In N.Y., Stefan Bondy reports three months after MIKHAIL PROKHOROV was “introduced as the leader of a fledgling Russian political party, Right Cause, the billionaire Nets owner has abandoned his position while accusing the Kremlin of sabotaging his aspirations.” The Kremlin reportedly “felt Prokhorov was getting too ambitious and infiltrated his pro-business party with ‘fake’ candidates.” Prokhorov Thursday said his party was "bought by the Kremlin" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/16). Prokhorov said that Russian politics “is orchestrated by a ‘puppet master’” (L.A. TIMES, 9/16).
GOING ONCE… Several items belonging to late Baseball HOFer TED WILLIAMS “are set for auction next spring,” including his ’46 AL championship ring, a “bat he used in an All-Star game and a baseball that BABE RUTH signed to Williams.” Hunt Auctions will host the sale in the Boston area, with the date “still be to determined.” Part of the proceeds will be donated to The Jimmy Fund, the official charity of the Red Sox (BOSTON HERLAD, 9/16).
JUST FOR KICKS: Employees of the MLS Timbers and adidas “played the first annual ‘Stumptown Derby’ to benefit the Timbers’ community fund Thursday afternoon” at adidas’ North American HQs in Portland. Those participating in the game for the Timbers included Owner MERRITT PAULSON, GM GAVIN WILKINSON and coach JOHN SPENCER. adidas America President PATRIK NILSSON led the adidas squad. The Timbers “donated 1,000 tickets for adidas employees to attend the Timbers’ final home game” against the Dynamo Oct. 14. Nilsson said that adidas “will donate $10,000 to the Timbers’ community fund” (OREGONLIVE.com, 9/15).
PROVIDING INSPIRATION: NBC's “Today” show Friday profiled the charitable efforts of Eagles CB NNAMDI ASOMUGHA. NBC’s Jenna Bush Hager reported after joining the Raiders, Asomugha started the “Asomugha College Tour for Scholars” which each year takes “a dozen inner-city high school students, some who have never been on a plane before, on a tour of universities across the country.” Asomugha: “We know that with exposure you can reach all sorts of new heights. You don’t know how your life is going to turn out, but understand that there are possibilities out there.” Bush said Asomugha “told me he’s trying to get the kids” that have been involved in the program “to come to the Super Bowl if he makes it there himself” (“Today,” NBC, 9/16).
NAMES: Former Univ. of Arizona basketball coach LUTE OLSON “contends in a lawsuit that he lost more than $1 million by investing in ‘bogus’ bonds with DAVID SALINAS, the Houston financial adviser for college coaches who committed suicide while under investigation" by the SEC (AP, 9/15)….Bruins President CAM NEELY and players ANDREW FERENCE, PATRICE BERGERON, TYLER SEGUIN, MILAN LUCIC and SHAWN THORNTON took part in a shoot Thursday at TD Garden for ABC’s “EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION.” The episode will air in December (NHL)…. Former NHLer DARREN MCCARTY is the newest employee at American Jewelry and Loan, the store featured on truTV’s “HARDCORE PAWN” (American Jewelry and Loan)....AEG Chair PHIL ANSCHUTZ is “buying the historic five-star Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs.” The deal is “expected to close in October.” Anschutz is also buying “the entirety of Oklahoma Publishing, including its flagship newspaper The Oklahoman in Oklahoma City” (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/15).
IN MEMORY: Former broadcaster SAM DELUCA passed away Tuesday at his home in Pelham, N.Y., at the age of 75. DeLuca was the NFL Jets' commentator on ABC and worked for NBC (N.Y. TIMES, 9/16).
