In N.Y., Ken Belson notes while pro athletes can "afford almost any car, some are shunning gas guzzlers and driving hybrids and electric vehicles." Electric vehicle proponents said that whatever their motivation, "the athletes are, intentionally or not, becoming promoters of the cars." It is "unclear precisely how many athletes drive electric vehicles or hybrids," but players like Lakers G STEVE NASH, Saints QB DREW BREES and Trail Blazers F LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE "drive or drove Teslas and other high-priced electric vehicles and hybrids." Meanwhile, more teams are "installing charging stations at their arenas and stadiums -- not just for their players and other employees, but for their fans" (N.Y. TIMES, 4/22).
IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM: ESPN NFL analyst KEYSHAWN JOHNSON "has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting his ex-girlfriend." Johnson was arrested at his Calabasas, Calif., home yesterday morning on "suspicion of misdemeanor domestic battery." ESPN in a statement said that it was "aware of the incident and looking into it" (OCREGISTER.com, 4/21)....Modell's Sporting Goods CEO MITCH MODELL has been accused of "using company funds" for more than $7M in personal expenses, "including family trips, massages and donations and payments" to a private school. ABBY MODELL, the widow of Modell’s brother, MICHAEL, last week filed a petition asking that he "be removed as a trustee" for a trust formed after Michael died (Bergen RECORD, 4/22).
DO NOT DISTURB: Red Sox Ps CLAY BUCHHOLZ, JOHN LACKEY and 1B MIKE NAPOLI "slept overnight" at Fenway Park on Sunday. They "slept in a room situated directly above the Red Sox clubhouse, a room that wasn't officially guest-ready until the middle of last season." The team's game on Sunday night concluded at 10:41pm ET, with yesterday's game beginning at 11:00am. Red Sox manager JOHN FARRELL said of the room, "That's why it's there. They're taking advantage of it" (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/22).
BOSTON'S FINEST: Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT, Bank of America Chair CHAD GIFFORD and Hill Holliday Chair & CEO KAREN KAPLAN attended yesterday's Boston Marathon (BOSTON HERALD, 4/22). Patriots QB TOM BRADY also was in attendance at the marathon (BOSTON HERALD, 4/22). Oilers D ANDREW FERENCE "served as a volunteer" at the finish line (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/22).
NAMES: Yankees CF BRETT GARDNER has joined the Taylor Hooton Foundation's advisory board. Other MLBers on the board include Mets P DILLON GEE, Tigers P MAX SCHERZER and Angels P C.J. WILSON. The players will "carry out the foundation’s message through the foundation’s educational activities in local communities, will provide input to the foundation, and will make a pledge to play clean" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/22)....A confidential settlement "has been reached" between the USTA and film producers MAIKEN BAIRD and MICHELLE MAJOR
that allows the doc "VENUS & SERENA" to be screened "unedited." The USTA had sued Baird and Major last year for copyright infringement (N.Y. POST, 4/22)....Innovative Sports & Entertainment Advisor and BOD member BOB GUTKOWSKI on June 4 will be honored as a Father of the Year by the American Diabetes Association (THE DAILY)….Redskins QB ROBERT GRIFFIN III, WR PIERRE GARCON and LB RYAN KERRIGAN yesterday were “among the guests at the White House’s Easter Egg Roll.” Griffin “sported a No. 10 Redskins jersey, athletic shorts and cleats” (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 4/21)....Former U.S. speedskater APOLO OHNO “plans to compete” in October’s Ironman World Championship in Hawaii (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 4/22)….U.S. swimmer KATIE HOFF got engaged to former Michigan State FB TODD ANDERSON during Sunday's Yankees-Rays game (FREEP.com, 4/21)….Spurs G MANU GINOBILI's third son, LUCA, was born Sunday (MYSANANTONIO.com, 4/21).
