Golfer PHIL MICKELSON "has joined the coaching staff" at Arizona State as an interim assistant. Mickelson’s younger brother TIM is "in his fourth season as Arizona State head coach." A source said that Phil’s role is "not expected to be long term." He will "still compete" on the PGA Tour. The role allows him to be "more involved with the program in areas of recruiting, and even allows him to be with the team on a daily basis" (GOLFWEEK.com, 11/11).
COST OF LIVING: Michigan interim AD JIM HACKETT, who has "been on the job for a week and a half, will make $600,000 annually in his role, according to his appointment letter" from UM President MARK SCHLISSEL. UM will "assist Hackett in locating a furnished housing rental and will reimburse his moving expenses." Michigan also will "provide a monthly housing allowance to cover the cost of the rental." Former AD DAVE BRANDON was the "highest-paid employee" at UM in '13 with a salary of $850,000 (DETROIT NEWS, 11/11).
TAKING THE GREEN FLAG: NASCAR Senior VP & Chief Sales Officer JIM O'CONNELL pens today's edition of the N.Y. Times' Frequent Flier feature, noting he is a "friendly person and I don’t mind talking to seatmates." O'Connell: "I’ve sat next to a famous country singer, an infamous celebrity and a pleasant, but unpopular, high-profile defense attorney. I’ve also sat next to some NASCAR fans as well as people who are just curious about racing. Part of my job is to be a NASCAR ambassador, and I’ve given strangers tickets to races. As a result, I’m the most popular person onboard" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/11).
BORN TO RUN: NASCAR Chair & CEO BRIAN FRANCE and his wife AMY at an auction Wednesday in N.Y. paid $300,000 for a "dream jaunt" with BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN. France, at the Theater at MSG for a Stand Up For Heroes benefit, "paid half of the total price -- splitting the package with a rival bidder." The experience with Springsteen "includes a lasagna dinner at his Colts Neck, New Jersey, home, two guitars, including a Fender Telecaster, a one-hour guitar lesson and a ride in a motorcycle sidecar as Springsteen drives" (ESPN.com, 11/10).
BALTIMORE CHOP: The Sporting News named Orioles Exec VP/Baseball Operations DAN DUQUETTE its Baseball Exec of the Year (MLB). This is the "second time Duquette has won the award." He also won in '92, his "first full season" as Expos GM after the club "improved by 16 wins over the previous year" (Baltimore SUN, 11/11)....MiLB and Rawlings named PCL Dir of Business MELANIE PEIFFER FIORE its Woman Exec of the Year (MiLB).
AWARDS & HONORS: Golf HOFer CHARLIE SIFFORD, the first African American to earn a PGA Tour card, “will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the nation.” Sifford is “one of 19 recipients of the award this year,” which will be presented by PRESIDENT OBAMA on Nov. 24 at the White House. HOFers ARNOLD PALMER and JACK NICKLAUS in ’04 and ’05, respectively, became “the only other golfers to receive this Medal of Freedom" (USA TODAY, 11/11)….Georgia Dome Event Services Manager KEN JEFFERSON “is being inducted” into the Hospitality HOF by the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (BIZJOURNALS.com, 11/7).
NAMES: Boxers ANDRE WARD and TONY BELLEW “are in negotiations to lace up their gloves” for “CREED,” MGM’s spinoff from “ROCKY” that “focuses on the grandson of Apollo Creed.” RYAN COOGLER, who directed “FRUITVALE STATION,” will direct the film, which “sees MICHAEL B. JORDAN playing the grandson who is being mentored by Rocky Balboa,” played by SYLVESTER STALLONE. The movie “is looking at a January start” (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 11/10)….Canucks D CHRIS TANEV “has changed his player agent representation, signing with Toronto-based Newport Sports Management Inc.” He had previously been represented by Vancouver-based agent ROSS GURNEY (THEPROVINCE.com, 11/10)….Ravens OT EUGENE MONROE “founded a development firm” in February called 4th Down Partners “with a former college teammate.” 4th Down is “one of a group of investors” in a $250M redevelopment project in the Sharp-Leadenhall neighborhood of Baltimore. The venture with Caves Valley Partners is “set to be formally announced today” (Baltimore SUN, 11/11)….Mavericks Owner MARK CUBAN yesterday tweeted that he was “selected for jury duty and ‘proud’ to do his civic duty” (DALLASNEWS.com, 11/10)….Clippers coach DOC RIVERS has “purchased a compound in Hollywood Hills West” for $8.2M. The “Hamptons-inspired gated retreat includes a high-ceilinged main house of nearly 3,950 square feet, a glass-and-steel guest house, a swimming pool and an infinity spa” (L.A. TIMES, 11/11).
