Names In The News

Former boxer GEORGE FOREMAN and his sons, GEORGE JR. and GEORGE III, have joined the ownership group of the IRL Panther Racing team. The Foremans will not have an active role in the team, which is controlled by JOHN BARNES (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 5/23).

Ohno And Dance Partner Julianne Hough Win This Season’s “Dancing With The Stars”

DANCE FEVER: Olympic Gold Medal-winning speedskater APOLO ANTON OHNO last night became the second-straight pro athlete to win ABC’s “DANCING WITH THE STARS.” Boxer LAILA ALI finished third (THE DAILY). Ohno, Ali and second-place finisher JOEY FATONE appeared on ABC’s “GMA” this morning, where they performed some of their favorite dances from the show. Anchors Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts presented Ohno, who turned 25 yesterday, with a birthday cake, and he also served as a celebrity judge for GMA’s “Dancing With The Moms” contest. Ali said, “It was just a lot of fun for me being on the show to step outside the ring and do something glamorous, where I could actually be a lady” (“GMA,” ABC, 5/23). Ali also pens this week’s “Turning Points” in NEWSWEEK, where she writes, “I knew the millions of viewers watching would see a different side of me. ... I’ve been offered a lot of things to do to help me transition from boxing: movies, modeling, etc” (NEWSWEEK, 5/28 issue).

NAMES: Sporting News named Predators Exec VP/Hockey Operations & GM DAVID POILE its exec of the year (Sporting News)....ABC’s Mike von Fremd reported that when new Texans RB AHMAN GREEN offered to compensate CB JASON SIMMONS for his No. 30 uniform, Simmons suggested Green make a down payment on a house for a Houston family in need instead. Green accepted the deal. von Fremd: “At a time when the NFL is disciplining players for outrageous behavior, Green and Simmons seem to have set an inspiring example” (“World News Tonight,” ABC, 5/22)....CARLA GUGINO and DAVID BOREANAZ will star in “OUR LADY OF VICTORY,” a basketball drama directed by TIM CHAMBERS. WHITNEY SPRINGER will produce the film and former 76ers Owner PAT CROCE will be exec producer. Set in ’72, the movie tells the true story of CATHY RUSH, the coach at a small girls’ college who leads the team to its first national championship in women’s basketball (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 5/23).