IAAF VP and former LOCOG Chair SEBASTIAN COE will find out tomorrow "if he has been entrusted" with the presidency of the IAAF. Coe is running against SERGEY BUBKA, the former Ukrainian pole vaulter, with the election taking place at the IAAF Congress in Beijing ahead of the start of the World Championships. Coe is "seen as the favourite to succeed LAMINE DIACK" (PA, 8/17).
I'LL HAVE THE PITTS-BURGER: Former NFLer HINES WARD has opened a "new restaurant -- Table 86 and Vines Wine Bar" in Seven Fields, Pa., just outside Pittsburgh. Ward tonight will host a "private celebration and fundraiser for the Hines Ward Helping Hands Foundation." He said, "I've always been trying to get into the restaurant business, I had a bar on the South Side during my playing days, but I didn't really know what I was getting into. I went to Napa and fell in love with wine. It's also kind of just growing up" (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 8/18).
THE WHITE MAMBA STRIKES: In Seattle, Rob Smith profiles former NBAer BRIAN SCALABRINE, who now is "a commercial real estate investor" along with his TV color analyst duties for the Celtics. Asked about his interest in investing, Scalabrine said, "I’m really into taking old buildings and renovating the area (in Des Moines). I’m really stuck with that urban office feel. I really like that. I started with residential, commercial, apartments, and now urban office" (PUGET SOUND BUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/14 issue).
NAMES: Former NFLer EDDIE JACKSON "emerged as winner" of the reality show "FOOD NETWORK STAR." Once a "promising cornerback with the Dolphins and Patriots," Jackson will now "get his own show on the Food Network and be featured in Food Network Magazine" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 8/17)....Red Sox manager JOHN FARRELL was at Massachusetts General Hospital this morning "for Day 1 of a months-long chemotherapy regimen" to fight lymphoma. Indians manager TERRY FRANCONA planned to accompany Farrell to the hospital (BOSTON HERALD, 8/18)....The Bills have "dedicated the radio broadcast booth at Ralph Wilson Stadium" in memory of late play-by-play announcer VAN MILLER. The booth now "bears Miller's name and includes several photos" of him (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/17)....Former NFLers NATE BURLESON and COREY DILLON, former NBAer DALE ELLIS, ESPN's KENNY MAYNE and GUNS N' ROSES bassist DUFF MCKAGAN attended the Lenny Wilkens Foundation's 23rd annual Celebrity Weekend on Aug. 7-8 (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/14)....Fulton County (Ga.) will honor Basketball HOFer-elect DIKEMBE MUTOMBO on Sept. 2, which yesterday was dubbed Dikembe Mutombo Day (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 8/18).
