The Lakers last night received an NBA Social Media Award for the Most Valuable Team, given to the club that had the largest social media footprint during the regular season (Turner). The Clippers won the "FanNation" award for the largest growth in social media interest, growing 114.33% during the season (OCREGISTER.com, 6/20)....Facebook data indicated that Staples Center is the "most checked-in spot in Los Angeles." Sports venues across the U.S. "scored number one spots in numerous cities, including Chicago's Wrigley Field and San Francisco's AT&T Park." Internationally, Auckland's Eden Park, the Tokyo Dome in Japan, Barcelona's Camp Nou and Toronto's Rogers Centre "all ranked as top sporty hot spots" (LAIST.com, 6/20).
ON THE DOCKET: A U.S. Attorney's Office statement said that former Buccaneers Luxury Suite Manager BRIAN WEISS was "sentenced to 10 years and one month in federal prison for using a computer and cell phone to arrange for sex with a 14-year-old." Weiss also will "serve a 10-year term of supervision upon his release" from prison, and is required to register as a sexual offender (BIZJOURNALS.com, 6/20)....Knicks G J.R. SMITH is "disputing he missed 80 practices with his Chinese team -- virtually all of them -- in a lawsuit filed with FIBA to recoup the $1,078,500 withheld from his salary." Pursuant to the contract, the case will be ruled upon by a FIBA arbitrator in Geneva, Switzerland in the coming weeks. The Chinese team claims Smith "breached" his contract, and has until Monday to answer the complaint (N.Y. POST, 6/21).
NAMES: Tennis HOFer BILLIE JEAN KING yesterday attended a White House conference celebrating the 40th anniversary of Title IX, and the "gains women have made" (USA TODAY, 6/21)....The Northern Ohio Golf Charities named Golf HOFer Sir NICK FALDO the '12 Ambassador of Golf. Faldo will be honored in a ceremony at Firestone Country Club on Aug. 1 in conjunction with the '12 Bridgestone Invitational (PGA Tour)....Longtime Celtics Trainer ED LACERTE yesterday received the '11-12 Joe O'Toole Athletic Trainer of the Year Award presented by the National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (ESPNBOSTON.com, 6/20)....Former BayernLB Chief Risk Officer GERHARD GRIBKOWSKY said in court yesterday that he accepted US$44M in alleged bribes from F1 Management Chair BERNIE ECCLESTONE in connection with the '05 sale of a stake in the racing franchise (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 6/21)....Actor COLIN HANKS and ABC's "DANCING WITH THE STARS" pro CHERYL BURKE served as presenters at the NHL Awards last night in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, ESPN's ERIN ANDREWS and actor ADAM PALLY on Tuesday dined at Las Vegas' Scarpetta restaurant (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 6/21).
