AEG Chair PHIL ANSCHUTZ is "preparing to launch cross-country, luxury train tours" to take passengers to Niagara Falls, N.Y., California wine country and national parks across the West. Anschutz owns American Railway Explorer Inc., which "plans to start offering tour packages in summer 2011 aboard 17 luxury train cars running a cross-country route between" DC and L.A. The company is "expected to offer booking this summer for four- to 11-day excursions." Prices reportedly "will range from $900 to $1,500 per passenger each night" (DENVER BUSINESS JOURNAL, 5/21 issue).
MONEY MATTERS: A source said that former Univ. of Oregon AD MIKE BELLOTTI, who received a $3M severance when he resigned, "initially asked the university for $7 million." UO President RICHARD LARIVIERE yesterday confirmed that Bellotti "sought a much larger sum than he eventually received, based largely on the university's history of contract renewals with little more than a handshake" (OREGONLIVE.com, 5/24).
LAW & ORDER: Former NHL Oilers Owner PETER POCKLINGTON "has reached a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office in a bid to avoid prison time, pledging to turn over two of his five Stanley Cup rings, relinquish an array of artwork and pay any U.S. taxes owing." Pocklington "agreed to plead guilty to perjury." The plea bargain "calls for a term of probation, including six months of 'home detention' that could force him to wear an electronic monitor" (GLOBE & MAIL, 5/25)....New York state Supreme Court Justice JANE SOLOMON has ordered Knicks C EDDY CURRY to pay $75,000 a month to Las Vegas-based loan firm Allstar Capital, to which he owes $1.2M. Curry has "insisted that he couldn't make his monthly payments" to the company because of his "already hefty financial obligations" (N.Y. POST, 5/25).
INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE: The Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Fla., "will host almost 500 athletes from 32 nations July 9-11 when the North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association brings" their under 23 track and field championships to the facility. Revenues from gate admissions, grants, sponsorships, athlete entry fees and concession sales are "estimated at $418,000." City leaders are "actively pursuing sponsors for the event" (MIAMI HERALD, 5/25).
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ESPN's Chris Berman Receives Star On
Hollywood Walk Of Fame |
STAR WATCH: ESPN's CHRIS BERMAN yesterday was presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his "30 years of contribution to sports television." Berman "was celebrated by ESPN colleagues and former NFL players, including STEVE YOUNG, NEIL EVERETT, MARCELLUS WILEY, KEYSHAWN JOHNSON, JOHN SAUNDERS and SHELLEY SMITH" (ESPN.com, 5/24). Berman, the 2,409th person to be honored with his own star, said, "I can only hope that the previous 2,408 have had as much fun getting here as I have" (CONTRA COSTA TIMES, 5/25).
NAMES: The Greek America Foundation has named Chargers Exec VP A.G. SPANOS and Dir of College Scouting JOHN SPANOS as two of its Forty Under Four award recipients (CHARGERS.com, 5/21)....Patriots coach BILL BELICHICK, NBC's ANDREA KREMER and ESPN's WENDI NIX are expected to attend the June 4-5 Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port. The annual walk, run and bike ride is chaired by Patriots QB TOM BRADY (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/22)....A new line of handcrafted, limited-production wines from Jack Nicklaus Wines will make its public debut at the June 3-6 PGA Tour Memorial Tournament hosted by JACK NICKLAUS (THE DAILY)....Boxer MANNY PACQUIAO Tuesday in the Philippines filmed scenes for a "soon-to-be-released sitcom, 'SHOW ME THE MANNY'" (FANHOUSE.com, 5/24)....Disney XD has renewed "NEXT X," a reality series featuring pro athletes in BMX and skateboarding "mentoring young aspirants." Skateboarders BUCKY LASEK and RUNE GLIFBERG and BMX pros DANIEL DHERS and GARY YOUNG have "each signed on to mentor a pre-teen prodigy in their sports" (DAILY VARIETY, 5/24)....The USA Hockey National Team Development Program took first place in SharpBrains' first annual "Brain Fitness Innovation Awards" (THE DAILY)....Singer DARIUS RUCKER is scheduled to perform at a pre-race concert and sing the national anthem at the Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 at Daytona Int'l Speedway on July 3 (Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL, 5/25).
