Names In The News

Celebs Walk The Orange  Carpet Prior To "MNF"

Dolphins investors Gloria Estefan, Emilio Estefan and Marc Anthony and singer Jennifer Lopez were among those to "walk the orange carpet" yesterday prior to the team's "MNF" game against the Jets, which was part of the NFL's "Hispanic Heritage Month" celebration. Others in attendance included ESPN/ABC Sports President GEORGE BODENHEIMER, who arrived with Dolphins Owner STEPHEN ROSS; IndyCar drivers RYAN HUNTER-REAY and RAFAEL MATOS; MLB Rangers C IVAN RODRIGUEZ; artist ROMERO BRITTO; and model NAOMI CAMPBELL (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 10/12). Anthony sang the national anthem, Gloria Estefan "sang a special rendition of the 'Monday Night Football' theme song," and the NFL's "first Hispanic referee, ALBERTO RIVERON, called the first penalty in Spanish." PRESIDENT OBAMA "saluted the contributions of Hispanics in football" in a taped message prior to the game (PALM BEACH POST, 10/13). Anthony said of being involved with the team, "There's a kid that's going to see this -- regardless of race, color, religion, creed, regardless -- and I think I epitomize the story of, 'Geez, nothing is impossible'" ("Monday Night Countdown," ESPN, 10/12). 

OWNER'S BOX: In L.A., Helene Elliott writes Capitals Owner TED LEONSIS "pulls no punches," and "since he owns the Capitals, who have become a powerhouse after years of wandering in the NHL wilderness, his honesty and openness carry great weight." Leonsis "publishes his e-mail address and responds to fans' requests," and he "uses Facebook and Twitter to communicate his thoughts, and urges players and staff to do the same." Leonsis, who co-founded AOL, said, "I grew up on the Internet and I don't think you can use the medium at your convenience. I try to pride myself on being transparent and honest, both good and bad. At least you'll know that what you're hearing and seeing from me you can believe" (L.A. TIMES, 10/13).

Forbes Profiles ESPN's Hannah Storm

STORM WATCH: FORBES' Monte Burke profiled ESPN's HANNAH STORM, and wrote thanks "in large part to Storm, female sportscasters are mainstream these days." Storm said that she "reads blogs, like Deadspin and The Big Lead." But she added, "I don't let any of it influence the way I do my job." Burke noted cooking is a "way of relaxing for Storm, and she fits it seamlessly into her life, whipping something up nearly every night of the week" (FORBES.com, 10/9).

NAMES: Ticket scalper WILL ANDERSON recently filed a federal lawsuit, claiming that the city of Seattle, the Mariners and "several off-duty police officers violated his constitutional rights through unreasonable searches and seizures." The suit "accuses police of selective enforcement by targeting scalpers like Anderson 'in order to reduce or eliminate ticket sales competition with the Mariners.'" Anderson estimated that police have "taken 'easily over 100 tickets' off him in the last four years" (SEATTLE TIMES, 10/13)....Actor MATTHEW PERRY in a new comedy series will "play a self-involved manager of a second-rate sports arena who begins to re-evaluate his life on his 40th birthday." The project is "being pitched to networks this week" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 10/13)....Mission Skincare Founder & CMO JOSH SHAW is the subject of N.Y. TIMES’ “Frequent Flier” feature and writes, “Most recently, I was going to Miami to discuss a new product with one of my partners, SERENA WILLIAMS” (N.Y. TIMES, 10/13)….The Eagles yesterday launched their Treating Animals with Kindness (TAWK) initiative by “issuing $50,000 grants to the Humane Society of the United States, the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society, and the Berks County Humane Society” (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 10/13)….Titans LB KEITH BULLUCK last night held his fourth annual wine tasting event, “In Vino Veritas,” at Sambuca Restaurant in Nashville. Proceeds from the event benefited the Keith Bulluck Believe and Achieve Foundation (TENNESSEAN.com, 10/13).