The event marked the conclusion of Sports Illustrated\u2019s Beyond the Pitch series, transforming the historic Lower Manhattan venue into a celebration of the growing intersection between athletics and popular culture.<\/span><\/p>\n Headlined by performances from 50 Cent and Diplo, the evening drew athletes, entertainers, musicians, reality television personalities and other cultural figures ahead of Sunday\u2019s championship match.<\/span><\/p>\n Among those in attendance were Rob Gronkowski, Camille Kostek, Josh Hart, Jake Paul, Jordan Chiles, Cooper DeJean, Foodgod, Eric Adams, Jutta Leerdam, Meredith Marks, Roger Clemens and Paul Pierce.<\/span><\/p>\n The wide-ranging guest list reflected the purpose of Beyond the Pitch: showcasing how today\u2019s biggest sporting moments extend beyond the competition itself and into music, style, celebrity and entertainment.<\/span><\/p>\n That crossover was especially visible through WWE stars Jade Cargill and Charlotte Flair, who spoke about the role fashion plays in professional wrestling and how it helps performers build their identities inside the ring.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI base my gear off of fashion,\u201d Cargill said. \u201cIt\u2019s people like myself and Charlotte Flair, and we go out there and integrate fashion into wrestling. We try to do that every single week.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n For Cargill, wrestling gear is not simply part of the performance. It is another form of self-expression, allowing wrestlers to combine athleticism with individual style while creating memorable looks for audiences.<\/span><\/p>\n Wrestlers have increasingly used their entrances, costumes and presentation to connect with fans, often drawing inspiration from runway fashion, music, film and other areas of pop culture.<\/span><\/p>\n Flair also emphasized the importance of the relationship between sports and entertainment, particularly as professional wrestling continues to reach audiences beyond its traditional fan base.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBeing a wrestler, for us, people taking the industry seriously and seeing what we can do, the sports and entertainment crossover and people falling in love with what we do,\u201d Flair said.<\/span><\/p>\n Flair\u2019s comments highlighted the changing perception of professional wrestling and the range of skills required from its performers. Wrestlers are expected to compete as athletes while also entertaining crowds, developing characters and maintaining a strong public presence.<\/span><\/p>\n The relationship between sports and fashion extended well beyond professional wrestling.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n Olympic gold medalist gymnast Jordan Chiles said confidence often begins with how athletes present themselves before they ever compete.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of the time, being able to represent yourself in the best way\u2014you look good, feel good, you\u2019ll play good,\u201d Chiles said. \u201cAnd that\u2019s what fashion is, being able to really show yourself. You want to walk the carpet, you want to feel good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n For Chiles, fashion has become another avenue for athletes to express their personalities, both on and off the competition floor.<\/span><\/p>\n Former New York Mets All-Star Jos\u00e9 Reyes has witnessed that evolution firsthand. The four-time All-Star said the emphasis on personal style has changed dramatically since his playing days.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhen I was playing 10 years ago it was different,\u201d Reyes said. \u201cNow everything is about how you look, how you\u2019re dressing, and I love it. It\u2019s good to see baseball doing that, and basketball has been doing that for a long time. To see that in baseball now\u2026 awesome.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n As professional athletes continue to build personal brands beyond their respective sports, fashion has increasingly become part of the conversation. From pregame tunnel walks and red carpet appearances to custom uniforms and signature collaborations, style has become another way for athletes to connect with fans and showcase their individuality.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Diplo](\"https:\/\/www.amny.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Diplo.jpg\" "\\"Sports")
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