NASCAR Senior VP & CMO STEVE PHELPS on Thursday at a breakfast of automotive, marketing and advertising decision-makers at the Detroit Athletic Club said the sport has "an aging fan base" and noted that it has to "get younger and more diverse." Phelps: "We have to become more relevant to the times" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 7/19).
CENTER OF ATTENTION: In Minneapolis, Mike Kaszuba writes former NFLer MATT BIRK is "not yet jumping into any political ring," but he said that there have been "plenty of knocks on his door" since retiring after last season. Birk "declined comment on reports that he met with the Republican National Senatorial Committee." But he said Thursday he "should have some clarity on my short-term future in the next week" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/19).
NAMES: Seahawks QB RUSSELL WILSON and Russell Investments, a Seattle-based asset management firm, have "partnered together to create a charitable program entitled 'Investing with Russell.'" For each touchdown Wilson scores this season -- running or passing -- the firm "will donate $2,000 to Wilson's charitable foundation" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 7/19)....Members of the MLS Dynamo on Thursday presented Houston Fire Department Assistant Chief THOMAS MUNOZ a "check for $21,123 to benefit the families of four Houston firefighters who died May 31 fighting a blaze in Southwest Houston" (CHRON.com, 7/18)....Redskins QB ROBERT GRIFFIN III is on the cover of this week's Washington Post Magazine accompanied by an excerpt from DAVE SHEININ's book, "RGIII: THE PROMISE" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 7/18)....A jersey worn by Baseball HOFer TED WILLIAMS in '46 "sold for $184,000 and a BABE RUTH model bat from 1925-27 went for more than $166,000 in live bidding this week by Hunt Auctions" (AP, 7/18)....ESPN Communications Manager BEN CAFARDO, the son of Boston Globe writer NICK CAFARDO, is getting married on Saturday in Cumberland, R.I. (THE DAILY).
