The Univ. of California yesterday announced that it has enlisted NBA Kings Managing Partner VIVEK RANADIVE to "head a new investment fund so that researchers can access the cash they need to bring their ideas to market -- and return the profits to UC." Cal will "seed the as-yet-unnamed fund" with $250M, while Ranadive said he will contribute 5% of the fund. UC President JANET NAPOLITANO said that the new fund will create a "'ready pipeline' for inventors in such fields as medicine, agriculture, energy and technology" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 12/16).
SHOE SHINE: During each TD Garden home game, the Celtics "honor individuals who have made contributions to their communities," and the “Heroes Among Us” honoree last night "had an impact" on Cavaliers F LEBRON JAMES. Sixteen-year-old AARON MILLER "was born with severe brain damage." Miller has "undergone countless surgeries to play for Newton North High School’s golf and basketball teams." James said, "I looked up at the Jumbotron and seen what he had been through and where he is now. ... Also, I seen he had my shoes on. I designed those shoes for kids with conditions where they’re not able to tie their own shoestrings." The Nikes that James described "essentially open at the heel and can be fastened with a large Velcro strap." Afterward, Miller "got one more pair of Nikes -- the ones that James wore during the game" (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/16).
EVERYONE WINS: Basketball HOFer MICHAEL JORDAN "has picked 23 Chicago-area charities" that will receive the net proceeds from his recent court settlements with Dominick's and Jewel-Osco. The recipients include the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund, The Ounce of Prevention Fund and After School Matters, an arts and education program. Jordan "didn't disclose the size of the donations because the terms of the settlements haven't been released." However, a jury in August awarded Jordan $8.9M "from now-defunct Dominick's" (AP, 12/15). Sources said that there were still "millions of dollars left over to donate" after attorney fees were paid off (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/16).
PURPLE PEOPLE DRINKER: Members of the Vikings' defensive backfield have "started dabbing as wine connoisseurs." CB TERENCE NEWMAN's "interest in wine has grown more and more serious." He orders "cases of DuMol Pinot Noir and samples organic wines from Oregon." Before last season, he "took a tour of the Pride Mountain winery in the Napa Valley." But this season, his appreciation for fine wine "finally began to trickle down to his teammates." The Vikings' defensive backs "have started to huddle together to sample new vintages." Newman said that he "has mapped out an introductory course for win novices, which most of his teammates are" (WSJ.com, 12/15).
NAMES: SMI Exec Chair and '16 NASCAR HOF inductee BRUTON SMITH "is cancer-free after a bout with non-Hodgkin lymphoma." Smith's daughter, CASSI MITCHELL SMITH, said that he "was treated with surgery and chemotherapy" after being diagnosed this past spring (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 12/15)....NASCAR team Owners RICK HENDRICK and JOE GIBBS, along with former IndyCar driver AL UNSER, will make up the ’16 class of the National Motorsports Press Association HOF. The trio will be inducted at the annual convention on Jan. 16 in Concord, N.C. (NBCSPORTS.com, 12/15)....Fighter CONOR MCGREGOR “appears to have passed RONDA ROUSEY as the face of the UFC," and now he also appears to be following her into Hollywood. He is reportedly “close to agreeing to appear in VIN DIESEL’s next ‘XXX’ movie, and MARK WAHLBERG has also expressed interest in putting McGregor in one of his movies” (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 12/15)....HBO's "REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL" has been named a winner of a ‘16 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Univ. Broadcast Journalism Award. This marks the third time "Real Sports" has been honored with a duPont (‘06, ‘12) (HBO).
IN MEMORY: Former Bills GM TERRY BLEDSOE “died earlier this month at the age of 81.” He served in the role during the ’84-85 season (BIZJOURNALS.com, 12/15).
