Sports-management software startup Upper Hand yesterday said that it "has hauled in" $1M in venture capital from investors, including former Finish Line execs. Founded in '13, Upper Hand "sells a suite of tools that help training academies and other sports businesses manage clients, book appointments and more." Finish Line co-Founder LARRY SABLOSKY, former President & COO STEVE SCHNEIDER and former President of e-commerce DON COURTNEY co-led the round (IBJ.com, 6/7).
MAN OF MANY TALENTS: In DC, Anthony Gulizia profiled Redskins VP/Football Administration & General Counsel ERIC SCHAFFER, who was hired by the team in '03 to manage its salary cap. Raised in Cleveland, Schaffer attended Michigan and "juggled a grueling schedule working in IMG's motorsports division, where he oversaw the acquisition of sponsorships and managed the advertising layout surrounding race tracks for major IndyCar Grand Prix races" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 6/7).
AWARDS & HONORS: UFC Senior VP/Government & Regulatory Affairs MARC RATNER will be inducted into the Int'l Boxing HOF on Sunday in Canastota, N.Y. Ratner served as Nevada State Athletic Commission Exec Dir from '93-'06 (L.A. TIMES, 6/8)....The National Football Foundation named Navy AD CHET GLADCHUK the '16 recipient of its John L. Toner Award. The award recognizes an AD who has demonstrated administrative abilities and dedication to college athletics (NFF)....The Detroit Police Department on Monday gave Lions Owner MARTHA FORD its Zero Tolerance Award for the team's stance on domestic violence (DETROITNEWS.com, 6/7).
NAMES: Sources said that Giants DE JASON PIERRE-PAUL is planning to do some type of PSA to get the word out that "fireworks are dangerous" and kids "shouldn't play with them." Pierre-Paul also has "focused his efforts in other, very noble ways -- notably becoming an example to kids that there can be life after a traumatic burn injury" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/8)....The Bucks on Monday "launched their first charitable foundation -- which will focus on youth education, youth wellness and health and community development." The foundation "presented $25,000 in grant money to three organizations that represent each tier of the foundation's ideals." Grants were "awarded to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, the Penfield Children's Center and MKE Plays" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 6/7)....Capitals G BRADEN HOLTBY will lead a contingent of Monumental Sports & Entertainment employees "in Saturday's Capital Pride Parade." The MSE contingent will "wear #RockTheRainbow shirts" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 6/7)....Cavaliers G J.R. SMITH on Sunday "launched a Kickstarter campaign in coordination with a man named DAVID FIELDS to crowdfund 'Team Swish,' a so-called scripted reality show about the mercurial guard." They are seeking to raise $450,000 (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/7)....Biotech company 23andMe CEO ANNE WOJCICKI, Yankees DH ALEX RODRIGUEZ' "new main squeeze," was at Yankee Stadium on Monday cheering him on (NYPOST.com, 6/7).
IN MEMORY: Sportscaster AL ACKERMAN, a "fixture on Detroit television" during the '70s and '80s, "died Monday at the age of 90." Ackerman "hosted the Tigers pregame show" during his time at WDIV-NBC. Ackerman was also a "controversial figure for inserting personal opinion into his sportscasts, which sometimes landed him in hot water with management" (DETROIT NEWS, 6/8).
