Saints and Pelicans Owner TOM BENSON's former personal assistant, RODNEY HENRY, says that Benson's wife GAYLE "repeatedly harassed him on the job and made racially derogatory remarks before having him kicked out of the Saints organization, according to a court filing." Henry, who was at Benson's side for 25 years until last June, "filed a federal lawsuit against the Saints in November claiming he was owed back pay for long hours in the job." Yesterday, he "filed an amended complaint adding racial discrimination to his claims and adds Gayle Benson as a defendant" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 1/20).
IS THIS JUST FANTASY? Since August, fantasy sports companies "have written 49 checks totaling $220,000 to draft some of the biggest players in the Florida Legislature to assist them." The Fantasy Sports Trade Association, of which DraftKings and FanDuel are members, "has given out $167,500 to Florida political leaders and their parties so far to help their cause." House Appropriations Chair RICHARD CORCORAN "leads the way with $30,000 to a political committee he runs called The Florida Roundtable" (TAMPABAY.com, 1/19).
ON THE RISE: UEFA Secretary General GIANNI INFANTINO "appears to be gaining momentum in his bid to lead FIFA" as banned President SEPP BLATTER's replacement. Over the weekend, he was "well-received by the Caribbean Football Union." Yesterday, a top German official said that the country’s influential federation "will most likely back Infantino." The U.S. Soccer Federation "has spoken with all the candidates except [Asian Football Confederation President SHEIKH SALMAN BIN EBRAHIM AL KHALIFA] and has yet to endorse a candidate." Infantino yesterday "unveiled his manifesto," and the highlight "is a call to expand the World Cup to 40 teams from 32 and stage the tournament across regions instead of a single country" (WASHINGTON POST, 1/20).
KEEP MOVING FORWARD: U.S. District Judge CHRISTOPHER COOPER last week ruled that former cyclist FLOYD LANDIS and the U.S. "cannot pursue a 'reverse' false claims count" against LANCE ARMSTRONG under a U.S. Postal Service sponsorship contract. Cooper entered a summary judgment "dismissing the claim." He concluded the sponsorship agreement in place "created no legal obligation" for Armstrong "to repay USPS any sponsorship fees obtained as a result of materially false statements." Landis in '10 sued Armstrong, former U.S. Postal Service team manager JOHAN BRUYNEEL "and Armstrong's management company Tailwind Sports in Federal Court." The U.S. "joined the lawsuit three years later," after Armstrong admitted that he "used steroids and blood doping to win his record seven consecutive Tour de France victories" (COURTHOUSENEWS.com, 1/13).
NAMES: KENNETH OSBORNE, an airport baggage handler in the U.S., filed suit earlier this month in St. Clair County, Ill. against MLSE after he “suffered ‘permanent and disabling’ shoulder injuries" when the Maple Leafs "raced to fly out after a game” (TORONTO STAR, 1/19)....Dolphins DT NDAMUKONG SUH has been appointed to Omaha-based tech solution firm Ballantyne Strong’s BOD (Ballantyne Strong)....Former USGA President JUDY BELL was named the winner of the Bob Jones Award, the “highest honor from the USGA." It honors a person who "demonstrates the spirit, character and respect for the game shown by the amateur great” (AP, 1/19)....Clippers G CHRIS PAUL and F PAUL PIERCE yesterday “handed out 60 pairs of glasses to students in need” at Inglewood High (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 1/20)....Baseball HOFer JOHN SMOLTZ “will receive the Atlanta Sports Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award” at the Atlanta Sports Awards on Feb. 25 at The Fox Theatre (AJC.com, 1/19).
