In a bit of news that had been out there for a few days, YouTube TV dropped all Disney platforms at midnight on Saturday. That’s because the streaming service and media conglomerate are in the midst of negotiations that could not get resolved as of Dec. 17, which led to YouTube TV putting out this statement:
Members, we worked hard to avoid this but were unable to reach a fair deal with Disney. We regret to share that as of December 17, all Disney-owned channels are unavailable on YouTube TV. While Disney content remains off our platform, we’ll decrease our price by $15/month.
We know how frustrating it is to lose channels like ESPN and your local ABC station, and will continue conversations with Disney in hopes of restoring their content for you. For the full list of removed Disney-owned channels and live updates, check out https://t.co/R7MzaOMBNF
As that second tweet mentions, ESPN was caught in the crosshairs of all of this. Because the Worldwide Leader is a Disney property, there are now a grand total of zero ESPN channels on the platform, in addition to local ABC channels that will carry things like NBA games, college football games, and the occasional Monday Night Football broadcast.
These sorts of disputes have become increasingly common as streaming has become a more popular option for consumers — YouTube TV, in fact, was pulled from the Roku store earlier this year before that got resolved — but that doesn’t make these any less frustrating. And from the moment that ESPN channels went dark, sports fans began expressing their frustrations about being caught in the middle of something so silly.
Disney playing chess. Pulling their channels off of YouTube TV knowing that customers will run to Hulu, which Disney owns, for ESPN bowl games this week. Savage play by the Mouse.
The decision to remove all ESPN channels comes amid college football’s bowl season, the NBA season kicking into high gear ahead of its highly-anticipated Christmas Day slate, and as we learned on Friday, a Monday Night Football doubleheader.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been hit particularly hard at this early juncture of the season by injuries and, more recently, the uptick in COVID-19 cases that have been more frequent in the last few days. During the third quarter of the team’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, yet another member of their roster went down hurt.
LeBron James was being checked by Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels, and at one point, he tried to gain a little separation after passing the ball to Davis. James gently shoved McDaniels, who ate the contact and flew backwards. Unfortunately for Davis, he was standing right in the path where McDaniels fell, and on his way down, he made contact with the left knee that has caused Davis some issues in recent days.
There have been plenty of moments throughout his NBA career where we’ve seen Davis leave the game due to a knock and return moments later after giving it a second to heal up. This was different, though, as Davis had to go to the back and get monitored. As he was making his way into the locker room, though, Davis collapsed and was in major pain.
Coming into Friday night, Davis had played in 26 of the Lakers’ 29 games this season. The All-Star big man has been quite productive during his third season in Los Angeles, averaging 23.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, and two blocks in 36 minutes per game.
Conditions of his bail included an ankle monitor, surrendering his passport, and letting officials know of any planned travel, but something went awry at the Newark Airport today and Fetty was arrested again. This seems to have nothing to do with his federal drug case, though, and is related to an outstanding New Jersey warrant involving a charge of public nuisance in North Bergen, New Jersey. According to TMZ’s sources, Fetty was booked but will be able to make bail for this minor infraction and be released. Hopefully he will be able to continue his holiday travel and see his loved ones, and not be stuck in jail due to an old warrant during the latest surge of cases in a deadly pandemic.
Fetty Wap is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music.
For certain artists, particularly in the indie-sphere, the discourse on social media becomes so intensive that seeking refuge away from the internet is a necessary respite between albums. Such is the case for one Josh Tillman, aka Father John Misty, who has routinely deactivated his social media after almost anything he posted suddenly became a news story — especially absurdist comments. But, hints that FJM was about to launch a new album cycle had been surfacing of late, and it may or may not include the two new songs he shared last year.
Available April 8, 2022 on Sub Pop and Bella Union. Father John Misty’s new album: Chloe And The Next 20th Century. Get it on vinyl, CD, the other one, uh, cassette. And in beautiful deluxe hardback edition with expanded artwork and much more. Is this real? It is. This is the album. You’re listening to it right now. That’s nice. Eleven new tracks produced by Jonathan Wilson and Josh Tillman. Chloe And The Next 20th Century. It’s technically new.
Though he’s been prolific in the past, releasing albums with only a year or so in between them, this will be Tillman’s first record as FJM since God’s Favorite Customer in 2018.
Andrew Wiggins has been a productive member of the Golden State Warriors’ starting lineup this season, even though there were major questions about whether or not he’d even play for the team. Wiggins was one of the NBA’s most vocal players in expressing his hesitancy regarding getting a COVID-19 vaccine, and because he suits up in a market that has a vaccine mandate, Wiggins either needed to get the jab or chill in his living room for a while.
Ultimately, the NBA denied a religious exception Wiggins tried to acquire and he got the vaccine. It’s been a good thing for the Dubs, as Wiggins has started each of the team’s 29 games this season. His latest performance was a 27-point, six-rebound outing on Friday night in Boston as the Warriors beat the Celtics, 111-107. Steph Curry was the only player to score more points in the game.
After the game, Wiggins was asked about his decision to get vaccinated, namely whether or not he is glad he decided to get a vaccine as the NBA is in the midst of a COVID crisis that saw 16 players get put in the health and safety protocols on Friday alone. Here is what he said:
An honest answer from Wiggins, when asked if he’s glad he got vaccinated given the cases spiking all across the NBA: “No, I’m not. But it is what it is, I guess.
Not much has gone right for the Orlando Magic this season, which entered Friday night’s game against the Miami Heat with a 5-24 record that narrowly misses out on being the league’s worst. One bright spot for the team this year has been the play of Wendell Carter Jr., but unfortunately, the former first-round pick left the game due to a knee injury.
During the second quarter, Carter set a screen on Miami’s Max Strus, and while it did not appear anything particularly unusual happened, the two bumped legs and Carter was in serious pain. He tried to dive to the rim but struggled to put weight on his right leg, and after a bucket by BJ Johnson, Carter hit the deck and could not continue playing.
Carter clutched his right knee while he was on the ground, and after getting examined by Orlando’s training staff, he needed a wheelchair in order to get to the locker room.
While it looked like he hurt his knee, the team officially said Carter suffered a lower leg injury.
INJURY UPDATE
Wendell Carter Jr. suffered a right lower leg injury and is out for the remainder of the game. He will undergo further evaluation. pic.twitter.com/u9KDkAuk5D
After spending the 2.5 years of his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls, Carter was sent to the Magic in the trade that sent Nikola Vucevic to the Windy City. This offseason, Carter and Orlando agreed to a 4-year extension worth $50 million.
If there’s a passionate group of booze drinkers out there, it’s wine aficionados. There are the “rosé all day” gals who sip on the pink drink solely for the Instagram caption. Then there are the amateur tasters who spend their free time swishing and sniffing wine in their glasses, the internet’s favorite “wine moms,” and the guy who thinks liking wine is his best personality trait. From casual drinkers to sommeliers, wine lovers of all kinds (Snoop included!) are dedicated to consuming those fermented grapes.
When buying a gift, your first instinct might be to gift the wine connoisseur in your life a nice new bottle of vino for the holidays. And that’s cool. It just doesn’t show quite as much forethought as a good gift entails. Instead, give them something more thoughtful and unique, such as wine accessories and decor.
Below, we’re sharing the best wine-inspired gifts for every wine drinker you know. Products range in price, but everything listed is under $150… except the editor’s pick.
Coravin Model 3 Wine Preservation System
Best Buy
The Company Line:
Keep each glass of wine as fresh as the first with this Coravin Model Three wine preservation system. Patented technology lets you pour wine without removing the cork, saving the rest for later. SmartClamps easily attach and detach to the bottle and works on corked bottles. This Coravin Model Three system uses ultra-pure argon gas for long-lasting preservation.
Why It’s a Great Gift:
As much as they’d probably like to drink the whole bottle at once, it’s usually best to save half the bottle for later. This wine preservation system helps avid wine drinkers keep their daily glass of vino fresh, so the last drop of the bottle tastes as good as the first sip.
Our limited edition Royal Gift Box is extra in every way. Black satin finish, gold foil, and a magnetic closure. The coffee table style book box is stocked with one of each I, THE QUEEN variety.
Why It’s a Great Gift:
If the wine lover in your life is the kind of drinker who picks their next bottle based on the label, then they’ll obsess over I, THE QUEEN. The wine bottles double as decorative scepters that make for a majestic table centerpiece once the wine runs out (and it likely won’t last long). The gift box comes with a rosé, chardonnay, and red blend, so they can get a taste of all their favorite wine varieties in one place.
Wine lovers who are at the end of a rough day or want to start the day off right can bring their favorite red or white into the shower with them thanks to this Gabba Goods wine glass holder! It even features a built-in Bluetooth speaker with a microphone, so you can take calls and listen to your favorite music while you sip.
Why It’s a Great Gift:
Wine in the shower…Is it a radical concept or an ingenious idea? The wine drinker in your life would probably agree with the latter. Whether they’re getting ready for a night out or winding down after a long day, this quirky shower speaker is something every wine lover will get a kick out of (and actually use).
Get more enjoyment out of every sip. VoChill keeps whites, rosés, and sparklings crisp and cool, and brings room temperature reds to cellar temp in minutes.
Why It’s a Great Gift:
Nobody wants a warm glass of rosé. This nifty little device makes it easy to crack open a bottle as soon as they get home from the grocery store. The VoChill actively chills and pulls heat out of any glass of wine for up to 45 minutes in the outside heat. This will be especially useful for your favorite wine drinker when spring and summer roll around.
From a special birthday Burgundy to that unforgettable anniversary Syrah, some wine bottle corks are destined to become keepsakes. Toss them in a plastic cup or drawer? Rude. Preserve them all with this state-shaped display board. Crafted from Baltic birch plywood, it becomes an art piece worthy of a wall in your dining room, kitchen, or wherever you like to toast together.
Why It’s a Great Gift:
Give the wine drinker you know something that (literally) hits close to home. This state-specific decor piece creates a unique gift option that’ll add a personalized element to their home. Not to mention, it’ll give them something to do with their leftover wine corks!
Our jigsaw puzzles transform your favorite artists’ designs into hours of tabletop fun. Exercise your mind with our precision-cut puzzles featuring a thick, class-leading paperboard, with a satin finish for added durability. Available in 200, 500, and 1,000 piece sets to match whatever your skill level may be.
Why It’s a Great Gift:
Puzzles are a quintessential holiday pastime. In fact, it might be the only time of year that the world collectively participates in the brain-bending activity. This humorous wine-centric puzzle will give them something to do while they sip wine with loved ones at their family reunion.
Every WUDN Wooden Wine Glass Caddy is made right here in the USA by hand from locally sourced, hand-selected black walnut, aromatic cedar, caramelized bamboo, or rich mahogany wood. This elegant Wine Glass Caddy rests on the top of your favorite bottle of wine and holds four wine glasses (of course, the wine glasses and the bottle of wine are not included).
Why It’s a Great Gift:
Every wine drinker needs a caddy if they’re a fan of hosting wine nights. Think about it — how classy would it be to pull this handmade wooden caddy out while serving drinks? It’s sure to elevate the experience, start conversations, and impress all their guests.
The acacia wood is known for its durability. It’s not only functional, but it’s also decorative. You can hang the board to save precious counter and cabinet space.
Why It’s a Great Gift:
If there’s a wine lover in your life, then chances are they also dig a good charcuterie board. Besides, what’s a bottle of wine without cheese and crackers? Gift them with a new, ultra-chic board to add to their kitchen collection. The elevated nature of this West Elm option creates an added aesthetic element that they’ll be excited to show off at their next wine night.
This Wine To Go gift set is an easy and stylish way to transport and enjoy your favorite wine (undercover, because we all know there are some places wine bottles just can’t go!). We’ve paired Corkcicle’s Copper Canteen with two Stemless Wine Cups, all ready to be stashed in the Mercantile Recycled Tote Bag. All that’s left to do now is pick your favorite bottle, pour, travel, and enjoy!
Why It’s a Great Gift:
The only thing better than drinking wine at home is drinking wine at the beach or park. The insulated stainless steel wine canteen and cups keep liquid fresh and cool, while the recycled canvas tote makes transportation easy (and adorable). This gift set is something your wine-drinking loved one will use throughout the year on all of their booze-filled adventures.
Many wines need to breathe before they present their fullest flavor. This effortless aerator fits right on the bottle, dispensing and aerating wine tap-style with just a press of a button.
Why It’s a Great Gift:
Every armature wine connoisseur wants their favorite wines to taste as best as they possibly can, right? That’s why it’s a good idea to give the gift of portable aeration. This convenient electric wine aerator fits perfectly on top of every wine bottle, so they can oxidize their wine before they sip, creating a smooth scent and taste.
Each set contains 1 bottle of Double Diamond 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon and 1 Ruby by Double Diamond and Joe Doucet wine holder, wrapped in a gift box.
Double Diamond and designer Joe Doucet have come together to create the new Ruby by Double Diamond and Joe Doucet, whose engaging play with balance reflects the elegant balance of flavors present in Double Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon. In creating this limited-edition contemporary tabletop design, Doucet took inspiration from the brand’s alliterative Ds. The multi-functional home object envelops the wine bottle at a sophisticated angle when at the table for serving. While not in use, it serves as a statement design item on any table or shelf.
Why It’s a Great Gift:
A gift of wine might not be enough on its own. But wine and a ruby-red midcentury wine stand? That’s more than enough. Especially when the wine stand (or holder) in question is as cool as this one and created by a legendary designer. It’s the perfect combo: the gift that keeps giving (the stand) and the gift to enjoy right away (the wine itself).
The Double Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is a beloved bottle that really is all about balance — you get a lot of stewed and deep red fruit (blackberry and more) some great minerality and a silken mouthfeel. There are clear tannins but they don’t overpower. It’s a perfect “intro to really high-quality wine” bottle for someone who likes reds.
I paired a bottle with steak and a blackberry reduction, which complimented the dark fruit notes of the wine.
Bottom Line: For the stylish friend with a lot of subway tile in their kitchen. This red holder will offset the white dramatically.
Little lioness Sirga was discovered when she was only a few days old. Born in a rehabilitation camp, her mother couldn’t defend her cubs and all her siblings were killed by other lions.
To make matters worse, Sirga’s mother refused to feed her.
But then Sirga found Valentine Gruener, co-founder of the Modisa Wildlife Project. In an interview with NBC News, Gruener revealed he chose the name “Sirga” after a 1993 french film “L’enfant lion.”
The name couldn’t have been more perfect. For Sirga was clearly destined to become a star.
Sirga and Gruener’s most viral video shows the gentle giant giving the biggest, sweetest, most exuberant greeting to her caretaker. You know when big dogs don’t realize how massive they are? Yeah, it’s like that.
“Sirga doesn’t understand the concept of social distancing,“ the video’s caption reads.
This video currently has close to 195,000 likes, and received a massive amount of positive reactions:
“She’s soooo happy to see you and love up on you.”
“So beautiful!!! Love your relationship with such a powerful and amazing girl.”
“I want a big cat hug!”
Since rising to social media stardom, Gruener and Sirga have racked up quite a few amazing TikToks. Below are some of the highlights:
Teeth brushing (hard with big cats and little cats alike)
The teeth in the back of a lions jaw act like scissors, they’ll cut through flesh and bones with ease. Sirga knows when to be gentle though 😉 ##wildlife
By hand-raising Sirga I made a commitment to care for her as long as she lives. The risks of her being killed (or she being a threat to people/livestock) in the wild is just too big. ##lionsoftiktok
Yes! Though the fence has been a boundary. Sirga would at first shy away from her initial lion visitor, but then they ended up sleeping side by side. Sadly the lion visitors have since passed away (or, even more tragic, were possibly poached). But the plan is for Sirga to eventually have her own lion partner at Modisa.
Actually Gruener brings up a point here that applies to most pets: that you should be committed to the animals full life span if you’re going to take care of one.
Gruener also shared that he hopes their story promotes awareness for wildlife and nature conservation, rather than using big pets for fleeting entertainment.
Gruener and Sirga are helping to spread information about the importance of protecting precious wildlife. If you’re looking to help support them, and get the lion’s share of premium content, you can join their Patreon membership here.
May we all find someone who looks at us the way these two look at each other.
Disclaimer: While all of the products recommended here were chosen independently by our editorial staff, Uproxx may receive payment to direct readers to certain retail vendors who are offering these products for purchase.
Welcome to SNX DLX, your weekly roundup of the best sneakers to hit the market. We have just one week to go before we hit the holidays so if you’re doing some last-minute shopping and you’re looking for ideas, we’ve got you! This week is a light showing (it’s going to be like that until 2022), but it’s full of straight-up bangers like Salehe Bembury’s internet-breaking Pollex Clog collaboration with Crocs, a couple of highly anticipated Yeezy drops, and, as with every week, fire Jordans.
Once you dive into this week’s best, be sure to hit up our sneakerhead gift guide for even more kicks worth gifting, as well as streetwear gifts for him,her, and the most stylish people in your life!
Salehe Bembury x Crocs Pollex Clog
StockX
No, we’re not including Crocs on the roundup just because it’s a slow week. If you spent any time on the internet this week you’ll know that everyone in the sneakerhead world is obsessed with these Salehe Bembury designed clogs. In what is perhaps the biggest release Crocs has ever launched, this alien-esque sneaker sold out within minutes of hitting the market.
The clogs have since migrated to the aftermarket where the shoes are fetching prices up to 600 percent above retail. That’s either insane or a crazy investment opportunity if you have a lot of money to burn and really, really love Crocs.
The Salehe Bembury x Crocs Pollex Clog is out now in both Cucumber and Menemsha. Hit aftermarket sites like StockX for the best price.
StockX
Nike WMNS Air Force 1 High Sculpt
Nike
This week Nike is giving the legendary AF-1 the high-top treatment. This Air Force 1 features a sculpted collar with a pebbled leather upper accented with suede pieces and an outsole matching indented swoosh. The sneakers are dropping in two colorways, Gym Red and Silver, both exclusive to women’s sizing.
The Nike WMNS Air Force 1 High Sculpt Gym Red and Silver are out now for a retail price of $120. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
NikeNike
Adidas Yeezy BSKTBL Knit Slate Blue
Adids
Kanye West b-ball sneakers haven’t really taken off on the courts, but they’re still incredibly interesting to look at. I mean just look at the BSKTBL knit, it looks like if you went back in time to the caveman days, picked up the most fly ancient human you could find, and brought them to 2021 to design a shoe with modern materials. Who else in footwear is making such a thing? Only Kanye.
The BSKTBL Knit features a prime knit upper with a milky translucent midsole and a high-rise collar. It’s kind of dope, kind of weird, super Kanye. Yeezy Brand suggests ordering a 1/2 size up for this sneaker.
The Adidas Yeezy BSKTBL Knit is set to drop on December 16th for a retail price of $300. Pick up a pair via Yeezy Supply or the Adidas Confirmed app.
AdidasAdidas
Air Jordan 1 Element GORE-TEX Sail
Nike
Just because it’s winter and you need to change up your footwear game to keep those feet warm, that doesn’t mean you don’t still want to look fly. Enter the GORE-TEX-equipped Air Jordan 1 Element. This sneaker is waterproof and reinforced to stand up to the elements while retaining that iconic Jordan shape.
The sneaker is fully equipped with a nubuck leather upper with a GORE-TEX inner bootie and toe box and a plush-lined collar to keep your feet warm and dry. It’s an end-of-the-year classic and would make a great gift for the holidays. Hint hint.
The Air Jordan 1 Element GORE-TEX Sail is set to drop on December 16th for a retail price of $200. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
NikeNike
Nike Air Jordan 1 Craft
Nike
It’s the end of the year so we expected Nike to be resting on their laurels but the brand is still busy churning out future classics while the rest of the sneaker brands slip into hibernation.
This week’s notable release is the Air Jordan 1 Craft, a design that sees the brand zero in on each panel of this classic sneaker, dressing it in layers of soft leather, nubuck, and canvas. The color block design helps to accentuate each panel, combining a sail base and toe box, with brown overlays, forest green lace-paneling, and a maroon heel piece with a classic black wraparound swoosh and dual-color laces.
The Jordan 1 Craft is set to drop on December 18th for a retail price of $170. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or at aftermarket sites like GOAT.
NikeNike
Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Beluga RF
Adidas
The Yeezy BOOST 350 V2 Beluga is probably the most popular colorway of the 350 ever, and if you’ve always had dreams of owning a pair — or know someone who has — this is the week you’ll finally be able to cop them. Adidas has reportedly produced a whole bunch of these this year in anticipation of the holiday season and added cool reflective features throughout the design.
Keep this in mind though, everyone is going to want a pair of these, which means you might not, especially when you find out that Yeezy Brand is also selling kids sizes of the shoe and infant sizes. Be warned, you might score the Yeezys of your dreams this week only to find your baby cousin rocking the same pair.
The Adidas Yeezy BOOST 350 V2 Beluga RF is set to drop on December 18th for a retail price of $240. Pick up a pair via the Adidas confirmed app, Yeezy supply, or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.
NFTs are here to stay. Back in March, when we ran an explainer on all things non-fungible token-related, we wondered if NFTs would stand as an exciting new way of sharing, collecting, and, for creators, monetizing ideas or just fizzle out like a b-rate bitcoin. But we feel pretty comfortable now saying that NFTs aren’t going anywhere. They’re a part of our culture, especially when we’re getting so many exciting collaborations and cosigns out of it, like this new set of virtual animated sneakers created by the legendary sneakerhead, DJ, and radio personality Bobbito Garcia and producer Omar Acosta.
“My collabs with Nike, Adidas, and Puma have all sold out at retail but creating 3D animated digital sneakers as NFTs is taking it to the next level,” says Garcia of the ARO1 Boriken Sneakers, which resemble a greatest hits collection of the best b-ball kicks fused into a single dope design. “There are no creative limitations from brand execs! Plus, I’m designing with my dear friend Omar Acosta.”
Piggybacking on the duo’s collaboration on the award-winning film Stretch and Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives, today the pair are debuting five virtual sneakers as NFTs in anticipation and celebration of the 126th anniversary of Puerto Rico’s flag (December 22nd) on the online marketplace OpenSea. Four of the five sneakers will feature digital art, photos, and designs by Garcia and Acosta with a special fifth drop featuring artwork from La Borinqueńa, a comic book created by the award-winning creator Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez.
“The ARO1 model is where sneakers, art, design, technology, cultural pride, and independent ownership plus distribution all collide,” Garcia says. “The opportunities for artists/designers along with footwear enthusiasts is wide open. I’m amped!”
By assembling an all-star team, NFTs are getting an official co-sign from one of sneakerdom’s chief architects. A portion of the net profits of the NFTs will be given to Afro-Boricua grassroots programs based in Puerto Rico via the La Borinqueña grants program.
Hit OpenSea to get a full look at the ARO1 in all of its glory.
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(@mike_h1990) December 18, 2021
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INJURY UPDATE 
