In New Jersey, John Brennan wrote after Thursday's N.J. Sports & Exposition Authority meeting, "what's generating the most buzz is the confrontation" between NFL Giants President & CEO JOHN MARA and NJSEA exec RALPH MARRA. Mara during the meeting said, "Don't talk to me like that!" Marra responded, "Don't you talk to me like that! You're not supposed to be interrupting me" (NORTHJERSEY.com, 10/11).
LAWYER UP: The NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL and the NCAA in the fight against a New Jersey state law that allows betting on college and pro sports have "fired back with their own legal 'rock star' to counter New Jersey's hiring of renowned attorney TED OLSON." The sports organizations hired PAUL CLEMENT, who "succeeded Olson as U.S. Solicitor General under GEORGE W. BUSH" (NORTHJERSEY.com, 10/11).
NOW HIRING: 76ers F JASON RICHARDSON said that he "has dropped agent DAN FEGAN," who also represents Lakers C DWIGHT HOWARD. Richardson said that Howard’s "stay-or-go saga with the Magic played a role in his decision to leave Fegan." Richardson: “I think a lot of guys feel like [they] were just left in the dark with a lot of things: him changing agencies, or whatever he did with the change. Just kind of neglect.” Richardson added that he is "looking for a new agent" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 10/12).
CHARITY STRIPE: Texans DE J.J. WATT was profiled Friday on NBC’s “Today” for his community efforts. NBC’s JENNA BUSH HAGER noted Watt named his Dream Big Work Hard Foundation after his own personal slogan, and the foundation's mission is “to support under-funded youth athletic programs across the country.” Watt said, “I don't want any kid to be lost of an opportunity just because somebody couldn't afford it. ... There's so many things that as a kid you enjoy that carry on through the rest of your life. I learned things like discipline and teamwork and leadership from sports, and I think those are the things that carry you forward” (“Today,” NBC, 10/12).
NAMES: 49ers CEO JED YORK was named to Fortune Magazine's "40 Under 40" (THE DAILY)....NFL Cardinals LB SAM ACHO, K JAY FEELY, WRs LARRY FITZGERALD and ANDRE ROBERTS, and former NFLer RICH BARTEL on Wednesday night met with former U.S. Presidents BILL CLINTON and George W. Bush (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 10/12)....Prospective Browns Owner JIMMY HASLAM III purchased a $4.1M, 14,660 square-foot home on Lake Erie, the "biggest home sale in years" in Northeast Ohio (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 10/12)....The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Nancy Keates writes under the header, "Football's Costly Turnovers." Keates: "Among the stats racked up by college-football coaches over their careers are numerous homes bought and sold" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 10/12).
