Former NBA Commissioner DAVID STERN "will discuss his support for legalizing sports betting" at the Global Gaming Expo on Sept. 29 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. Stern will "discuss the future of sports betting and its impact on major professional sports" with American Gaming Association President & CEO GEOFF FREEMAN. During his 30-year tenure as commissioner, Stern "adamantly opposed sports betting." But Stern last October said he was "with [NBA Commissioner ADAM SILVER]," who supports legalization of sports betting (ESPN.com, 8/10).
NAMES: Former NFLer MERRILL ROBERTSON JR. has been "charged with defrauding investors, including coaches" he knew from his "time at Fork Union Military Academy" and the Univ. of Virginia. He was arrested yesterday morning "on criminal charges related to the fraud scheme." Federal authorities said that Robertson and his business partner SHERMAN VAUGHN JR. "presented themselves as experienced investment experts," raising more than $8M from more than 60 investors (WSJ.com, 8/10)....Univ. of Tennessee Dir of Football Operations CHRIS SPOGNARDI “has been placed on paid administrative leave” for what is being described as a personnel matter. A source said that Spognardi “was relieved of his duties after a financial audit found irregularities related to his job” (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 8/11)....Dodgers P CLAYTON KERSHAW “gave the Rams a warm welcome” to L.A. this week when he sent 200 bottles of Johnnie Walker Blue to the team’s HQ with “custom engraving that read: Welcome Home! LA All Day!” (ABC7.com, 8/9).
