Names In The News
Published July 23, 2012The Rockies wore black wristbands to honor those affected by the Aurora shooting
COOPERSTOWN REPORT: Fox MLB analyst TIM MCCARVER during his induction into the Baseball HOF Saturday said that he "would make a 'significant' contribution to his hometown of Memphis." McCarver said that the money -- "exactly how much was not announced -- will be used to help fund a planned baseball park for inner-city kids." McCarver said that the hope is that parks "such as this one will help rejuvenate interest in the game among black youths." City officials said that the money "hasn't been donated yet ... but is pledged." In Memphis, Jody Callahan notes although the facility "is planned for the Fairgrounds area, exactly where on that complex remains to be decided." The Fairgrounds formerly "hosted Tim McCarver Stadium, which was torn down some years ago" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 7/23). Meanwhile, actor and Reds fan CHARLIE SHEEN was in Cooperstown Sunday for former MLBer BARRY LARKIN's induction into the Baseball HOF (Albany TIMES UNION, 7/23).
NEW AGENT FOR JACKSON: Nationals P EDWIN JACKSON has left MLB agent SCOTT BORAS and hired The Legacy Agency, GREG GENSKE, president of the baseball division of TLA confirmed today. “Our entire team is excited by this opportunity and confident that our capabilities in both baseball contract negotiations and best in class sports marketing will greatly assist Edwin in achieving his goals throughout his career,” Genske said in an e-mail. Boras did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Fox Sports first reported the agent switch over the weekend, citing unnamed sources. Jackson selected TLA agents Genske, BRIAN PETERS and SCOTT PARKER after meeting with other agents, sources said (Liz Mullen, SportsBusiness Journal).
AWARD-WINNING: ESPN college basketball analyst BOB KNIGHT will be inducted into the Ohio State Athletics HOF (CLEVELAND.com, 7/20)....ESPN "COLLEGE GAMEDAY" analyst LEE CORSO was the guest of honor as he received the AutoZone Liberty Bowl's 41st annual Distinguished Citizen Award at a dinner in Memphis last night (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 7/23)....Browns President MIKE HOLMGREN was inducted into the Packers HOF Saturday at the Lambeau Field Atrium (PACKERSNEWS.com, 7/22).
BOOKSHELF: ESPN.com's Roger Bennett noted The Guardian soccer writer DAVID CONN in his new book, "RICHER THAN GOD: MANCHESTER CITY, MODERN FOOTBALL AND GROWING UP," captures the EPL club's "journey from its 1968 championship victory through decades of suffering" to its "startling last-minute title victory on the final day" of the '11-12 season. Bennett wrote, "Expertly intertwining economics, history, soccer and memoir, Conn explores the evolution of English soccer in the Premier League era" (ESPN.com, 7/19).
NAMES: The Salvation Army, the charity sponsoring Super Bowl XLV's major legacy project in Arlington, Texas, has "finally approved plans for Arlington's Youth Education Town." The nearly $2M expansion of the Salvation Army's community center "could start construction in the next couple of months and potentially open" by spring '13 (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 7/23)....Syndicated radio host DAN PATRICK will appear in the film "GROWN UPS 2" dressed as Basketball HOFer LARRY BIRD (THEBIGLEAD.com, 7/20)....Film dir RON HOWARD will drive the pace car at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crown Royal presents the Brickyard 400 on Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (AP, 7/20)....CHRISTINE MARA, daughter of NFL Giants President & CEO JOHN MARA, married CHRISTOPHER WARD on Friday. Christine Mara is a kindergarten teacher at the Dalton School in N.Y. (N.Y. TIMES, 7/22).
Olympics
Organizers, U.K. Media Turn Attention To Games Week, Adopt Positive Attitude
IOC's Rogge: Great Britain's Enthusiasm Will Make London Games A Success
Comcast's Olympics Authentication Process Showing Signs Of Success
Twitter Partners With NBCU For London Games In Hopes Of Expanding Audience
Colangelo Says Basketball Will Shift Global Showcase To World Cup-Style Format
Octagon Looking To Find Corporate Partners That Will Focus On Phelps' "Broader Goals"
Olympic Notes
Marketing and Sponsorship
Media
ESPN's British Open Final Round Overnight Up 27% Over Last Two Years
ESPN's Use Of Chris Fowler To Discuss Penn State Penalties Seen As Upgrade Over Millen
"Paterno" Book Publisher Revamps Release Plans Amid Penn State Scandal
NCTC Signs Deal With Pac-12 To Be First Carrier Of Conference's New Network
CFL Hopes TV Deal With NBC Sports Net Increases League's U.S. Exposure
MLBAM Reaches 5 Million Downloads For Latest Version Of At Bat Mobile App
Time Inc. Sports Group President Mark Ford Talks About SI's Latest TV Venture