Teen pop star DEMI LOVATO sang the National Anthem last night prior to Game Five of the World Series in Arlington, and MLB execs said her selection came directly as a result of an aggressive social media campaign initiated by Lovato's sister, DALLAS. Dallas Lovato encouraged her younger sister's legion of fans, 4.8 million of which subscribe to the official Demi Lovato Twitter feed, to contact MLB with their desire to have her sing as Lovato was born and raised in Dallas. The pro-Lovato campaign in particular was organized under two hashtags, #Demi4World Series and #DemiNationalAnthemWorldSeries. Much like the prior National Anthem selections of SCOTTY MCCREERY and ZOOEY DESCHANEL, the Lovato pick also potentially put MLB in front of more young, female fans (Eric Fisher, SportsBusiness Journal).
WATCHING AT HOME: USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale notes former MLB Rangers Managing General Partner & CEO CHUCK GREENBERG is watching the World Series "more than 1,200 miles away in his old home in Pittsburgh." He was “ousted as CEO in March after a personality clash” with President & CEO NOLAN RYAN and ownership. Greenberg said, “It’s bittersweet. These games have been such great theater. But it’s different for me now.” Greenberg received around a $25M “payout from his role” and still “keeps in touch with players and many former front office members” (USA TODAY, 10/25).
ON THE STAND: The FINANCIAL TIMES’ Chris Bryant reported the trial began yesterday in Munich for German banker GERHARD GRIBKOWSKY, who is “alleged to have accepted $44M in bribes” from F1 Management Chair BERNIE ECCLESTONE “and a trust linked to his former wife.” The defendant’s lawyer accused “media and prosecutors of ‘hounding’ his client.” Gribkowsky, the “former chief risk officer of BayernLB, the German Landesbank, is charged with accepting corrupt payments, breach of trust, and tax evasion over his role in the sale in 2005 of the bank’s stake in the Formula One racing series to CVC, the private equity group” (FINANCIAL TIMES, 10/25).
PRODUCING RESULTS: In DC, Dan Steinberg profiled ESPN's "PTI" Exec Producer ERIK RYDHOLM, who has "shepherded" the show for the past decade. Rydholm, 44, is a "former Internet entrepreneur whom [TONY] KORNHEISER calls a genius every chance he gets.” "Around The Horn" host TONY REALI said of Rydholm: “He has vision no one else has. He still cuts those heads out every morning. Hangs them in the back of the set like our own Sgt. Peppers album cover.” After "PTI" experienced "runaway success," Rydholm also took over "Around the Horn" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 10/24). Meanwhile, yesterday was the 10th anniversary episode of "PTI,” and co-host MICHAEL WILBON's assertion that PRESIDENT OBAMA was a fan of the show was proved correct as Obama sent in a video congratulation. Reali introduced the video by saying, “A viewer has sent in a special message so let’s take a listen to that.” In the video, Obama said, “To Tony, Mike and all the knuckleheads at ‘PTI’ congratulations on a great 10 years.” Kornheiser responded, “Wow! That’s a stunner! How cool is that?” Wilbon: “Unbelievable.” Kornheiser added, “I didn’t know that was coming” (“PTI,” ESPN, 10/24).
SPEAKING OUT: In Ft. Lauderdale, Mike Berardino reported Dolphins WR BRANDON MARSHALL spoke at Harvard’s Emerson Hall for a free program called, “Mental Illness Isn’t a Game Stopper: A Conversation with NFL Star Brandon Marshall.” Marshall spent “hours crafting his 30-minute address that was to deal with a variety of aspects regarding" Boarderline Personality Disorder. McLean Hospital in Boston “heard about the documentary Marshall has been filming for months now -- ‘Borderline Beast' -- and put him in touch with Harvard officials.” A 10-minute preview of the Marshall documentary “was to be screened as well” (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 10/25).
NAMES: The Charlotte NFL Players Chapter is talking to Democratic National Convention officials “about ways they can help” during next year's event in the city. Exactly how the players would help “is still unclear.” Former NFLer MIKE DULANEY said that they could “get involved in events surrounding the Super Bowl or NFL draft,” and added that there are “more than 50 retired players in the area and hundreds in the Carolinas” (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/25)....The National Fantasy Baseball Championship has produced only “one two-time champion, LINDY HINKELMAN,” who has won “in excess of $300,000 in prize money earned over the last three years.” The NFBC “attracted 390 players last year, each paying a $1,400 entry fee.” Players have included film director NICK CASSAVETES, actor JAMES RODAY and musician MEAT LOAF (N.Y. TIMES, 10/25)....The L.A. Times' BILL SHAIKIN was elected president at the Baseball Writers’ Association of America World Series meeting on Saturday, succeeding Newsday's KEN DAVIDOFF (AP, 10/22)....WNBA Chicago Sky Owner MICHAEL ALTER earned a spot in the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Chicago Affiliate’s inaugural class of Pink Tie Guys -- a group of 13 community leaders looking to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer (WNBA)...Jets QB MARK SANCHEZ, CB DARRELLE REVIS and a few of their teammates “toasted their victory over the Chargers at Juliet Supperclub late on Sunday night” (N.Y. POST, 10/25)....Warriors G STEPHEN CURRY during the NBA lockout is “finishing up a degree in sociology” at Davidson Univ. (CONTRA COSTA TIMES, 10/24).
