In Philadelphia, Jeff McLane cited sources as saying that Eagles WR DESEAN JACKSON "parted ways with agent DREW ROSENHAUS last week and could sign on with JAY Z's Roc Nation Sports" (PHILLY.com, 6/2). The N.Y. POST's Page Six noted Roc Nation Sports on Thursday night threw WNBA Shock G SKYLAR DIGGINS a "welcome to New York City" party at Jay-Z's 40/40 Club in the Flatiron District (N.Y. POST, 6/1).
FREQUENT FLIERS: In N.Y., Mary Pilon profiled USOC CEO SCOTT BLACKMUN and Chair LARRY PROBST, who have put the U.S. "back in the good graces of international officials." The two men "attribute their success in repairing relationships to their travel schedules: Blackmun has averaged 130 days a year on the road, and Probst about 100." Their predecessors had "a team that did most international travel on their behalf" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/1).
MAN OF THE PEOPLE: In Buffalo, Tim Graham wrote Relativity Sports NFL agent EUGENE PARKER is "one of football's most influential power brokers." He maintains a "dazzling client list and a sterling reputation as a masterful negotiator who doesn't screw around." Parker is a "peculiar NFL personality in that his clients love him and executives admire him." Cowboys Owner JERRY JONES said, "Eugene Parker is who I would call to represent me right now if I needed an agent" (BUFFALO NEWS, 6/2).
TASTE OF THE ROCKIES: In Denver, Terry Frei examined the legacy of Avalanche Advisor PIERRE LACROIX, noting he has been "primarily a team adviser -- albeit one with an impressive title -- after he dropped the title of general manager in 2006." Lacroix "hasn't been involved in the day-to-day operations of the franchise for many years." This much is "indisputable: Lacroix played a key role in the Avalanche's early success in Denver, guiding the franchise through times both triumphant and difficult" (DENVER POST, 6/2).
CHARITY STRIPE: Patriots QB TOM BRADY on Saturday held his Best Buddies Challenge in Hyannis Port, Mass., and “raised more than” $4.5M for Best Buddies Int’l. The weekend “kicked off with a flag football game on Friday” (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/3)….Ravens WR LARDARIUS WEBB yesterday participated in his “fourth annual charity softball game that benefits his foundation.” Roughly 6,000 people came to Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Md., for the event (BALTIMORESUN.com, 6/2).
SILVER SCREEN: Former NFLer NAJEH DAVENPORT is “currently producing” “THE U RELOADED -- THE RISE FOR 5” which looks at the Univ. of Miami football team’s “return to glory in the late 1990s and early 2000s” (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 6/2)….UFC fighter ANDERSON SILVA plans to soon “make the transition to movies.” Silva has been taking “acting lessons with a personal coach both in his native Brazil and in Hollywood with the hopes of starring in feature films in the near future” (NYPOST.com, 6/2)
NAMES: Tennis HOFer ANDRE AGASSI on Friday night at the Southern Nevada Sports HOF induction "delivered what several say was one of the best speeches since the Hall debuted in 1997." Also inducted were Las Vegas Motor Speedway President CHRIS POWELL, Las Vegas Events President PAT CHRISTENSEN and UFC President DANA WHITE (LAS VEGAS SUN, 6/1)....247Sports.com President BOBBY BURTON was profiled on Sunday and noted as "among those turning recruiting into big business" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/2)....Stanford Univ. student MUTHU ALAGAPPAN is a “cult figure in the growing field of sports analytics” and has secured a “formal partnership” with the Heat and Trail Blazers. The Heat front office “checks in” with Alagappan before each series to help “compile a data-oriented scouting report” (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 6/2)....Lakers G KOBE BRYANT's court battle with his mother, PAMELA, "will take him to New Jersey." The trial will "begin June 17 in a Camden courtroom" (LATIMES.com, 6/1)....The Marlins on Friday “unveiled a commemorative bronze plaque" in honor of the franchise’s first President & COO, the late CARL BARGER (MLB.com, 5/31).
IN MEMORY: Former Tulane Equipment Dir DAVID LOWRY died on Saturday at the age of 47 from renal cancer (NOLA.com, 6/1).
