Lightning Owner JEFF VINIK yesterday "shared his high-profile plans to redevelop 40 acres of downtown Tampa into a 'live-work-play' destination." The plans include "walkable parks, new condominium and hotel development, office space and streetside restaurant and retail space." This was the first time Vinik "has spoken publicly about his plans for Tampa in several months." Vinik has "made it his personal mission to improve Tampa since he purchased" the Lightning in '10. Through a partnership with Microsoft Founder BILL GATES' "billion-dollar investment fund, Cascade Investment, he's ready to spend" $1B on "improving Tampa's core around Amalie Arena." Vinik also "unveiled new images of a four-star hotel he plans to add to the mix," but he "declined to comment further than showing off the renderings" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 9/2).
SWOOSHING IN? Incoming IAAF President SEBASTIAN COE "rejected the notion that he should be obliged to abandon his role as a paid consultant to Nike or his executive chairman’s role with the sport and entertainment marketing agency CSM." The IAAF position "is an unpaid post," and Coe "thinks it should remain so." But he said that he "wanted to maintain his outside income and above all was convinced that he could manage his multiple roles with great transparency and strict adherence to corporate governance rules." Coe: "I did not take this on to make money. Or to advance my outside interests. These will be ferociously policed. Believe me" (N.Y. TIMES, 9/2).
NAMES: Clippers G AUSTIN RIVERS has left Relativity Sports and "signed with agent ANDY MILLER" of ASM Sports (LATIMES.com, 8/31)....Former U.S. diver GREG LOUGANIS "has signed with CAA in all areas." The agency "will work with Louganis to create further opportunities across all of its areas of practice, including personal appearances, philanthropy, commercial endorsements, television and publishing." Louganis "continues to be represented by STEVEN KARASH of Steven K Management and attorney JEFF BRIGGS" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 9/1)....MLB Exec VP/Baseball Operations JOE TORRE yesterday "was presented The American Legion's James V. Day 'Good Guy' Award during the organization's 97th annual national convention" (American Legion)....UFC fighter RONDA ROUSEY has “accepted an invite to the Marine Corps Ball” on Nov. 14 after Marine JARROD HASCHERT, “one of her biggest fans," sent her an invite via Facebook (ESPNW.com, 9/1)....Former MLBer DEREK JETER was at the U.S. Open yesterday, taking in a match between CAROLINE WOZNIACKI and JAMIE LOEB (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/2).
IN MEMORY: Titans scout C.O. BROCATO died yesterday morning at the age of 85 after a battle with bladder cancer. Brocato “spent 40 years” with the Titans/Oilers organization as a scout, and “still held the title of scouting consultant for the Titans at the time of his death.” In April, the Titans named their draft room at Saint Thomas Sports Park the “C.O. Brocato Draft Room” (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 9/2).
