MSG Chair JAMES DOLAN on Dec. 27 "called an impromptu meeting" with THE ROCKETTES regarding the dance troupe's upcoming performance at the inauguration of DONALD TRUMP. The female performers "seem to largely oppose the decision made on their behalf to enter this particular political fray." Dolan "held firm to his controversial inauguration commitment" in the meeting, though his statements "reveal a management philosophy that fails to factor in the dancers' own concerns." When asked by a woman in the meeting if the Rockettes' performance means they support Trump outright, Dolan "clarified 'no.'" Dolan went on to "point out that support from Trump voters isn't something he wants to miss out on" (MARIECLAIRE.com, 1/3).
HANGING WITH CHAD'S: ESPN's TONY KORNHEISER yesterday announced on his eponymous podcast that an ownership group that includes himself, former Maryland basketball coach GARY WILLIAMS and TV host MAURY POVICH has "purchased" Chad’s restaurant and bar, located in the Friendship Heights area near the Maryland-DC border. Kornheiser also said that he "would like to put a studio" in the location where he "could record his podcasts and potentially host other local podcasters." The restaurant has "long been a favorite haunt for media personalities" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 1/3).
NAMES: The Baltimore Sun named Under Armour Founder, Chair & CEO KEVIN PLANK its "Marylander of the Year" (BALTIMORESUN.com, 12/29)....Saints QB DREW BREES is “adding to his list of local food and beverage businesses,” this time partnering with Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee VIK PATEL to “open new locations across Louisiana.” The partnership has “agreed to open as many as 69 stores.” The partnership also includes Fox Sports NFL analyst DAVID DIEHL (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 1/4)....Former NFLer LADAINIAN TOMLINSON will star in the movie “GOD BLESS THE BROKEN ROAD,” where he will play the role of a pastor. The movie is based on the country song “BLESS THE BROKEN ROAD” (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 1/3)....Univ. of Michigan offensive coordinator TIM DREVNO “agreed to a new five-year deal” that will pay him $1M annually. He was previously making $800,000 (DETROIT NEWS, 1/4)....NBC’s MATT LAUER and his son JACK on Monday attended Magic-Knicks at MSG (NYPOST.com, 1/3).
IN MEMORY: MARTI HUIZENGA, the wife of former Marlins, Dolphins and NHL Panthers Owner WAYNE HUIZENGA, passed away from cancer on Tuesday at the age of 74. She was a "big part of the baseball team when her husband became owner" in '92. Former Marlins President DON SMILEY said, "She was a superfan and supported her husband." Smiley: "Marti was involved in logistics of the name-the-team contest, and she was really happy that the Marlins actually won the contest, because she considered it a strong fighting fish" (MIAMI HERALD, 1/4).
