In Cleveland, Jodie Valade profiled LAUREL RICHIE as she “begins her second month as the new WNBA president.” Richie is the “first black president of any major sports league,” and she was also the “first black woman to serve on the board of Ogilvy and Mather.” She is “thankful for the trailblazing approach she witnessed in both her parents and all the similarities that she inherited from her father.” Richie said, "It's part of my DNA to blaze trails and not take no for an answer.” Richie has “always been driven to make the most of every situation, including the event that led to her eventual hiring as WNBA president.” She was the keynote speaker at a Girl Scouts of Western Washington meeting in February. Seattle Storm President & CEO KAREN BRYANT “listened to Laurel's speech and instantly knew she had to submit her name to be among those considered” to replace former President DONNA ORENDER. Bryant “didn't tell Laurel she recommended her, but when the WNBA called, it somehow seemed right” (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 6/19).
NO REGRETS: The GLOBE & MAIL’s David Shoalts writes, “Thirteen years and $15.3-million in fines and forfeited salary (he kept track) after COLIN CAMPBELL became the NHL’s sheriff, he is leaving that part of his job with no regrets.” Campbell’s role as disciplinarian “unfairly obscured the fact he was an innovator for a game that needed it badly as the 2004-05 lockout approached.” Along with “his right-hand man,” NHL Senior VP/Hockey Operation MIKE MURPHY, and “with input from a symposium organized by” VP/Hockey & Business Development BRENDAN SHANAHAN, Campbell “introduced the rule changes and new approach that made the NHL game much faster and more entertaining.” Campbell said, “It takes stamina and energy to do this and it wears away after 13 years. Sometimes the tank gets empty and you have to sit back and take a run at something else” (GLOBE & MAIL, 6/20).
NAMES: Mets SS JOSE REYES on Saturday “ended any speculation of a potential partnership” with agent SCOTT BORAS when he "announced that he will be staying with his current representation," PETER GREENBERG. Sources had previously said that Boras “had talked with Reyes about becoming his representative” (ESPNNY.com, 6/18)....WMG Chair & CEO CASEY WASSERMAN’s Wasserman Foundation on Friday announced that it has donated $1M to the L.A. school district “to help pay for several academic programs and new positions.” The donation will “help fund four programs and up to five positions.” The foundation has donated a total of $4.3M to the district since ’09 (L.A. TIMES, 6/18)....Magic Dir of Player Development ADONAL FOYLE started the Kerosene Lamp Foundation in ’03 to "help children living in poverty on the Caribbean islands." Free camps held by the foundation "have served some 5,000 youngsters so far" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 6/20)....The Texas Rangers Foundation has made a donation to the fund supporting JONATHAN TAYLOR, the partially paralyzed Univ. of Georgia OF whom the team drafted in the 33rd round of the MLB Draft. The size of the donation was not disclosed, but team officials said that “it was in line with a signing bonus” (DALLASNEWS.com, 6/18)....NHL Commissioner GARY BETTMAN rang the NYSE Closing Bell on Thursday (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 6/17).
