Prim Capital Corp. Founder JOSEPH LOMBARDO, whose firm managed the finances of the NBPA, yesterday was sentenced to "1-1/2 years in prison" for forging a $3M contract and "then lying about it to a grand jury." Prim Capital once was the "primary outside investment adviser" for the NBPA managing up to $250M of union assets. The U.S. Dept. of Labor in '11 "began investigating the union" and former Exec Dir BILLY HUNTER. The union "subsequently ordered its own outside audit, which found Hunter had mismanaged the union's finances but stopped short of accusing him of criminality" (REUTERS, 6/10).
 |
Pelé hopes protests about Brazil's spending
on the World Cup do not disrupt the games |
COMINGS & GOINGS IN BRAZIL: USA TODAY's Kelly Whiteside writes if there is a face of the '14 FIFA World Cup, it is PELÉ, the "patron saint of football." But Pelé is "concerned that protests about Brazil's spending" on the World Cup "may disrupt the games." He "supports those protesting the excessive spending and corruption, saying that he wants better schools, hospitals and opportunities as well, but he hopes politics don't take over the pitch." Pelé: "This is not the moment to lose the big opportunity that we have ... It's not a football foul" (USA TODAY, 6/11). Meanwhile, JENNIFER LOPEZ will perform during the World Cup Opening Ceremony despite speculation to the contrary. She said, "People get nervous and I think it was a little bit premature to announce anything. But we are definitely going" (AP, 6/10).
BACK TO SCHOOL: Syracuse Univ. for the seventh consecutive year is hosting Sportscaster U., a "three-day program for current and former NBA players to learn about the broadcasting industry." This year's "group of students" includes nine players, such as Bulls G RICHARD HAMILTON and Celtics F KRIS HUMPHRIES. SU play-by-play announcer MATT PARK "developed the program" along with the NBPA (SYRACUSE.com, 6/10).
AWARDS & HONORS: Former NHLer MIKE RICHTER will be inducted to the Philadelphia Sports HOF, along with including former NFLers ERIC ALLEN and MARVIN HARRISON, and former MLBers CHARLES BENDER and CURT SCHILLING (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 6/11)....Duke Univ. AD KEVIN WHITE has been named the '14 recipient of the National Football Foundations John L. Toner Award. The annual award recognizes an AD who has demonstrated superior administrative abilities and shown outstanding dedication to college athletics and particularly college football (NFF)....Former MLBer and broadcaster JOE GARAGIOLA will accept his John Jordan "Buck" O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award in absentia and will not attend HOF weekend (Baseball HOF).
NAMES: Celebrities in the crowd for Spurs-Heat NBA Finals Game 3 last night included boxers MIKE TYSON and FLOYD MAYWEATHER, actor JAMIE FOXX and musicians JIMMY BUFFETT, GLORIA ESTEFAN and LENNY KRAVITZ (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 6/11)....Rockies P LATROY HAWKINS presented $150,000 in grants from the MLB Players Trust to seven Volunteers of America programs that further the organization's mission to strengthen communities and build better lives for those in need. The players also contributed $15,250 to two local affiliates (MLBPA)....U.S. ice dancer CHARLIE WHITE and girlfriend TANITH BELBIN "are engaged." White yesterday posted a photo on Instagram of "himself and Belbin, with Tanith wearing a ring on her left ring finger" (FREEP.com, 6/10)....Seahawks CB RICHARD SHERMAN on Friday "completed the purchase of a 9,475-square-foot home in Maple Valley resting neatly on 4.96 acres." He bought the house from Clippers G JAMAL CRAWFORD for $2.31M (SEATTLE TIMES, 6/11)....Banned Clippers Owner DONALD STERLING has listed a Spanish-style home in Beverly Hills "for rent at $15,500 a month." The property is one of "more than 160 single and multifamily dwellings that constitute Sterling's real estate holding in Southern California." The home occupies "more than a third of an acre with a 3,315-square-foot main residence, a guesthouse, a pool and a spa" (LATIMES.com, 6/10)....Wake Forest men's basketball coach DANNY MANNING has listed his house in Tulsa for sale at $725,000 (LATIMES.com, 6/10).
IN MEMORY: Former NASCAR team owner JUNIE DONLAVEY died Monday night at the age of 90. Former NASCAR driver JODY RIDLEY "recorded Donlavey's only Cup win in a 1981 race in Dover, Delaware." He had "more than 860 starts as a car owner during his 50-plus years in the sport" (AP, 6/10).
