Nominations for the Golden Globe Awards were announced this morning, and "MONEYBALL" was nominated in four major categories including best motion picture drama. BRAD PITT was nominated for best actor in a motion picture drama for his portrayal of A's GM BILLY BEANE, and JONAH HILL was nominated for best supporting actor in a motion picture. AARON SORKIN was nominated for his screenplay adapted from MICHAEL LEWIS' bestseller. The Golden Globes "will be broadcast live on NBC Jan. 15" (THR.com, 12/15).
FAMILY HERITAGE: Actress ROONEY MARA appeared on CBS’ “Late Show” last night to promote her new movie, “THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO.” CBS' David Letterman asked about her “football background” because “we have two names that even casual football observers of football are aware of, Mara and Rooney.” Mara is the great-granddaughter of Steelers Founder ART ROONEY SR. and Giants Founder TIM MARA, as well as the daughter of Giants VP/Player Evaluation TIMOTHY MARA. Mara said of the two families, “It was an arranged marriage.” Letterman replied, “I didn't think that was legal. So two great dynasties in professional football, what effect does that have on a kid? Were you a big football fan?” Mara: “I wasn't. I guess I really resented it. Now of course I appreciate it. It's such an important part of my family and I appreciate that it's a very unique part of my family. But as a little kid we used to have to go to church on Sundays and then we'd be brought to the football games. I'd have itchy tights on and an uncomfortable dress, and all the other people at the games were in sweats and eating hot dogs, so I was like, ‘This sucks.’” Mara said she roots for the Giants and “I like the Steelers too, but my dad works for the Giants” (“Late Show,” CBS, 12/14).
STAYING ON THE BOOKS: In Memphis, Kyle Veazey reports Univ. of Memphis AD R.C. JOHNSON “will continue to be paid his $316,725 annual salary through the end of the 2012-13 fiscal year -- even though he'll be retired a year or even longer by that point.” Johnson “won't have to pay back $31,306.81 that's due on Jan. 1, 2013,” the sum “he was supposed to pay back for the NCAA violations.” Univ. of Memphis attorney SHERI LIPMAN said, “Because it was a mutual decision, the university will honor its contractual agreement through the end date of the contract" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 12/15). Also in Memphis, Geoff Calkins writes that is “not bad for a guy who destroyed the football program and neatly maneuvered the broader athletic program into a position behind such traditional powers as Central Florida, SMU and San Diego State” (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 12/15).
CHARLIE'S ANGELS: The Univ. of Kansas yesterday released its agreement with new football coach CHARLIE WEIS, confirming that he will “make $12.5 million over five seasons.” If Weis is fired, he will receive “the entire sum as long as he is not terminated for cause.” The school also agreed to provide Weis “at least $2.1 million a year for assistant coaching salaries.” Weis has to pay KU $2.5M “if he leaves for another job or terminates the agreement for another reason by Dec. 31, 2014.” If Weis terminates the agreement between Jan. 1, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2016, “he has to pay KU $1.5 million” (K.C. STAR, 12/15).
LAWYERING UP: In Milwaukee, Todd Rosiak wrote under the header, “Braun’s Attorney Has Experience Battling Drug Test Findings.” Brewers LF RYAN BRAUN’s reps at CAA “hired DAVID CORNWELL … to appeal Braun’s case in January.” Cornwell has “forged a reputation as a specialist when it comes to defending athletes facing suspension for drug or PED usage,” such as Rockies P J.C. ROMERO. Putting Cornwell on the case means Braun’s reps “seemingly have pulled out all the stops” (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 12/15).
STANDING TOGETHER: Saints QB DREW BREES and members of the ’06 Saints team have “teamed up with artist MICHAEL HUNT on a project to support the Gleason Initiative Foundation.” Hunt has created a lithograph of former NFLer STEVE GLEASON’s “famous blocked punt that highlighted the Saints victory over the Atlanta Falcons the night the Superdome reopened after Hurricane Katrina.” Gleason is battling ALS and proceeds from the lithograph sale “will benefit the Gleason Initiative Foundation which is dedicated to provide equipment to other ALS victims” (NOLA.com, 12/14).
NAMES: Talent agency William Morris Endeavor is “suing Spanish-language sportscaster ANDRES CANTOR.” Cantor left the agency in ’10, “but in a lawsuit filed on Tuesday in Florida federal court, WME says it is still owed commissions.” Cantor had been with the company since ’94 (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 12/14)....The Missouri Sports HOF will induct former Learfield Communications Chair & CEO CLYDE LEAR on Jan. 29, 2012 (Learfield Sports)….Patriots WR CHAD OCHOCINCO had dinner Tuesday night at Boston’s All Star Sandwich Bar with Emerson College professor DAVID GERZOF RICHARD’s social media marketing class (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/15)….The OC Sports Grill, located two blocks from Angel Stadium, on Friday began selling The Machine Burger, named for Angels 1B ALBERT PUJOLS. The $13.99 burger includes a half-pound of Angus beef, a four-ounce fried-mozzarella patty, fried onion strings, avocado and tomatoes (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 12/15).
