PBS' KEN BURNS is "producing and directing a two-part, four-hour documentary" about the late MUHAMMAD ALI. Production began in early '16, and Burns anticipates a "broadcast premiere" in '21 on PBS. Four hours is "on the short side" for a Burns documentary (DEADLINE.com, 3/29)....Showtime on Friday night will air "DISGRACED," a documentary recounting the "murder of Baylor hoops star PATRICK DENNEHY" (NEWSOBSERVER.com, 3/30)....Amazon has "waved the green flag at a docuseries that offers unprecedented access to the McLaren racing team as it competes" during the '17 F1 season. The "untitled project will be exclusive on Amazon Prime Video." The series will follow McLaren under new Exec Dir ZAK BROWN (DEADLINE.com, 3/29).
WATCH LIST: Texas Tech Deputy AD CHAD WEIBERG is a "name to remember" if Oklahoma State AD MIKE HOLDER "does decide to create a path toward retirement." The "most relevant part of Weiberg’s past is his OSU connection." He is a '94 graduate of OSU’s Spears School of Business and also has a "master’s from OSU in business administration." It "would be difficult to produce a profile better-suited" for the OSU job. Weiberg also is the nephew of former Big 12 Commissioner KEVIN WEIBERG (NEWSOK.com, 3/30).
START ME UP: Former NFLer LITO SHEPPARD is the lead investor in Laso Therapeutics, which has applied for one of Pennsylvania’s “medicinal marijuana/processor permits.” It is “unclear the dollar figure of Sheppard's investment” (BIZJOURNALS.com, 3/29)....Former WNBAer TAMIKA CATCHINGS has purchased Indianapolis-based Tea’s Me Cafe. Catchings’ group “closed on the sale for an undisclosed amount Feb. 16.” Catchings will “introduce some local artwork on the walls, add some retail, and bring in local spoken-word poets and other performances” (AP, 3/28).
AWARDS & HONORS: Penguins President & CEO DAVID MOREHOUSE will receive the Art Rooney Award for leadership. Under his watch, the Penguins have “become one of the most successful teams in the NHL" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 3/29)....Warriors VP/Public Affairs, Community Relations & Event Management GAIL HUNTER will be awarded the Sport Manager of the Year award by the St. John Fisher College Sport Management program (Warriors)....Former Padres GM JACK MCKEON will be inducted into the team’s HOF this summer (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 3/30)....Foxboro-based Patriot Place was named Waste Management Recycler of the Year in the Business Category by MassRecycle (Patriot Place).
NAMES: Former MLBer DAVID ORTIZ will “give New England Tech’s commencement address on April 30.” The institute will “present Ortiz with his first honorary degree, a doctor of humane letters in recognition of his leadership, and his work to help others” (PROVIDENCE JOURNAL, 3/29)....Rays P CHRIS ARCHER has “left” Independent Sports & Entertainment and signed with Legacy Agency’s ED CERULO (TWITTER.com, 3/30)....Golden Knights fans can “soon show their pride with a special Nevada license plate” (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 3/31)....The D-backs and their foundation this week surpassed $50M in charitable giving since their inception in '98. Of that sum, 80% has been donated in the last 11 years (D-backs).
