Lightning Owner JEFF VINIK "has hired heavy-hitting lobbyist BRIAN BALLARD and two others to represent his interests in Tallahassee." It would "come as no surprise for them to lobby the Legislature for millions of dollars for a new downtown medical school" for the Univ. of South Florida -- a project USF is "considering putting on Vinik's land near Amalie Arena." Along with Ballard, Vinik's companies "hired Ballard's associate GREG TURBEVILLE and attorney-lobbyist MARK LOGAN." Lobbyist RONALD PIERCE, who "already had worked with the Lightning and the arena, also is part of the expanded team." A state lobbying registry indicates Ballard, Turbeville and Logan "will represent the Lightning, Strategic Property Partners, Vinik's real estate holding company, and Tampa Bay Sports & Entertainment LLC, the parent company of the Lightning, the Tampa Bay Storm and Amalie Arena" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 10/15).
SETTING THE PACE: In Indianapolis, Anthony Schoettle profiles Pacers Sports & Entertainment President RICK FUSON, who, despite his exec status, is "as likely to be found checking light bulbs or pushing a broom" inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse as "sitting behind a desk or in a boardroom." Fuson was promoted to the new role Sept. 30, replacing JIM MORRIS, who will "remain with the team" as Vice Chair and maintain an arena office. Fuson said, "Over the years, I was probably more of a micromanager than I ever should have been. Jim Morris always says we need to spend more time strategizing rather than just doing, and that comes along with this job.” Schoettle notes Fuson "has primarily been known as the man in charge of the building where the Pacers played." He "managed the cramped confines" of Market Square Arena and "oversaw the team’s move to the roomy-but-expensive-to-operate fieldhouse." Indiana AD FRED GLASS "credits Fuson and the Pacers with wresting away the Big Ten men's basketball championships from Chicago." Glass: "Most people don't realize what a coup that was" (INDIANAPOLIS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/13 issue).
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Runyan is only former pro athlete currently
serving in the U.S. Congress |
TO THE HILL: When former NFLer and outgoing U.S. Rep. JON RUNYAN (R-N.J.) "leaves his office on Capitol Hill for the last time at the end of this year, it may leave the U.S. Congress without a professional athlete among its ranks for the first time since 1961." But there are "some former pros running to take up the mantle of the 'Jock Caucus,'" including former NFLers CLINT DIDIER and GARY COBB (USATODAY.com, 10/14)....U.S. Rep. DAVE JOYCE (R-Ohio) in his re-election bid has received contributions from individuals such as Browns Owner JIMMY HASLAM III as well as Indians Chair & CEO PAUL DOLAN and his brother MATT (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 10/15).
NAMES: Warriors coach STEVE KERR and his wife, MARGOT, committed $1M to the Univ. of Arizona to assist with the McKale Memorial Center renovation and future academic facility enhancements (Warriors)....The Broncos partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter, making that organization one of its 10 flagship community partners. The Broncos in July announced that team Owner PAT BOWLEN has the disease (Broncos)....Packers DE TRAMON WILLIAMS is coaching his wife, SHANTRELL, and other Packers wives “taking part in the Tramon Williams Powder Puff game,” which is aimed at raising money for and awareness about breast cancer (GREENBAYPRESSGAZETTE.com, 10/14)....An open-records request filed by private investigator SCOTT WOODALL “seeks emails” between Cobb County (Ga.) Commissioners BOB OTT and LISA CUPID and two private citizens who “have been critical of the deal” to bring the Braves new stadium to the area. It also “seeks emails in these three accounts sent to or from DAN KLEPAL, a reporter at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, or any other person at the Atlanta newspaper” (MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL, 10/14).
