AGP Executive Report

Basketball Spotlight: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lit up Hamilton with 26 points as Canada crushed Puerto Rico 110-84 in FIBA Americas World Cup qualifying, with the win locking Canada into the next round. Puerto Rico Sports Buzz: The same week also saw the U.S. demolish Puerto Rico 149-82 in the FIBA U17 World Cup, setting a new single-game scoring record. Local Culture & Craft: Puerto Rican Artisan Month kicked off with DDEC and the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture honoring 19 artisans, including Master Artisan and Young Artisan awards, plus commemorative silkscreen posters. Food & Community: El Mesón Sándwiches launched the “Aguadilla Cup” in honor of its 1972 hometown roots, free with select combo purchases starting July 4. Entertainment & Style: A roundup of 30 iconic celebrity hairstyles is making the rounds, while SGA’s fresh look (fans noticed the change fast) keeps the spotlight on sports style.

Puerto Rico in the Spotlight: Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn plans “50 for 50,” lending 200+ modern works to institutions across all 50 states plus Puerto Rico, with first displays expected by end of 2026. Music & Pop Culture: Penélope Cruz says Bad Bunny helped her become “cool” to her kids after they attended his Puerto Rico residency opening and later shows together. Local Film Buzz: Val Vega’s viral short “Melao” is opening new doors for Puerto Rican cinema after it took off online. Reggaeton Roots: Reggaeton pioneer DJ Playero looks back at the genre’s underground beginnings ahead of a July 4 Miami takeover. Sports (PR): Travis Trice is named 2026 BSN Awards MVP, with multiple Criollos honors in the league’s top awards. Justice/Community: PR’s Justice Department charges 16 people in a Guaynabo condominium insurance-check fraud tied to Hurricane Maria damages. Tech/Payments: Arival Bank launches stablecoin payments via its partner network, positioning it as a regulated banking option.

Puerto Rico & Sports Betting: With the World Cup just weeks away, San Juan’s Casino Metro says sign-ups are booming—locals and tourists are packing the sportsbook area early, and the expanded 48-team format is fueling the hype. Music & Culture: Puerto Rican singer Funky drops “Mi Copa,” a World Cup-inspired gospel track he delayed out of solidarity with Venezuela earthquake victims. Reggaeton Legal Drama: A judge refused to fast-track a massive reggaeton copyright case over the “dembow” rhythm, sending the key question to a jury—Bad Bunny, Karol G and others remain in the fight. Local Arts/Community Finance: Banco Popular and local banks completed a $600M Metropistas refinancing, routing proceeds through the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust to fund conservation and education programs. Venezuela Relief Update: International rescue operations are winding down after the June 24 quakes, with deaths rising and many still unaccounted for. Puerto Rico in Basketball Spotlight: Puerto Rico’s DJ Gaines enters the FIBA U17 MVP Ladder after leading the team in scoring and steals as the quarter-finals roll on.

Puerto Rico & Finance: Banco Popular led a $600M refinancing for Metropistas with FirstBank, Oriental Bank and Nave Bank, routed through the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust to fund education, protected-area conservation, reforestation, biodiversity monitoring, artist residencies and agroecology. Puerto Rico & Music: Funky released “Mi Copa,” a World Cup-inspired gospel track built on Psalm 23:5, sharing hope through Jesus and postponing the drop as a sign of solidarity after Venezuela’s earthquakes. Puerto Rico & Sports: FIBA U17 World Cup 2026 MVP Ladder Vol. II spotlights Puerto Rico guard DJ Gaines, now in the top 10 after leading the tournament in scoring and steals while guiding the team to the quarter-finals. Puerto Rico & Entertainment: Penélope Cruz hit “Hot Ones” and joked about being “cooked” as she tackled spicy wings, while also chatting about her close bond with Salma Hayek. Puerto Rico & Culture: A Puerto Rico–Venezuela relief effort saw nearly 7,000 pounds of medicine, food, generators and infant supplies depart from LMM with support from local artists and businesses.

Puerto Rico in the spotlight: Bad Bunny’s Puerto Rican ties keep popping up in major headlines, including NBA player Malik Beasley’s “not guilty” plea in a federal gambling case—his lawyer noted Beasley played for a Puerto Rican team co-owned by the star. Music & culture: A new documentary review puts Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Haitian/Puerto Rican roots front and center, arguing his story has been misunderstood for years. Boxing buzz: Reports say Matchroom secured promotional rights tied to Puerto Rican contender Xander Zayas’ next steps after his loss to Jaron “Boots” Ennis—keeping PR boxing in the conversation. Arts & heritage: A Puerto Rican composer is highlighted in Lara Downes’ album “Hold These Truths,” part of her Declaration Project ahead of America’s 250th. Community & travel: Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship is set to visit Puerto Rico, adding fresh momentum for island tourism.

Puerto Rico Tourism Spotlight: Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, Disney Destiny, made its inaugural call to San Juan, with Puerto Rico Tourism Company projecting over $1.6M in economic activity from seven scheduled visits. Viral Music Moment: The viral “Puerto Rico song” has an official music video shot on the island, plus a karaoke singalong version featuring the coquí frog guiding lyrics. Arts & Culture: Casa de América in Madrid is rolling out three exhibitions on the U.S. semiquincentennial, including “American Democracy,” turning election and demographic data into art. Sports Buzz: Canada’s GM Rowan Barrett is urging fans to fill TD/ Copps Coliseum for FIBA qualifiers vs. Puerto Rico and Jamaica in Hamilton. Music/Latin Pop: Backstreet Boys’ Howie Dorough drops Spanish single “Coqui,” a Puerto Rican-themed project built from Spanish versions of classic hits. Community & Accessibility: AARP Community Challenge funds Woodstock, with new benches designed to help older adults move safely around town.

Puerto Rico Arts & Culture: The Puerto Rico Oversight Board pitched a $3B bond settlement to help move the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority bankruptcy toward the finish line. Music & Community: Bishop Hill Creative Commons will launch a Prairie Sound Residency with funding from Live Music Society, bringing established musicians for longer mentorship, public shows, and youth outreach. Sports (Puerto Rico in the mix): At the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026, Türkiye’s Omer Kutluay lit up the scoreboard with 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 12 assists in a win over Puerto Rico—and the Round of 16 matchups are now set for July 1. Pop Culture: Bad Bunny’s label Rimas Entertainment reportedly gifted Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor $4,333 in concert tickets, tied to a Puerto Rico trip in 2025. Global Spotlight: The U.S. deployed 900+ troops to support Venezuela earthquake relief, including search-and-rescue and help getting an airport running.

Bad Bunny & Puerto Rico Spotlight: Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor disclosed she received $4,333 in concert tickets from Rimas Entertainment (Bad Bunny’s label) for a private Puerto Rico trip in August 2025—documents don’t say which show she attended, but the timing lines up with Bad Bunny’s San Juan residency. Cruise Buzz: Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, Disney Destiny, made its first Puerto Rico stop in San Juan, with multiple calls expected to boost local tourism spending through next year. Local Travel & Culture: Avelo Airlines announced new Florida routes and also recently added service that includes Aguadilla, Puerto Rico—more options for island travelers. Arts & Heritage: Puerto Rico’s creative scene gets a wider spotlight as the week’s coverage also highlights music, film, and cultural events across the region, from festivals to community arts.

Supreme Court & Pop Culture: Justice Sonia Sotomayor disclosed she received $4,333 in concert tickets from Bad Bunny’s Puerto Rican label, Rimas Entertainment, during a private trip to the island—one more headline from the justices’ newly released financial disclosures. Puerto Rico Comics: Dark Horse’s new series Beast of Boriken #1 drops Wednesday, July 1, with el Chupacabra battling outside developers in a story rooted in Puerto Rican folklore. Wimbledon x Bad Bunny: Novak Djokovic asked a fan for an invite after a marriage proposal at Centre Court—and Bad Bunny was in his player box two days after his London concert. Local Sports Spotlight: Puerto Rican prospect Xander Zayas vowed to come back stronger after his loss to Jaron “Boots” Ennis, promising “a better version” of himself. Boxing Buzz: Sean Gibbons criticized Puerto Rico’s Oscar Collazo for avoiding a unification fight with IBF champ Pedro Taduran.

FIBA Americas Qualifiers: Canada’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander headlines a 16-man roster for the World Cup 2027 qualifiers, with Hamilton’s TD Coliseum set to host Canada vs. Puerto Rico on Friday (plus Jamaica on July 6). The star also gets a custom SGA-themed court debuting this week, while Canada Basketball GM Rowan Barrett is urging fans to pack the stadium. Bad Bunny in London: The Puerto Rican superstar used his Tottenham Hotspur Stadium show to send solidarity to Venezuela after the earthquakes, closing with a Puerto Rico nod that sparked a standing ovation. Sports betting scandal: Former NBA players Malik Beasley and Ed Davis were indicted in a widening gambling probe, accused of manipulating performance tied to prop bets. Puerto Rico legal spotlight: Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s financial disclosures reportedly include Puerto Rico concert tickets tied to teaching gigs and royalties.

Puerto Rican Culture in NYC: Toñita Festival in Williamsburg drew huge crowds for food, music, and community spirit, with Mayor Mamdani presenting “Bandera Viva” to honor the Puerto Rican matriarch’s decades of impact. Latin Music & Solidarity: Bad Bunny’s London stadium run at Tottenham Hotspur included a heartfelt message to Venezuela after the earthquakes, telling fans to stay strong and reminding everyone that Latinos worldwide stand together. Puerto Rico Hospitality Growth: Hilton’s expansion continues with a new Hampton by Hilton San Juan City Center opening this September, adding another mid-range option near Condado and Old San Juan. Boxing Spotlight: Puerto Rican fighter Xander Zayas faced Jaron “Boots” Ennis in Brooklyn, while Ennis captured the WBA/WBO junior middleweight belts in a brutal, crowd-rocking title fight. Food & Flavor: Wepa Cafe is expanding beyond Puerto Rican cuisine into a broader Latin American menu with new dishes inspired by Peru, Cuba, Colombia, and more. Sports Buzz: USATF’s ATX Sprint Classic debuts in Central Texas with a stacked 110 hurdles matchup featuring Jamar Marshall, Dylan Beard, and Connor Schulman.

Puerto Rico in the spotlight: Bad Bunny made history as the first Latin American artist to headline a UK stadium, packing Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with about 50,000 fans for his sold-out London debut and sending a Venezuela solidarity message during the show. Celebrity sightings: The concert also drew major names like Love Island host Maya Jama (joining his “La Casita” onstage), tennis star Novak Djokovic (introducing a song), and Adele, who danced in an England Three Lions shirt. Boxing buzz (Boricua pride): Puerto Rican champ Xander Zayas fought Jaron “Boots” Ennis for the WBA/WBO junior middleweight titles in Brooklyn, but Ennis rallied after a brutal early scare to win by seventh-round TKO; Zayas was rushed to a local hospital afterward. Sports highlight: At the FIBA U17 World Cup, USA’s Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje set a single-game USA blocks record with seven swats vs. Japan. Travel & culture: Hilton announced a new Hampton by Hilton in San Juan (opening this September), adding another mid-range option in the capital.

Boxing Spotlight: Jaron “Boots” Ennis stopped Xander Zayas in the seventh round at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, scoring three knockdowns and taking the WBA and WBO junior middleweight belts in a gritty, crowd-fueled slugfest. Puerto Rico in Sports: The FIBA U17 World Cup opened with Puerto Rico’s DJ Gaines lighting up for 32 points as he helped power a 92-78 win over Slovenia. Music & Culture: Grammy-winning Puerto Rican saxophonist Miguel Zenón and pianist Luis Perdomo are set to headline the High Country Jazz Fest. Community & Arts: The return of Toñita’s Hat is bringing back a Puerto Rican-Caribbean vibe with a 2026 collaboration celebrating Latin American identities. Food Lore: “Burnt rice” (nurungji-style) is getting its moment again, with stories of how char becomes comfort across cultures. Lottery Buzz: Powerball climbs to $348M for June 27, with Puerto Rico included among places where tickets can be bought.

Boxing Spotlight: Puerto Rico’s Xander Zayas defends his WBO/WBA super-welterweight titles against undefeated Jaron “Boots” Ennis in Brooklyn on June 27, with the main event expected around 10:45 p.m. ET—plus odds and fight-card coverage fueling major buzz. Latin Music & Culture: ¡Sabor! Latin Music Festival marks 15 years at SteelStacks, with Puerto Rican flag ceremony and live bands kicking off a big weekend of food, vendors, and community pride. Fashion/Identity: The Toñita’s Hat returns for 2026, teaming up with Secret Futebol Club and featuring 22 stars filled with Latin American flags—sold at Toñita Fest and online afterward. Puerto Rico in the News: A lawsuit alleges FirstBank Puerto Rico helped enable Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation, claiming banking failures around anti-money-laundering. Travel Picks: A guide highlights Caribbean adventure escapes, including Vieques and its black-sand Playa Negra. Sports & Entertainment Mix: Aqueduct in NYC runs its final live horse races this weekend, ending an era of legendary thoroughbreds.

Puerto Rico in the spotlight: Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny’s music is front-and-center at a Queens immigrant football scene, where Sunday games become a way to reconnect with identity through sport and Latin sound. Local arts & film: Actor/director Modesto Lacén is launching “Acción,” a four-week summer film camp for ages 8–17 in Santurce, covering acting, directing, editing, and even how AI and YouTube shape today’s filmmaking. Music news: Bizarrap and Myke Towers drop “BZRP Music Session #42/66,” with the Puerto Rican star leaning into trap swagger and hometown pride. Boxing (Puerto Rican): Unified junior middleweight champ Xander Zayas heads into his Brooklyn clash vs Jaron “Boots” Ennis aiming to be underestimated—and to unify the division. Community & culture: Tristan Schukraft, tied to Puerto Vallarta queer travel and the Abbey, talks Pride work through MISTR and preserving LGBTQ institutions. Business/PR: Realty of America officially expands into Puerto Rico with a grand opening at the Caribe Hilton and new local leadership.

Puerto Rico Tennis: The Puerto Rico Tennis Association named its Billie Jean King Cup Americas Group II squad for July 1-4 in Paraguay, featuring collegiate and junior standouts Lauren Kettlewell Sotomayor, Siena Love Schintler, Daniella O’Neill García and Natalia Pérez, with Daniel Caballero as captain. Film & Youth Arts: Actor/director Modesto Lacén is launching “Acción,” a four-week summer film camp for ages 8-17 in Santurce (July 6-31) covering acting, screenwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, and even how AI and YouTube shape indie filmmaking. Beauty Retail: Sephora is rolling out “Quiet Hours,” lowering music and dimming lights during set periods to create a calmer in-store shopping experience. Food Industry Spotlight: At the MIDA Conference & Food Show, Puerto Rico’s “Radiografía del Consumidor 2026” study was unveiled, showing inflation pressure and a cautious “psychology of uncertainty” affecting what households buy. Sports Entertainment: Bad Bunny’s DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS tour lands in London at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend, with details on timings, setlist and tickets.