In Houston, John McClain reported former U.S. Secretary of State JAMES BAKER has “been told by the NFL he can’t participate in the city’s presentation" for Super Bowl LI in ’17 to NFL owners next month in Boston. Baker said that he was told he “couldn’t participate because he’s a ‘celebrity.’” Baker, who also served as U.S. Treasury Secretary, will “work behind the scenes to help Houston’s bid” (CHRON.com, 4/15).
FEDERAL PROBE: In Cleveland, Robert Smith reports federal agents in Knoxville “descended on” the HQs of Pilot Flying J, the family business of company CEO and Browns Owner JIMMY HASLAM III. The FBI said the move was part of an “ongoing investigation.” Haslam said, “We will cooperate appropriately with any and all external investigations and conduct our own. I believe and trust there has been no wrongdoing” (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 4/16).
COURT REPORT: In Boston, Jay Fitzgerald reports a move by the sons of Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT “to modify a three-decades-old family trust may have a far-reaching tax impact on thousands of other trusts across the state.” The case before the state Supreme Judicial Court is “considered to be narrow in scope and somewhat routine on its own.” Kraft trustee and Boston Financial Management Founder RICHARD MORSE and the four adult Kraft sons are “seeking to move the assets of a trust established by their parents in 1982 into a new trust that would give them more direct and individual control over assets.” No details were “provided about the value of the original Kraft trust or its assets -- including whether the assets include a stake in the Kraft Group, the company that controls” the Patriots and MLS Revolution (BOSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL, 4/12 issue).
QUEEN OF SOUTH BEACH: Heat F LEBRON JAMES' fiancée SAVANNAH BRINSON is "starting to step more into the public eye now, with hopes that whatever level of celebrity she has can be a tool to help children who need some assistance." Her first step in that endeavor "was helping to provide prom dresses for about 100 underprivileged girls in her current home of Miami and her hometown of Akron, Ohio, doing so at a pair of events in recent days." Since James came to Miami in July '10, Brinson has "largely shunned the spotlight," but James has "encouraged her to be as visible as she wants." So in "recent weeks, very quietly, she's starting to step out" (AP, 4/15).
NAMES: Patriots WR DANNY AMENDOLA today pledged “to donate $100 for each reception he makes next season to a Boston Marathon Relief Fund,” as well as “$200 for each pass he drops” (MASSLIVE.com, 4/16)….American Mint signed a licensing agreement with IMG to create a product line with NASCAR HOFer RICHARD PETTY’s name and image (IMG)….Maryland State Police “spent more than $5,600 on Gov. MARTIN O’MALLEY’s security” during his trip to New Orleans for Super Bowl XLVII in February. The city of Baltimore “also spent more than $5,000 on Mayor STEPHANIE RAWLINGS-BLAKE’s security during the event” (BALTIMORESUN.com, 4/15)….Titans TE DELANIE WALKER is “pledging his support for stricter laws for convicted drunk drivers.” He sent a letter to lawmakers in Tennessee urging them to pass a bill which would “require convicted drunk drivers to use an ignition interlock device” (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 4/14)….CBS NFL analysts PHIL SIMMS and BOOMER ESIASON “shared the stage to honor" 16W Marketing Founder STEVE ROSNER at the CJ Foundation for SIDS "Excellence In Giving" evening. Also in the crowd were Fox NFL analyst HOWIE LONG, former NFLer BEASLEY REECE and NFL Giants announcer BOB PAPA (N.Y. POST, 4/14).
