Names In The News
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Dolphins CEO Mike Dee Described
As "Outside-The-Box" Thinker |
In Miami, Barry Jackson profiled Dolphins CEO MIKE DEE, who, like Owner STEPHEN ROSS, is a "bold, outside-the-box thinker." Dee in '93 met Red Sox President & CEO LARRY LUCCHINO, who hired Dee after becoming Padres President & CEO. Dee later "followed Lucchino to Boston" when Red Sox Owner JOHN HENRY bought the team in '02. Former Dolphins Owner WAYNE HUIZENGA "knew Dee and recommended Ross speak with him about the CEO job." Dee "will not be involved in player personnel decisions" with the Dolphins. He instead will seek to "improve the fan experience and boost attendance" at Land Shark Stadium, and "upgrade the stadium, even after the $250[M] renovations in recent years." Dee also will seek to "book more events" at the venue (MIAMI HERALD, 7/3).
NEXT IN LINE: In Pittsburgh, Brown & Prine profiled Steelers President ART ROONEY II, who "often appears detached, even aloof." Rooney is "never described, even by friends and family, as outgoing," and "some see that as his natural poker-faced temperament." But others, like his uncle Steelers investor ART ROONEY JR., "believe that he's following the same path a young DAN ROONEY blazed as he emerged from his father's long shadow." Brown & Prine wrote, "Time will tell whether Art II becomes the public face of the franchise, a role both his father and grandfather grabbed with gusto" (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 7/5).
HONORARY ROLE: ESPN's CHRIS BERMAN said Bills Owner RALPH WILSON's request that Berman introduce him at his Pro Football HOF induction "really came out of the blue." Berman: "I've rarely been so honored or humbled as that phone call. I said, 'I'll tell you this, I'll do a helluva job for you.'" Wilson made Berman "promise to find a way to get the phrase, 'No one circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills,' somewhere in the Aug. 8 speech." Berman "initially didn't think the Hall of Fame was quite the place to use the line because it is more about him than it is about the owner," but Wilson "told him 'he better' put it in" (BUFFALO NEWS, 7/4).
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Delaney Traveling To Iraq
To Promote Autobiography |
NAMES: Ravens coach JOHN HARBAUGH, Giants coach TOM COUGHLIN, Titans coach JEFF FISHER, CBS' BILL COWHER and ESPN's JON GRUDEN are participating in the inaugural NFL-USO Coaches Tour of the Persian Gulf, meeting with "nearly 6,000 troops." The coaches spent their first day with RAY ODIERNO, the U.S. commanding general in Iraq, and Odierno "briefed them for about an hour on the situation in Iraq, from what the troops are trying to accomplish to mistakes that have been made" (Baltimore SUN, 7/4)....NBA referee BOB DELANEY is traveling to Iraq to promote his autobiography, "COVERT: MY YEARS INFILTRATING THE MOB," co-written by the St. Petersburg Times' DAVE SCHEIBER. Delaney "plans to provide troops with 1,000 copies of the book, which charts his days as a New Jersey state trooper infiltrating organized crime." Meanwhile, Delaney's story "has been optioned by Appledown Films and he has had meetings" with director RON SHELTON and scriptwriter JOHN NORVILLE (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/5)....Fashion site StyleCaster has raised $4M in a first round led by Cavaliers Owner DAN GILBERT. The site offers "personalized style tips, shopping, and a social network" (REUTERS, 7/2)....NYRA Saturday at Belmont Park raised $4,340 for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund as jockey CALVIN BOREL signed autographs for fans. Fans "lined up to purchase autographed pictures of Borel for $10 each with all proceeds benefiting the fund." In all, $2,170 was raised through the autograph session, and NYRA "donated a matching amount to the charity" (THOROUGHBREDTIMES.com, 7/4).
IN MEMORY: Lions Dir of Security RICKY SANDOVAL passed away Thursday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. The Lions earlier last week named their indoor practice field "Sandoval Field" in his honor. Sandoval, who "received his diagnosis in May 2006," was named the Lions' recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award in '06 (FREEP.com, 7/2).
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