In N.Y., Viv Bernstein noted members of the WTA's "Original Nine," a group of women who “defied the tennis establishment in 1970 and started their own tour,” met almost 42 years later on Friday night and were “honored as part of the 40th anniversary” of the WTA Tour Family Circle Cup, the longest-running tournament on the women’s tour. It was the “first time all nine -- BILLIE JEAN KING, ROSIE CASALS, PEACHES BARTKOWICZ, JULIE HELDMAN, KERRY MELVILLE REID, KRISTY PIGEON, NANCY RICHEY, VALERIE ZIEGENFUSS and [JUDY TEGART] DALTON -- had been together since 1986.” Richey said of events before the group made its stand, “There was a tournament that, say, had $10,000 for the men and $1,500 for the women. You’re talking about a huge disparity.” Bernstein noted tournament purses this year on the women’s tour “will total $96 million” (N.Y. TIMES, 4/8).
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Elway has been praised by people inside Broncos
organization for not having any ego |
THE ELWAY WAY: ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson profiled Broncos Exec VP/Football Operations
JOHN ELWAY and noted some of his friends said that Elway's “new role has filled a void in his life and given him a chance to compete, something he dearly missed.” When he was hired in Denver last year, Elway “joked that he had played enough golf in his retired life.” Broncos President
JOE ELLIS said, “I think people underestimated how hungry John was and his love for the Broncos. He’s been waiting to do this. He brings a deep skill set, including a willingness to roll up his sleeves and work hard. … He has a terrific, deep base of football knowledge and he commands strong business skills. He is perfect for the big picture of our organization.” Elway has been “praised by people inside the organization for not having any ego and for his willingness to learn on the job.” A team employee said, “He knows what he doesn’t know.” Agents around the league have been “impressed with Elway’s professionalism and knowledge of players and contract situations,” and have found him “easy to deal with” (
ESPN.com, 4/6).
COURT REPORT: In Minnesota, Jim Hammerand notes U.S. District Court Judge GARY FEINERMAN has “thrown out a trademark lawsuit" filed by Bobcats Owner MICHAEL JORDAN against Supervalu Inc., "ruling that an advertisement congratulating” Jordan on his HOF inclusion was noncommercial speech protected under the First Amendment. Jordan demanded damages of at least $5M, arguing that the ad’s “unauthorized use of his name and number in conjunction” with a Supervalu subsidiary’s logo and slogan “diminished his endorsement earning power.” Jordan will appeal the ruling (MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL BUSINESS JOURNAL, 4/6 issue).
WEDDING BELLS: Red Sox GM BEN CHERINGTON married Goldklang Group marketing exec TYLER TUMMINIA on Friday in N.Y. It remains unclear if Tumminia, who “currently lives in New York, will be moving to Boston.” Cherington was previously married to ESPN’s WENDI NIX (BOSTON GLOBE 4/10)….NFL Network’s JEFF DARLINGTON was married on Saturday (SI.com, 4/8).
NAMES: Former NBAer and Oregon gubernatorial candidate CHRIS DUDLEY on Saturday said that he and his family “will soon leave Oregon and move to the San Diego area.” Dudley 18 months ago lost a “close race” for governor. He said that his wife, CHRIS, has “a business opportunity in Southern California, which he declined to name, that he wants her to be able to pursue.” He also said that the move “comes after he decided not to run for office again” (Portland OREGONIAN, 4/8)….Holy Candy, a horse part-owned by Saints QB DREW BREES, was scratched Saturday from the Santa Anita Derby and will run in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland in Lexington next Saturday (L.A. TIMES, 4/7)….Thunder F KEVIN DURANT is “preparing to open a restaurant in Lower Bricktown, just a short walk from the Chesapeake Energy Arena.” The restaurant is “being developed by RANDY HOGAN and will be operated by the Hall Smith Restaurant Group.” Durant said that the concept “is a mix between an upscale restaurant and sports bar” (NEWSOK.com, 4/6)….Yankees 3B ALEX RODRIGUEZ is “being approached to play a drag queen in an upcoming indie movie” on SALVADOR DALI called “THE SURREALIST,” starring ALAN CUMMING (N.Y. POST, 4/10)….Dodgers Team Travel Advisor BILL DELURY is “one of only two current Dodgers employees who has been with the team since it moved” to L.A. in ’58, was profiled by the L.A. DAILY NEWS. DeLury works “primarily as a behind-the-scenes assistant” to announcer VIN SCULLY and the Dodgers broadcast crew (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 4/10)....A celebrity pro-am following The Masters has been “a perennial success in its 10 years” at Barefoot Resort’s Dye Club in Myrtle Beach. The Hootie & The Blowfish Monday After The Masters host DARIUS RUCKER said, “It’s really amazing 18 years later that we’re still doing this.” Fund-raising figures “aren’t in yet for this year, but organizers said the 2011 tournament and affiliated events raised $350,000 for MAM charities” (Myrtle Beach SUN NEWS, 4/10).
