The College World Series, after seeing a surge in prominence in recent years, is taking on something of a Cinderella aspect this year. 

Traditional college baseball powers such as LSU, the event’s 2023 winner, are back, but the tournament features upstarts such as Coastal Carolina and Louisville, both existing outside college sports dominance led by the SEC and Big Ten. Their path was in part cleared when top teams such as No. 1 Vanderbilt, No. 2 Texas, and No. 7 Georgia were eliminated in regional-level competition, while No. 4 Auburn and No. 5 North Carolina fell last weekend in super regionals.  

The less chalky nature of the tournament has given the College World Series some incoming momentum so far, as ESPN’s coverage of the super regionals garnered the third-best viewership in the last 15 years. Those results somewhat mirror the record viewership and attendance recently seen for the Women’s College World Series in softball, won by Texas. The first four days of the College World Series itself in Omaha have averaged 980,000 viewers, down 17% from comparable figures last year, but could be in line for a boost as Louisville walked off Oregon State in a Tuesday afternoon thriller.

This year’s College World Series has already had a signature moment as Arkansas pitcher Gage Wood threw a no-hitter over Murray State, representing the first such game in the College World Series since 1960 and just the third ever. Wood’s dominance included 19 strikeouts. 

Pittsburgh Pirates star Paul Skenes, who led LSU to the CWS title two years ago, attended the Fighting Tigers’ game against UCLA on Monday, which was eventually won by LSU on Tuesday after an extended weather delay.

“We didn’t know if we were going to have him back,” Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn said, referring to a shoulder injury Wood sustained in February, sidelining him for nearly two months. “For him to do what he did is special, especially doing it up here.”

Combine Matters

MLB, meanwhile, is holding its 2025 draft combine this week in Arizona, looking to aid teams as they prepare for next month’s draft, as well as players as they each look to improve their standing. Many of those players are from colleges that have finished their seasons. 

The event’s fifth year also includes a marketing component, as the league-owned MLB.com and MLB Network are showing the combine all week, helping fans get acquainted with the potential stars of tomorrow. Like in other sports, MLB’s combine has a mix of on-field drills, athletic testing, and medical evaluations. 

It’s another part of MLB’s ongoing effort to reduce the time between when players are drafted and reach the big leagues, a key differentiator between the league and the NFL and NBA, which currently have far more prominent drafts. 

Daxko has teamed up with Netchex to deliver an efficient, automated payroll experience for club operators.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. and COVINGTON, La., June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Daxko, the leading software and integrated payments solution provider in the health and wellness industry, and Netchex, a top provider of cloud-based payroll and human capital management (HCM) solutions, are excited to announce the launch of a live integration between Daxko Club Automation and Netchex.

This powerful new integration streamlines payroll processing and time entry for health and fitness clubs by enabling seamless data exchange between the two systems. With this integration, Netchex can automatically pull payroll and timesheet data directly from Daxko Club Automation reports, eliminating the need for manual data entry.

By removing manual steps and potential errors, the integration significantly improves payroll accuracy and efficiency—saving valuable time for HR and payroll teams.

This collaboration reflects both companies’ shared commitment to delivering modern, efficient, and integrated solutions that help fitness clubs run better, smarter, and more effortlessly.
“By integrating Daxko Club Automation & Netchex, we help HR teams cut down on errors, save hours of work each week, and simplify their day-to-day operations. Simply put, the comprehensive integration makes Netchex the #1 choice for any health club looking for a payroll & HCM solution,” said Abhinav Agrawal, Chief Product & Technology Officer at Netchex.

Key benefits of the Daxko Club Automation & Netchex integration include:

• Eliminate Manual Data Entry – Netchex automatically pulls pay and timesheet data from Daxko Club Automation, reducing the risk of errors and saving valuable time spent on manual data entry.
• Seamless Data Exchange – The integration allows for smooth data transfer, improving payroll accuracy and reducing administrative workload.
• Boost Payroll Efficiency – HR and payroll teams will benefit from faster processing times and fewer errors, enhancing overall productivity and efficiency.
• Enhanced Reporting and Insights – With automated data syncing, both Daxko Club Automation and Netchex can generate more accurate, real-time reports to better inform business decisions.

“This integration with Netchex is a powerful example of how we’re building smarter, more connected tools to simplify operations for customers,” said Wendy White, Chief Marketing & Partner Officer at Daxko. “Payroll shouldn’t be a pain point. With this integration, we’re eliminating time-consuming manual work and giving clubs an efficient and more accurate way to manage their teams.”

Learn more on how the Daxko Club Automation and Netchex integration can streamline your club’s payroll and HCM processes here.

About Daxko:

Daxko powers the world’s leading fitness and wellness organizations, providing innovative technology that maximizes productivity, increases engagement, and drives sustainable growth. With a comprehensive suite of software solutions, including operations automation, payment processing, and member engagement tools, Daxko helps businesses scale with confidence. Backed by deep industry expertise and a commitment to long-term success, Daxko partners with fitness clubs, boutique studios, YMCAs, and wellness centers to create thriving communities where individuals can reach their full potential.

For more information, visit www.daxko.com.

About Netchex:

Netchex is a leading provider of cloud-based payroll, HR, and benefits solutions, helping businesses streamline workforce management with powerful tools and exceptional service. From onboarding and timekeeping to payroll processing and benefits administration, Netchex delivers a comprehensive platform built for accuracy, simplicity, and growth. Trusted by thousands of organizations across the country, Netchex empowers teams to focus more on their people—and less on paperwork.

Learn more at www.netchex.com.

SOURCE Netchex

The conventional wisdom in enterprise technology suggests waiting for multi-year ERP transformations to complete before modernizing adjacent systems. Why complicate an already complex migration with additional integrations? 24 Hour Fitness threw that playbook out the window – and the results are transformative.

The fitness giant, operating 249 clubs across nine states with nearly 4 million members, challenged the “wait-and-see” approach by implementing Zuora’s monetization platform while maintaining complete flexibility for their ERP strategy.

Picture running a fitness empire where billing cycles take six days every month. For 24 Hour Fitness, this wasn’t just operational friction – it was a strategic constraint limiting market responsiveness and cash flow optimization.

Their existing billing infrastructure was deeply intertwined with legacy systems, making modernization seem dependent on broader ERP transformation timelines. New product launches required significant investment and months of development time, creating barriers to innovation.

Katie Healon, Senior Director of Treasury and Payment Processing at 24 Hour Fitness, initially harbored natural skepticism about moving from a “stable” legacy system. But analysis revealed that staying put carried greater risks – missed opportunities, competitive disadvantage, and constrained cash flow management.

Zuora’s ERP-agnostic integration framework provided 24 Hour Fitness with a solution that complemented existing systems while preserving future flexibility. This approach recognized a fundamental truth: transformation doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing.

The implementation delivered immediate results. 24 Hour Fitness transitioned from six-day monthly billing cycles to daily billing capability – unlocking significant cash flow advantages and unprecedented flexibility in managing subscription lifecycles.

The transformation eliminated the investment barrier for new product launches. Where previously launching new membership tiers required extensive custom development, Zuora’s flexible billing software supports any mix of recurring, usage-based, one-time and hybrid pricing models.

Traditional order-to-cash automation can take 3+ years to implement as part of larger cloud ERP transformations, often leaving systems inflexible despite migration. By implementing a purpose-built monetization platform alongside existing systems, 24 Hour Fitness gained capabilities nearly impossible within traditional ERP frameworks.

The company’s approach demonstrates how modern billing software can complement existing ERPs to alleviate manual work and custom development complexity. Rather than waiting for broader transformation completion, they achieved immediate operational efficiency while positioning for scale regardless of future strategy.

In today’s market, speed to market determines competitive success. Healon noted that 24 Hour Fitness constantly explores flexibility in pricing structures, billing cycles, and payment methods. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need for subscription offering flexibility.

Daily billing capability proved particularly valuable during pandemic recovery. The company emphasizes that the best way to engage fitness customers is getting them to work out. Daily billing cycles enabled responsive membership management when engagement patterns changed dramatically.

The transformation offers key insights for enterprise leaders facing ERP migration timelines: parallel modernization works, cash flow impact is immediate, innovation barriers fall, and integration flexibility preserves options.

What this means for ERP Insiders

Prioritize cash flow optimization during migration windows. The 24 Hour Fitness transformation from six-day to daily billing cycles demonstrates that cash flow optimization can’t wait for ERP completion. Companies implementing Zuora’s order-to-cash solutions typically see improvements in Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) and customer satisfaction metrics. With Zuora’s ability to scale billing for high-volume transactions and easily process 300K+ invoices per hour, tech leaders should evaluate subscription billing implementations that can deliver immediate working capital improvements while ERP migrations progress. The quantifiable impact: moving from monthly to daily billing cycles can improve cash flow by 15-30 days, representing millions in working capital for large subscription businesses.

Deploy ERP-agnostic integrations to preserve future flexibility. 24 Hour Fitness’s success stems from choosing technology that doesn’t lock them into specific ERP vendor roadmaps. Zuora’s native integrations with major ERPs including NetSuite, Workday, and SAP enable seamless data flow between systems while providing audit-ready financial data for different stages of order-to-cash. Tech leaders should implement API-driven architectures with microservices and REST APIs that simplify data exchange between multiple platforms, reducing the risk of integration failures. This approach ensures billing modernization investments remain valuable regardless of future ERP decisions, with customers like Sage reporting 32% subscription growth after implementation.

Eliminate innovation bottlenecks with flexible billing architectures. The investment barrier that 24 Hour Fitness eliminated for new product launches represents a common constraint in traditional ERP-dependent billing systems. Zuora’s Extension Studio and Integration Hub allow organizations to create custom solutions and quickly adapt to evolving business needs, with over 50 pricing models supported out-of-the-box. Companies like NCR reduced implementation time from months to weeks, freeing up at least five FTEs worth of work and enabling previously unavailable metrics like Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR). Tech leaders should implement billing platforms that support rapid product iteration and pricing experimentation, enabling faster market response during the critical years when ERP transformations limit other technology initiatives.

NEW YORK, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sizzle Acquisition Corp. II (the “Company”) announced today the completion of its initial public offering of 23,000,000 units at a price of $10.00 per unit, resulting in gross proceeds of $230,000,000.

Sizzle

The units began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market on April 2, 2025, under the ticker symbol “SZZLU.” Each unit consists of one share of common stock and one right to receive one-tenth (1/10) of a share of common stock upon the consummation of an initial business combination. The common stock and Share Rights are expected to trade separately under the symbols “SZZL” and “SZZLR” once eligible.

Sizzle Acquisition Corp. II is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a business combination with one or more businesses across sectors including hospitality, restaurant, food and beverage, retail, consumer, real estate (including proptech), food-related technology, professional sports, and airlines. The Company is focused on identifying established, scalable businesses operating within or adjacent to these sectors in the United States and other developed markets.

The Company is led by Steve Salis (Chief Executive Officer and Chairman), Jamie Karson (Non-Executive Vice Chairman), and Daniel Lee (Chief Financial Officer and Head of Business and Corporate Development). The Board of Directors includes Neil Leibman, Warren Thompson, and David Perlin.

This is the second SPAC sponsored by Salis Holdings. The team’s previous vehicle, Sizzle Acquisition Corp., completed a merger with European Lithium to form Critical Metals Corp. in early 2024.

Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. acted as sole book-running manager for the offering.

Media Contact:

Sheena Lajoie
sl@sizzlespac.com

Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the Sizzle Acquisition Corp. II. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aa1237f0-c357-4cd5-8193-5ff27e1c0176

FUTURISTIC CLEAN FOR HAIR AND SCALP. NO WATER. NO COMPROMISE.

SAN FRANCISCO, June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — K18 is pushing the boundaries of performance beauty once again with the launch of AirWash™, a dry shampoo engineered for the future of clean. As part of the brand’s ongoing hair care innovation, K18 is proud to launch the AirWash™ Fitness Campaign – a movement that redefines what clean means for athletes, active lifestyles and beyond – with long-time ambassador Simone Biles.

AirWash™ is the first product of its kind to truly meet the needs of active lifestyles, removing sweat, oil and odor while leaving both the hair and scalp feeling deeply clean and remarkably refreshed post-workout. AirWash™ isn’t just about stretching time between washes or masking sweat with powder, it’s delivering a new standard of clean different from anything on the market that starts at the often-overlooked scalp, where odor, buildup and imbalance actually begin. By targeting the source, AirWash™ not only revives hair but also creates an unmatched feeling of scalp cleanliness – something no dry shampoo has achieved until now.

K18 put AirWash™ to the ultimate test with consumers resulting in 100% of participants agreeing hair and scalp felt fresh* – even after your toughest workout. Consumers also reported their hair** + scalp that looked, smelled, and felt clean for up to 3 days***- allowing them to skip wash days after fitness activities.

Formulated for all hair types and styles, AirWash™ including being ideal for those with extensions, protective styles, or textured hair, where water and powder-based products often create buildup or residue. AirWash™ applies weightlessly, leaving no white cast, no starchy finish and no interference with style – just futuristic, full-spectrum freshness.

Beyond instant results, AirWash™ is formulated with biotech-derived mediterranean microalgae that helps balance scalp and control excess oil production over time. Paired with translucent microbeads that continue working for up to three days, the formula represents a next-gen solution for scalp balance and long-term cleanliness without the need for water, harsh fragrance or traditional shampoo routines.

K18 and Simone Biles share a belief in the power of performance without compromise. The brand is inviting a new generation to refresh their hair without water, reset after movement and reimagine what “clean” can feel like – from the scalp down.

K18’s AirWash™ Fitness Campaign featuring Simone Biles launches nationwide this summer.

* Results observed in a consumer test of 30 subjects after 1 use and 72 hours.

**Results observed in a consumer test of 30 subjects after 1 use and 48 hours.

***Results observed in a scientific test of 30 subjects after 1 use of AirWash™ dry shampoo after 48 hours. Measurements were made by a sebumeter and expert odor grader. 

About K18
K18 is the first-ever hair care brand that uses a biology-first approach, powered by biotech. K18’s mission is to liberate the freedom of self-expression through healthy hair. Its patented K18PEPTIDE™, is a breakthrough ingredient developed from biotechnology that is revolutionizing the industry. Unlike traditional treatments, the K18PEPTIDE™ works at the molecular level, mimicking the natural structure of human hair to repair broken bonds and reverse damage in just four minutes. This science-backed innovation powers the brand’s hero products, the Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask, as well as the K18REPAIR™ Service- a 2-step salon-exclusive damage repair service that protects, strengthens, and preserves hair health through even extreme salon services.

As the leader in synthetic biology for beauty, K18 sets itself apart by addressing hair health from the inside out, rather than relying on surface-level solutions. With over 20 billion TikTok views, 40+ prestigious awards, and availability in 100+ countries, K18 has redefined the future of haircare, blending cutting-edge innovation with sustainability and artistry. Acquired by Unilever in 2024, the brand remains at the forefront of innovation, creating transformative solutions that repair, protect, and elevate hair care to a whole new level.

For more information, visit https://www.k18hair.com or follow @K18Hair on Instagram and TikTok.

SOURCE K18 Biomimetic Hairscience