Serena Williams becomes co-owner of WNBA’s Toronto Tempo, Court grants Jude Okoye N100m bail in N1.3bn fraud case, Thomas Partey expected to leave Arsenal this summer on a free transfer. Stay in the know with our Rave News Digest, which summarizes five of the hottest global news stories you need to catch up on, saving you time and energy. Consider it your daily news fix.
1. Serena Williams becomes co-owner of WNBA’s Toronto Tempo
New court, new game 🏀
We’re thrilled to announce that @SerenaWilliams – legendary tennis
pro – has joined the team as the newest owner of the Toronto Tempo. pic.twitter.com/kRPYNvdoya— Toronto Tempo (@TempoBasketball) March 3, 2025
Tennis legend Serena Williams has expanded her entrepreneurial footprint by joining the ownership group of the Toronto Tempo, the WNBA’s newest franchise set to debut in 2026. Williams, a longtime advocate for women’s sports, sees this move as a chance to elevate female athletes and drive investment in women’s basketball. “This moment is not just about basketball; it is about showcasing the true value and potential of female athletes,” she stated. The Tempo, led by team president Teresa Resch and principal owner Kilmer Sports Ventures, with Larry Tanenbaum as chairman, will become the league’s fifteenth team following an expansion draft in 2025.
Serena Williams’ addition to the Toronto Tempos brings both star power and business acumen to the franchise, as she already holds ownership stakes in the Miami Dolphins, Angel City FC, and Los Angeles Golf Club. She will play a key role in shaping the team’s identity, including jersey designs and merchandising partnerships. Tanenbaum praised Williams’ leadership and impact, calling her “a force for change in the world” and a perfect match for the Tempo’s values. Beyond her sports ventures, Williams continues to make waves in business, having founded multiple brands, including WYN Beauty and S By Serena, and appearing at high-profile events like last month’s Super Bowl halftime show.
2. Court grants Jude Okoye N100m bail in N1.3bn fraud case
Court grants Jude Okoye N100m bail in N1.3bn fraud case pic.twitter.com/9HMupaOJZ2
— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) March 3, 2025
A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has granted Jude Okoye, former manager of the defunct music group P-Square, bail in the sum of N100 million following his arraignment on charges of money laundering. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused Okoye of laundering N1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59, prompting his remand in the Ikoyi Correctional Facility. Okoye, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. His legal counsel, Inibehe Effiong, had requested that he remain in EFCC custody instead of prison, but the prosecution opposed the motion, arguing he was a flight risk.
During Monday’s ruling, Justice Alexander Owoeye approved Okoye’s bail application with strict conditions, including providing two sureties who must each own landed property worth N100 million in Lagos. The court must verify the property documents before his release, and he is barred from leaving Nigeria without prior approval. Until he meets these requirements, Okoye will remain in custody. His trial is scheduled to commence on April 14, 2025.
3. Drake drops legal petition against iHeartMedia
Drake has reached a private settlement with iHeartMedia after he sued the radio company amid his ongoing claims that his record label Universal Music Group made “covert payments” to promote airplay of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.”
More: https://t.co/Vtd8GJja2P pic.twitter.com/06oBgu0ivO
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) March 3, 2025
Drake has officially withdrawn his legal petition against iHeartMedia over the radio play of Kendrick Lamar’s hit song “Not Like Us.” The rapper had initially accused iHeartMedia of accepting payola from Universal Music Group (UMG) to boost the song’s airplay and artificially inflate its metrics. However, as of February 26, Drake’s legal team informed a Texas court that iHeartRadio was no longer a respondent in the case. A representative for iHeartMedia confirmed the resolution, stating that no payments were made and that Drake agreed to drop the case after receiving documents proving iHeart had done nothing wrong.
Despite this settlement, Drake continues to pursue legal action against UMG with a defamation lawsuit, alleging that the label knowingly allowed the release of “Not Like Us” despite its allegedly false and inflammatory claims about him. The dispute comes as the song remains a dominant force in the industry, having won multiple Grammys and been featured in Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance. UMG has denied Drake’s allegations, calling them “offensive and untrue.”
4. South Africa: Galaletsang Koffman and Tsitsi Chiumya welcome bundle of joy
View this post on Instagram
Actress Galaletsang Koffman and comedian Tsitsi Chiumya have officially embraced parenthood, joyfully announcing the arrival of their newborn. The couple shared the heartwarming news in a joint Instagram post, featuring a touching glimpse of their little one. In her caption, Galaletsang reflected on the beauty of raw and imperfect moments, sharing two intimate snapshots—one taken just 10 minutes after birth and another capturing her son’s signature unimpressed expression. “This facial expression, he probably got it from me,” she playfully noted, adding that Tsitsi is the one who smiles more in the family.
The couple first revealed their pregnancy in November 2024 when Galaletsang showcased her growing baby bump in a heartfelt post. Expressing gratitude for the journey, she spoke about the spiritual and emotional depth of bringing a new life into the world, thanking her support system for protecting her energy. Now, with their son, Selemo, finally here, the couple is basking in the joy of this new chapter. Fans and fellow celebrities have flooded their social media accounts with congratulatory messages, celebrating the arrival of the newest addition to their family.
5. Thomas Partey expected to leave Arsenal this summer on a free transfer
Arsenal have held no talks to renew Thomas Partey’s contract, meaning he is set to leave the club on a free transfer this summer #arsenal #transfers pic.twitter.com/NaDgsXU6S1
— Fresh Arsenal news (@Fresh_Arsenal) March 3, 2025
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is expected to leave the club this summer on a free transfer, with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Juventus closely monitoring his situation. The Ghana international, whose contract expires at the end of the season, remains a key player for Mikel Arteta, having made 39 appearances in all competitions this campaign. However, with the Gunners already planning for life without him, the 31-year-old could soon depart the Emirates after four seasons in North London.
Arsenal are reportedly eyeing potential replacements, with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi emerging as a top target. They have also shown interest in Rosenborg’s young talent Sverre Nypan, although competition for his signature includes Manchester City. Partey, who has made 154 appearances for the Gunners since his arrival in 2020, is free to negotiate with foreign clubs as the season progresses. With three European giants vying for his signature, his departure could mark the start of a significant midfield reshuffle at Arsenal.
Featured Image: @serenawilliams/Instagram
Our Weekday News Digest summarizes five of the hottest news topics worldwide–including celebrity news from Hollywood to Nollywood, the latest trending global headlines from American reports to top African news today, and the best sports stories in 2025.
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