NBA Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged misaligned incentives fueling tanking and said the league will closely review the draft lottery system, with potential changes on the horizon after recent fines for teams resting healthy players and amid a strong draft class.
Governor Gavin Newsom's 2026–27 budget proposes a one-time $200 million light-duty zero-emission vehicle incentive program to maintain EV affordability in California. The plan's per-vehicle breakdown hasn't been disclosed, but reports describe an instant discount at purchase, with potential consideration of used-EV credits. The proposal must still clear the state Legislature, and California's momentum for EV adoption—about 30% of auto sales in Q3 2025—drives the initiative.
Lennar, a major homebuilder, reported significant declines in profits and gross margins due to falling home prices and increased incentives, with its average selling price dropping below 2019 levels. Despite lower prices, home sales volume remained stable or increased slightly, highlighting a shift in the market dynamics. The report underscores the challenges faced by sellers of existing homes amid high prices and the impact of the end of pandemic-era monetary support on the housing market.
The Steelers have added $3.2 million in incentives to Cam Heyward's 2025 contract, tied to team playoff success rather than individual performance, as a compromise amid ongoing contract disputes, allowing Heyward to potentially earn close to $18 million this season.
Cam Heyward and the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to a revised contract that increases his potential earnings to $18 million in 2025 through incentives, resolving a dispute just before their season opener, allowing him to play against the Jets.
Za'Darius Smith has signed a one-year contract with the Eagles worth up to $8.25 million, including a $4.25 million base salary, sack incentives, and performance bonuses tied to Pro Bowl selections and team success, with no termination pay if released during the 2025 season.
The 49ers added $3 million in playing-time incentives to Jauan Jennings's 2025 contract, increasing his potential earnings from $7.4 million to $10.4 million, as he remains a key receiver despite injury and contract negotiations.
The San Francisco 49ers have added incentives to Jauan Jennings' contract and are making adjustments to their wide receiver unit, indicating ongoing roster improvements.
Home-builder confidence slightly increased in July amid ongoing weak demand, high interest rates, and economic uncertainty. Builders are offering significant incentives and price cuts—up to 5% on average—to attract buyers, with 38% reducing prices, the highest since 2022. Despite some optimism about current sales and future expectations, traffic from prospective buyers remains low, indicating a sluggish housing market that could impact home construction for the rest of 2025.
Aaron Rodgers's $13.65 million deal with the Steelers includes incentives that are largely unrealistic, with the most attainable being reaching the AFC Championship for an additional $1 million. Most incentives are tied to winning the Super Bowl and MVP, which are unlikely, making the full $5.85 million payout improbable. If achieved, it would be a historic contract for a veteran quarterback.
HPS Investment Partners is offering five-year vesting grants to its employees as an incentive to retain staff following its acquisition by BlackRock. The grants are designed to reward employees for their contributions and encourage long-term retention, as detailed in a letter to investors.
Copenhagen has launched a new initiative called CopenPay to encourage tourists to make sustainable choices by offering perks like free kayak rentals and complimentary coffee. The program incentivizes eco-friendly behaviors such as biking, walking, and picking up litter, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of tourism. The pilot program, involving 24 institutions, will run until August 11, with hopes of becoming a year-round initiative.
Low- and middle-income homeowners in New York can receive up to $14,000 in rebates for climate-friendly upgrades like insulation and heat pumps, thanks to funding from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. The initiative aims to support disadvantaged communities and help the state meet its climate goals by reducing fossil fuel usage. The program, part of the Justice40 initiative, will be rolled out in two phases, with the first phase targeting households earning 80% or less of the area's median income.
A study published in Circulation found that providing incentives, including cash rewards and game-oriented challenges, led to participants increasing their daily step counts by 1,500 steps and adding 40 minutes of moderate exercise per week. The research involved 1,062 participants with a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, and those in the incentive groups showed sustained physical activity improvements even six months after the study ended. The study suggests that using wearable devices, exercise apps, and social support to create game or financial incentives could be effective in promoting physical activity and reducing cardiovascular risk.
Ford is offering a $1,500 rebate specifically for Tesla owners who purchase an F-150 Lightning or a Mustang Mach-E SUV, aiming to boost EV sales and compete with Tesla. The incentive runs through July 8 for both 2024 and 2023 model years. This move has caused concern for Rivian, as it may impact sales of their R1T pickup. Ford has also announced price cuts for the F-150 Lightning and is offering additional incentives, giving it a competitive edge in the EV market. Additionally, Ford has pushed back the production timeline for its future EVs at its Tennessee and Ontario plants.