Dolphins Owner STEPHEN ROSS yesterday pledged to donate the bulk of his $4B fortune to charity upon his death, "joining a list of prominent billionaires in the so-called 'giving pledge.'" Ross was one of nine billionaires whose pledges were announced. His letter in the announcement lists among his philanthropic interests the Univ. of Michigan Ross School of Business that bears his name, and a “foundation he is forming to pursue sustainable models of urban living” (MIAMI HERALD, 5/8).
THE BLUEPRINT: Brazilian soccer player NEYMAR reportedly has been “selected as one of the latest sports stars" to join JAY-Z’ Roc Nation Sports agency. Jay-Z also is reportedly “aiming to bring the Brazilian talents” of MF LUCAS MOURA and F LEANDRO DAMIAO to Roc Nation Sports (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 5/7). Meanwhile, SETH JONES, the top-rated NHL Draft prospect, has been linked to Roc Nation Sports and he said, "Jay-Z in the world of sports will be big. He’s trying to become an agent right now. I’m obviously extremely excited, I mean it's Jay-Z. Maybe I get the chance to meet him one day. It could open up a lot of doors for me and my family” (“E:60,” ESPN, 5/7).
BOOK REPORT: SI.com’s Bruce Jenkins wrote he was “anxious to read” JIMMY CONNORS’ new book “The Outsider” until he "learned how disgracefully" Connors treats Tennis HOFer CHRIS EVERT. Jenkins: “Some things need to remain hushed, forever, and Connors -- still on the rampage, apparently -- blew open a door that should have remained closed" (SI.com, 5/7).
AWARDS & HONORS: The Missouri House on Monday passed a bill that would name a portion of the new Mississippi River bridge after late Baseball HOFer STAN MUSIAL (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 5/7)....Duquesne Univ. officials yesterday announced a $1M endowed scholarship named in honor of late Baseball HOFer ROBERTO CLEMENTE, to be “awarded to Hispanic students entering the university as freshmen" (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE, 5/8)....The Sports Society and Delta Psi Kappa last night honored former FSU Women’s AD BARBARA PALMER with the Babe Didrikson Zaharias Award (MIAMI HERALD, 5/8)....Saints coach SEAN PAYTON “received an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree Saturday” from his alma mater, Eastern Illinois Univ. (THEADVOCATE.com, 5/8).
NAMES: Actor MICHAEL J. FOX on Friday was interviewed for an episode of Bravo's "Inside the Actors Studio” with host JAMES LIPTON at the NHL Powered by Reebok Store in N.Y., where the two “talked hockey” next to the Stanley Cup (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 5/7)….Nationals manager DAVEY JOHNSON on Monday spoke at the GOP’s weekly Whip meeting (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 5/7)….Bruins D ZDENO CHARA has been “a little miffed that he can’t always find a place to park his cars on the water side” of his home at the Union Wharf condo complex in Boston. Chara “aired his auto grievances in a letter to fellow tenants” (BOSTON HERALD, 5/8).
