The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Walter Gold notes Chesapeake Energy CEO and Thunder investor AUBREY MCCLENDON "apologized to investors on Wednesday for allowing his personal finances to cause what he called distractions." But his "contrition did little to comfort shareholders concerned by the strained financial situation the company detailed in a conference call." Investors "pummeled the stock" yesterday, sending it down 15% to $16.74 at close (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 5/3).
NEW INVESTORS: BROADCASTING & CABLE's George Winslow noted in another sign of the "growing interest in social TV, second screen apps and smart TVs, Flingo has received additional strategic investments" from Mavericks Owner MARK CUBAN and Lauder Partners Managing Dir GARY LAUDER. The agreements bring Flingo's Series A funding total to $8M (BROADCASTINGCABLE.com, 5/2).
TAKING A STAND: European Union Commission President JOSE MANUEL BARROSO said that he will not go to Ukraine during the Euro "unless there is a swift improvement in the human rights situation there." EU Justice Commissioner VIVIANE REDING also said that she is "skipping the ceremonial Euro 2012 opening" (AP, 4/30).
NAMES: Seer Outfitters, a clothing line that is part of Bulls G KYLE KORVER's foundation, has donated 6,000 t-shirts to be sold for $10 each this week during the Tulip Time celebration in Pella, Iowa. All money raised from the sales will honor the life of 16-year-old BLAKE VAN VARK, who died in a car accident in February (DES MOINES REGISTER, 5/2)....Packers G JOSH SITTON is teaming up with AT&T, AAA, the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Green Bay School District to educate teen drivers about the dangers of texting while driving, and the state's law banning the practice (GREENBAYPRESSGAZETTE.com, 5/2)....Research firm EIRIS has named Puma the world's "most sustainable large company" ahead of the Rio+20 conference in June. EIRIS' Sustainability Rankings cover a "broad range of environmental, social, and governance criteria" (BUSINESSGREEN.com, 5/2)....CableFAX Magazine honored ESPN with the PR Team of the Year award at its annual CableFAXIES event this week. It beat out FX, Investigation Discovery and Time Warner Cable, which were given honorable mentions (THE DAILY)....Pittsburgh Tribune-Review photographer CHRISTOPHER HORNER yesterday was named the winner of the Dave Boss Award of Excellence for his entry in the 44th annual Pro Football HOF photo contest (TRIBLIVE.com, 5/2)....Daytona Int'l Speedway President JOIE CHITWOOD III toured the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier Monday to promote the "NASCAR Unites -- An American Salute" campaign, which will honor U.S. military families." Chitwood witnessed the daily operations of the carrier and said, "It was truly awe-inspiring. I just feel lucky that I got to experience it" (Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL, 5/3)....The Univ. of South Carolina spent more than $535,000 to defend itself in its recent infractions case with the NCAA. The school hired attorney WILLIAM KING III of the Alabama-based firm Lightfoot, Franklin & White for representation (AP, 5/2)....Former Univ. of Miami football coach RANDY SHANNON has sued the school claiming it still owes him money related to his employment. Shannon's salary is not disclosed in the lawsuit (MIAMI HERALD, 5/3).
