The FINANCIAL TIMES' Wilson & Blitz report F1 CEO BERNIE ECCLESTONE’s future “could soon be decided after German prosecutors said they had completed their investigations into bribery allegations against him and would reveal their conclusions imminently.” Ecclestone will “know in the next few weeks” whether the prosecutors “intend to pursue charges over allegations that he bribed a banker in connection with the sale of the sport to investors eight years ago.” German media reported over the weekend that “charges were being prepared” against Ecclestone. Private equity group CVC, which holds commercial rights to F1, is “expected to bring forward succession plans” if charges are brought (FINANCIAL TIMES, 5/14).
FAMILY MATTERS: In L.A., Mark Medina notes JOE and PAMELA BRYANT, parents of Lakers G KOBE BRYANT, yesterday filed statements in a N.J. federal court suggesting their son has “lied during his recent efforts" to stop Pamela Bryant from giving a N.J. auction house more than 100 pieces of his basketball memorabilia. Pamela Bryant “rejected Kobe Bryant’s account of a May 2 phone conversation, in which she allegedly agreed that he had never told her she could have his belongings" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 5/14).
COMING SOON Actor WYATT RUSSELL will play Hockey HOFer BOBBY ORR in the film “TURK,” the story of former NHLer DEREK SANDERSON. Russell is the son of actors KURT RUSSELL and GOLDIE HAWN. Other cast members include LOGAN MARSHALL-GREEN and ED BURNS (BOSTON HERALD, 5/14).
NAMES: The Univ. of Tennessee “plans to unveil a statue” of women's basketball coach emeritus PAT SUMMITT “as early as this fall." UT AD DAVE HART said that the timing of the project is “still uncertain, but he hopes it can be completed soon” (Knoxville NEWS-SENTINEL, 5/14)....Mississippi State Univ. alumna and Dodgers Senior VP/Planning & Development JANET MARIE SMITH was the commencement speaker at the school’s spring graduations last weekend (Columbus COMMERCIAL DISPATCH, 5/10)….Ravens RB RAY RICE on Saturday hosted the second annual Ray Rice Day at Calvert Hall in Baltimore. The event featured a free football clinic open to kids ages 7-13. Rice, along with teammates WR TORREY SMITH and LB ADRIAN HAMILTON, “ran kids through drills and taught football fundamentals” (BALTIMORESUN.com, 5/11)....Patriots TE ROB GRONKOWSKI and ESPN's MATT LIGHT “tried their hand at bartending Monday in a benefit for The One Fund at Strega Waterfront” in Boston (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/14)....Golfer CHARLES RAULERSON last month purchased the Golf Club of Fleming Island in Florida from Landscapes Unlimited for $2.5M (JACKSONVILLE.com, 5/12)....NASCAR driver JEFF GORDON listed his N.Y. condo for $30M (N.Y. TIMES, 5/13)....Heat F CHRIS BOSH and his wife, ADRIENNE, announced that their second child is “due in February” (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 5/13).
