Welcome back to The Daily Courant, your afternoon medley of Puck’s best new reporting.

Today, we lead with Eriq Gardner’s inside look at the peculiar legal machinery of the Michael Jackson estate, which has become a multibillion-dollar commercial juggernaut in the 16 years since the superstar’s death. While the executors’ vast authority was affirmed in 2022, the Jackson family has disputed several of their moves, and Paris Jackson, the star’s daughter, recently filed an objection in the estate’s marathon probate case—just as the trailer for the Michael biopic dropped…

Plus, below the fold: Peter Hamby distills all the data showing why Gen Z men are swinging back toward Dems. Ian Krietzberg explains how smaller A.I. models are busting the industry’s growth-at-all-costs narrative. Marion Maneker previews New York’s forthcoming $1.67 billion auction season. Sarah Shapiro evaluates whether Coach’s cultural resurgence is actually sustainable. And for Inner Circle members, Julia Alexander offers a postmortem on the ESPN–Penn Entertainment sports betting partnership.

Meanwhile, on the pods: John Ourand is joined by former NFL Network C.E.O. Steve Bornstein on The Varsity to reflect on ESPN’s golden age and the launch of NFL Network. And on The Powers That Be, Peter and Ian discuss the onslaught of lawsuits facing OpenAI.

HOLLYWOOD

More than 15 years after the King of Pop died with millions in debt, his estate has experienced a remarkable turnaround. But why is a multibillion-dollar business being administered out of a corner of the legal system typically reserved for validating wills, settling debts, and parceling out leftovers?

WASHINGTON

Hell hath no fury like a young man scorned. Gen Zyn swung right for Trump in 2024, but last week’s elections show they’re beginning to question whether the president can make life more affordable. Whether Democrats can keep them remains to be seen.

A.I.

While the Big Five blow through trillions in pursuit of a theoretical A.I. breakthrough, smaller labs are using models that are far less energy-intensive to solve practical, real-world problems. Who needs giant L.L.M.s?

ART

On the eve of the November sales, a new optimism has returned to the art market: Overall volume is up, estimates are set to be beaten, and great works are being offered at good prices. Next week’s New York sales results could confirm the new momentum. Or not.

FASHION

Coach is back. Revenue is way up and the Brooklyn and Tabby bags seem to be everywhere. Is it a passing viral episode or something to build on?

SPORTS

The company’s splashy move into the app-based gambling market faced stiff headwinds from the start. In fact, it likely never stood a chance.

SPORTS

Steve Bornstein, the architect behind both ESPN’s golden age and the launch of NFL Network, joins John to remember the late, great Paul Tagliabue—the commissioner who helped turn football into a billion-dollar religion. Bornstein also offers a seasoned view on today’s sports media circus, from the streaming wars to A.I.’s slow invasion of the industry.

A.I.

Ian Krietzberg joins Peter to discuss the legal inferno engulfing OpenAI as multiple families sue the company for allegedly driving users toward suicidal delusions—and why it would be disastrous for Sam Altman’s empire if these cases make it to discovery. Meanwhile, Altman is already in damage-control mode after his finance chief suggested that the government might step in to help them out if their revenue continues to stall.

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