Home

Dozens of Hardee’s locations across nine states are set to shut down after franchisee ARC Burger, LLC filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

The major operator — one of the chain’s largest — is liquidating its assets and shutting down 77 Hardee’s locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, South Carolina and Wyoming. The proceeds from the liquidation will be distributed to creditors.

The collapse follows a months-long legal battle between ARC and Hardee’s, which alleges the franchisee racked up more than $6.5 million in unpaid fees and royalties.

Hardee’s is hardly the only fast-food chain or operator struggling.

Recently, Fat Brands announced it was filing for bankruptcy  protection. Fat Brands is the parent company of 18 restaurant chains, including Fatburger, Fazoli’s, Johnny Rockets, Twin Peaks, Smoky Bones, Great American Cookies, Ponderosa, Elevation Burger, Round Table Pizza and Marble Slab Creamery.

Four-time Super Bowl champion tight end Rob Gronkowski is among several notable names that will become eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the first time in 2027.

The first-ballot class for next year’s Hall of Fame will include Gronkowski, running back Adrian Peterson and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, offensive tackle Willie Anderson and guard Marshal Yanda will automatically be included on the finalists ballot next year as they were already finalists for the 2026 class.

Gronkowski’s longtime former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft will also be in consideration for the Hall of Fame after being snubbed from the 2026 class. 

Peterson ranks fifth all-time in career rushing yards with 14,918, which included bouncing back from a torn ACL to break the 2,000-yard rushing plateau and win the Associated Press Most Valuable Player award in 2012. 

Twenty years after Rod Brind’Amour hoisted the Stanley Cup as captain of the Carolina Hurricanes, he hoisted it again Sunday night as their coach.

Brandon Bussi stopped all 22 shots he faced, Taylor Hall and Jackson Blake scored in the first two periods, and Eric Robinson added an empty-net goal with under two minutes remaining as Carolina defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena. 

The Hurricanes claimed their second Stanley Cup championship in franchise history, ending a 20-year title drought that stretched back to Brind’Amour’s days in the captain’s room.

It is the first Stanley Cup for the state of North Carolina since that 2006 team — led on the ice by a 35-year-old Brind’Amour — defeated the Edmonton Oilers in seven games.

Bussi became the unlikely hero of the Hurricanes’ championship run. He took over for starter Frederik Andersen midway through Game 3 with the series tied 1-1, posted a .908 save percentage over his next three starts and delivered a shutout when the franchise needed it most.

The New York Knicks ended a 53-year wait for their third NBA Championship with a 94-90 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

The Knicks clinched the best-of-seven series 4-1, recovering from a double-figure deficit in all four victories to lift the trophy for the first time since 1973.

The Knicks, who overturned a 29-point deficit in game four to record the biggest comeback win in Finals history, trailed by 16 points in the second quarter and 10 points early in the fourth at Frost Bank Center.

Jalen Brunson, who was unanimously named Most Valuable Player in the Finals, orchestrated their recovery with 45 points, including 15 in the final quarter.

“I have no words. It’s everything I dreamed of,” he told ESPN. “Whenever someone counted us out, we found a way to come back and do something about it.

Brunson’s haul was a finals franchise record, beating Willis Read’s 38 in 1970, and he is only the fourth player in history to score at least 45 points in the title-winning game.

Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player in his sport to become a billionaire, joining the ranks of the wealthiest athletes.

Catapulted by a contract with a Saudi Arabian team, the veteran Portuguese player, now 40, is the first soccer player to be worth 10 figures, Bloomberg reported. 

Ronaldo recently signed a two-year contract with Riyadh-based Al-Nassr FC, a team that competes in the Saudi Pro League, which is reportedly worth more than $400 million, according to Bloomberg. Ronaldo does not have to pay taxes on his Saudi earnings. 

The Bloomberg Billionaires Index pegs the champion athlete’s net worth at $1.4 billion, marking the first time a soccer player has landed on the list. The outlet notes that his net worth accounts for his career earnings, plus investments and sponsorships. 

Ronaldo, who is from Madeira, Portgual, dropped out of school at 14, to focus on soccer. He has lucrative endorsement deals with Nike, Armani, and Castrol, among others, according to his website.

The San Antonio Spurs opened a big lead early Wednesday and silenced a Madison Square Garden crowd for a second straight time in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

But a 29-point second-half advantage wasn’t big enough. The New York Knicks rallied for a 107-106 win, mounting the largest comeback in NBA Finals history.

OG Anunoby’s putback of a missed Jalen Brunson 3 with 1.2 seconds remaining secured the victory for the Knicks and capped a wild second-half rally that made history.

“I just went and crashed to try to get a tip dunk or something,” Anunoby said. “The ball went over my head, so I couldn’t really dunk it. I just tried to tip it in softly and it went in.”

New York is now one win away from securing its first NBA championship  since 1973. To avoid that fate, the Spurs will have to win three straight, starting with Game 5 on Saturday in San Antonio.

How secure is manager Carlos Mendoza’s job? 

The 2026 New York Mets hit another low over the weekend. They got swept by the last-place Colorado Rockies in Queens, by scores of 4-3, 3-1 and 3-0. 

The Mets are 9-19 and tied with the Phillies for the worst record in baseball.

Meanwhile, the Mets’ offense, which was missing Juan Soto and now is missing Francisco Lindor, has been slumping to a shocking degree. 

The Mets finally ended their 12-game losing streak but looked terrible at home over the weekend against Colorado.

NEW YORK CITY— The sexy Hoops Cabaret Girls who perform at Hoops Cabaret and Sports Bar, the club that combines the fun of a sports bar with the excitement of a strip club, invite you to Viewing and After-Parties for the 2026 World Cup Games. 

“We love soccer,” said Hoops girl Raven. “Everywhere you look at Hoops, there are beautiful girls anxious to seduce and delight you. Watch the games with us, and also watch as we show off our latest moves. And don’t forget about our post-game parties. We know how to celebrate.” 

Hoops will open at 3PM so you can catch a game, and specials include $7 Drafts and half price cocktails until 8PM, and $125 select bottles until 6PM. 

Hoops girl Jasmine said, “Come party and play with us. There are so many enticing girls here and we are always anxious to please. Let’s pop some bottles and make it rain.” 

“Hoops is a sports fan’s dream come true,” exclaimed Hoops Cabaret Girl Miranda. “Visit the club and you will see why both the athletes and the fans love it!” 

The club features girls performing on stage, on poles, and of course, up close and personal lap dances. There are private suites, numerous HD TVs, a futuristic Mega-Tron Video Wall to watch the games, a unique VIP Man Cave, and the new Trophy Room. 

“THE VIP MAN CAVE HAS BEEN CALLED A ‘TRULY INNOVATIVE AND WELCOME ADDITION TO THE CITY’S NIGHTLIFE” 

HOOPS Cabaret and Sports Bar

48 West 33rd Street, New York City

Beautiful Entertainers 

Super VIP Man Cave

Private Suites

Next door to the world famous Rick’s Cabaret NYC

The Sphere officially announced its plans to create a second location in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

The focus has always been on creating a global network of Spheres across forward-looking cities, said a spokesperson for Sphere Entertainment.

The State of Maryland, Prince George’s County, and Peterson Companies have announced their intent to develop a new Sphere venue – which would be the second in the U.S. and first to utilize a smaller-scale design model – at National Harbor in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. 

They believe that the addition of Sphere would create a new Maryland landmark that drives significant economic, cultural and community benefits. 

The Sphere is a music and entertainment venue located in Paradise, Nevada, and designed by Populous, a global firm specializing in stadiums, training centers, arenas, and exhibition centers for major events. The venue was founded by Madison Square Garden Company, which also owns the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, and controlling owner James Dolan.

Outback Steakhouse’s parent company abruptly closed 21 restaurants across the country recently as part of a sweeping cost-cutting plan.

The closures mark the start of a “comprehensive turnaround strategy” that will see 22 more Outback locations close over the next four years as leases expire.

So far this year, Bloomin’ Brands’ stock has plunged over 40%, reflecting investor concerns over shrinking margins and stalled traffic across its brands.

Last month’s closures targeted Outback Steakhouse restaurants, known for their kitschy Australian theme, and other Bloomin’ Brands eateries — Carrabba’s and Bonefish. 

The company said the decision was driven by underperforming units, shifting consumer spending and intensifying competition from value-driven rivals like Texas Roadhouse, LongHorn Steakhouse, Chili’s and Applebee’s.

Outback currently operates about 670 restaurants across the US — roughly 10% fewer than a decade ago, when it had around 750 locations.