In California, Rebecca Walsh noted former President BILL CLINTON's "new passion for healthy living is influencing the look and feel of the" PGA Tour's Humana Challenge, formerly known as the BOB HOPE Classic, "in subtle and obvious ways." Clinton, through his charitable foundation and partnership with Humana Inc., has an eight-year agreement to sponsor the tourney. At this year's event, there will be "pedometers for everyone, biometrics booths where golf watchers can check their blood pressure, a morning workout" with trainer JILLIAN MICHAELS and a "healthy lunch with celebrity Miami chef LORENA GARCIA." Clinton also is the "driving force behind the 'Heath Matters' conference" slated for Jan. 17 in Indian Wells, Calif. (MYDESERT.com, 1/8). SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Michael Smith takes an extensive look at the relationship between the Clinton Foundation, the PGA Tour and Humana and notes this year's tournament "won't be about advertising, branding and hospitality ... as much as the health and well-being theme for the week." It is the "cause that lured Humana on board as the title sponsor for an event that was dying in the California desert" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 1/9 issue).
FRONT & CENTER: Oracle CEO LARRY ELLISON sat courtside at last night's Heat-Warriors game, "approximately 10 seats down" from Warriors co-Owner JOE LACOB. Ellison previously had been to Oracle Arena "just two times" for Warriors games (CSNBAYAREA.com, 1/11)....Those with season ticket floor seats for Bulls games at United Center include: former White House Senior Advisor DAVID AXELROD; Yankees and Bulls stakeholder LESTER CROWN; actor DAVID ORTH; and Bears DE JULIUS PEPPERS (CHICAGOBUSINESS.com, 1/9).
NAMES: Actor WILMER VALDERRAMA will guest star in comedian CHELSEA HANDLER's new sitcom, "ARE YOU THERE CHELESA?" as a Yankees player who "dates Chelsea, enraging her Red Sox-lovin' family." Handler's father in the show is played by Red Sox fan LENNY CLARKE, who said Valderrama "really plays up the Yankees thing. It was even crazier, but MLB made us pull back a little." Clarke said that there was "even a scene with show producer -- and Sox owner -- TOM WERNER, but the League cut that, too" (BOSTONHERALD.com, 1/11)....Florida federal court papers indicate that Ravens WR ANQUAN BOLDIN reached a settlement after his former agent, DARRELL EUGENE WILLS, "failed to pay back a $170,000 loan that the player gave him to start a sports business." The case "was complicated" after Wills declared bankruptcy, claiming he owed creditors, including Boldin, more than $1M (Baltimore SUN, 1/11)....The Wild, FS North and Wells Fargo will host an all-day telethon as part of Hockey Day Minnesota, an annual event that this year is dedicated to raising money for the JACK JABLONSKI Fund. Jablonski, 16, suffered a paralyzing injury during a hockey game last month (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 1/11).
BEST WISHES: Barrington, Ill., authorities said that former Big Ten Commissioner R. WAYNE DUKE was hospitalized yesterday “after a three-car accident in Barrington that also injured an 8-year-old girl.” Duke was listed in “serious condition at Good Shepherd Hospital,” and police said that charges “are pending in the crash” (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 1/11).
IN MEMORY: Former Blues GM RON CARON passed away yesterday, and the GLOBE & MAIL’s David Shoalts wrote, “They called him The Professor for his hockey intellect and amazing knowledge of baseball, Caron’s second great passion, but it was his temper that forged his legend” (GLOBEANDMAIL.com, 1/10).
