The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER's Eriq Gardner reported ROBIN ANTONICK, the man who "created the first version of the mega-successful 'Madden NFL Football' video game," has scored an $11M win in a California federal court. Antonick in March of '11 "sued video game publisher Electronic Arts for allegedly breaching a development contract he signed in 1986 that entitled him to royalties on derivative versions of the Madden game." A jury "agreed, ordering Electronic Arts to pay him damages." His award is being "estimated with interest factored." With "significantly higher revenues" for games made after '96, Antonick is "hoping for damages that could stretch into the hundreds of millions of dollars" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 7/24).
A RED FLAG? In Vancouver, Brad Ziemer reports Canucks G ROBERTO LUONGO has "dumped his longtime agent" GILLES LUPIEN, and is "now being represented by the heavyweight duo of" CAA Sports' J.P. BARRY and PAT BRISSON (VANCOUVER SUN, 7/25). Also in Vancouver, Ben Kuzma writes the move will "only fuel speculation that something is seriously amiss with Luongo." Kuzma: "You don't require new representation with nine years and $40.5 million US remaining on an immovable 12-year, $64-million deal that was negotiated by Lupien but became an albatross. You do need new voices if you think some of the best minds in the business can get you someplace else" (Vancouver PROVINCE, 7/25).
DRESSED TO IMPRESS: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Smith & Sidel write under the header, "Should You Dress Like The CEO?" Employees are "wise to take fashion cues from above." Nets Community Relations Dir JEFF SCOTT said that Nets and Barclays Center CEO BRETT YORMARK is "one of his style influences." Scott: "As far as the neatness, I dress like him. I use the word 'like' in the sense that everything is pressed and neat and polished." Yormark describes himself as "a bit of a meticulous dresser, someone who believes in looking right." Smith & Sidel note he "almost always wears a custom suit and tie at the office, and while he doesn't expect employees to dress exactly like him, he says [he] is aware 'they probably follow my lead'" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 7/25).
HONORS & AWARDS: The National Football Foundation announced Cowboys Owner JERRY JONES has been named to the NFF Leadership HOF. Jones will be honored on Oct. 3 during an event at the Omni Dallas Hotel (NFF)....Cynopsis Sports announced Telemundo broadcaster ANDRES CANTOR will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Cynopsis Sports Business Summit on Aug. 14 at the Grand Hyatt in N.Y. (Cynopsis)....The Orioles became the first team in the 13-year history of the annual Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Legacy Awards to "receive three individual awards in the same year." Manager BUCK SHOWALTER, P JIM JOHNSON and CF ADAM JONES all were honored in a ceremony yesterday (BALTIMORESUN.com, 7/24)....Major League Baseball Players Trust will receive the '13 Charles E. Horton Humanitarian Award for Global Health at the Physicians For Peace Gala on Nov. 2 (MLBPA)....Former Double-A Southern League Presidents DON MINCHER, BILLY HITCHCOCK and JIMMY BRAGAN will be the initial inductees into the Southern League HOF (AL.com, 7/24)....Boxer BERNARD HOPKINS has been named "goodwill ambassador" of the boxing program at Barclays Center (ESPN.com, 7/24).
NAMES: The Univ. of Michigan “released the details” of basketball coach JOHN BEILEIN’s extension through the ’18-19 season, and there was “no buyout included in the event Beilein leaves.” If Beilein is "fired early," UM “is responsible for a sliding downward scale from $7 million this year, decreasing by a million each season.” The base salary “is $300,000 and the additional compensation is now up to" $2.1M for the reported $2.45M total (FREEP.com, 7/24)….Sony Pictures Classics will “handle the worldwide release” of film director ALEX GIBNEY’s documentary on cyclist LANCE ARMSTRONG, “THE ARMSTRONG LIE.” A release date “has not been set” (VARIETY.com, 7/24)….ESPN anchor and Indiana Univ. alum SAGE STEELE will drive the pace car for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (INDYSTAR.com, 7/24)….The opening ceremony for golf’s Presidents Cup “will be held on Oct. 2 at the Columbus Commons and will feature” country band RASCAL FLATTS. The ceremony will “include an international food festival, other musical performers and appearances by the U.S. and International team members” (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 7/25)....Heat F SHANE BATTIER bought a new home in Coral Gables for $3.22M (MIAMIHERALD.com, 7/24)….Brewers 3B ARAMIS RAMIREZ “sold his three-bedroom condo unit in a high-rise building” in Chicago for $680,000. Ramirez purchased the unit for $937,500 in ’05 (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 7/25).
