YAHOO SPORTS’ Maggie Hendricks reported Las Vegas-based Culinary Union's Local 226 “sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission, urging them to investigate” UFC Owner Zuffa LLC “for anti-trust violations.” The letter said that Zuffa “has risen to the top of the MMA marketplace by buying up entities like PRIDE, World Extreme Cagefighting and Strikeforce.” Union officials estimate that Zuffa “controls 80-90 percent of the MMA market, and because of that power, they can wield power over their fighters.” The letter “is concluded by urging the FTC to look into Zuffa's practices” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 9/1).
ON COURSE: Excel Sports Management has signed 18-year-old golfer DANIELLE KANG, the first new golf client MARK STEINBERG has inked since joining the firm as a full partner several weeks ago. Steinberg, who also serves as TIGER WOODS’ agent, said, “Danielle is a tremendous talent whose maturity is underscored by her impressive work ethic and unwavering focus. She is without question an up and comer in professional golf, and we are thrilled to welcome her to Excel’s growing family.” Kang won the U.S. Amateur in '10 and '11, the first woman to win back-to-back championships in 15 years (Liz Mullen, SportsBusiness Journal).
SHARING HIS THOUGHTS: Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT discussed “a wide range of topics" with the BOSTON GLOBE's Greg Bedard, including his role in the NFL labor talks while his wife, MYRA, was dying from cancer. Kraft said, "I spent 95 percent of my time for 4 1/2 months (with Myra). In some ways, it got me out because I was really ... I’ve never been through something [like] that. But there were times I was sitting and listening to stuff and I did say, ‘This is ridiculous. I’m moving on.’ But I went home a lot. I used to fly back.” Bedard asks, “Now that she’s been gone and you’ve had a lot of time to think, are there any moments where you regret leaving her to take part in the talks?” Kraft: “No. Because I always ... got her permission.” He added, “I think that she would be very happy -- and I actually had a chance to tell her, even though she passed before -- that a deal would be done. And that made her happy. Because we had planned on her enjoying the season” (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/2).
NAMES: In St. Louis, Rick Hummel reports the MLB Cardinals organization has “turned its attention to getting longtime" radio announcer MIKE SHANNON into the Baseball HOF. The "Like Mike" campaign, which celebrates Shannon's 40 years in the booth, "is centered on including Shannon's name on the ballot as one of the 10 nominees for the Frick award, the winner of which will be announced in December at baseball's winter meetings in Dallas.” The HOF is “conducting fan balloting on its Facebook page to select three of the 10 nominees for the 2012 award" (STLTODAY.com, 9/1)....Late Univ. of Miami booster MARY HECHT has donated $4.2M to the school’s athletic program. The donation comes 30 years after Hecht passed away (Univ. of Miami)....The soon-to-be-released “MONEYBALL” will be shown at the Tokyo International Film Festival on Oct. 30 (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 9/2)....NHL Rangers C BRAD RICHARDS “will attend the Tommy Hilfiger show on Sept. 11” at Lincoln Center during N.Y. Fashion Week (N.Y. POST, 9/2)....Jets RB LADAINIAN TOMLINSON placed his 5 ½ bath, 9,564-square-foot home in San Diego on the market for $5.2M (SIGNONSANDIEGO.com, 8/31).
