DONALD TRUMP is “set to buy himself a piece" of the British Open rotation with a $58.9M (all figures U.S.) deal for Turnberry in Scotland “expected to be finalised soon.” The golf resort is currently owned by Leisurecorp, “a subsidiary of the Dubai government.” Trump is increasing his “ever-expanding golfing empire -- which currently stands at 16 resorts” -- by paying almost $28.6M “less than the Sheikhs.” Turnberry is the “only one of the nine courses” on the current British Open rotation “which is owned by a private company, rather than by the members.” Trump also bought Doral in Miami for $149.7M two years ago and gave a $249M overhaul to the course, which hosts the WGC-Cadillac Championship (London TELEGRAPH, 4/28).
STRONG ADVOCATE: D-Backs President & CEO DERRICK HALL’s website for his Pro-State Foundation “went active on Tuesday.” The club also is staging its second annual 5K Race Against Cancer in downtown Phoenix on Saturday “just adjacent to the ballpark.” Hall, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in '11, said, “I believe one of the reasons I was diagnosed was so that I could spread the word and educate others. Nothing has changed. This gives me yet another larger platform to drive awareness and educate men. It’s our breast cancer” (MLB.com, 4/28).
THE OTHER SHOE DROPS: Nike has “filed a federal lawsuit against five people, including three former employees, accused in the alleged theft and nationwide sales of limited-edition company sneakers.” The suit claims several former employees and a sneaker reseller “were involved in a scheme that stretched” from ’06-14. The suit lists trademark infringement, fraud and breach of contract “among the allegations.” Nike is seeking damages that include “profits made from the unauthorized sneaker sales” (OREGONLIVE.com, 4/28).
NAMES: Broncos QB PEYTON MANNING said that he contacted Colts Owner JIM IRSAY following his arrest last month, “though he wouldn’t elaborate on what the message was.” Manning: “That’s a private topic. It’s very private and very personal” (INDYSTAR.com, 4/28)….Boxer ROY JONES JR. and Las Vegas-based D&K Industries CEO KEITH VELTRE have partnered to form Sanctuary Management. The boxing management firm will provide strategic planning, training and nutrition, while furnishing equipment and facilities for athletes (Sanctuary)….The Florida DOT on Friday launched an anti-litter campaign that will include Jaguars S JOHNATHAN CYPRIEN, Dolphins WR BRIAN HARTLINE, Buccaneers RB MIKE JAMES, golfer KENNY KNOX and NASCAR driver SCOTT LAGASSE JR. (AP, 4/28)….Hampton Road Daily Press columnist DAVID TEEL was inducted into the Virginia Sports HOF on Saturday as a media member (DAILYPRESS.com, 4/27)….An Atlantic County (N.J.) Superior Court spokesperson said that an arraignment conference for Ravens RB RAY RICE’s felony aggravated assault case is set for Thursday morning (BALTIMORESUN.com, 4/28)….Lions RB REGGIE BUSH “has listed his home in Hollywood Hills” for $6M. Bush bought the three-bedroom, 5,000-square-foot home for $4.7M in ’07 (LATIMES.com, 4/28)…. Lakers G STEVE NASH bought a house in Manhattan Beach, Calif., for $4.8M. The “three-bedroom, four-bathroom home has 4,175 square feet of living space” (LATIMES.com, 4/28)….Alabama Gov. ROBERT BENTLEY will be the Grand Marshal for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron’s 499. Auburn Univ. football coach GUS MALZAHN will serve as the race’s Honorary Pace Car Driver (Talladega Superspeedway)….U.S. gymnast ALY RAISMAN “threw out the first pitch at the White Sox game” on Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/29).
