Loyola Univ.-New Orleans announced that Saints and Hornets Owner TOM BENSON has pledged $5M in financial aid to the school through his foundation. The money will fund scholarships for academically-talented students who have demonstrated financial need (Loyola-New Orleans)….Former Sabres Owner TOM GOLISANO donated $10M to the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation in Naples, Fla., as part of a $20M “community challenge grant he proposed less than a year ago” (Ft. Myers NEWS-PRESS, 3/15).
GOING GREEN: The Natural Resource Defense Council on Thursday honored Pirates Owner BOB NUTTING for his leadership in the sports industry’s green efforts (Pirates). NFL Giants Chair & Exec VP STEVE TISCH and President & CEO JOHN MARA also were honored at the event. Mara said, “I think that is the trend now; I think most people recognize we all have an obligation to do what we can for the environment.” He said since MetLife Stadium was “recognized as the greenest stadium in the league, we’ve improved our carbon footprint” (NJ.com, 3/14). Other honorees included NFL Jets Owner WOODY JOHNSON, Vulcan Sports & Entertainment CEO PETER MCLOUGHLIN and Mariners VP/Ballpark Operations SCOTT JENKINS. The event was emceed by former WNBAer LISA LESLIE and co-chaired by four league commissioners: MLB's BUD SELIG, NBA's DAVID STERN, NHL's GARY BETTMAN and MLS' DON GARBER (THE DAILY).
NAMES: The Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival on Tuesday announced its upcoming slate, and one will be actor KEVIN CONNOLLY’s “Big Shot,” which is about former Islanders Owner JOHN SPANO. The film debuts April 19 (NEWSDAY.com, 3/14)….IndyCar and NASCAR team Owner ROGER PENSKE stepped down from GE’s BOD (NASDAQ)….NASCAR driver JEFF GORDON on Thursday “helped kick off a food drive” at K.C. community food network Harvesters. Gordon and Kansas Speedway President PAT WARREN “packed food boxes that will be given to low-income seniors who are at risk of hunger in the Kansas City community” (K.C. STAR, 3/15)....Gold Medal-winning U.S. speedskater APOLO OHNO will host the GSN's revival of the gameshow “Minute To Win It” (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 3/14)....Pro Football HOFer DAN MARINO “showed up for jury duty Wednesday yet never reported to his assigned court room.” Marino’s visit to the courthouse was “cut short by an intercepting judge and cushioned by deputy escorts, creating a buzz and irking some who perceived special treatment” (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 3/14)....Celtics Gs JASON TERRY and TERRENCE WILLIAMS on Thursday “read to students” at the Perkins School for the Blind. They were joined by Managing Partner & CEO WYC GROUSBECK and his wife, CORINNE. Celtics F PAUL PIERCE later hosted his Truth Strikes Again celebrity bowling tournament to benefit his campaign to fight child obesity (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/15)....Broncos S QUINTON CARTER is facing felony charges that he “cheated at a craps game” last weekend at Texas Station Casino in Las Vegas. Carter was arrested Saturday at the casino (AP, 3/14).
SPORTS BUSINESS AWARDS: Look for the announcement of the 75 nominees for the '13 Sports Business Awards at approximately 7:00am ET Monday morning with the unveiling of a video posted exclusively at SportsBusinessDaily.com. Check your inbox for an e-mail notification that the video has been posted. Nominees for the sixth annual awards program in 15 categories -- from Sports Team of the Year to Sports Executive of the Year -- will be revealed. Winners will be announced during a live ceremony on Wednesday, May 22 at the N.Y. Marriott Marquis at Times Square.
