After rumors swirled recently that the NFL could sell some of its top media properties to ESPN, it appears a deal has been reached.
According to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, ESPN and the NFL have agreed to a deal that “is potentially worth billions,” and an official announcement is expected next week.
With the new deal, ESPN is “expected to have access to RedZone, NFL Network, seven more regular-season games, the NFL’s fantasy football business, potential to integrate special features (including betting) and potentially more assets,” Marchand reports.
For the NFL, Marchand notes that the league “may receive up to 10 percent of ESPN equity.”
ESPN is set to offer customers a “direct-to-consumer service” that will allow subscribers to watch all ESPN programming — live games included — through the company’s app.
The expected cost for that service is $29.99 per month and ESPN hopes that will put a half to declining subscription numbers.
Before the ESPN-NFL deal can fully go through, it will require approval from regulators, a process that could take as long nine months on the lower end, and as long as a year on the longer end.
Upon hearing of the deal, not all NFL fans were on board with it, with many expressing concern about RedZone in particular.
People love their griddles. From breakfast to dinner, the grill is the workhorse of the outdoor kitchen. Home Depot just dropped the price on this well-made griddle bundle, and it is a must buy.
The hottest outdoor cooking item is the outdoor griddle. Whether it is a Blackstone or another brand, the flat top cooking surface can cook almost any food.
Home Depot has an affordable and durable 5-Piece Griddle Cooking Accessory Kit from LOCO. On sale for $19, the price is more than half off. It includes two stainless steel spatulas, a scrapper and two squirt bottles. The items are dishwasher safe.
Reviewers rave about the sturdy heft and how easy the tools are to use. The ergonomic handles feel good in people’s hands. The positive comments come from novice cooks and experienced grillers.
5 piece griddle cooking set by LOCO
Home Depot
The biggest consensus is that the tools are hefty. Everyone appreciates that they hold up to serious grilling and are not floppy. The sharp edges easily scrape the griddle surface. Oner user said, “The scraper has a nice angle that easily cuts through the crud on the flattop.” Plus, the built-in finger grips on the handle help to avoid slippage.
A few commenters appreciate the versatility. For example, one person uses the spatula as a burger press. Another person shared that the long handles make it easy to flip pancakes or cook bacon. Also, one user referenced the sharper beveled edge as a plus because “you can use to chop food while you are cooking.”
With outdoor griddle’s popularity surging, shoppers want tools that get the job done easily. Long handles, sleek design, durability and easy clean-up are all big selling points.
Since this Home Depot Griddle Bundle is more than half off, it sells itself. From new griddle owners to seasoned pros, these tools are a must buy.
Did you know Ice Cube is starring in a new version of War of the Worlds? Neither did we, until we happened upon the bombastic trailer on Amazon Prime on Wednesday. Premiering on the streamer on July 30 with only the merest hint of pre-release publicity, the movie is so niche (and unexpected, in every way) that it didn’t even have a Rotten Tomatoes page until two days after its debut. (At time of publishing, there is no critical consensus, as the reviews number only four. Nor is there any plot description, and the poster used belongs to the 1953 version.) So what’s the story behind this surprise War of the Worlds reboot? More importantly, does it hold a candle to the other adaptations?
Is there a new version of War of the Worlds?
This new adaptation of War of the Worlds has very little in common with H.G. Wells’ classic source material, or any other mainstream adaptation, for that matter. It’s part of the “screenlife” sub-subgenre, which is a variation on the found footage concept. Screenlife movies differ in that they take place entirely on computers, phones, or tablets; and unlike found footage, screenlife chronicles events as they happen rather than showing us edited video after the fact. This is produced by Timur Bekmambetov, the Russian director behind Nightwatch (2005) and Wanted (2008), who for the best part of 20 years has been experimenting with (essentially inventing) the screenlife genre. He’s previously produced Unfriended (2015), Searching (2018), and Missing (2022), three of the genre’s most well-done and well-remembered films; and he directed Profile (2018), a lesser-known but deeply unsettling thriller about a journalist wooed by a jihadist whom she’s assigned to cover.
Bekmambetov does not direct this new War of the Worlds, instead passing the baton to music video helmer and 3D visualist Rich Lee, making his feature debut. On the merits of this picture, it’ll probably be his last. War of the Worlds is by far the worst screenlife movie to date, a depressing and ceaseless experience even for those with a fondness for the genre. It stars Ice Cube, but one could argue that the chair on which he sits for the film’s entire length is both more pivotal to the plot and a more compelling performer. Cube, it seems, agreed to appear in the movie only if his part could be shot entirely at his breakfast table on a single morning during the time it took him to consume a banana.
The usually charismatic star plays Will, a bottom-rung government surveiler who has likely remained low on the totem pole due to how unabashedly corrupt he is. When we meet him, he’s using his hacking skills to listen to the phone calls of teenage stoners and hack the security cameras of his local coffee shop, where he chastises his pregnant daughter for eating a muffin. A morning of actual work presents itself in the form of desperate entreaties from Dr. Sandra Salas (Eva Longoria), Will’s NASA scientist friend, and FBI agent Sheila Jeffries (the brilliant Andrea Savage, unforgivably wasted). Strange things are coming from the sky, they tell him. Will’s response? “I don’t watch the weather.” Seriously, it’s the weirdest establishment of a lead character, perhaps in any film. Creepy towards his daughter? Check. Morally dubious? Check. Ambivalent about his job and the people whom he’s supposed to protect? Checkedy check check check.
The rest of the movie, which runs for an unending 89 minutes, consists of shaky handheld footage showing flashes of dismal CGI as the robots invade Earth, seen entirely through Will’s computer. Through it all, Cube reacts from the confines of his office chair, adequately matching the sheer terror of a man realizing the last ice cream sandwich has been eaten. In too many ways, this War of the Worlds resembles one of those Z-grade monster invasion flicks that used to pop up on Mystery Science Theater 3000. There are no real characters or arcs, just faces to which the film cuts back amidst endless stock footage of military people doing military things, like firing missiles and flying jets.
What’s the story behind Ice Cube’s War of the Worlds?
So how did this low-rent version of War of the Worlds come to be? Deadline reported on Sept. 24, 2020, that Bekmambetov had impressed Universal with a pitch for “a grounded sci-fi film in the vein of District 9 that touches on themes of privacy versus surveillance” that could be shot fully remotely amidst the pandemic. The studio reportedly loved the concept, which would allow for “a production that had the look of [a] commercial event film but at the budget of a contained thriller” and was excited that the movie would be “a first of its kind at this scope.” It was fast-tracked and went into production within the next month.
Nowhere in any of the production notices—of which there are only two—is War of the Worlds mentioned. There was no public tie between the “untitled Timur Bekmambetov project” and H.G. Wells’ classic property until the trailer for this updated version dropped on July 24, along with an announcement that it would premiere on Prime Video in a week’s time. In fact, there seems to be no news articles or even public mentions of the movie between an Oct. 19, 2020, article, also in Deadline,announcing Longoria’s casting and the July 24, 2025, announcement.
This might indicate that 2025’s War of the Worlds only became a War of the Worlds movie late in the day. Perhaps realizing they had on their hands a barely-releasable stinker of epic proportions, and desperate to recoup five years of financial output, those in charge decided to slap the War of the Worlds title on “untitled Timur Bekmambetov project” to boost interest.
How the movie made its way from Universal to Prime Video is unclear, but it’s hard to imagine a film less fit for theatrical (or any) release. Certainly, the finished product bears no similarity to District 9 or anything approaching a satirical or incisive message. It would seem, from an outsider’s perspective, to be a complete duffer from all angles. And even Amazon is clearly embarrassed about the film. You’d think the streamer was trying to hide the movie entirely, were it not for the banner posters running rampant on the Prime Video homepage.
It’s certainly interesting that its release is timed around the 20th anniversary of the Steven Spielberg adaptation and coincides with a new 4K restoration of the superior 1953 version (still the most impressive of the adaptations), which is currently making its way through cinemas nationwide, but are either of those sufficient reasons to release this strained franchise continuation?
Whether or not this began life as a War of the Worlds movie or not, this new version will go down in infamy as not only one of the worst Wells adaptations of all time but one of the worst movies ever made. The awfulness is so criminally cataclysmic that it almost begs to be seen, but it’s probably more advisable to hold off and wait for the inevitable How Did This Get Made? episode. This is one of those instantly fascinating pop-culture curios that will become pet obsessions on certain corners of the internet. Certainly, it’s a film about which you’d wish to read an entire book dissecting its creation. It’s not worth watching, but it’s definitely worth discussing.
Where can I watch War of the Worlds (2025)?
War of the Worlds is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Walking is a great way to spend time outside, but it can be a lousy way to get around, especially in the summer heat. Luckily, walking has become largely optional thanks to the electric scooter, a fun and practical means of mobility. If you’re ready to try one out, Amazon has a top-selling, well-reviewed model from Volpam that’s nearly half off for a limited time.
The Volpam 350W Folding Electric Scooter is just $200, 33% off its $300 list price. It’s earned more than 200 five-star ratings, and customers have said it has “exceptional battery life,” is built “incredibly sturdy,” and is “super fun” to ride around town. There are six models available with varying specifications, but the 8.5-inch (off the ground), 350-watt model has the best discount and, we think, will do the trick for most people.
Volpam 350W Folding Electric Scooter, $200 (was $300) at Amazon
The 350W brushless motor is powered by a 280Wh battery that only takes 4 hours to charge fully. This scooter can reach a top speed of 19 mph and has a range of 21 miles, though factors like rider weight and road conditions might bump those numbers down a bit. There’s a dual braking system—drum brake in the rear, electronic ABS in the front—along with bright headlights and red taillights for safety. This scooter weighs just 33 pounds and folds down with the press of a button, so it’s easy to carry indoors once you’ve arrived at your destination.
One customer wrote that this scooter is “quick to accelerate, handles well, and the brakes are responsive and smooth.” They called the build quality “solid” and wrote that “it feels really sturdy, even when riding over rougher pavement.” At the end of a ride, “I also appreciate how portable it is—folds up easily and fits in the trunk of my car.” Overall, it’s “great for commuting short distances or just having fun around the neighborhood.”
Another reviewer called this scooter an “amazing value,” something that’s even more true given its current discount. They like that “it folds up so easily for storage, and the dual braking adds an extra layer of safety” to a scooter that provides “a smooth, comfortable ride.”
A Volpam 350W Electric Scooter is a faster, less sweaty way to get around town. For $200, it’s worth trying as a way to get to work, run errands, or just meander around the neighborhood. Don’t miss out on the fun (or this price) and pick one up today.
A popular NFL announcer has revealed that he is battling cancer.
Host of KNBR’s Papa & Silver and the voice of the San Francisco 49ers, Greg Papa, has announced he has been diagnosed with cancer in a statement released by the station on Friday.
Papa, 62, added that he will step away from his work as he undergoes treatment but hopes to be back soon.
“Hi, there, everyone — Greg Papa here, host of KNBR The Sports Leader’s ‘Papa & Silver’ and voice of the San Francisco 49ers. I want to share some personal news with Bay Area sports fans and my friends and colleagues,” Papa wrote.
“I have been diagnosed with cancer and am currently undergoing treatment. As I fully focus on my treatment and work toward a full recovery, I’m stepping away from my broadcasts but look forward to returning soon.”
“Thanks to everyone for your prayers and good wishes as I begin this fight,” Papa added. “Go Niners!!”
Papa’s announcing career spans five decades, with the broadcaster first working as a commentator with the NBA’s Indiana Pacers in 1984.
Since then, Papa has announced games for the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs, the MLB’s Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants and the NFL’s Raiders and the 49ers.
Papa has been the radio voice of the 49ers since 2019.
You’d be hard-pressed to find many fans who’d argue that Tom Holland isn’t one of, if not the best, actor to ever play the role of Spider-Man. Since Holland first debuted as the iconic superhero in the 2016 Marvel film Captain America: Civil War, he’s been a fan-favorite, with his standalone Spider-Man films earning high marks from critics and fans.
However, Holland’s recent career decision has left many fans of the series and Marvel films as a whole a bit concerned.
Tom Holland Announces Plans to Take Time Off in 2027
While Holland is currently in Glasgow, Scotland, filming the 2026 movie Spider-Man: Brand New Day, excitement continues to rise, as photos and short clips of the set are now being released. Although Holland, a mainstay in the popular Avengers series, hasn’t been confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday, which releases at the end of 2026, many expect him to be a part of that as well.
Tom Holland at The 29th Critics’ Choice Awards held at The Barker Hangar.
Those films will be followed up by the already announced follow-up film, Avengers: Secret Wars, which has a release date of December 17, 2027. However, questions about Holland’s involvement in that, as well as future Spider-Man movies, could be in question after his latest comments to GQ Magazine.
As Holland revealed, he plans to take a bit more time off when 2027 rolls around.
“I feel really blessed to be at a point in my career where I can take time off, reset, and come back ready to go,” he says. “You can’t be in every movie, and you can’t do your best work when you’re burnt out. What I’ve learnt is that it’s important to set boundaries – to be mindful about overworking. I’ve got a slightly busy year next year, and then I’ll probably take a bit more time off in 2027. We’ll see.”
While Holland didn’t address his future as Spider-Man nor the potential to join Avengers: Secret Wars, the comments led to plenty of speculation from fans.
Fans Had Strong Speculation About Holland’s Marvel Future, Concern Over Future as Spider-Man
Holland has previously issued strong comments about his love of playing Spider-Man, and during an interview with Deadline in 2024, said he’ll “always” want to do more films featuring the character. He added that he owes his “life and career to Spider-Man.”
While that’s an undeniable positive for the future of Holland being the man behind the Spidey mask, his comments on taking a break in 2027 still left fans with plenty of theories and no shortage of concern.
“Yeah yeah he said that too after nwh [No Way Home], he take one year off and then come back to do Spider-Man 5 or something else,” pushed back another fan.
Another fan gave a more positive outlook, citing that after potentially filming Avengers: Secret Wars, it could set Holland up to take a break without impacting Spider-Man.
“Secret Wars comes out in 2027. He could be filming it in 2026. Makes sense to take a break after 2 years of filming back to back. 2025 for The Odyssey, Brand New Day and possibly Doomsday, 2026 for Secret Wars. And there’s no movie coming out in 2028. He will be back after that,” said the fan.
“Boy you best not, you got Secret wars to finish up,” chimed in a fan hopeful of seeing Holland in the 2027 film.
Although the speculation ran rampant after Holland’s comments, there are plenty of positive signs that point to the actor reprising his popular role at least a few more times. However, beyond 2027, it is anyone’s guess at this point.
Hi friends! Happy Friday! What are you up to? The Pilot is home from a trip (YAY), we’re meeting friends for a last hurrah swim and dinner at the pool, we have an NCL meeting, and family dinner at our house. Since we got back from Spain, we’ve been doing weekly family dinners again and it has been such a great way to start the week. My favorite memory from last week was watching our 10-month old niece Daisy eat a popsicle on the patio. She was a HUGE fan.
I’d love to hear what you have going on this weekend!
Mazer wanted to show you her fresh cut and long eyelashes.
It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party. This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. I always love to hear about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below.
8.1 Friday Faves
Fashion + beauty + random:
A moment for the shoes. (Got them in Spain but they have them at Nordstrom! I’m always a US 8 or 38, and sized up to a 39 for these and they’re perfect)
My friends at Left On Friday sent me some new suits! It was my first time trying this brand and I was blown away by the super light compressive fabric (I sized up to a medium after reading a ton of reviews online and it still felt like it held everything in), fit, and quality. It’s totally seamless and they have a ton of colors. I ended up choosing this one piece, and this top + these bottoms. The bottoms I chose had the most booty coverage and feel like this is my new fave swimsuit brand. Both suits are linked here.
Goodies from my friends at Canopy. They have fun new colors in their handheld filtered showerhead. I’m waiting for a new link – they changed their affiliate platform – but my code FITNESSISTA should still work for 15% off.
Read, watch, listen:
Listening to this on audio and it’s inspiring and hilarious at the same time. I took Liv and a friend to the mall and walked around following from a distance (so they could have freedom but I was also watching them like a hawk lol) and was listening to this in my headphones. I’m sure I looked like a weirdo walking around and laughing to myself.
Speaking of laughing, Ali Wong on Netflix kiiiiiilled me. The Pilot was on a trip, the girls were upstairs watching a movie and hanging out, so I grabbed a blanket, Mazer, and cuddled up on the couch watching this. Heads up that it’s crass and inappropriate (pure Ali Wong style) but I loved it.
