F1 driver LEWIS HAMILTON has signed with WME-IMG "to expand his popularity, and that of Formula One's." The talent agency "will help him pursue opportunities in his other varied interests, which include music, fashion and film" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 12/15).
SING ALONG: NASCAR driver JIMMIE JOHNSON and Dodgers P CLAYTON KERSHAW last night co-presented the “American Country Countdown” award for “Artist of the Year,” with Kershaw saying, “Every year as athletes we set out to be the best of the best.” Johnson added, “For me, that means driving around in circles really, really fast.” Kershaw said, “And for, that means throwing a ball over the plate really, really fast.” Johnson said for these “country artists, being the ‘Artist of the Year’ requires neither.” Kershaw said, “Can you imagine that, all they have to do is sing. I mean, how hard can that be?” At that point, Johnson and Kershaw sang badly off-key before naming JASON ALDEAN as “Artist of the Year” (“American Country Countdown Awards,” Fox, 12/15).
CAUGHT STEALING? Former MLBer JORGE POSADA "has sued his money agents for allegedly duping him" out of $11.2M. The civil suit filed yesterday claims that financial advisers JUAN CARLOS COLLAR and ANTHONY FERNANDEZ "defrauded him into investing in a shady real-estate deal" in '05 on top of "sinking millions into risky hedge-fund transactions" beginning in '07 (N.Y. POST, 12/16).
NAMES: After detailed police testimony about allegedly punching, kicking and choking his wife, a judge ruled that NHL Kings D SLAVA VOYNOV "must stand trial on a domestic violence charge." The 24-year-old "faces one felony count of corporal injury to spouse with great bodily injury and, if convicted, faces a maximum sentence of nine years in state prison." As a Russian citizen, he could face deportation (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 12/16)....MLB announced that it raised more than $175,000 during last week’s Winter Meetings through an auction for lung cancer-focused nonprofit LUNGevity (AP, 12/15)....Decker Communications named former Clippers Owner DONALD STERLING its “Worst Communicator” of ’14. NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL came in fourth, while ESPN commentator STEPHEN A. SMITH was seventh. Meanwhile, former MLBer DEREK JETER came in fourth among “Best Communicators” and NBA Commissioner ADAM SILVER, “so forthright in his assessment of Sterling,” was sixth (USATODAY.com, 12/16). Silver also was named SI's Exec of the Year for '14 (SI)....Marketing and business development officials from All Nippon Airways on Sunday and Monday “received a whirlwind tour” of the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club, the home of what is now called the LPGA ANA Inspiration (DESERTSUN.com, 12/15)....NHL Kings C ANZE KOPITAR purchased two homes in Manhattan Beach, Calif., for $10M (LATIMES.com, 12/16).
