Names In The News

Mets 3B DAVID WRIGHT was “concerned enough about the future of his agents that he consulted both of his representatives and the union about baseball's investigation into whether SETH and SAM LEVINSON helped procure performance-enhancing drugs for players,” according to Thompson, Martino, Madden & O’Keeffe of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. MLBPA officials have “advised clients of the Levinsons not to panic and jump ship.” Wright said that he is “sticking with the Levinsons -- at least for now.” Wright: "I have known these guys since I was 18. The only thing I have to go off of is the way they have represented me the last 12 years (and) the integrity that I have seen firsthand that they have for the game.” The investigation, conducted by both MLB and the union, has “intensified recently." One source said officials "hope to wrap it up before the end of the season, possibly to avoid issues with players who are facing free agency” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/13).

CHARITY STRIPE: For 27 days beginning tomorrow through Oct. 10, participating merchants and restaurants in Ellicott City, Md., will offer themed specials featuring Ravens RB RAY RICE’s No. 27 jersey. Twenty-seven percent of those sales “will be donated to benefit community recovery efforts” from a train derailment last month (BALTIMORESUN.com, 9/12)….Citi yesterday announced a $500,000 donation to the USOC to be allocated to sport programs across the country (Citi).

NAMES: Golf HOFer ARNOLD PALMER yesterday “accepted the Congressional Gold Medal, becoming just the sixth sportsman to receive the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress.” Palmer said, “I'm particularly proud of anything that the House and Senate agree on” (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 9/13)….Basketball HOFer OSCAR ROBERTSON “faces a foreclosure” on his chemical company’s Fairfield, Ohio, HQs for “nearly $200,000 in back property taxes and interest.” He and his wife “personally owe more than” $2.4M to two banks for loans on the building (CINCINNATI.com, 9/13)….NASCAR driver DALE EARNHARDT JR. said a National Enquirer report that he is getting married is “totally false.” The tabloid reported Earnhardt is “expected to marry girlfriend AMY REIMANN by the end of the year” (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 9/12)….Bulls G DERRICK ROSE took to Twitter "express his frustration" with the Chicago school teachers strike. Rose tweeted, “I'm sitting here just thinking how sad it is that my city got to go through this. I love my city and everyone in it even my haters.” He added, “I don't like that fact that OUR kids are not in school and that's the only thing we have to SAVE these kids” (ESPNCHICAGO.com, 9/11)….Nets Owner MIKHAIL PROKHOROV is “in talks with two possible buyers" to sell his near $4B stake in Polyus Gold, "Russia’s biggest gold miner by volume” (FINANCIAL TIMES, 9/13).