Hello!

Welcome to OUT OF SCOPE, the C-Suite cheat sheet for the week ahead.

Hope you all enjoyed our Spring Forward yesterday. Daylight Saving Time is here, and with it comes longer evenings, brighter mornings, and the annual debate over whether we should just ditch the clock change altogether. We’re pro— more daylight means more hours you can spend reading our newsletter and actioning on all the beautiful advice we give you.

**THE CHEAT SHEET

Three things to bring up in your meetings this week:

1. Can I buy a… legacy gameshow for my streamer? The streaming wars have claimed two of TV’s last syndication titans: Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. Sony Pictures Television is shopping their digital rights, marking a seismic shift for the broadcast staples that have long resisted the streaming tide. But this isn’t just about adapting to the digital age—it’s a high-stakes legal and financial battle between Sony and CBS, which has distributed the shows for decades. Sony aims to reclaim control, arguing CBS has mismanaged the lucrative properties, while CBS claims Sony’s move breaches their contract and threatens its syndication business.

2. Young fans shell out. Gen Z is grappling with the soaring cost of concert tickets, as live music becomes an increasingly expensive luxury. Driven by FOMO, the Times suggested that many prioritize these experiences despite the financial strain. However, rising costs, tech-empowered dynamic pricing, and the ever-present threat of scams are making concerts less accessible, sparking frustration and forcing tough choices. Why do we care? It highlights a generational clash between fandom and affordability, raising questions about the future of live music and its impact on an entire generation of fans.

3. BlackRock goes to Panama. In a high-stakes geopolitical move, BlackRock, the Wall Street behemoth, is stepping into Panama’s port drama, acquiring two key ports near the Panama Canal from Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison for $19 billion. The deal comes after President Trump ramped up pressure on Panama, falsely claiming China controlled the canal and criticizing its fees. For BlackRock, it’s a bold expansion into global infrastructure and reminds us that Wall Street wields power worldwide, not just at home.

**OUT OF OFFICE

one weekend news story in-depth: CHALLENGERS

The 2025 New York City mayoral race is shaping up to be a wild, wide-open contest. A crowded field of contenders are each vying to unseat incumbent Eric Adams. Adams, despite facing federal corruption charges (now on hold thanks to President Trump’s DOJ), insists he’s running for reelection, banking on his incumbency and accomplishments like the City of Yes housing reform. But his low approval ratings and cozy ties to Trump have left the door wide open for challengers.

The general vibe? A mix of desperation, ambition, and cautious optimism as contenders try to capitalize on incumbent Eric Adams’ vulnerabilities. Adrienne Adams, the current City Council Speaker, joined the fray last week. A moderate with roots in Queens, she’s now part of a centrist bloc that includes Brad Lander, the pragmatic comptroller, and Scott Stringer, the former comptroller looking for a comeback after a scandal-marred 2021 run.

Most, but not all, candidates are shying away from any kind of progressive label. Jessica Ramos, a state senator and labor champion, is running on a platform of affordable housing, child care, and workers’ rights, hoping to galvanize the city’s left-leaning base. Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, is going all-in on bold, unapologetically leftist ideas like free public buses, rent freezes, and city-owned grocery stores— and has quietly become a darling for the cool-young-lefty crowd of the city (his campaign party at Nightclub 101 got a write-up in our favorite newsletter, Feed Me).

The outcome will signal where urban politics is headed post-2024, especially as cities grapple with rising inequality, migration crises, and the lingering effects of the pandemic. New York’s mayor is a global figure, shaping the city’s identity as a cultural and financial hub. Whoever wins will influence not just New Yorkers but the national conversation on urban governance, making this a must-watch contest for anyone interested in the future of American cities.

**POWER LUNCH

five quick consumption recs for the time between meetings:

1. Cows milk strikes back. America’s obsession with protein is reinvigorating the OG dairy market. 

2. Meghann Fahy goes to the movies. Our favorite White Lotus season two star graces the cover of The Cut this week.

3. Gaga on SNL. Lady Gaga dropped a new album last week, and Mother Monster did double duty this weekend to promote it on SNL.

4. SBF’s BFF. Sam Bankman-Fried went on Tucker Carlson’s show last week and shared that he’s bonded with former rapper/longtime monster Sean “Diddy” Combs in jail.

5. Hundreds of Beavers makes millions of dollars. The 2024 indie flick just hit $1m in box office earnings, and its creators hosted a great panel at SXSW this weekend on how they built it.

We’ll see you online and on LinkedIn. Thanks for reading!

HL