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Names In The News

Sources said that NFL Jets Owner WOODY JOHNSON has "emerged as a leading contender" to become U.S. Ambassador to the U.K. under President-elect DONALD TRUMP. Johnson was Vice Chair of the Trump Victory Committee, "hosted pricey fund-raisers in the Hamptons for donors" and is also on Trump’s presidential inaugural committee (N.Y. POST, 12/5). Meanwhile, Disney Chair & CEO BOB IGER has been "named to a new policy forum" created by Trump. The President’s Strategic and Policy Forum includes "several business heavyweights" (L.A. TIMES, 12/3). Iger is a Democratic donor who "supported HILLARY CLINTON in the election" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 12/3).

READ ALL ABOUT IT: The recently released book, "TOM BENSON: A BILLIONAIRE'S JOURNEY," tells the "life story" of the Saints and Pelicans Owner, a "rags-to-riches journey from humble beginnings in the Depression-era 7th Ward to becoming the richest man in Louisiana." The 320-page book took author KATHY FINN 15 months to complete. Finn's "exhaustively researched and footnoted biography is the most definitive look yet at Benson and his improbable ascension to fame, wealth and power." Benson did "not authorize or participate in the project," nor did his wife, GAYLE, his estranged heirs, RENEE, RITA and RYAN LEBLANC, or any current Saints or Pelicans execs. Finn "doesn't shy from controversy," but paints Benson as a "sympathetic figure" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 12/3).

GRANDFATHERED IN? Former MLBer DAVID ORTIZ has spoken with Red Sox President of Baseball Operations DAVE DOMBROWSKI "about a job with the team," but nothing has "been settled on at this point." Dombrowski in an email wrote, "Not sure of the role at this point. Would need to sit down and discuss with him" (BOSTONHERALD.com, 12/2). Ortiz "dabbled in television work for Fox" during the '14 World Series and "has since had several network offers." But he will "take at least a year off before considering that avenue." Ortiz will "spend more time with his charitable foundation" (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/3).

NAMES: The Charlotte Chamber of Commerce gave the Citizen of the Carolinas award to NASCAR team Owner RICK HENDRICK. The recognition goes to those who have "helped shape the Carolinas in some way" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 12/3)....Indians Press Box Supervisor JOHN KREPOP was the first recipient of a self-titled achievement award created to honor “career achievement, or dedication and service to the Indians’ organization.” Krepop recently retired after 44 seasons with the team (CLEVELAND.com, 12/4)....Lions S DON CAREY wrote a book called “IT'S NOT BECAUSE I'M BETTER THAN YOU!,” to be released Oct. 15. The book is “aimed at helping young people attain success by providing them with examples from Carey’s life” (DETROIT FREE PRESS 12/4)....Sabres G ANDERS NILSSON has a “rainbow pride flag painted on the back of his mask.” He is “displaying it on the ice to raise awareness of the LGBT community and be a symbol that hockey welcomes diversity.” Nilsson: “I have a couple friends who are gay, and life hasn’t been easy for them growing up. It’s time that hockey starts to pay some attention to that” (BUFFALO NEWS, 12/4)....Bulls G JIMMY BUTLER on Saturday said he makes a cameo in the upcoming movie, “OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY” (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 12/4)....WWE entertainer JOHN CENA will host “SNL” on Dec. 10 (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/3).

IN MEMORY: Former Twins Media Relations Dir TOM MEE died Friday at age 88. Mee began working with the Twins “from the time of their arrival” to Minnesota in ’61, and he was inducted into the Twins HOF in ’13 (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 12/3). Few people have "had the pleasure of knowing every Twins player over the years," but Mee had "been a constant through generations of Twins baseball" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 12/3).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 18, 2024

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On this week’s Sports Media Podcast from the New York Post and Sports Business Journal, ESPN’s Jay Bilas talks all things NCAA. Big Ten Network’s Meghan McKeown shares her insight into the Caitlin Clark craze. The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn chats all things Bean Town. And SBJ’s Xavier Hunter drops in to share his findings on how the NWSL is making a social media push.

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SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

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