Nike yesterday announced that it "supports the Freedom to Marry and Religious Protection Initiative in Oregon, and that the company has created the Nike Equality PAC, a foundation to raise money in support of marriage equality." The PAC "begins with $280,000: A $100,000 contribution from Nike and another $180,000" from Nike execs. Nike Equality PAC "will work with Oregon United for Marriage ... on how best to support the initiative and spend PAC money." Nike Global Government & Public Affairs Senior Dir JULIA BRIM-EDWARDS will be the PAC's director and will provide "oversight for the funds" (Portland OREGONIAN, 11/20).
CHARITY STRIPE: Seven active and alumni Bears players yesterday visited Coal City, Ill., and Diamond, Ill., to "help the Red Cross' relief efforts and raise awareness following the EF-2 tornado touchdown" on Sunday. Bears fan LENNY FRIDDLE said, "It makes you feel good that somebody of their caliber can come down and take time out of their schedule to help us" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/20)....Members of the Cowboys yesterday served a Thanksgiving Day meal in Ft. Worth at the Salvation Army (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 11/20).
NAMES: Actors JIMMY FALLON and TRACY MORGAN were in attendance on Saturday at actor DENIS LEARY and Bruins President CAM NEELY's 19th annual Comics Come Home event, which benefits the Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Care (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/18)....Canucks Owner the AQUILINI family was ranked 13th on Vancouver Magazine's "Power 50 2013" list (VANCOUVER MAGAZINE, 11/19 issue)....Harness Horsemen Int’l named the Bergen Record’s JOHN BRENNAN the winner of the ’13 Clyde Hirt Media Award (NORTHJERSEY.com, 11/19)….Fordham Prep high school in the Bronx renamed its basketball court the Donnie Walsh Court in honor of Pacers President of Basketball Operations DONNIE WALSH, who graduated from the school (ESPN.com, 11/19)….The ’14 Special Olympics USA Games named New Jersey Gov. CHRIS CHRISTIE Honorary Chair (Special Olympics)….49ers S DONTE WHITNER “withdrew his application to drop the ‘W’ from his surname” (MERCURYNEWS.com, 11/19)….Lakers F PAU GASOL in his new book called “LIFE • VIDA” “reveals intimate details of his life, one that extends far beyond the basketball court” (OCREGISTER.com, 11/19)….Former NFLer BO JACKSON is “scheduled to light the AL DAVIS ceremonial torch” before the Titans-Raiders game on Sunday (MERCURYNEWS.com, 11/19)….Trail Blazers and Seahawks Owner PAUL ALLEN paid $27M for a 22,000-square-foot mansion in Atherton, Calif. (BIZJOURNALS.com, 11/19).
