More than 75 former Univ. of Missouri football players and alumni have "thrown support" to former player and former A-B InBev exec MICHAEL OWENS for the school's AD job. Sources confirmed that a list of former players and other alums endorsing Owens, who also previously served as Gander Mountain COO, is "growing by the week." Owens left A-B in '08 just as InBev was "finalizing its purchase" of the brewer. Owens "is not campaigning for the job but would listen" if UM shows interest (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 7/21).
MOVING ON UP: In Indianapolis, Dana Hunsinger Benbow profiled ESPN VP/SportsCenter & News JILL FREDERICKSON, who now is "in charge of the news desk, assignment desk and event news team." Frederickson has been "climbing the ranks" since she joined the net in '03. Frederickson: "I grew up not wanting to acknowledge I'm a women. I guess I thought, 'Hey, maybe if I don't say anything, maybe no one will notice.' The older I get the more I feel a responsibility to speak for (women and women's issues and equality). As I was coming up the ranks, I was more, 'Let me just be one of the guys'" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 7/19).
NAMES: HILLARY CLINTON has scheduled her next Hollywood fundraiser for Aug. 22, where she "will shake hands" at the home of Saban Capital Group Chair & CEO HAIM SABAN. Saban is set to "host the big-ticket event" alongside Disney Chair & CEO BOB IGER, Chernin Group Chair & CEO PETER CHERNIN and Wasserman Chair & CEO CASEY WASSERMAN (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 7/21)....Basketball HOFer KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR and former NBAer JASON COLLINS yesterday on their Twitter accounts announced that they "will be speaking at the Democratic National Convention next week in Philadelphia" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/21)....Pistons F TOBIAS HARRIS is "lending his time to Seeds of Peace, a non-profit that organizes a camp in Maine that brings youths of different nationalities together in an effort to help them appreciate those with differences.” Palace Sports & Entertainment Vice Chair ARN TELLEM is also a Seeds of Peace BOD member (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 7/21).
----------TEAM PRESIDENTS SPEAK AT SPORTS FACILITIES & FRANCHISES----------
Conference Update: Team presidents weigh-in on all facets of franchise management at the AXS Sports Facilities & Franchises conference. You will hear from Russ Brandon of the Sabres and Bills, Chris Klein of the Galaxy, the Packers' Mark Murphy, the Twins' Dave St. Peter and Chris Wright of the T'Wolves. Click here for more information.
