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In eight years… it will be 2026, most of us twenty-somethings will be in our thirties (sorry) and it will be North America’s turn to play host to the World Cup. In anticipation of this event, there are 23 cities lobbying for the opportunity to host the games.

It’s cool to host… but easier to let someone else host. Hosting the Cup can make money or leave you penniless and that is important to keep in mind. Brazil hosted in 2014 in hopes of saving their economy but doing so had the exact opposite effect. They spent $3.6 billion on stadiums for the event! And if they didn’t need these stadiums before, what are they doing with them now?

Throwing it back to ’94… when the United States hosted the Cup and only spent $5 million on stadiums. Not counting inflation, that is like 700 times less than Brazil spent. Thanks to the NFL, the US already has stadiums equipped to handle this event with a few tweaks. Take the cost-savings from using existing stadiums, combined with that sweet tourism windfall and add the media circus and one US city may stand to score big in the 2026 World Cup.

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Domino’s fearless leader… CEO Patrick Doyle has officially stepped down as of yesterday. The company is now welcoming Richard Allison as their new chief executive. So, what’s next for the pizza chain? Similar to their delicious pizza, the company has a recipe for success that will hopefully continue their success.

They are on a roll… and Doyle has given consumers and investors alike plenty of dough over his eight-year run. The company’s stock is up nearly 2,000% and market share has increased from 9.7% to 16.4% under Doyle’s command. They are also responsible for about 1 in 6 pizzas sold in the United States.

A dash of digital investment, a sprinkle of convenience… and a whole lotta cheap is Domino’s recipe for success. In fact, 85% of their menu items are priced under $5.99. They will also continue to invest in AI voice-ordering systems and set up “Hotspots” which are open for business in nontraditional settings, such as the beach. Things are going great and we have one message for Mr. Allison – don’t screw it up!

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If you have yet to see… “Incredibles 2,” “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” “A Quiet Place,” or “Avengers: Infinity War” – what are you doing with your life? These movies contributed to a US box office record high of $3.3 billion in the second quarter of 2018.

The big screen lives on… after an unimpressive summer last year. However, 2018 has been the opposite with revenue up 15.3% from the same time a year ago. These numbers show that people aren’t forgoing the movie experience to sit at home and watch “Sharknado 3” on Netflix among a host of other, erm…options?

What to look for next month… includes “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” “Mission Impossible – Fallout,” and “Christopher Robin.” These movies are coming from brands that have given us nothing if not reliable entertainment over the years. There you have it – not only is the big screen alive and well, but it is calling your name!

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LeBron isn’t the only one switching teams… tennis great Roger Federer also made an interesting change from Nike to Uniqlo ending a 21-year partnership. While the brand still has LeBron James and about fifty other big names, Federer will not be easy to replace.

The brand switch isn’t just a fashion statement… it is critical to both brands. Nike has gone as far as to say “investments in endorsements by high-profile athletes, sports teams and leagues” drove sales up 6%. The fact of the matter is – if it is good enough for Federer, it is good enough for you (so buy it!).

Oh, and about Uniqlo… they are a Japanese company known for their low-cost, no-nonsense casual clothing. Federer will predictably become the face of the brand after signing his endorsement deal. Also, for a reported $300 million over ten years, he better do just that.

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Automakers are not happy… because the Commerce Department is considering slapping tariffs on cars made in foreign plants and on foreign-made auto parts. These tariffs are bad news for car companies because every vehicle sold in America is at least partially imported. In other words, these taxes would raise costs – even for domestic car companies.

The most “American-made” automobiles are… still comprised of at least 25% imported parts. There is no way around this either because American auto parts makers can’t produce all of the necessary components. Additionally, all major automakers build some cars in Mexico and would pay a tariff on those vehicles, as well.

You can run, but you can’t hide… because the cost of tariffs is unavoidable for all car companies. Expect higher car prices, lowered sales and lost jobs, as a result of the proposed taxes. Trade wars are fun, huh?

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Not to be outdone by Uber… Lyft will be acquiring Motivate, the largest bike-share company in North America. Uber has already bought a bike share company of their own with Jump Bikes.

Now you have even more options… for moving about the city. Lyft has added public transportation, carpooling and now, a “biking” option to their arsenal. These new features fit seamlessly with the company’s push to be environmentally friendly and carbon neutral.

Teamwork makes the dream work… and both companies would like to reduce the need for personal car ownership. Lyft is now worth twice what they were last year, sitting at $15.1 billion after a recent funding round. Look out, Uber; Lyft is bringing the heat!

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