In L.A., Patrick Goldstein wrote recently resigned NBC Sports Chair DICK EBERSOL is "born to wrestle the Oscars into the 21st century." Ebersol, one of the "most magnetic talents in modern-day broadcasting," would be a "natural to helm the Oscars, especially because of his Olympics coverage, which created an emotional bond between viewers and a host of often obscure athletes by crafting emotional featurettes delving into the triumphs and tragedies in their personal lives." This is "exactly what the Oscars should be doing so that its audience might actually have a rooting interest in the unknowns who are up for honors in the best art direction or best sound editing categories" (LATIMES.com, 5/24).
BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY? In Pittsburgh, Carl Prine reports Steelers QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER "provided 'perks' to Pennsylvania State Police officials by giving them seats in his private luxury suite at Heinz Field and appearing at their charity fundraisers." Those were among the findings this month "by an arbitrator who rejected Trooper ED JOYNER's appeal to return to his off-duty work for Roethlisberger following unproven allegations that Roethlisberger raped a woman last year in a Milledgeville, Ga., bar" (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 5/25).
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Katie Couric (c) receives '11 WNBA
Inspirational Award |
NAMES: Bowler SCOTT NORTON last week became "what is believed to be the first active athlete in men's professional sports to declare he is gay." Norton said that he "was motivated" by Suns President & CEO RICK WELTS coming out (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 5/25)....Pistons Owner TOM GORES' Platinum Equity has acquired Active Aero Group, a Michigan-based freight transportation and logistics management company (FREEP.com, 5/24)....There are 67 cars representing 71 Indianapolis 500 wins on display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway HOF Museum to celebrate the race's 100th anniversary. The show, "The Ultimate Indianapolis 500 Winning Car Collection," will end in June, "with some owners shipping cars abroad early next month for an Indy 500 commemoration" in the U.K. (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 5/25)....Former CBS News anchor KATIE COURIC received the ’11 WNBA Inspirational Award yesterday during the annual WNBA Inspiring Women Luncheon at Gotham Hall in N.Y. (THE DAILY)....Rays manager JOE MADDON wore a Lightning cap for a video message that will be shown tonight at St. Pete Times Forum during the NHL team's Eastern Conference Finals Game Six against the Bruins (TAMPABAY.com, 5/24)....Former Olympian JEFF GALLOWAY has designed an iPhone App that he says is "for people who have already run a 10K and want to improve" their time (DESERET NEWS, 5/24)....NASCAR driver KYLE BUSCH was "cited for careless and reckless driving and speeding" yesterday after being pulled over for driving 128 mph in a 45 mph zone in North Carolina (AP, 5/24)....Former tennis player ANNA KOURNIKOVA will replace JILLIAN MICHAELS as a trainer on NBC's "THE BIGGEST LOSER" starting next season (THR.com, 5/25).
BEST WISHES: Blackhawks Ambassador and Hockey HOFer STAN MIKITA is preparing to undergo treatment for Stage 1 oral cancer (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 5/25).
