In N.Y., Mitchell Fink writes that in the October issue
of Playboy, NBC's BOB COSTAS "goes after" JOHN TESH for his
"overly dramatic coverage" of gymnastics events in the '96
Olympics. Costas, on Tesh: "I think most reasonable people
would say that, at times, the gymnastics coverage was beyond
parody. He's a talented guy. But, oh man, those
gymnastics" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/24)....At Pro Player Stadium
last night, 52,000 paid tribute to former Dolphins QB DAN
MARINO. Marino: "Having a chance to be here tonight to see
this is very special. It's overwhelming" (MIAMI HERALD,
8/24). In Palm Beach, Mark Woods writes that Marino "blew
kisses and mouthed the words 'thank you'" to the fans, who
had bought the $2 tickets "in a matter of days" (PALM BEACH
POST, 8/24)....Actor RON SILVER "will step onto the tennis
court to play" former tennis player BOBBY RIGGS in the ABC
mini-series, "BATTLE OF THE SEXES." Silver will face HOLLY
HUNTER in the "dramatization of the famous" match between
Riggs and BILLIE JEAN KING in '73 (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER,
8/24)....The FINANCIAL POST's Sean Silcoff cites sources as
saying that Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Chair STEVE
STAVRO -- who owns grocery store chain Knob Hill Farms --
"is talking to potential buyers of some or all of" Knob Hill
Farms' real estate (FINANCIAL POST, 8/24).
