Names In The News

Shares of SIX FLAGS rose nearly 25% yesterday after reports of Redskins Owner DANIEL SNYDER buying an 8.8% stake in the company. Snyder paid more than $34M for 8.15 million shares. Microsoft Founder and Six Flags shareholder BILL GATES is “pressuring the company to reverse its financial losses” (WASHINGTON TIMES, 9/1).

STANDING OUT IN A CROWD: Last night’s edition of HBO’s “REAL SPORTS” profiled motocross rider JAMES “BUBBA” STEWART JR., the only African-American competitor in the series. HBO’s JAMES BROWN: “In three years as a pro, the 18-year-old has rewritten the sport’s record books and mesmerized fans. His reward: an estimated $4[M] in endorsements and winnings this past year and growing fame outside the sport.” Stewart, on being named one of SI’s “101 Most Influential Minorities in Sports”: “When I look at stuff like that, it actually feels like I’m doing something for my sport.” Stewart added, “I would love to be the first African-American to do well in IndyCar or NASCAR” (“Real Sports,” HBO, 8/31).

McEnroe Just One Of The Stars At USA’s U.S. Open Party

NAMES: NFL Cardinals WR ANQUAN BOLDIN yesterday hired DREW ROSENHAUS as his agent, replacing KEN SARNOFF. Boldin signed with Sarnoff after his rookie season, when his first agent, DARRELL WILLS, was decertified after breaking from IMG and “attempting to take clients with him” (EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE, 9/1)....WEEI-AM, the Red Sox and NESN raised more than $1.5M during the 3rd Annual WEEI JIMMY FUND RADIOTHON on August 27. Proceeds will benefit the DANA FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE (THE DAILY)....USA NETWORK hosted its U.S. Open party Monday at the ACES restaurant in Arthur Ashe Stadium. JOAN LUNDEN, JOHN MCENROE, ANTHONY MICHAEL HALL, STEPHEN BALDWIN, MAGGIE RIZER, ELISABETH ROHM and OKSANA BAIUL were among the guests (N.Y. POST, 9/1).