Michigan State AD MARK HOLLIS confirmed that a plan "had been brewing to match" MSU's men's basketball team against Oregon State on the White House grounds. However, those plans ended last Monday when OSU fired coach CRAIG ROBINSON -- brother-in-law of PRESIDENT OBAMA. Hollis: "You’re always looking to explore unique opportunities for student-athletes, and that was one we were looking at. It wasn’t a done deal, but it was one of the dreams" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 5/10).
HAMMING IT UP: Actor JON HAMM and MLB agent J.B. BERNSTEIN were at PNC Park last night to promote the movie, "MILLION DOLLAR ARM" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 5/12). Hamm "suggested that some of the reluctance to make baseball dramas in Hollywood has faded as 'Moneyball' and '42' have had critical and box-office success." Hamm: "It used to be an unwritten rule in Hollywood that baseball doesn’t work. It better be funny. But it doesn’t work otherwise because it doesn’t play overseas. I honestly think that the flattening of the globe, the increase in international players in the majors … has broadened the impact of the game" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 5/12).
DAMAGE CONTROL: Bobcats Owner MICHAEL JORDAN is "doing his best to disassociate himself from apparent controversial comments that are published" in "MICHAEL JORDAN: THE LIFE," a book by ROLAND LAZENBY. The book describes Jordan's early years, including comments of Jordan's prejudice toward white people during his youth. Jordan’s reps "sent out an e-mail saying that Jordan made his statements about race to Playboy Magazine" in '92, not to Lazenby (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/11)....EPL CEO RICHARD SCUDAMORE has "apologised for his 'inappropriate' emails containing sexist language that were leaked" to London's Daily Mirror by his former personal assistant. He said in a statement, "I accept the contents are inappropriate and apologise for any offence caused, particularly to the former employee. It was an error of judgment that I will not make again" (REUTERS, 5/11). Scudamore's former PA said, "I can tell you he has no respect for women. I don’t think anyone should have to be exposed to such language and opinions at work" (DAILY MIRROR, 5/10).
LOCH & KEY: SwimMAC Carolina coach DAVID MARSH is "relatively unknown outside the swimming world," but is "one of the sport’s premier coaches." He and U.S. Swimmer RYAN LOCHTE make for "an unusual pairing -- the cerebral Marsh, with a philosophy that could help change the sport of swimming, and Lochte, a physical marvel who is being challenged to change many of the habits that made him a champion." Marsh in SwimMAC Carolina "saw the opportunity to change the sport by applying his methods to younger athletes as well as develop his own team of Olympians" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/11).
TACKLES FOR LOSS: In N.Y., Ken Belson in a front-page piece notes amid “widespread and growing concerns about the physical dangers” of football, the Marshall, Texas, school board in February approved plans to “shut down the district’s entry-level, tackle-football program for seventh graders in favor of flag football.” However “subtle, the change in thinking reflected in Marshall’s decision about football may signal trouble for the NFL” (N.Y. TIMES, 5/12).
NAMES: Broncos Exec VP/Football Operations JOHN ELWAY received the Champion of Youth Award at a dinner and auction in Denver (DENVERPOST.com, 5/11)….Univ. of Alabama football radio play-by-play announcer ELI GOLD will be inducted into the Alabama Sports HOF next week (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/10).....ELIN NORDEGREN, the ex-wife of TIGER WOODS, on Saturday “received a bachelor’s degree in psychology” from Rollins College. She was “selected as ‘Top Senior’ by a group of faculty members.” Nordegren said, “It was right after I had taken Communication and the Media that I was unexpectedly thrust into the media limelight. I probably should have taken more notes” (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 5/10)….Heat President PAT RILEY “couldn’t attend a New York book bash for his good friend” JERRY BRUCKHEIMER due to the team’s playoff game against the Nets on Thursday. Riley instead “made sure to send a speech” for actor MICHAEL DOUGLAS to read. Guests at the party included Jets Owner WOODY JOHNSON, CBS President & CEO LES MOONVES, TV personality CHARLIE ROSE and actors CLAIRE DANES and CUBA GOODING JR. (N.Y. POST, 5/12)….Cowboys Owner JERRY JONES is “picking up the pace of development” to open six Dallas-Ft. Worth Dunkin’ Donuts locations. Fox NFL analyst TROY AIKMAN “announced the deal.” The plan was to “open 50 stores within five years -- about 10 openings a year.” So far, “four have opened” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/10)….The “tangible gifts bestowed upon” Yankees SS DEREK JETER during a ceremony before the team’s game against the Brewers at Miller Park yesterday “included a bronze replica of his Louisville Slugger bat.” Brewers Owner MARK ATTANASIO and his wife, DEBBIE, on behalf of the Brewers Community Foundation, made “a $10,000 donation to Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation” (MLB.com, 5/11)....Red Sox 2B DUSTIN PEDROIA has "just closed on a house" in the estate section of Chestnut Hill, Mass., "just down the road" from the home of Patriots QB TOM BRADY and his wife, GISELE BUNDCHEN. Pedroia's new neighbors also include Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT, Patriots President JONATHAN KRAFT and Red Sox President & CEO LARRY LUCCHINO (BOSTON HERALD, 5/12).
IN MEMORY: Longtime Baltimore Sun horse racing reporter DALE AUSTIN “died in his sleep Friday at his Bayside Beach home” at the age of 81. Austin served as president of the National Turf Writers & Broadcasters and of the Maryland Racing Media Association (Baltimore SUN, 5/11).
