T(abel) Reads 24

Friday August 8th, 2025 - Edition 024

EVERYONE'S FAVORITE BI-WEEKLY NEWS SOURCE... UNLESS YOU'RE NOT EVERYONE

SWAPCON 8TH ANNIVERSARY

Rare Finds and a Vibrant Community at Dallas' Ultimate Swap Event on August 9th

DALLAS

Swap Con, once known as the DFW Swap Meet, is an energetic BUY-SELL-SWAP® event that pops up every few months. Founded in 2017 by Jason Don Won, it’s the go-to place for vintage fans to mingle beyond the internet. Spanning a massive 100,000 to 128,000 sq. ft., the convention hosts hundreds of vendors, each showcasing an eclectic mix of second-hand treasures. Discover everything from ‘80s and ‘90s fashion, Y2K vibes, and iconic sneakers to unique collectibles, toys, art, and anime. Whether you’re there to buy, swap, or sell, you can snag amazing finds like $10 vintage tees or rare kicks. But there’s more! Swap Con isn’t just about shopping; it’s a cultural hotspot where thrifters connect over nostalgia, craftsmanship, and sustainable fashion. Enjoy live DJs, cosplay contests, tasty food, giveaways, and pet- and family-friendly activities. We hope to see you there tomorrow — and we’re bringing lots of goodies!

ART AND FASHION

Legal drama in the art world continues to be a recurring theme, and this week’s spotlight is on artist Tyrrell Winston. Known for his sculptures using deflated basketballs, Winston is accusing the New Orleans Pelicans of copying his signature style. The team posted offseason promotional content featuring a strikingly similar wall of deflated basketballs—without asking for permission or crediting him. Whether the lawsuit holds legal weight or reflects artistic gatekeeping is still up for debate. In another global art controversy, the Piprahwa Jewels—believed to be connected to the remains of Buddha—have been returned to India after public pressure and legal threats from the Indian government and Buddhist leaders. Sotheby’s originally planned to auction the gems this past May, but Delhi intervened, calling for their return. Now safely back on Indian soil, the jewels will soon be placed on public display. It’s another reminder of how deeply art, culture, and ownership continue to collide.

SPORTS

With the NFL season fast approaching, a major media shake-up is grabbing headlines: Disney and the NFL have agreed to a groundbreaking deal giving the league a 10% ownership stake in ESPN. As part of the arrangement, ESPN will absorb NFL Media properties—including NFL Network and RedZone—creating a media powerhouse. However, the deal is currently under antitrust review, as regulators weigh concerns over media consolidation and potential monopolistic control. While boardroom deals play out, drama is also brewing on the field. Star linebacker Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys and standout receiver Terry McLaurin of the Washington Commanders have both formally requested trades, despite being under contract for the upcoming season. With uncertainty looming around their availability for Week 1, fans are left wondering what impact these disputes could have. Between billion-dollar negotiations and trade demands from key players, the NFL’s offseason buzz is reaching a fever pitch just weeks before kickoff.

MUSIC

Tame Impala has emerged from a quiet stretch to drop a new track, just in time for the peak of summer. His latest release, “End of Summer,” introduces yet another sonic evolution for the genre-defying Australian artist. Following recent DJ sets in Barcelona, it makes sense that this single leans fully into a club-inspired sound, anchored by deep, pulsating basslines and hypnotic textures. Meanwhile, the long-awaited return of the legendary duo Alfredo—comprised of Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist—has finally arrived with Alfredo 2. The sequel picks up right where they left off: Alchemist masterfully curates dusty loops and layered samples that challenge listeners to trace their origins. Freddie Gibbs doesn’t miss a step either, delivering grimy flows and razor-sharp rhyme schemes that showcase his signature intensity and precision. As always, Gibbs finds the pocket with ease—just like the 8-ball he so often references. This summer, both acts have delivered serious heat.

Listen: Tame Impala, Alfredo

Author: Bray Olmstead

MARKET

In a major win for crypto clarity, the SEC’s long-running legal brawl with Ripple has officially ended—with both sides walking away and leaving a landmark 2023 ruling intact. The verdict? XRP sales on public exchanges are not securities. Mic drop. For Ripple, the company behind the XRP token and a global payments network aimed at replacing outdated SWIFT wires, this dismissal is more than legal relief—it’s a green light. Years of regulatory limbo pushed Ripple to focus overseas, but with the SEC out of the way, U.S. partnerships and exchange listings are back on the table. XRP, built for blazing-fast cross-border transactions, immediately surged 11–13% on the news. But the real gain isn’t just price—it’s utility. Ripple can now reassert itself in the U.S. fintech space, and XRP may finally be treated as what it was built to be: a bridge currency, not a courtroom punching bag. Big doors just reopened.