DEADLINE.com's Mike Fleming Jr. reported TriStar Productions has optioned "WHEREVER I WIND UP," the memoir by Blue Jays P R.A. DICKEY "about his unusual life journey." BUZZ BISSINGER "has been set to write the script." TriStar "has made a deal" in which actors BEN MCKENZIE and LOGAN MARSHALL-GREEN "will produce" the film with MICHAEL DE LUCA. Neither McKenzie nor Marshall "is looking to play the pitcher in the feature." Dickey was "already entertaining bids for screen rights to his book when Marshall-Green and McKenzie flew to Nashville to sit with him." Their enthusiasm "prompted the pitcher to entrust them with the rights" (DEADLINE.com, 3/26).
GALLERY VIEWING: Jazz F and part-time artist JEREMY EVANS "is hoping to put a few more" art pieces on display after having his first unveiling two years ago. Evans: "I talked to one of the guys over at the arena maybe two or three days ago. Talking about getting an exhibit up just so I can show some. Hopefully before the end of the season if they’re able to work it out." The fourth-year pro said that he "doesn’t have much time for art during the season, though he occasionally begins to sketch things in his free time." But Evans "has 20 or so pictures -- a mix of styles and subject matter‚ ready to go for a possible exhibit" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 3/27).
COURT REPORT: Former Rutgers basketball players JEROME SEAGEARS and ROBERT LUMPKINS, who claim they "suffered physical, mental and emotional abuse under former coach MIKE RICE filed suit this week seeking damages from the school and its current coach for a litany of alleged misdeeds." Lawyers for the two accuse school officials, "including current basketball coach EDDIE JORDAN, of willful neglect, civil conspiracy and a violation of their own anti-bullying policies." The two are "seeking unspecified damages" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 3/28)....An "extensive federal crackdown that has targeted [a] California state senator also has resulted in multiple charges" against Oakland-based, NFLPA-certified agent MARLON SULLIVAN, who "faces allegations of narcotics and weapons trafficking, and the sale of fraudulent credit cards." Sullivan also is "accused of helping facilitate a murder-for-hire scheme." Sullivan works for The Novo Agency and "briefly represented" NFL Draft prospect MICHAEL SAM in January (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 3/27)....Ravens RB RAY RICE "has been charged with aggravated assault in the February incident in which he is accused of knocking his fiance unconscious in an Atlantic City casino elevator, a more serious charge than he originally faced." Third-degree aggravated assault, a felony, "carries a potential sentence of three to five years in prison." Rice's attorney, MICHAEL DIAMONDSTEIN, said neither Rice nor JANAY PALMER "wishes to go forward with this prosecution." Palmer’s attorney declined to comment (Baltimore SUN, 3/28).
SILVER SCREEN: Starz "has cast its lead roles for new basketball comedy series 'SURVIVOR'S REMORSE,'" whose Exec Producer is Heat F LEBRON JAMES. JESSIE T. USHER has "been cast in the lead role of Cam Calloway." MIKE O'MALLEY "penned the script and will executive produce," alongside Red Sox Chair TOM WERNER, LRMR Management Company's MAVERICK CARTER and Main Street Advisors Chair & CEO PAUL WACHTER (VARIETY.com, 3/27).
NAMES: Photographer BRIAN MASCK earlier this month “filed a new copyright infringement lawsuit” against ESPN for the use of a ’91 photo of Heisman Trophy winner DESMOND HOWARD. Masck earlier filed suit against SI (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 3/26)….Former IndyCar driver DARIO FRANCHITTI, along with IndyCar team owners GERALD FORSYTHE and KEVIN KALKHOVEN, will be inducted into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame on April 11 ahead of the Toyota Grand Prix on April 13 (OCREGISTER.com, 3/27)….Albany Law School on Thursday announced that it will offer a concentration in equine, racing and gaming law -- the only one of its kind in the country -- starting in September for the incoming class of ’17 (Albany).
