A pilot program from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to run daily commuter trains to Gillette Stadium has "sparked outrage from lawmakers and transit advocates," who claim the $1.2M plan is a "sweetheart deal" for Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT. The project yesterday was approved and a one-year pilot program is "slated to start" in spring '19 and cost MBTA $524,000. The Kraft Group is "contributing $217,000." Officials also "included a provision that the project’s sponsors share in any unforeseen cost overruns" (BOSTON HERALD, 8/15).
CUSTOM FIT: Augusta National has filed a federal lawsuit against Tampa-based Green Jacket Auctions "seeking to stop the company from selling a champion's green jacket and two member green jackets, as well as silverware and a belt buckle bearing Augusta National's map and flag logo." The suit states the jacket "may not be removed from the Augusta National grounds except during the first year after it is presented." Augusta National said that it "owns the jackets, and the champions have 'possessory rights' when they're on Augusta National grounds." Green Jacket Auctions co-Owner RYAN CAREY in an email wrote the club is "attempting to assert ownership claims to every green jacket ever produced" (AP, 8/14).
AWARDS & HONORS: Golfer STEWART CINK has been named the recipient of the '17 Payne Stewart Award. He will be honored on Sept. 19 (PGA Tour)....Cubs 3B KRIS BRYANT and President of Baseball Operations THEO EPSTEIN last night each received the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum's Legacy Award (Cubs).
NAMES: The BFI London Film Festival on Oct. 7 will host the European premiere of "BATTLE OF THE SEXES," starring EMMA STONE as BILLIE JEAN KING and STEVE CARRELL as BOBBY RIGGS (VARIETY.com, 8/15)....N Magazine Founder & Publisher BRUCE PERCELAY said that the recent issue featuring Patriots coach BILL BELICHICK on the cover was the “most successful” in the Nantucket-based publiction's 15-year history (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/15)....A farm on Sauvie Island, Ore., is honoring Trail Blazers G DAMIAN LILLARD with a “corn maze designed with his image” (OREGONLIVE.com, 8/14)....ESPN’s JESSE PALMER is "set to host ‘DailyMailTV,’” which will launch in syndication on Sept. 18 (BROADCASTINGCABLE.com, 8/14)....ALEX RODRIGUEZ has “debuted a new gym” in Kendall, Fla., called UFC Gym Kendall (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 8/14)....KENDALL JENNER “spent the weekend” with Clippers F BLAKE GRIFFIN, and the two were “spotted hanging out” on a daybed on the beach at Gurney’s Montauk in the Hamptons (NYPOST.com, 8/14)....Packers QB AARON RODGERS on Sunday was seen on a date with former Harvard soccer player MARIE MARGOLIUS (NYPOST.com, 8/14).
