This morning’s edition of ABC’s “GMA” featured volunteers and celebrities answering phones as part of Disney’s “Day of Giving” fundraiser for the victims of Hurricane Harvey. NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL was in-studio answering phone calls, and said the Texans “wanted to get back into their community” and Texans DE J.J. WATT “wanted to continue the work he’s doing.” Goodell noted there will be “15 other games and each of those teams will be reaching out and trying to do what they can.” Goodell: “This is what makes us all proud as Americans that we have times when we get to help one another. There are people in need. ... For all of us this is a chance for us to give back and try to help people get through a very difficult time" (“GMA,” ABC, 8/31).
HELPING HAND: Heat Owner MICKY ARISON, his company Carnival Cruise Line and the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation are "getting involved in Hurricane Harvey relief efforts," pledging at least $2M (MIAMI HERALD, 8/31). In addition, cruise guests sailing on certain Carnival Cruise Line cruises will have the "option to make a donation when they check in for their cruise." The company's brands and employees "will be participating as well" (PALM BEACH POST, 8/31).
IN BRIEF: The state of New Jersey argued in a brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court that a 25-year-old federal law "banning most sports betting nationwide is unconstitutional and must be stricken." The brief was written by TED OLSON, a former U.S. solicitor general for a case that "will be heard by the Supreme Court this fall." In his brief, Olson "challenges a federal law that forces Jersey to ban sports betting at the state's casinos and racetracks in spite of a state law that permits it" (Bergen RECORD, 8/31).
NAMES: The Int'l Tennis Writers Associations in N.Y. on Sunday night honored ATP Dir of Media Information GREG SHARKO with the Bud Collins Award for his "three decades of service to the media" (ATP)....DALE EARNHARDT JR. yesterday was the "keynote speaker" at the 56th annual Redskins Welcome Home Luncheon. Earnhardt was preceded at the event by Virginia Gov. TERRY MCAULIFFE, who used his final team banquet to "lobby for a new Redskins stadium in the commonwealth" (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 8/31)....U.S. Sen. MARCO RUBIO (R-Fla.) yesterday visited Daytona Int'l Speedway, where he "toured the facility and met with officials." Rubio then "took a lap around the track in a pace car" (ABCNEWS.com, 8/31)....Predators D P.K. SUBBAN yesterday held a "fundraising event" at the Montreal Science Centre for his eponymous foundation (MONTREALGAZETTE.com, 8/30)....Former NFLer NNAMDI ASOMUGHA is co-starring in "CROWN HEIGHTS," the "winner of this year's audience award" at the Sundance Film Festival (MERCURYNEWS.com, 8/30)....Pro Football HOFer EMMITT SMITH, who formed Dallas-based E Smith Realty Partners four years ago, has added ESPN's DARREN WOODSON to the company as Senior VP (DALLASNEWS.com, 8/29)....Tennis Channel President KEN SOLOMON, MARTINA NAVRATILOVA and JAMES BLAKE helped ring the NASDAQ Opening Bell yesterday (THE DAILY).
IN MEMORY: Former college basketball coach ROLLIE MASSIMINO died yesterday at the age of 82. In his 41-year career, Massimino coached at Stony Brook, Keiser College, UNLV, Cleveland State and Villanova, where he won the '85 NCAA Championship (PHILLYNEWS.com, 8/30).
