? ON THE TUBE TONIGHT-
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In 2021, a US Supreme Court decision passed a law to let student athletes monetize their name, image, or likeness (NIL) — previously, they were not allowed to accept sponsorship deals or to advertise products on social media. The Money Game, a six-part docuseries, captures the aftermath of this decision.

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Critics believe that this law means that college sports are now driven by financial gain, instead of for the love of the game. This viewpoint resonates throughout the series, as multiple commentators reflect on the NIL decision, describing it as a “wild west” for college athletics. Coaches are also allowed to profit off their teams, sometimes even making up to USD 10 mn per year.

The athletes themselves disagree, obviously. Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels provided a reminder of the real-world implications of NIL saying “There’s people that come from nothing, so they gotta take care of their people back home.” Rising stars like gymnast Olivia Dunne and basketball player Angel Reese have since signed six and seven-figure deals, highlighting the life-changing opportunities that NIL gave them.

WHERE TO WATCH: You can watch The Money Game on Prime Video or watch the trailer on YouTube (runtime: 2:22).

⚽ It’s a calm day in the European leagues, with only three matches ending this round of the English, Spanish, and Italian leagues to prepare for the return of Champions League on Tuesday and Wednesday:

• Bournemouth vs. Southampton — Premier League (10pm).
• Villarreal vs. Las Palmas — La Liga (10pm).
• Parma vs. Cagliari — Serie A (9:45pm).

? EAT THIS TONIGHT-

Maine has been on the menu for years, but the go-to for delicious seafood buns now offers so much more. With a successful summer in Sahel and their strategic location at The Drive, Maine has quickly made a name for itself. Here’s what to get if you’re not feeling seafood.

Maine’s reputation for having consistently great smash burgers isn’t an exaggeration. Instead of just the basic patty, cheese, tomato, and lettuce combo we see everywhere, Maine also offers some inventive options. We couldn’t resist trying the PB&J burger. The rich, flavorful beef patty is topped with salted peanut butter, sour strawberry jam, sautéed onions, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles. The combination sounds unconventional, but the flavors complement each other beautifully.

Not in the mood for beef either? Try the berry bird. Part of their recently added fried chicken menu, this sandwich has quickly become very popular. The crunchy chicken is topped with sweet berry mayonnaise, smoked duck bacon, and cheese. The combination of flavors was unique and perfectly balanced, making it a must-try.

Drink your dessert. To satiate your sweet tooth, order the birthday cake shake. This vanilla milkshake isn’t as elaborate as the other options, but maybe that’s what you need after a big meal. A whole slice of cake loaf is placed into the shake, and as it falls apart, you get delicious parts of it in your sips. And we love the sprinkles.

WHERE TO GET IT- Maine is available through Talabat for New Cairo residents, and through calling the number in their Instagram bio for Maadi and New Cairo.

? OUT AND ABOUT-
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HAPPENING THIS WEEK-

Maybe you want some childhood magic… take a step back into your childhood self at Room Art Space NC’s Disney tribute night tomorrow — where they’ll bring all the tunes and hits to stage. Grab your tickets through easykash.

For fans of Lege-cy, don't miss his live performance at Boom Room on Wednesday, 2 October. Get your tickets from Ticketsmarche.

Swan Lake x Opera: For classical lovers, don't miss the performances of Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake performed by the St. Petersburg Classical Ballet Company. The shows will take place over three days — October 2, 3, and 4 — at the Cairo Opera House’s Main Hall in Zamalek, starting at 8:30pm. Grab your tickets for the first, second and third night from Tazkarti.

MENA’s first and only design-film festival is back: Film My Design festival is back for its third edition — under the theme Designing Our Lives for a Better Future —, taking place from Thursday, 3 October to Saturday, 12 October at Zawya Cinema. The festival features film screenings, masterclasses, a motion design exhibition, VR immersive experiences, and much more. Buy your tickets from Collard Tickets.

Calling all cinema aficionados, Affichat w Aflam is getting an extension. The exhibition will continue to showcase a vast selection of the late Pierre Sioufi’s collection of more than 10k pieces of Egyptian cinema memorabilia from 1932-2017 until 6 October. The exhibition is open from 10am to 10pm at Bibliothek.

HAPPENING LATER-

Attend a book signing for Hatem S. Badr’s translated version of Taha Hussein's The Curlew’s Call. The event will take place at Bibliothek Egypt Tuesday, 8 October.

Bibliothek is als hosting another book signing for Riccardo Mancuso’s book Nos Se'eedi wi Nos Khawaga — an exploration of both the origins of Italian cuisine and Egyptians who have Italian origins.The event will take place on Saturday, 12 October.

Kunafa Comedy Nightwill be making their debut at Boom Room on Tuesday, 8 October. The show’s lineup features Hala Marzouk, Ezzat Essam, Mahmoud Kunafa, Mona Kamel, Mahmoud Hassan, Ahmed Emad, and Mark Fanos. Tickets are available through Ticketsmarche.

The celebration of music continues at the Arab Music Festival, which kicks off on Friday, 11 October. The festival’s lineup includes Medhat Saleh, Ali El Haggar, Abeer Nehme, Wael Jassar, Lotfi Bouchnak, and more. The festival will run until Thursday, 24 October — tickets can be booked through Tazkarti.

Registration is still open for the Scaled Games. Show off your skills by taking part in one of the three sporting competitions available: running, football, or crossfit. Running and crossfit will both take place on Friday, 11 October, while the football tournament will take place starting Friday, 27 September to Friday, 11 October. All events will happen in New Heliopolis City. You can sign up on Ticketsmarche.

Go on a run in Egypt’s historic city at the Luxor Half Marathon. Cairo Runners’ annual event will take place on Friday, 11 October. Pick between a 21km or 10km race, or a short family run. You can register here.

Party like you’re in Ibiza. Circoloco — the iconic Ibiza party — is coming to the Pyramids on Friday, 15 November. The 9-hour party kicks off at 6pm and will feature an array of electronic, house, and techno music. Grab your tickets from Collard Tickets.

? UNDER THE LAMPLIGHT-

Step into the meta-mystery genre with Kate Atkinson’s Death at the Sign of the Rook. This book invites readers into a tangled narrative that both honors and playfully subverts classic murder mysteries, offering a balance of humor, heart, and intrigue.

The invitation to the Burton Makepeace House murder mystery weekend suggests a weekend of solving a fictional murder, but, of course, it’s clear from the start that a real crime is lurking just beneath the surface.

Brodie, tasked with finding a stolen painting, soon finds himself entangled in the chaos, aided by Detective Constable Reggie Chase. The exploration of these characters, their motivations, and their secrets creates a rich tapestry that keeps the reader engaged… and thrown off the scent. Brodie, now in his 60s, remains a complex protagonist, grappling with the weight of his past, while navigating the absurdities of modern life.

As the story progresses, the plot becomes increasingly intricate, but Atkinson never loses sight of her characters or their arcs. The resolutions, while cleverly crafted, embrace the genre’s tropes, allowing for a satisfying reveal as everything clicks into place.

WHERE TO GET IT- You can find it on Amazon.