Wizards C JASON COLLINS is "disputing reports from publishing insiders who say he is shopping a book deal." Officials at three publishing companies yesterday said that they had "been contacted about a planned memoir by Collins." But Collins on his Twitter feed wrote, "I have no current plans to write any books." The publishing officials said that Collins was "working on the book with Sports Illustrated's FRANZ LIDZ, to whom he broke the news that he was gay, and was being represented" by KRISTINE DAHL of Int'l Creative Management. A source said that "at least one publisher turned down the book" after expressing "concern that his story already has been told" (AP, 5/6). Meanwhile, Collins will "headline the Democratic National Committee's annual LGBT gala this month" (NYDAILYNEWS.com, 5/6).
THE MISSING LINK: In Salt Lake City, Aaron Falk notes MLS Real Salt Lake Player Liaison SALVADOR PEREZ, who got his start in "ticket sales and then marketing, has seen his duties transformed this season." Perez' role "balances errands and office work and teaching moments." He helps players and coaches "communicate during training and sits in on team meetings to help translate" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 5/7).
BOOK REPORT: In N.Y., Neil Amdur reviews Tennis HOFer JIMMY CONNORS' autobiography, "The Outsider," and writes Connors has "decided to let the real world into the sanctuary he created" on and off the court. The book is an "engrossing five-setter on clay, with intense exchanges and no tiebreakers." Connors makes "few apologies for his aggressive style and behavior, although he does acknowledge several indiscretions, personal and professional." Connors' voice in the book "can be brash and defiant, far different in tone and temperament from most traditional sports memoirs." He "even rifles a few crisp crosscourt passing shots" at fellow HOFer ANDRE AGASSI. Connors writes Agassi was "never my kind of guy," labeling his substance-over-style turnabout "nothing but an act" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/5).
NAMES: UFC fighter GEORGES ST-PIERRE's book, "The Way of the Fight," landed on the most recent N.Y. Times Best Sellers list for Hardcover Nonfiction books at No. 30 (MMAWEEKLY.com, 5/6)....The NHL Kings and the Kings Care Foundation have raised a franchise-record $1.5M during the '12-13 season (Kings)....UFC fighter RONDA ROUSEY was named one of Business Insider's "50 Women Changing the World." Rousey ranked 42nd on the list. Also named were WNBA Mercury C BRITTNEY GRINER and tennis player SERENA WILLIAMS (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 5/6)....Alabama football coach NICK SABAN has put his 9,600-square-foot property on Lake Burton in Rabun County, Ga., "up for auction." Currently listed for $10.9M, the property will "sell without reserve on June 6" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 5/6).
