Super Bowl 50 halftime show performer LADY GAGA yesterday said that she is going to "look to push the envelope by showing off her talent and giving an amazing performance -- though don't expect it to be too provocative." She said, "The best way to push the envelope is with your guts and your talent. And then you also want to push the envelope in terms of your creativity and your music and taking the show to the next level, but I don't know if it it's the place to push the envelope in other ways." She added, "I really just want to be there for football fans because that's what I'm hired to do" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 10/3).
TEXAS LAWMAN: In Dallas, Mark Curriden profiled Cowboys General Counsel JASON COHEN, who has been involved in some of the "biggest business decisions facing the Cowboys and the JONES family" during his three years with the team. Cohen "helped negotiate with AT&T over naming rights for the team's stadium in Arlington and advised the Jones family on the development of The Star in Frisco." He wrote "contracts for players and coaches, negotiated media and sponsorship deals, and more" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 10/4).
TEAM PLAYER: In Cleveland, Kevin Kleps profiles TeamWork Online President BUFFY FILIPPELL, who was the "first female agent at IMG." TeamWork Online has "more than 1,100 clients in the sports industry." Those clients have recruited more than 100,000 plus hires. Of those hires, 17% come from the NBA, 17% from MLB, 12% from the NFL and 10% from the NHL (CRAIN'S CLEVELAND BUSINESS, 10/3 issue).
NAMES: ESPN's CHRIS MORTENSEN has been named this year's NFLPA Georgetown Lombardi Award honoree. Mortensen, who has battled throat cancer, will be recognized at the 30th Anniversary Lombardi Gala on Oct. 29 in DC (NFLPA)....Baseball HOFer HANK AARON was "back in Milwaukee recently and an exclusive fundraiser he hosted drew a big-name crowd," including MLB Commissioner Emeritus BUD SELIG, Brewers broadcaster BOB UECKER, Baseball HOFer ROBIN YOUNT and Brewers Owner MARK ATTANASIO. All proceeds from the event benefited the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation and will be "administered locally to help the children in the Milwaukee area" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/4)....Former NFLer JOEY HARRINGTON "plans to open his first restaurant" in Portland. The new restaurant "won't come saturated with sports memorabilia or blaring televisions, and it won't feature Harrington's name on the side." In a twist for "athlete-backed restaurants, Pearl Tavern's focus will be the food" (Portland OREGONIAN, 10/4).
