Houston to global superstardom. The film became the platform’s most-watched documentary of the year, garnering over 15 million views in its first month.
• Latto’s New Album and Hosting Role: Latto’s third studio album, Sugar Honey Ice Tea, was both a critical and commercial success. She also expanded her reach as the charismatic judge of Netflix’s Rhythm and Hustle, further cementing her role as a versatile force in the industry.