A funeral mass was held Thursday for late Basketball HOfer DR. JACK RAMSAY at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Naples, Fla. Heat President PAT RILEY, head coach ERIK SPOELSTRA, assistant coach BOB MCADOO and play-by-play announcer ERIC REID were "close friends and attended the service with other members of the Heat’s front office and support staff," including GM ANDY ELISBURG and Assistant GM ADAM SIMON (MIAMI HERALD, 5/2). Broadcaster MIKE BREEN was there "representing ESPN, as were several members of the network." Former coaches such as HUBIE BROWN, BILLY CUNNINGHAM, MATT GUOKAS and JIM LYNAM, as well as St. Joseph's coach PHIL MARTELLI "also were present" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 5/2).
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Ellerbe oversees Mayweather Promotions' stable of 12
fighters and maintains a close relationship with its namesake |
SPARRING PARTNER: In N.Y., John Eligon profiles Mayweather Promotions CEO LEONARD ELLERBE, who has been a "steady, centering force" for boxer FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. during his 18-year career. Ellerbe is "a rare person who can penetrate Mayweather’s bravado, talking him out of rash, unwise decisions or encouraging him to take a reluctant step that could prove beneficial." Mayweather: "I respect him as a man, he respects me as a man and we can communicate." As Mayweather has "evolved from a fighter into a businessman, so too has Ellerbe’s role changed." He currently oversees a company that "has a stable of 12 fighters." Ellerbe said that he "put Mayweather’s interests first and had always been loyal, resulting in their close relationship" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/2).
GIVE ME TWO PAIR: Nike CEO MARK PARKER "wore a pair of black Nike Roshe Run shoes with white soles during his keynote address" at the Boston College Chief Executives Luncheon Thursday. He was introduced by Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT, who "sported a pair of Nike Air Force 1s" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/2). Kraft "explained his sudden love" for Air Force 1’s" at the event. He said that he "wears the sneakers everywhere." Kraft: "Some people think I'm cooler because of that" (BOSTON HERALD, 5/2).
NAMES: Seattle-based asset-management firm Russell Investments on Thursday donated $75,000 as part of its inaugural season “Invested with Russell” partnership with Seahawks QB RUSSELL WILSON. Through the program, the company donated $63,000 for the 30 passing and rushing touchdowns scored by Wilson during the ‘13 regular season and playoffs and announced an additional $12,000 in honor of Seahawks fans (Russell Investments)….Chiefs QB ALEX SMITH on Thursday served as the Univ. of Utah’s ’14 class graduation speaker (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 5/2)….Basketball HOFer MAGIC JOHNSON made an appearance in Saginaw, Mich., for the third annual Magic of a Promise scholarship fundraiser. Johnson has helped raise about $500,000 in the past two years for the fundraiser, including donating $120,000 of his own money last year (MLIVE.com, 5/1)….Former members of the now defunct Virginia Squires ABA team on Thursday held a reunion at the Cavalier Hotel Beach Club in Virginia Beach, Va., and hundreds “turned out” for the event. Every Squire who attended -- including Basketball HOFers GEORGE GERVIN and JULIUS ERVING -- “was embraced by grateful fans who relished the chance to relive a fleeting era of big-time sports in Hampton Roads” (Norfolk VIRGINIAN-PILOT, 5/2)….NBA Draft prospect JAMES YOUNG on Thursday signed with Roc Nation Sports for representation (N.Y. POST, 5/2)….Baseball HOFer YOGI BERRA is selling his 4,502-square-foot home in Montclair, N.J., for $888,000. Berra wore No. 8 during his career with the Yankees (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/2).
