Spurs Owner PETER HOLT and his wife, JULIANNA, ahead of the '12 elections "donated four times as much money to federal politicians and political groups as" Heat Owner MICKY ARISON and his wife, MADELEINE. The Holts combined to contribute "more than $500,000 during the 2012 election cycle." That includes "$250,000 given to Restore Our Future, the super PAC that backed GOP presidential candidate MITT ROMNEY, and a $100,000 donation to the Texas Conservatives Fund, the super PAC that supported Texas Lt. Gov. DAVID DEWHURT's failed U.S. Senate bid." The Holts also donated "more than $90,000 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee over the two-year period." Meanwhile, the Arisons combined to give "about $125,000 to federal candidates and committees." But they "didn't donate to super PACs" (HUFFINGTONPOST.com, 6/19).
THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR: Cowboys WR DEZ BRYANT's adviser DAVID WELLS on Tuesday credited Basketball HOFer MICHAEL JORDAN for "teaching the wide receiver how to be more professional." Wells said that Jordan and Bryant "speak by phone twice a week and exchange text messages on a regular basis." He added that Clippers G CHRIS PAUL also has been "instrumental in Bryant's development." Bryant is "only the seventh NFL player to sign with the Jordan Brand." He signed a three-year deal, but "won't be paid until the second year of the contract" (FOXSPORTSSOUTHWEST.com, 6/18).
CASHING IN: Alberta resident SHAWN CHAULK, who "boasted one of the world's best and highly-sought after collections of WAYNE GRETZKY memorabilia has netted more than $450,000 at auction -- and he said he only sold roughly 20% of his massive collection." Chaulk contributed "about 25 pieces of Gretzky memorabilia to an auction spring event at Montreal-based Classic Auctions" (QMI AGENCY, 6/19).
IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT: Daytona Int’l Speedway President JOIE CHITWOOD III “will wheel the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Camaro SS in the prestigious hill climb event during the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England” in July. Chitwood has “known Childress since he was a kid” (NEWS-JOURNALONLINE.com, 6/19)….Univ. of Kentucky men’s basketball coach JOHN CALIPARI will be the honorary pace car driver for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 on June 29 at Kentucky Speedway (CINCINNATI.com, 6/19).
GETTING OUT AND ABOUT: ESPN's Trey Wingo said Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT was "living the life" the other night, as he was seen flashing the Roc-A-Fella Records' "diamond" sign while attending the 10th anniversary of JAY-Z's 40/40 Club. ESPN's Jason Taylor said, "I like it, Bob Kraft taking a little part in pop culture. I'm not sure he knows what it means, but I like what he's doing." Wingo said, "I have a feeling he does know what it means, because he's very sharp" ("NFL Live," ESPN, 6/19).
NAMES: Univ. of Illinois golfer THOMAS PIETERS has signed on for representation with Excel Sports Management and will be repped by agent LANCE YOUNG. Excel also signed Univ. of Washington golfer CHRIS WILLIAMS earlier this week (GOLFWEEK.com, 6/19)….Celebrities who attended last night’s NHL Stanley Cup Final Game 4 at TD Garden in Boston included actors DENIS LEARY and VINCE VAUGHN, WWE wrestler JOHN CENA and UFC President DANA WHITE. A “pack of present and former” Patriots also were at the game, including K STEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI and Broncos WR WES WELKER. Former Bruins in attendance included BOBBY ORR, RAY BOURQUE and MARK RECCHI (BOSTON HERALD, 6/20)….Mavericks F DIRK NOWITZKI celebrated his 35th birthday in Berlin by dining with PRESIDENT OBAMA, First Lady MICHELLE OBAMA and Germany Chancellor ANGELA MERKEL (ESPN.com, 6/19)….A lawsuit filed yesterday in Florida District Court claimed Basketball HOFer MAGIC JOHNSON “broke an agreement to market and sell a Magic Cash Card, and in turn made a similar deal with a competitor, OneWest Bank” (N.Y. POST, 6/20)….Panthers TE GREG OLSEN “will donate more than $289,000” to Carolinas HealthCare System’s Levine Children’s Hospital “for a fund that will help provide home-care support to pediatric heart patients once they’re discharged.” The contribution will be presented tomorrow. Olsen’s son, T.J., was “born with a heart defect” (CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.com, 6/19)....Chicago Tribune Bears/NFL columnist DAN POMPEI has been "selected as the 2013 winner of the prestigious Dick McCann Memorial Award for distinguished reporting." He will be honored in August at the Pro Football HOF (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/20).
IN MEMORY: Former WFAN-AM Giants analyst and former NFLer DAVE JENNINGS died yesterday at the age of 61. In N.Y., Mike Lupica writes Jennings “ought to be remembered as much as a fine, classy, understated radio broadcaster as for the way he could kick a football and make it do what he wanted and go where he wanted it to.” He “happened to be terrific on radio, on both the Jets broadcasts and later working with BOB PAPA and the late DICK LYNCH for the Giants” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/20). Also in N.Y., Phil Muschnick writes Jennings was “remarkably unappreciated and unidentified by national TV NFL shot-callers.” He was the “most prepared NFL analyst” and “knew the NFL rulebook far better … than any radio or TV analyst” (N.Y. POST, 6/20).
