SARAH THOMAS is "in position to become the first female official in the NFL." Thomas said, "I didn't set out to be the first or a pioneer, but I will embrace it, if that does happen." Thomas worked Saints practice Thursday and Friday and will participate in the team's Saturday scrimmage "as part of the NFL's Officiating Development Program." She is a finalist to "get one of the next full-time openings on an NFL crew -- likely in the 2014 season" (FOXSPORTSSOUTHWEST.com, 8/1).
NEED FOR SPEED: U.S. speedskater ALYSON DUDEK is "building an online team to rally behind her as she makes a push" for the '14 Sochi Games. Dudek "started a campaign on the crowd-funding website RallyMe.com to offset training expenses." Other Olympians have "created profiles on sites such as GoFundMe and Indiegogo, seeking online donations." Dudek launched her page last week, and her "goal is to raise $15,000 in 60 days" (JSONLINE.com, 8/1).
NAMES: Wizards G JOHN WALL will donate $1M of his recent five-year, $80M contract to DC-area charities. Wall "hasn't identified the charities yet" (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 8/2)....SMG Exec VP MAUREEN GINTY was named a '13 Woman of Influence by Venues Today (SMG)....An Arizona condominium development in which former NFLer DAVID TREADWELL "invested and later defaulted has ended" in a $6.4M court judgement against him (DENVERPOST.com, 8/1)....Fox NFL analyst MICHAEL STRAHAN has sold his Bel-Air home for $11M "in a one-week all-cash deal" (LATIMES.com, 7/30)....Former MLBer JOHN WETTELAND is selling his Bartonville, Texas home. The 7,000-square-foot residence is listed for $1.49M (REALTOR.com, 7/31).
