BLACK ENTERPRISE's Eric Smith profiles MAGIC JOHNSON
business ventures and writes properties of Johnson
Development Corp. had $25.4M in gross sales in '98. Smith
writes that "so far, most projects (a short-lived late night
talk show aside) have responded favorably to his magic
touch," but questions if Johnson is "in danger of extending
his business too far, too fast?" (BLACK ENTERPRISE, 5/99
issue)....WAYNE GRETZKY and JOHN ELWAY have committed to
competing in NBC's American Century Celebrity Golf
Championship in Lake Tahoe, NV (NBC). ...Phillies P CURT
SCHILLING will appear during the "Top Ten" segment of
tonight's "Late Show" with DAVID LETTERMAN (West Chester
(PA) DAILY LOCAL, 5/13)....76ers G ALLEN IVERSON, on his
image: "People say he wants to wear cornrows, and it's
supposed to be some thug image. It's not about that. I
guess I am hip-hop, but I'd rather be like that right now.
I'm 23. Maybe when I get 24, I'll want to change" (ORLANDO
SENTINEL, 5/14)...."Tonight Show" band leader KEVIN EUBANKS
wore a 76ers road jersey with the No. 1 during last night's
broadcast. Eubanks will play the national anthem at
Saturday's Magic-Sixers playoff game (NBC, 5/13)....KEITH
OLBERMANN and ABC's "SPORTS NIGHT" Producer AARON SORKIN
interview each other in the current ESQUIRE. Olbermann:
"I'm just guessing here, but because of the ESPN-Fox Sports
News, ABC-Fox, Disney-Murdoch thing, I would guess that a
cameo appearance by me on 'Sports Night' is out of the
question." Sorkin: "Uh. It's not. Uh, anytime you want to
be on the show. Actually, I'm not kidding. I'd love it.
You'd be great, even though it'll kill ABC to do it"
(ESQUIRE, 6/99)....Former Nike VP/Global Marketing LIZ DOLAN
will "join her four sisters in launching" a women's radio
talk show called "Satellite Sisters," which will begin
airing this fall on N.Y. public radio. Dolan has "had talks
about licensing" the show with OXYGEN MEDIA (WALL STREET
JOURNAL, 5/14)....Bulls/White Sox Chair JERRY REINSDORF will
discuss the "business of baseball" at the Chicago Legal
Clinic's Awards Dinner Friday in Chicago (SUN-TIMES, 5/14).
