MSG Co. has hired Teneo Holdings, a "well-connected communications firm whose services include defending companies against shareholder activists." MSG lately has "fallen under increasing pressure from hedge funds to split or sell its assets," which also include its namesake Manhattan venue, The Forum in L.A. and dance troupe the Rockettes. Teneo’s services also include "investment banking, management consulting and corporate restructuring." But a source said, "This is absolutely about defense" (N.Y. POST, 11/1).
SCHOOL FUNDRAISER: Former Chicago Bridge & Iron Chair, President & CEO GERALD GLENN and his wife, CANDICE, recently pledged the ninth cornerstone gift to Clemson athletics. Their $2.5M unrestricted gift will benefit student-athletes of all 19 intercollegiate sports through new and upgraded athletics facilities, student development operations and academic programs. Glenn graduated from Clemson in '64 (Clemson)....Washington State on Monday "announced the naming of the Gray W Jack Thompson Legends Lounge inside the Cougar Football Complex, thanks to a $500,000 gift from three donors" (SPOKESMAN.com, 10/31).
OUT ON THE COAST: Houston-based Gallery Furniture Owner JIM MCINGVALE had a “drawing for Game 6 World Series tickets that also included a spot on a chartered flight” to L.A. for last night's game. Gallery Furniture Sales Manager GREG HOPF “estimated the crowd at 5,000” who showed up for the drawing. In all, McIngvale “flew 98 Astros fans” to L.A. and “gave away 20 pairs of tickets in the drawing.” He also “gave away 20 more to first-responders and 12 to Gallery Furniture employees.” The other 26 passengers on the flight “already had tickets to the game, and McIngvale just allowed them to fly on the chartered plane” (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 11/1). Meanwhile, pollster FRANK LUNTZ was spotted last night in the "second row behind home plate" (POLITICO.com, 11/1).
NAMES: The Univ. of Missouri System Board of Curators yesterday during their meeting “approved the statue” of former men’s basketball coach NORM STEWART. The statue, funded by private donors, will be “unveiled Nov. 10, the day of Missouri’s season opener against Iowa State.” The statue dedication will be at 1:30pm CT at the Walsworth Plaza (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 11/1)....Red Sox RF MOOKIE BETTS will be competing in the GEICO PBA World Series of Bowling on Nov. 7-19 at Reno’s National Bowling Stadium (PBA).
RUNNER'S WORLD: Are you or someone you know in the sports business industry running in Sunday's TCS N.Y. Marathon? If so, contact Lucas Smith at lsmith@sportsbusinessdaily.com on Monday with your time, a photo and a quick note about the experience to share with our readers.
