THE MMQB's Emily Kaplan profiles NFL Exec VP/Communications JOE LOCKHART, who "takes on his heftiest public relations challenge" since working for the Clinton administration. Lockhart's predecessor, PAUL HICKS, said the job is “to manage the league’s reputation.” But the "most defined of Lockhart’s responsibilities is also his most difficult: repair" NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL’s image. In his first six months, Lockhart "has found that to be a hurdle." The perception of Goodell -- that the commissioner "is obstinate, heavy-handed and overpaid -- is pervasive." Lockhart’s creativity "will go only as far as Goodell will let him." So the "first step: Get the commissioner to listen" (MMQB.SI.com, 7/20).
COURT REPORT: Cowboys WR DEZ BRYANT on Monday "filed suit" against Texas State Sen. ROYCE WEST "for allegedly using him to 'improperly line his own pockets and those of his business associates.'" West "filed suit last month seeking as much as $200,000 in damages over the alleged destruction of a home Bryant leased from him" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 7/20)....According to a lawsuit filed in Mecklenburg County in Charlotte on Monday, the NFL told former NFLer HARUKI NAKAMURA "that not only can he no longer play football due to concussion symptoms, but that he is unable to return to any kind of employment for money." But Nakamura "still has not collected" on a $1M insurance policy he took out with an insurer before the '12 season with the Panthers, and now he is "taking them to court." He "filed the suit this week against Lloyd’s of London" seeking $3M "in damages, interest and lawyer fees." Neither the NFL nor the Panthers "are named as defendants" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 7/20)....An Orlando man "is suing" NASCAR, Daytona Int'l Speedway and ISC for negligence, claiming he was injured by debris after a crash sent a car into the catch-fence during last year's Coke Zero 400 (Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL, 7/20).
CHARITY STRIPE: The Green Bay Packers Foundation “awarded $250,000 each to the Jackie Nitschke Center and St. Norbert College.” The center “will use the Packers Foundation Impact Grant for a multi-day family education and recovery program” (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 7/20)....The Pistons Foundation’s latest outreach program "saw the unveiling of a half-court modular outdoor basketball court at the Pontiac-based 36,000 square feet HAVEN facility, a safe retreat and rehabilitation center for women and children victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Oakland County” (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 7/20).
NAMES: Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT attended Red Sox DH DAVID ORTIZ’ party “celebrating the David Ortiz Children’s Fund.” Kraft “not only made a $100,000 donation,” but he also “dropped $12,000" on an Ortiz-autographed Fender guitar during the evening’s live auction (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/20)....Eleven Riley Hospital for Children patients at Indiana Univ. Health spent Monday morning "with their families" touring the Andretti Autosport shop (INDYSTAR.com, 7/19)....NBC analyst and former U.S. Gold-medal winning figure skater TARA LIPINSKI is teaming with producer MICHAEL SHAMBERG and writer JONATHAN IGLA “for a new drama series at Hulu offering a behind the scenes look” at the world of figure skating. The untitled series “will center on a group of women and men” (DEADLINE.com, 7/19)....LINDSAY DAVENPORT, JOHN MCENROE, MARTINA NAVRATILOVA and ANDY RODDICK “will headline" the World TeamTennis Smash Hits at Caesars Palace, a charity night of tennis co-hosted by ELTON JOHN and BILLIE JEAN KING on Oct. 10 (EJAF).
----------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.
