N.Y. prosecutors on Wednesday "dropped assault charges brought against" former MLS FC Dallas President & CEO DOUG QUINN in November, when police said that Quinn "hit and tried to choke his wife, ELIZABETH, in a hotel room following his 50th birthday party." A protective order "barring Quinn from contacting his wife was also lifted following the motion to dismiss." Quinn resigned from his position in February (DALLASNEWS.com, 6/19). Quinn said, "I feel good. It's nice to know that the investigation proved what really happened." Elizabeth "was not in attendance" (NYDAILYNEWS.com, 6/19).
WILD CAT: In Tucson, Greg Hansen writes Univ. of Arizona AD GREG BYRNE has "undeniably become a player on the national stage," and in turn, the school is viewed as an "on-the-rise franchise." But the school's women's soccer, women's basketball, men's golf and men's tennis programs "are in notable distress." Hansen: "Can you imagine where the UA would be had Byrne not been willing to leave Mississippi State and reshape the perception and financial health of Arizona in the spring of 2010?" (ARIZONA DAILY STAR, 6/21).
LION'S SHARE: Penn State football coach BILL O'BRIEN has a "restructured, or amended, contract, one that shortens his commitment" to the school and earns him a pay raise of nearly $1M, which puts him at $1.93M for the '13 year beginning next month. If O'Brien were to go to "another college, he would have to pay an additional" $1.35M -- $1M for radio, TV and public appearances and $350,000 for the shoe and apparel deal with Nike -- "for every year of the contract" (PENNLIVE.com, 6/20).
JERSEY BOY: In New Jersey, Tara Sullivan notes late actor and Rutgers alum JAMES GANDOLFINI will "forever be honored for his loyalty to" the school's football team. Gandolfini "made Rutgers cool to root for." Buccaneers and former Rutgers coach GREG SCHIANO said, "He was a great supporter of Rutgers football long before it was fashionable to be so." Sullivan notes one of the "most memorable events in Rutgers history," is a 30-second spot in which Gandolfini "ends up playing second fiddle to Schiano in the popularity department" (Bergen RECORD, 6/21).
NAMES: NBC's AL MICHAELS has been named the winner of the Pro Football HOF's Pete Rozelle Radio & Television Award. He will be honored Aug. 2 during HOF induction weekend (Pro Football HOF)....SandRidge Energy's BOD on Wednesday said that it removed Thunder investor TOM WARD as CEO. Ward will "receive a severance package consisting of cash and stock valued at more than" $90M (REUTERS, 6/19)....A lawsuit against boxer FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. and two bodyguards "involved in a roller skating rink shooting in August 2009 has been wiped clean." Court documents show that the only cost to Mayweather will be "paying his lawyers" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 6/21)....Former NFLer JEROME BETTIS has "bought three Papa John's Pizza outlets in Pittsburgh." The chain is promoting Bettis' investment by "offering a 36 percent discount, reflecting his jersey number, to customers who use the promotional code 'PJBUS36' when ordering online from Papa John's in the Pittsburgh and South Bend, Ind., areas" (TRIBLIVE.com, 6/20)....Knicks Owner JAMES DOLAN’s blues band, JD & THE STRAIGHT SHOT, announced that it will “hit the road in July" with THE EAGLES for 11 shows (N.Y. POST, 6/21)….Time Warner Cable Media on Wednesday posthumously honored Lakers Owner Dr. JERRY BUSS at its View from the Top upfront event (TWC Media)….Rapper DRAKE, Panthers QB CAM NEWTON, entertainers LENNY KRAVITZ and GLORIA ESTEFAN attended Thursday night’s Heat-Spurs NBA Finals Game 7 in Miami (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 6/21).
IN MEMORY: FIBA Europe President OLAFUR RAFNSSON died Wednesday at the age of 50. He had served in his role since ’10 and previously was National Olympic Association of Ireland President (FIBA).
