Sacramento residents on Friday "swarmed Sleep Train Arena and surrounding areas in search of Pokémon." The Kings are the first NBA team to "host a 'Pokémon Go' meet up," which lasted from 4:00-8:00pm PT. Hundreds of people "traveled in herds to visit the two Pokéstops outside of the arena" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 7/18).
CHARITY STRIPE: Grizzlies G MIKE CONLEY after signing his new $153M contract pledged a $1M donation to the Grizzlies Foundation. Team Owner ROBERT PERA and the local ownership group "promised to match Conley’s donation" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 7/15)....Lions LB DEANDRE LEVY is "teaming with chef JAMES RIGATO at Mabel Gray restaurant" in Hazel Park, Mich., as part of a “Regenerate Detroit” culinary effort to "help local youth interested in food careers achieve their goals" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 7/18)....Stars President & CEO JIM LITES on Friday at the PM Standley Motorcars Party In The Park announced that the club will raise $100,000 for the Line of Duty Fund (Stars).
NAMES: Patriots TE ROB GRONKOWSKI last night “joined PAUL MCCARTNEY on stage during McCartney's concert at Fenway Park.” The song that Gronkowski “helped McCartney perform was ‘Helter Skelter’” (ESPNBOSTON.com, 7/17)....Eagles QB SAM BRADFORD on Friday married “his longtime girlfriend," EMMA LAVY, in Aspen (PHILLY.com, 7/15)....NASCAR HOFer FRED LORENZEN over the weekend pledged “his brain to the Concussion Legacy Foundation.” Inspired by DALE EARNHARDT JR.’s decision to donate his brain, Lorenzen “became the second known driver to make the same decision” (AP, 7/16)....Former NBAer KENNY THOMAS “is among the co-owners” of Mexican eatery and bar El Rey, which “is under construction" in Sacramento. El Rey is “poised to capitalize on traffic from the Golden 1 Center" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 7/15)....Agent SEAN STELLATO’s book “NO BACKING DOWN,” which “chronicles the remarkable story” of the ’94 Salem (Mass.) High football team, is "destined for the silver screen.” Stellato “will host a movie gala at the Salem Waterfront Hotel, where the film’s screenwriter will be unveiled” (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/17).
----------GAME CHANGERS CONFERENCE AGENDA, SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED----------
The fourth annual Game Changers Conference will be held Sept. 15 at the N.Y. Marriott Marquis, Times Square. This year's program will examine the role that women executives play in sports business as well as examine women as consumers, women’s sports and a whole range of related topics.
This year's program will also feature a Career Breakfast Session and topics will include the importance of networking, mentor/mentee roles and how to seek out the best opportunities within your company for growth.
