Florida Sen. RON GAETZ on Friday "slammed the political tactics" employed by Dolphins Owner STEPHEN ROSS, saying that he "committed a major fumble by moving to retaliate against members of the Florida House of Representatives who opposed Ross' attempt to get taxpayer subsidies for renovations" to Sun Life Stadium. Gaetz said that Ross' "threats will make it harder for him to get what he wants from Tallahassee." Gaetz said it "gains him no friends in the Florida Senate." Gaetz: "That's not the way to get things done. We work together to find solutions and solve problems. We don't make public policy under threat" (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 7/12).
PROTECTING THE BRAND: The Pro Football HOF last week "removed a photo" of former Patriots TE AARON HERNANDEZ from a display "after several visitors complained about its presence." HOF VP/Communications & Exhibits JOE HORRIGAN said, "In the spirit of good taste we thought we'd take it down" (CLEVELAND.com, 7/13).
NAMES: Author JERRY OPPENHEIMER's new book, “CRAZY RICH: POWER, SCANDAL AND TRAGEDY INSIDE THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON DYNASTY," set for publish next month, claims that NFL Jets Owner WOODY JOHNSON was “nearly paralyzed for life after drunkenly falling off a bridge while urinating during his wild college years.” The book indicates that Johnson’s "'low-key and mild-mannered persona’ was preceded by wilder times” (N.Y. POST, 7/15)....MLB Cardinals RF CARLOS BELTRAN, a former Mets player, will host an MLB All-Star Game party at Sofrito in N.Y. (N.Y. POST, 7/14)....Tennis player MARIA SHARAPOVA announced Saturday that Tennis HOFer JIMMY CONNORS will replace THOMAS HOGSTEDT as her coach (LATIMES.com, 7/13)....Maryland Racing Commission Exec Dir MIKE HOPKINS last Wednesday was “injured in a motorcycle accident.” He has undergone two surgeries and said that he “suffered a broken clavicle, five broken ribs and a broken pelvis” (Baltimore SUN, 7/13).
