Names In The News

Leach's book takes shots at ESPN, analyst Craig James

Former Texas Tech football coach MIKE LEACH Wednesday appeared on KRLD-FM in Dallas to discuss his new book, "SWING YOUR SWORD," which details his firing from the school. Leach's treatment of former WR ADAM JAMES was at the center of his firing, and Leach said James' father, ESPN college football analyst CRAIG JAMES, "hired a PR firm" that "funneled a bunch of false information to ESPN." Leach: "Then the chancellor at Tech utilized the same PR firm to smear me nationally in order to try and take my contract. Craig James was upset and bitter about how much playing time his son had and I think he knew I was going to cut him after the bowl game. And their documents outline their strategy to smear me nationally, their strategy to try to get witnesses to change their statements and then their strategy to distribute the false video that Adam James took on his phone" (SPORTSRADIOINTERVIEWS.com, 7/13). Meanwhile, ESPN's BRUCE FELDMAN has been suspended over his involvement with the book.

ENTERTAINMENT BEAT: NFL Cardinals DE CALAIS CAMPBELL recently was in Miami for the American Black Film Festival because he "has interest in working in television and movies, possibly as a comedy writer." Campbell said, "It was going through different movies, monologues, taking lessons on how to act" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 7/15)....MLS Galaxy MF DAVID BECKHAM is interviewed on the season premiere of Disney Channel's "TAKE TWO WITH PHINEAS AND FERB," which debuts July 23 at 9:30am ET (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 7/14)....Mavericks Owner MARK CUBAN will appear on the ABC reality show "SHARK TANK" during 10 of the show's 13 season three episodes (EW.com, 7/14).

CHARITY STRIPE: The Grizzlies, the Eagles and EPL clubs Manchester City and Liverpool have been nominated for the Beyond Sport Awards' Sport Team of the Year award for their charitable endeavors. The winner will be announced at the Dec. 5-8 Beyond Sport Summit & Awards in Cape Town, South Africa (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 7/15)....NBA Kings Owner the Maloof family is "paying $25,000 to be the sole 'major sponsor'" for the Anaheim-based Eli Home for Abused Children's annual Caribbean Night fundraiser. GEORGE MALOOF is scheduled to attend the event, which will take place Saturday at the Anaheim Hilton (OCREGISTER.com, 7/14)....Jets QB MARK SANCHEZ has teamed up with Sam’s Club to tackle prevalent health issues for its ’11 Giving Made Simple campaign. Sanchez will help raise awareness for issues such as childhood obesity and access to prevention programs (Sam’s Club).

NAMES: Heat G DWYANE WADE’s upcoming trip to China “will be about more than sightseeing and promoting his” Jordan Brand affiliation. Wade said, “I told [Jordan Brand] I wanted to go to see where the magic happens, where the sneakers are made, the people that make the sneakers” (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 7/15)….Former NBAer and Oregon gubernatorial candidate CHRIS DUDLEY on Thursday said that he “won’t run” for the seat in Congress currently held by U.S. Rep. KURT SCHRADER (D-Ore.) (Portland OREGONIAN, 7/15).